UNITED STATES




 


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549




FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  November 10, 2008


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware

010306

58-1407235

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

96 Cummings Point Road, Stamford, Connecticut

06902

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (203) 358-8000



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240a-12)


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-4(c))
















 





Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.


This information set forth under this Item 2.02 is intended to be furnished under this Item 2.02 "Results of Operations and Financial Condition." Such information, including the Exhibit attached hereto, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


On November 10, 2008, Independence Holding Company issued a news release announcing 2008 Third-Quarter and Nine-Month Results.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibit


(c)  

Exhibit:


Exhibit 99.1

News Release of Independence Holding Company dated November 10, 2008 announcing 2008 Third-Quarter and Nine-Month Results.





SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

 

(Registrant)




/s/ Teresa A. Herbert

Teresa A. Herbert

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



Date:



November 10, 2008







 

                                   Exhibit 99.1

 

 

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

CONTACT: DAVID T. KETTIG

96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD

(212) 355-4141 Ext. 3047

STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06902

www.Independenceholding.com

NYSE: IHC

 



NEWS RELEASE


INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY ANNOUNCES

2008 THIRD-QUARTER AND NINE-MONTH RESULTS



Stamford, Connecticut, November 10, 2008. Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) today reported 2008 third-quarter and nine-month results.  This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information for which a reconciliation can be found on the final page.

Financial Results


Operating income1 per share increased to $.10 per share, diluted, or $1,577,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to a loss of $.56 per share, diluted, or $8,571,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2007.  Operating income per share increased to $.49 per share, diluted, or $7,534,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to a loss of $.02 per share, diluted, or $293,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  Operating income is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as net income excluding net realized investment gains and losses and income from discontinued operations, both net of applicable taxes.  


Net loss per share increased to $.57 per share, diluted, or $8,748,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $.55 per share, diluted, or $8,423,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2007.  Included in the current quarter’s net loss is a charge for other-than-temporary impairments in investments of $10,136,000, or $.66 per share, diluted, net of tax that (net of gains) yielded a net realized loss of $11,033,000, or $.71 per share, diluted, net of tax.  The Company recorded these losses during the quarter as a result of the continued turmoil in the credit markets.


Net income per share decreased to a loss of $.80 per share, diluted, or $12,369,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to income of $.01 per share, diluted, or $108,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  Included in the net loss for the nine months is a charge for other-than-temporary impairments in investments of $21,334,000 or $1.39 per share, diluted, net of tax that (net of gains) yielded a net realized loss of $20,611,000, or $1.34 per share, diluted, net of tax.  


Revenues decreased 18.5% to $81,934,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to revenues for the three months ended September 30,





2007 of $100,565,000. Revenues decreased 9.2% to $275,670,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 of $303,501,000.  The decrease in revenues is primarily the result of the realized losses in 2008.


Chief Executive Officer’s Comments


Roy Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased with the significant increase in operating income from continuing operations during this quarter to $.10 per share, diluted, from a loss of $.56 per share, diluted, in the third quarter of 2007.  Our operating focus continues to be on maintaining underwriting discipline in all business lines and improving our profit margins in the future.  Due to the unprecedented turmoil in the capital markets, Independence Holding Company, like many insurance and other companies in the financial sector, recognized a loss in the third quarter and during the first nine months of 2008 for other-than-temporary impairments.  These impairments were primarily on certain preferred stocks and AAA-rated Alt-A mortgages.  The majority of these impairments relate to investment-grade preferred stocks issued by well-known financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, US Bancorp, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Banco Santander. At September 30, 2008, the Company had a carrying value of $31 million in preferred stocks of these financial institutions and $33 million in Alt-A mortgages, which amounted to 8% of our total investment portfolio of $804 million. Our fixed-maturity portfolio continues to be rated, on average, AA. As the Company carries all of its assets available for sale at fair value, we recorded a decrease in our book value per share from $13.92 at June 30, 2008 to $11.90 at September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of unrealized losses due to the turbulent global market.  The Company expects to recover its temporary unrealized losses in fixed maturities recorded in book value as the securities mature.”


Non-GAAP Financial Measures


The Company provides non-GAAP financial measures to complement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.  These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement the user's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and its prospects for the future.  Specifically, the Company believes the non-GAAP results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding realized gains or losses, net of taxes that, when excluded from the GAAP results, may provide additional understanding of the Company's core operating results or business performance.  However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to supersede or replace the Company's GAAP results.  A reconciliation of the non-GAAP results to the GAAP results is provided in the "Reconciliation of GAAP Income from Continuing Operations to Non-GAAP Income from Continuing Operations” schedule below.  Operating results reported on a non-GAAP basis exclude realized gains or losses net of applicable income taxes.


About Independence Holding Company

IHC is a holding company principally engaged in the life and health insurance business and the acquisition of blocks of policies through its insurance company subsidiaries (Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc.), its affiliate (American Independence Corp. (NASDAQ: AMIC)), and its managing general underwriters, third-party administrators, and marketing affiliates.  Standard Security Life markets medical stop-loss, small group





major medical, short-term medical, major medical for individuals and families, limited medical, group long and short-term disability and life, dental, vision and managed health care products. Madison Life sells group life and disability, employer medical stop-loss, small group major medical, major medical for individuals and families, short-term medical, dental, vision, and individual life insurance.   AMIC is a holding company principally engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business through Independence American Insurance Company and its managing general underwriter division.

Certain statements in this news release may be considered forward-looking statements, such as statements relating to management’s views with respect to future events and financial performance.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the markets in which IHC operates, new federal or state governmental regulation, IHC’s ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage any past or future strategic acquisition, and other factors which can be found in IHC’s other news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.






INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

THIRD QUARTER REPORT

September 30, 2008

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health

$

67,676

$

70,172

$

212,188

$

206,380

 

Life and annuity

 

9,256

 

8,085

 

28,082

 

25,607

 

Net investment income

 

11,887

 

11,002

 

33,688

 

35,118

 

Fee income

 

9,351

 

11,007

 

30,768

 

31,540

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

(17,138)

 

471

 

(32,111)

 

1,473

 

Equity income (loss) from AMIC

 

297

 

(696)

 

1,087

 

401

 

Other income

 

605

 

524

 

1,968

 

2,982

 

 

81,934

 

100,565

 

275,670

 

303,501

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health

 

46,883

 

62,124

 

145,189

 

156,078

 

Life and annuity

 

12,588

 

12,074

 

36,681

 

35,663

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

35,436

 

36,738

 

108,146

 

103,517

 

Amortization of deferred acquisitions costs

 

1,419

 

1,676

 

4,828

 

4,594

 

Interest expense on debt

 

900

 

1,051

 

2,795

 

3,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97,226

 

113,663

 

297,639

 

303,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

before income taxes

 

(15,292)

 

(13,098)

 

(21,969)

 

480

 

Income tax (benefits)

 

(5,836)

 

(4,820)

 

(8,892)

 

(182)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(9,456)

 

(8,278)

 

(13,077)

 

662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

541

 

(145)

 

541

 

(554)

 

Gain on disposition of discontinued operations

 

167

 

-

 

167

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

(8,748)

$

(8,423)

$

(12,369)

$

108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(.61)

$

(.54)

$

(.85)

$

.04 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

.03 

 

(.01)

 

.04 

 

(.03)

 

Gain on disposition of discontinued operations

 

.01 

 

 

.01 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share

$

(.57)

$

(.55)

$

(.80)

$

.01 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

15,421 

 

15,195 

 

15,380 

 

15,190 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(.61)

$

(.54)

$

(.85)

$

.04 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

.03 

 

(.01)

 

.04 

 

(.03)

 

Gain on disposition of discontinued operations

 

.01 

 

 

.01 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

$

(.57)

$

(.55)

$

(.80)

$

.01 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

15,421 

 

15,195 

 

15,380 

 

15,302 



As of November 07, 2008, there were 15,401,234 common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares.

Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to reflect the results of discontinued operations.







RECONCILIATION OF GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO NON-GAAP INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)



 

 

 Three Months Ended

 

 Nine Months Ended

 

 

 September 30,

 

 September 30,

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(9,456)

$

(8,278)

$

(13,077)

$

662 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized (gains) losses net of taxes

 

11,033 

 

(293)

 

20,611 

 

(955)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Operating income(loss) from continuing operations

$

1,577 

$

(8,571)

$

7,534 

$

(293)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non - GAAP basic income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating income(loss) from continuing operations

$

.10 

$

(.56)

$

.49 

$

(.02)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non - GAAP diluted income (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating income (loss) from continuing operations

$

.10 

$

(.56)

$

.49 

$

(.02)




Included in realized losses net of taxes for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008 are $10,136,000 or $.66 per share, diluted, and $21,334,000 or $1.39 per share, diluted, respectively, from other than temporary impairments primarily due to the write down in value of preferred stocks of certain financial institutions, fixed maturities (primarily Alt-A securities) and common stocks.



Footnotes

1 Operating income excludes net realized investment gains (losses). The Company believes that the presentation of operating earnings may offer a better understanding of the core operating results of the Company.  A reconciliation of net income to operating income is presented as an attachment to this press release.