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Triple-S Management Corporation Reports 2008 Results at High End of Guidance Range

Posted on: Thursday, 19 February 2009, 06:00 CST

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Triple-S Management Corporation (NYSE: GTS), the largest managed care company in Puerto Rico, today announced consolidated revenues of $1.8 billion for the 12 months ended December 31, 2008. Net income of $24.8 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, includes an after tax net loss of $33.9 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, in net realized and unrealized losses on investments and derivatives.

2008 Highlights -- Total consolidated operating revenues increased 14.6 percent year-over-year to $1,770.9 million -- Operating income was $84.1 million -- Excluding net realized and unrealized losses and a loss from derivatives included within other income (expenses), net income was $58.7 million, or $1.83 per diluted share -- Consolidated Loss Ratio was 84.6 percent and Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) was 88.9 percent -- Consolidated operating expense ratio improved 120 basis points to 14.7 percent -- Continued expansion of Medicare Advantage business: over 310,000 additional member months enrollment during the year ended December 31, 2008, a 74.6 percent year-over-year increase

"Our full-year results came in at the high end of Company guidance," said Ramon M. Ruiz-Comas, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We were pleased with the performance of our managed care segment across all product lines and extremely gratified with the 75 percent growth in Medicare Advantage enrollment." Ruiz-Comas concluded, "As we close another successful year, our first as a publicly traded company, and prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary, I want to personally thank all of our employees for their hard work and continued dedication to providing the highest quality of care to our members."

Consolidated operating revenues for the 12 months ended December 31, 2008 were $1,770.9 million, 14.6 percent above the same period of the previous year. The increase was largely due to growth in Medicare Advantage membership enrollment; however, the Company also experienced higher Commercial and Reform premiums due to rate increases.

The consolidated net realized investment loss for the 12 months ended December 31, 2008 was $13.9 million. The loss resulted from the recognition of a non-cash charge to earnings of $16.5 million due to other-than-temporary impairments in the three equity mutual funds that replicate the Russell 1000, Standard & Poor's 500 and EAFE indexes as well as for certain perpetual preferred securities. Ruiz-Comas remarked, "While frustrating, we are not alone in reporting other-than-temporary impairment adjustments. The good news is that this development did not alter our financial plan for creating shareholder value."

Consolidated claims incurred and operating expenses for the year were $1,686.8 million, an increase of 15.4 percent from a year ago. Consolidated claims incurred were up $211.1 million, or 17.2 percent, principally due to increased claims in the managed care segment driven by higher enrollment and utilization trends, particularly in the Medicare Advantage business. The consolidated loss ratio rose 210 basis points to 84.6 percent. Twelve-month consolidated operating expenses were $251.9 million and the operating expense ratio improved 120 basis points to 14.7 percent. Pro forma net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2008 was $58.7 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, based on weighted average shares outstanding of 32.2 million, compared with $56.0 million, or $2.06 per diluted share, based on weighted average shares outstanding of 27.2 million at the same time last year.

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2008, net cash used in operating activities amounted to $3.0 million. This is mainly due to the fact that in December 2007 the Company collected $22.8 million in managed care premiums related to revenues for January 2008. In addition, premiums receivable for the managed care segment as of December 31, 2008 increased by approximately $41.1 million, mostly from the Government of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities. Excluding both situations, cash flow from operations would have been $60.9 million.

As of December 31, 2008, Triple-S Management had $58.5 million in parent company cash, cash equivalents, and investments.

Fourth-Quarter Highlights

For the three months ended December 31, 2008, consolidated operating revenues rose 15.4 percent to $460.2 million, principally due to growth in the managed care segment. Consolidated claims incurred and operating expenses for the quarter were $431.2 million, an increase of 15.8 percent from a year ago. Consolidated claims incurred were up $55.9 million, or 18.1 percent, principally due to increased claims in the managed care segment driven by higher enrollment and utilization trends, particularly in the Medicare Advantage business and to a lesser degree in the Commercial business. The consolidated loss ratio rose 240 basis points from the year-ago period, to 83.1 percent, primarily reflecting higher utilization trends in the managed care segment. "While the loss ratio was up from the prior year, this metric did, as anticipated, improve 130 basis points sequentially, largely due to seasonality," noted Ruiz-Comas. The consolidated operating expense ratio improved 170 basis points to 15.0 percent in 2008 mainly due to a scalable infrastructure that enabled the Company to manage the aforementioned volume increase.

The consolidated net realized investment loss during the three months ended December 31, 2008 was $11.7 million. The loss resulted from the recognition of a non-cash charge to earnings of $12.6 million due to other- than-temporary impairments in the three equity mutual funds that replicate the Russell 1000, Standard & Poor's 500 and EAFE indexes as well as for certain perpetual preferred securities.

Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was $2.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, based on weighted average shares outstanding of 32.1 million. This compares with net income for the three months ended December 31, 2007 of $17.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, based on weighted average shares of 28.6 million. Excluding the effect of net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and derivatives for the three months ended December 31 in both 2008 and 2007, net of taxes, pro forma net income was $21.3 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the quarter ended December 31, 2008, compared with $21.2 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in the comparable 2007 quarter.

Pro Forma Net Income (Unaudited) (dollar amounts in millions) Three months ended Dec. 31, Twelve months ended Dec. 31, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Pro forma net income Net income $2.0 17.7 $24.8 58.5 Net realized investment (gains) loss net of tax 10.0 0.2 11.8 (4.8) Net unrealized investment (gains) losses on trading securities net of tax 8.7 2.8 17.9 3.5 Derivative (gain) loss net of tax 0.6 0.5 4.2 -- Retroactive Reform premium adjustment net of tax -- -- -- (1.2) Pro forma net income $21.3 21.2 $58.7 56.0 Diluted pro forma net income per share $0.66 0.74 $1.83 2.06

Segment Performance

Triple-S Management operates in three segments: 1) Managed Care, 2) Life Insurance, and 3) Property and Casualty Insurance. Management evaluates performance based primarily on the operating revenues and operating income of each segment. Operating revenues include premiums earned, net administrative service fees and net investment income. Operating costs include claims incurred and operating expenses. The Company calculates operating income or loss as operating revenues minus operating expenses. Operating margin is defined as operating gain or loss divided by operating revenues.

(Unaudited) (dollar amounts in millions) Three months ended Dec. 31, Twelve months ended Dec. 31, Percentage Percentage 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change Operating revenues: Managed Care $404.5 342.7 18.0% $1,558.6 1,338.7 16.4% Life Insurance 28.6 25.7 11.3% 109.3 103.9 5.2% Property and Casualty 28.1 31.8 (11.6%) 106.3 108.7 (2.2%) Other (1.0) (1.4) (28.6%) (3.3) (6.5) (49.2%) Total operating revenues $460.2 398.8 15.4% $1,770.9 1,544.8 14.6% Operating income: Managed Care $18.2 18.0 1.1% $52.6 57.4 (8.4%) Life Insurance 3.8 2.4 58.3% 12.5 10.7 16.8% Property and Casualty 5.8 4.3 34.9% 13.1 10.7 22.4% Other 1.2 1.6 (25.0%) 5.9 4.7 25.5% Total operating income $29.0 26.3 10.3% $84.1 83.5 0.7% Operating margin: Managed Care 4.5% 5.3% 3.4% 4.3% Life Insurance 13.3% 9.3% 11.4% 10.3% Property and Casualty 20.6% 13.5% 12.3% 9.8% Consolidated 6.3% 6.6% 4.7% 5.4%

Managed Care Results Summary

Total medical premiums earned in 2008 were $1,513.0 million, up 16.2 percent versus 2007, primarily due to an increase in Medicare Advantage member months enrollment and a change in the product mix within this sector, coupled with rate increases across all businesses.

Medical premiums earned in the Medicare business rose $183.1 million, or 71.6 percent, to $438.7 million, reflecting an increase in member months enrollment of 300,892, or 54.3 percent, and a change in the product mix. The rise in member months is the net result of an increase of 310,762, or 74.6 percent, in Medicare Advantage membership and a decrease of 9,870, or 7.2 percent, in PDP membership.

Medical premiums earned in the Commercial business increased by $15.5 million, or 2.2 percent, to $734.2 million during 2008. This fluctuation is primarily the net result of an average four percent premium rate hike and a decrease in the fully-insured member months enrollment of 36,126, or 0.7 percent.

Medical premiums earned in the Reform business increased $12.6 million, or 3.8 percent, to $340.1 million during 2008. This fluctuation is largely due to the effect in the 2008 period of the nearly 10 percent premium rate increase that became effective on July 1, 2008 and a decrease in the fully- insured member months enrollment of 160,343, or 3.8 percent, when compared to the same period last year.

Administrative service fees climbed $5.2 million, or 30.5 percent, in 2008 due to increases in commercial groups and the Reform business of $2.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively. Total member months increased by 495,265, or 25.7 percent.

Medical claims incurred during 2008 were up $212.2 million, or 18.7 percent, to $1,345.4 million. The overall MLR rose 180 basis points to 88.9 percent. This increase is mostly due to a higher MLR in the Medicare Advantage business and to a lesser degree the Reform business, offset in part by a decrease in the Commercial MLR. The MLR increases in the Medicare and Reform businesses are mostly due to higher utilization trends.

Operating expenses in 2008 rose $12.5 million, or 8.4 percent, to $160.6 million, compared with last year. The increase is principally due to the higher volume, particularly within the Medicare business. The segment's operating expense ratio decreased 70 basis points, to 10.5 percent.

Managed Care Three months ended Twelve months ended December 31, December 31, Additional Data 2008 2007 2008 2007 Member months enrollment Commercial: Fully-insured 1,249,569 1,240,630 4,947,854 4,983,980 Self-funded 526,616 483,563 2,049,140 1,930,850 Total Commercial 1,776,185 1,724,193 6,996,994 6,914,830 Reform: Fully-insured 1,012,521 1,062,702 4,101,905 4,262,248 Self-funded 376,975 - 376,975 - Total Reform 1,389,496 1,062,702 4,478,880 4,262,248 Medicare: Medicare Advantage 196,879 112,733 727,274 416,512 PDP 30,284 33,632 127,658 137,528 Total Medicare 227,163 146,365 854,932 554,040 Total member months 3,392,844 2,933,260 12,330,806 11,731,118 Medical loss ratio 87.6% 85.2% 88.9% 87.1% Commercial 89.3% 82.6% 87.6% 88.8% Reform 87.7% 89.0% 90.6% 89.0% Medicare 84.8% 87.4% 89.7% 79.7% Operating expense ratio 10.9% 12.0% 10.5% 11.2% Managed Care As of December 31, Membership by Segment 2008 2007 Members Commercial: Fully-insured 417,685 412,663 Self-funded 175,038 161,588 Total Commercial 592,723 574,251 Reform Fully-insured 337,960 353,694 Self-funded 189,487 - Total Reform 527,447 353,694 Medicare Medicare Advantage 65,243 38,070 PDP 10,037 11,175 Total Medicare 75,280 49,245 Total members 1,195,450 977,190 Managed Care As of Days claims payable Dec. 31, 2008 Dec. 31, 2007 57.3 days 64.9 days

Share Repurchase and Share Conversion Update

In October 2008, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $40 million of its common shares. Triple-S repurchased approximately 1.2 million Class B shares at an average price of $11.75 in December utilizing cash on hand. The repurchase was conducted in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. From January 1 to February 13, 2009, the Company repurchased an additional 634,150 shares at an average price of $12.62. Triple-S continues to have approximately $18 million earmarked for share repurchases under its current Board authorization. Approximately seven million Class A shares were also converted into Class B shares during the fourth quarter. It should be noted that approximately nine million Class A shares remain outstanding and will not be converted to Class B shares until the earlier of the date that all potential claims specified in our certificate of incorporation are resolved or five years from the date of our initial public offering (December 6, 2012). In either case, the Board of Directors must approve the conversion of the remaining Class A shares. As a reminder, Class A shares do not trade on a public market.

2009 Guidance The Company is providing the following outlook for 2009: 2009 Range 2008 Medical enrollment fully-insured (member months) 9,530,000 9,950,000 9,904,691 Medical enrollment self-insured (member months) 4,450,000 4,545,000 2,426,115 Consolidated operating revenues (in millions) $1,855.0 $1,930.0 $1,770.9 Consolidated loss ratio 83.7% 84.7% 84.6% Medical loss ratio 88.0% 89.0% 88.9% Consolidated operating expense ratio 15.0% 15.4% 14.7% Consolidated operating income (in millions) $88.5 $97.0 $84.1 Consolidated effective tax rate 26.0% 27.0% 22.0% Earnings per share (includes $0.07 net of tax in new IT (Pro forma) system expenses) $1.88 $1.98 $1.83 Weighted average of diluted shares outstanding (in millions) 30.5 30.5 32.2

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will host a conference call and webcast Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008, as well as expectations for future earnings. To participate, callers within the U.S. and Canada should dial 1-800-366-7640, and international callers should dial 1-303-205-0066 about five minutes before the presentation.

To listen to the webcast, participants should visit the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site at http://www.triplesmanagement.com several minutes before the event is broadcast and follow the instructions provided to ensure they have the necessary audio application downloaded and installed. This program is provided at no charge to the user. An archived version of the call, also located on the Investor Relations section of Triple-S Management's Web site, will be available about two hours after the call ends and for at least the following two weeks. This news release, along with other information relating to the call, will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Web site.

About Triple-S Management Corporation

Triple-S Management Corporation is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. It is the largest managed care company in Puerto Rico, serving approximately 1.2 million members, or about 30% of the population, and has the exclusive right to use the Blue Shield name and mark throughout the country. With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, Triple-S Management offers a broad portfolio of managed care and related products in the commercial, Medicare, and Reform markets under the Blue Shield brand. In addition to its managed care business, Triple-S Management provides non-Blue Shield branded life and property and casualty insurance in Puerto Rico. The Company is the largest provider of life, accident, and health insurance and the fourth largest provider of property and casualty insurance in its market.

For more information about Triple-S Management, visit http://www.triplesmanagement.com or contact waller_kathleen@yahoo.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future sales, results of operations, developments, regulatory approvals or other circumstances. Sentences that include "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "may", "will", "shall", "should" and similar expressions, whether in the positive or negative, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements in this news release reflect management's current views about future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed here as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed and identified in public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition, the Company operates in a highly competitive, constantly changing environment, influenced by very large organizations that have resulted from business combinations, aggressive marketing and pricing practices of competitors, and regulatory oversight. The following factors, if markedly different from the Company's planning assumptions (either individually or in combination), could cause Triple-S Management's results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements shared here:

-- Trends in health care costs and utilization rates -- Ability to secure sufficient premium rate increases -- Competitor pricing below market trends of increasing costs -- Re-estimates of policy and contract liabilities -- Changes in government laws and regulations of managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance -- Significant acquisitions or divestitures by major competitors -- Introduction and use of new prescription drugs and technologies -- A downgrade in the Company's financial strength ratings -- Litigation or legislation targeted at managed care, life insurance or property and casualty insurance companies -- Ability to contract with providers consistent with past practice -- Ability to successfully implement the Company's disease management and utilization management programs -- Volatility in the securities markets and investment losses and defaults -- General economic downturns, major disasters, and epidemics

This list is not exhaustive. Management believes the forward-looking statements in this release are reasonable. However, there is no assurance that the actions, events or results anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them do, what impact they will have on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In view of these uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on any forward- looking statements, which are based on current expectations. In addition, forward-looking statements are based on information available the day they are made, and (other than as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States) the Company does not intend to update or revise any of them in light of new information or future events.

Readers are advised to carefully review and consider the various disclosures in the Company's SEC reports.

-FINANCIAL TABLES ATTACHED- Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) Unaudited December 31, December 31, 2008 2007 Assets Investments $1,015,701 $1,011,009 Cash and cash equivalents 46,095 240,153 Premium and other receivables, net 237,158 202,268 Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired 126,347 117,239 Property and equipment, net 58,448 43,415 Other assets 64,710 45,458 Total assets $1,548,459 $1,659,542 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Policy liabilities and accruals $690,080 $726,519 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 203,973 279,539 Borrowings 169,307 170,946 Total liabilities 1,063,360 1,177,004 Stockholders' equity: Common stock 31,148 32,309 Other stockholders' equity 453,951 450,229 Total stockholders' equity 485,099 482,538 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,548,459 $1,659,542 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) For the Year Ended December 31, Unaudited Historical 2008 2007 Revenues: Premiums earned, net $1,695,457 $1,483,548 Administrative service fees 19,187 14,018 Net investment income 56,253 47,194 Total operating revenues 1,770,897 1,544,760 Net realized investment gains (losses) (13,940) 5,931 Net unrealized investment loss on trading securities (21,063) (4,116) Other income (loss), net (2,468) 3,217 Total revenues 1,733,426 1,549,792 Benefits and expenses: Claims incurred 1,434,914 1,223,775 Operating expenses 251,887 237,533 Total operating costs 1,686,801 1,461,308 Interest expense 14,681 15,839 Total benefits and expenses 1,701,482 1,477,147 Income before taxes 31,944 72,645 Income tax expense 7,154 14,127 Net income $24,790 $58,518 Basic net income per share $0.77 $2.15 Diluted earnings per share $0.77 $2.15 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) For the Three Months Ended December 31, Unaudited Historical 2008 2007 Revenues: Premiums earned, net $438,682 $381,934 Administrative service fees 7,106 2,984 Net investment income 14,447 13,797 Total operating revenues 460,235 398,715 Net realized investment gains (losses) (11,707) (232) Net unrealized investment loss on trading securities (10,257) (3,352) Other income (loss), net (1,160) 1,375 Total revenues 437,111 396,506 Benefits and expenses: Claims incurred 364,342 308,401 Operating expenses 66,885 64,094 Total operating costs 431,227 372,495 Interest expense 3,333 3,891 Total benefits and expenses 434,560 376,386 Income before taxes 2,551 20,120 Income tax expense 571 2,402 Net income $1,980 $17,718 Basic net income per share $0.06 $0.62 Diluted earnings per share $0.06 $0.62 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data) For the Year Ended December 31, Unaudited Historical 2008 2007 Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $(2,982) $115,894 Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from investments sold or matured: Securities available for sale: Fixed maturities sold 228,436 299,561 Fixed maturities matured 91,732 41,248 Equity securities 4,450 1,000 Securities held to maturity: Fixed maturities matured 22,875 13,246 Acquisition of investments: Securities available for sale: Fixed maturities (505,896) (327,409) Equity securities (19,636) (18,379) Securities held to maturity: Fixed maturities (554) (8,244) Net proceeds (disbursements) for policy loans 30 (287) Net capital expenditures (22,411) (9,390) Net cash used in investing activities (200,974) (8,654) Cash flows from financing activities: Net proceeds from initial public offering - 70,279 Change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balances 18,353 (3,076) Repayments of long-term borrowings (1,639) (12,141) Dividends - (2,448) Proceeds from policyholder deposits 8,018 6,150 Surrenders of policyholder deposits (7,195) (7,416) Amount paid for repurchases of common stocks (7,645) - Other 6 1 Net cash provided by financing activities 9,898 51,349 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (194,058) 158,589 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 240,153 81,564 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $46,095 $240,153

SOURCE Triple-S Management Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

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