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Improved Third Quarter 2009 Results Position Allstate for Sustainable Growth
Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:51 AM


(Source: Business Wire)trackingThe Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) today reported results for the third quarter of 2009:

                                                                                                                                                                                     
 Consolidated Highlights                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                            Three months ended September 30,         
 ($ in millions, except per share amounts and ratios, NM=not meaningful)                                                                    2009      2008             % Change      
 Consolidated revenues                                                                                                                      $ 7,582   $ 7,320          3.6           
 Net income (loss)                                                                                                                          221       (923     )       123.9         
 Net income (loss) per diluted share                                                                                                        0.41      (1.70    )  **   124.1         
 Operating income (loss)*                                                                                                                   538       (190     )       NM            
 Operating income (loss) per diluted share*                                                                                                 0.99      (0.35    )       NM            
 Book value per share                                                                                                                       32.29     31.39       **   2.9           
 Book value per share, excluding the impact of unrealized net capital gains and losses on fixed income securities*                          32.44     34.20       **   (5.1   )      
 Catastrophe losses                                                                                                                         407       1,816            (77.6  )      
 Property-Liability combined ratio                                                                                                          94.7      112.7            (18.0  )  pts 
 Property-Liability combined ratio excluding the effect of catastrophes and prior year reserve reestimates ("underlying combined ratio")*   88.0      85.9             2.1       pts 


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* Measures used in this release that are not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("non-GAAP") are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measure and operating measures are defined in the "Definitions of Non-GAAP and Operating Measures" section of this document.

** As a result of the adoption of new earnings per share accounting guidance in the first quarter of 2009, prior periods have been restated.

"Allstate delivered strong operating income of $538 million and increased book value per share by 16% during the third quarter, thanks to our operating discipline and proactive approach to investing," said Thomas J. Wilson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The Allstate Corporation. "For the third quarter in a row, customer loyalty increased and we delivered a double-digit percentage increase in new standard auto business. By focusing on the customer and maintaining our financial strength, we are building a foundation for sustainable growth."

Consolidated Financial Results

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $7.6 billion, an increase of 3.6% compared to the third quarter of 2008. This reflected lower realized capital losses than the prior year quarter, partially offset by a decrease in net investment income and property-liability premiums. Allstate's third quarter net income was $221 million and operating income was $538 million, compared to a net loss of $923 million and an operating loss of $190 million in the third quarter of 2008. Lower catastrophe losses contributed to the improvement in operating income. The net income improvement reflected higher operating income and lower realized capital losses in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the prior year quarter.

Property-Liability Combined Ratio Reflects Continued Strength in Auto

Allstate's Property-Liability business produced a combined ratio of 94.7 in the third quarter of 2009, resulting from continued margin strength in the auto business and actions taken to reduce expenses, partly offset by the impact of catastrophe losses on the homeowners business. The underlying combined ratio was 88.0 in the third quarter and 88.1 in the first nine months of 2009, within the company's 87-89 outlook range for the full year. Management anticipates that the underlying combined ratio for the full year 2009 will be within its previous outlook range.

Allstate brand standard auto premiums written for the third quarter of 2009 were comparable to the prior year third quarter, with new issued applications increasing 12.0% and the renewal ratio increasing 0.2 points to 89.1. Policies in force declined 1.3% versus the prior year quarter as improved sales and retention were offset by fewer policies available to renew. The combined ratio was 92.7, up 1.7 points from the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher loss frequency, as frequency returned to historical norms following low levels in 2008. Average claim cost increases were within expectations.

Allstate brand homeowners premiums written for the third quarter of 2009 declined 0.2% compared to the same period a year ago, resulting from a 4.1% decline in policies in force. The combined ratio improved to 98.3 in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 181.3 in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting lower catastrophe losses, partly offset by higher non-catastrophe claim frequencies and severities. Allstate continues to implement profit improvement actions in this business and will benefit in the future from rate increases averaging 6.9% in 19 states that were approved during the quarter.

Allstate had catastrophe losses of $407 million for the third quarter and $1.7 billion for the first nine months of 2009. In comparison, the company had $1.8 billion of catastrophe losses in the third quarter and $3.1 billion in the first nine months of 2008, including $1.4 billion of losses from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

The Property-Liability expense ratio for the third quarter of 2009 was comparable to the prior year quarter primarily resulting from the timing of marketing expenditures and more focused technology spending, being offset by lower premiums earned and higher restructuring charges from staff reductions. Excluding restructuring, the expense ratio declined 0.4 points in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008.

Allstate Financial Makes Strong Progress on ˜Focus to Win'

Allstate Financial continued to make progress on its Focus to Win program by reducing expenses, shifting fixed costs to variable, and targeting higher returns on products. Through September 30, 2009, expense savings initiatives have delivered approximately 80% of the targeted $90 million in annual cost savings by 2011. Premiums and deposits declined 45.5% in the third quarter of 2009 versus the third quarter of 2008 resulting from pricing actions to improve returns and reduce concentration in spread-based products.

Allstate Financial's operating income was $95 million in the third quarter of 2009. This represented an 8.0% increase from $88 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to improved benefit spread, lower amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and reduced operating expenses, partly offset by a lower investment spread. The benefit spread increased 49.5% from the prior year quarter to $145 million, driven by improved mortality experience, higher premiums at the Allstate Workplace Division, and increased contract charges on interest-sensitive life insurance products. The investment spread declined during the third quarter of 2009 to $109 million versus $214 million in the third quarter of 2008, due to lower net investment income partly offset by lower interest credited on contractholder funds. Operating expenses declined 26.1% to $99 million in the third quarter of 2009 from $134 million in the same period of 2008, reflecting the substantial progress made through Focus to Win.

Allstate Financial's net loss was $38 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of $196 million in the same period of 2008. Lower realized net capital losses, after-tax, of $151 million, compared to $390 million in the prior year quarter, contributed to the improvement.

Proactive Investment Strategies Improved Total Returns

Allstate's investment portfolio continued to benefit from risk mitigation and return optimization strategies during the third quarter. The company maintained its credit exposure while credit spreads tightened, managed its exposure to interest rates, proactively reduced exposure to commercial real estate, and invested opportunistically.

The consolidated investment portfolio grew $4.2 billion to $100.6 billion at September 30, 2009 when compared to June 30, 2009. The unrealized net loss position improved by $4.8 billion compared to the prior quarter, reducing pre-tax unrealized net losses to $2.5 billion at September 30, 2009. Improved unrealized balances in all asset classes were the result of tightening credit spreads, declining interest rates and positive equity portfolio returns. The total unrealized net capital gain was $112 million at September 30, 2009, after adjusting for deferred policy acquisition costs and taxes.

Risk mitigation programs continued to be effective as macro hedges against interest rate and equity market risk performed as expected during the quarter. As interest rates declined and equity markets rose in the three months ended September 30, 2009, fixed income and equity valuations improved, but also resulted in realized losses on derivatives. The duration of the investment portfolio declined 8.3% to 3.8 years at September 30, 2009 when compared to year-end 2008, while increasing slightly during the third quarter.

Net investment income for the quarter was $1.1 billion, down $271 million from $1.4 billion in the third quarter of 2008, due to lower yields, actions to shorten duration and maintain additional liquidity in the portfolio, and reduced investment balances. During the quarter, Allstate deployed $4.6 billion of short-term investments and cash receipts into securities to generate income and capital appreciation.

Net realized capital losses for the quarter were $519 million, pre-tax. This reflected $381 million of impairment write-downs and $361 million of net losses from derivative instruments. Impairment write-downs were primarily related to investments with real estate exposure and hybrid securities issued by European financial institutions. Net gains of $201 million were realized on sales during the third quarter of 2009. Sales included proactive measures to reduce exposures to commercial real estate, certain municipal bond sectors, and below investment grade assets.

Allstate's Capital Position Continues to Improve

"We continued to build Allstate's financial strength this quarter, demonstrated by the 16% improvement in shareholders' equity to $17.5 billion at September 30," said Don Civgin, senior vice president and chief financial officer. "Our improved operating and investment results reflect the prudent and proactive decisions we have made and position Allstate well as the economy continues to slowly improve."

Statutory surplus at September 30, 2009 was estimated to be $14.8 billion for Allstate Insurance Company, including $3.2 billion at Allstate Life Insurance Company. There were $3.4 billion in assets available at the holding company level to cover the company's relatively low annual fixed charges. Allstate's 90-day liquidity improved to $33.0 billion in assets that could be sold without significant additional net realized capital losses.

Building on Allstate's Strong Leadership

The company continues to build upon its strong leadership team. In October, two new leaders joined the company. Matthew Winter became president and chief executive officer of Allstate Financial and Mark La Neve became Allstate's chief marketing officer. "Matt's experience and leadership will enable Allstate Financial to continue successfully implementing Focus to Win and generate growth by addressing the middle market's unmet protection and retirement needs," said Wilson. "Mark's experience in strengthening brands through customer-focused product design and local sales will drive our efforts to reinvent protection and retirement."

George E. Ruebenson, president, Allstate Protection, announced that he will retire at year-end 2009 after nearly 40 years of service. "George's service to our customers, employees and shareholders has strengthened Allstate and positioned us for the future," said Wilson.

At Allstate.com, click on "Investors" to view additional information about Allstate's third quarter results, including a webcast of its quarterly conference call. The conference call will be held at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

                                                                                                                                              
 THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                                                    
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                              
 ($ in millions, except per share data)                                 Three months ended September 30,      Nine months ended September 30, 
                                                                        2009          2008                    2009           2008             
                                                                        (unaudited)                        (unaudited)                        
 Revenues                                                                                                                                     
 Property-liability insurance premiums earned                        $  6,535      $  6,785                $  19,677      $  20,299           
 Life and annuity premiums and contract charges                         482           468                     1,460          1,391            
 Net investment income                                                  1,084         1,355                   3,368          4,293            
 Realized capital gains and losses:                                                                                                           
 Total other-than-temporary impairment losses                           (539   )      (1,119  )               (1,735  )      (2,842  )        
 Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income               147           --                      301            --               
 Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings      (392   )      (1,119  )               (1,434  )      (2,842  )        
 Sales and other realized capital gains and losses                      (127   )      (169    )               884            (316    )        
 Total realized capital gains and losses                                (519   )      (1,288  )               (550    )      (3,158  )        
                                                                        7,582         7,320                   23,955         22,825           
                                                                                                                                              
 Costs and expenses                                                                                                                           
 Property-liability insurance claims and claims expense                 4,573         5,971                   14,295         15,423           
 Life and annuity contract benefits                                     382           418                     1,176          1,210            
 Interest credited to contractholder funds                              496           586                     1,636          1,773            
 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                      1,023         980                     3,649          3,014            
 Operating costs and expenses                                           744           814                     2,247          2,334            
 Restructuring and related charges                                      35            10                      112            4                
 Interest expense                                                       106           88                      291            264              
                                                                        7,359         8,867                   23,406         24,022           
 Gain (loss) on disposition of operations                               2             3                       6              (6      )        
                                                                                                                                              
 Income (loss) from operations before income tax expense (benefit)      225           (1,544  )               555            (1,203  )        
                                                                                                                                              
 Income tax expense (benefit)                                           4             (621    )               219            (653    )        
                                                                                                                                              
 Net income (loss)                                                   $  221        $  (923    )            $  336         $  (550    )        
                                                                                                                                              
 Earnings per share:                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                              
 Net income (loss) per share - Basic                                 $  0.41       $  (1.70   )            $  0.62        $  (1.00   )        
                                                                                                                                              
 Weighted average shares - Basic                                        539.9         542.4                   539.5          551.6            
                                                                                                                                              
 Net income (loss) per share - Diluted                               $  0.41       $  (1.70   )            $  0.62        $  (1.00   )        
                                                                                                                                              
 Weighted average shares - Diluted                                      541.5         542.4                   540.5          551.6            
                                                                                                                                              
 Cash dividends declared per share                                   $  0.20       $  0.41                 $  0.60        $  1.23             


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 THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION                                                                                                                                                                                           
 SEGMENT RESULTS                                                                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 ($ in millions, except ratios)                                                                                                                            Three months ended            Nine months ended          
                                                                                                                                                           September 30,                 September 30,              
                                                                                                                                                           2009           2008           2009            2008       
 Property-Liability                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Premiums written                                                             $                                                                            6,810       $  6,966       $  19,694       $  20,283     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Premiums earned                                                              $                                                                            6,535       $  6,785       $  19,677       $  20,299     
 Claims and claims expense                                                                                                                                 (4,573  )      (5,971  )      (14,295  )      (15,423  ) 
 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                                                                                         (943    )      (991    )      (2,832   )      (3,002   ) 
 Operating costs and expenses                                                                                                                              (642    )      (678    )      (1,911   )      (1,949   ) 
 Restructuring and related charges                                                                                                                         (31     )      (10     )      (88      )      (4       ) 
 Underwriting income (loss)                                                                                                                                346            (865    )      551             (79      ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Net investment income                                                                                                                                     326            386            1,004           1,287      
 Periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative instruments                                                                                     (2      )      1              (8       )      2          
 Income tax expense (benefit) on operations                                                                                                                (169    )      230            (343     )      (237     ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Operating income (loss)                                                                                                                                   501            (248    )      1,204           973        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax                                                                                                              (188    )      (412    )      (373     )      (690     ) 
 Reclassification of periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge                                                                                                                                                 
 derivative instruments, after-tax                                                                                                                         1              (1      )      5               (2       ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Net income (loss)                                                            $                                                                            314         $  (661    )   $  836          $  281        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Catastrophe losses                                                           $                                                                            407         $  1,816       $  1,741        $  3,082      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Operating ratios:                                                                                                                                                                                                  
 Claims and claims expense ratio                                                                                                                           70.0           88.0           72.6            76.0       
 Expense ratio                                                                                                                                             24.7           24.7           24.6            24.4       
 Combined ratio                                                                                                                                            94.7           112.7          97.2            100.4      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Effect of catastrophe losses on combined ratio                                                                                                            6.2            26.8           8.8             15.2       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Effect of prior year reserve reestimates on combined ratio                                                                                                (0.7    )      --             (0.4     )      0.6        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Effect of catastrophe losses included in prior year reserve reestimates on                                                                                                                                         
 combined ratio                                                                                                                                            1.2            --             0.7             (0.6     ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Effect of Discontinued Lines and Coverages on combined ratio                                                                                              0.3            0.1            0.1             0.1        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Allstate Financial                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 Premiums and deposits                                                        $                                                                            1,033       $  1,896       $  3,965        $  9,395      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Investments                                                                  $                                                                            61,891      $  66,547      $  61,891       $  66,547     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Premiums and contract charges                                                $                                                                            482         $  468         $  1,460        $  1,391      
 Net investment income                                                                                                                                     744            937            2,327           2,895      
 Periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative instruments                                                                                     2              9              --              25         
 Contract benefits                                                                                                                                         (382    )      (418    )      (1,176   )      (1,210   ) 
 Interest credited to contractholder funds                                                                                                                 (497    )      (604    )      (1,559   )      (1,833   ) 
 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                                                                                                         (108    )      (140    )      (347     )      (387     ) 
 Operating costs and expenses                                                                                                                              (99     )      (134    )      (325     )      (377     ) 
 Restructuring and related charges                                                                                                                         (4      )      --             (24      )      --         
 Income tax expense on operations                                                                                                                          (43     )      (30     )      (111     )      (155     ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Operating income                                                                                                                                          95             88             245             349        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax                                                                                                              (151    )      (390    )      (239     )      (1,298   ) 
 DAC and DSI accretion (amortization) relating to realized capital gains                                                                                                                                            
 and losses, after-tax                                                                                                                                     18             110            (132     )      283        
 DAC and DSI unlocking relating to realized capital gains and losses, after-tax                                                                            --             --             (224     )      --         
 Reclassification of periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge                                                                                                                                                 
 derivative instruments, after-tax                                                                                                                         (1      )      (6      )      --              (16      ) 
 Gain (loss) on disposition of operations, after-tax                                                                                                       1              2              4               (4       ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Net loss                                                                     $                                                                            (38     )   $  (196    )   $  (346     )   $  (686     ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Corporate and Other                                                                                                                                                                                                
 Net investment income                                                        $                                                                            14          $  32          $  37           $  111        
 Operating costs and expenses                                                                                                                              (109    )      (90     )      (302     )      (272     ) 
 Income tax benefit on operations                                                                                                                          37             28             105             79         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Operating loss                                                                                                                                            (58     )      (30     )      (160     )      (82      ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax                                                                                                              3              (36     )      6               (63      ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Net loss                                                                     $                                                                            (55     )   $  (66     )   $  (154     )   $  (145     ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
 Consolidated net income (loss)                                               $                                                                            221         $  (923    )   $  336          $  (550     ) 


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 THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                                         
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION                                                                           
                                                                                                                                   
 ($ in millions, except par value data)                                                           September 30,       December 31, 
                                                                                                  2009                2008         
 Assets                                                                                           (unaudited)                      
 Investments:                                                                                                                      
 Fixed income securities, at fair value (amortized cost $81,367 and $77,104)                   $  78,561           $  68,608       
 Equity securities, at fair value (cost $4,274 and $3,137)                                        4,603               2,805        
 Mortgage loans                                                                                   8,853               10,229       
 Limited partnership interests                                                                    2,770               2,791        
 Short-term, at fair value (amortized cost $3,470 and $8,903)                                     3,470               8,906        
 Other                                                                                            2,369               2,659        
 Total investments                                                                                100,626             95,998       
 Cash                                                                                             727                 415          
 Premium installment receivables, net                                                             4,970               4,842        
 Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                                6,916               8,542        
 Reinsurance recoverables, net                                                                    6,460               6,403        
 Accrued investment income                                                                        901                 884          
 Deferred income taxes                                                                            1,520               3,794        
 Property and equipment, net                                                                      1,013               1,059        
 Goodwill                                                                                         874                 874          
 Other assets                                                                                     2,471               3,748        
 Separate Accounts                                                                                9,026               8,239        
 Total assets                                                                                  $  135,504          $  134,798      
                                                                                                                                   
 Liabilities                                                                                                                       
 Reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense                            $  19,176           $  19,456       
 Reserve for life-contingent contract benefits                                                    12,849              12,881       
 Contractholder funds                                                                             53,336              58,413       
 Unearned premiums                                                                                10,069              10,024       
 Claim payments outstanding                                                                       772                 790          
 Other liabilities and accrued expenses                                                           6,081               6,663        
 Long-term debt                                                                                   6,661               5,659        
 Separate Accounts                                                                                9,026               8,239        
 Total liabilities                                                                                117,970             122,125      
                                                                                                                                   
 Equity                                                                                                                            
 Preferred stock, $1 par value, 25 million shares authorized, none issued                         --                  --           
 Common stock, $.01 par value, 2.0 billion shares authorized and 900 million                                                       
 issued, 536 million and 536 million shares outstanding                                           9                   9            
 Additional capital paid-in                                                                       3,160               3,130        
 Retained income                                                                                  31,083              30,207       
 Deferred ESOP expense                                                                            (47      )          (49      )   
 Treasury stock, at cost (364 million and 364 million shares)                                     (15,832  )          (15,855  )   
 Accumulated other comprehensive income:                                                                                           
 Unrealized net capital gains and losses:                                                                                          
 Unrealized net capital losses on fixed income securities with OTTI                               (411     )          --           
 Other unrealized net capital gains and losses                                                    (1,218   )          (5,767   )   
 Unrealized adjustment to DAC, DSI and insurance reserves                                         1,741               2,029        
 Total unrealized net capital gains and losses                                                    112                 (3,738   )   
 Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments                                              42                  5            
 Unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefit cost                                       (1,022   )          (1,068   )   
 Total accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                       (868     )          (4,801   )   
 Total shareholders' equity                                                                       17,505              12,641       
 Noncontrolling interest                                                                          29                  32           
 Total equity                                                                                     17,534              12,673       
 Total liabilities and equity                                                                  $  135,504          $  134,798      
                                                                                                                                   
 THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                                         
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
 ($ in millions)                                                                               Nine months ended September 30,     
                                                                                               2009                   2008         
 Cash flows from operating activities                                                          (Unaudited)                         
 Net income (loss)                                                                          $  336                 $  (550     )   
 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:                                          
 Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items                                           (87         )          (267     )   
 Realized capital gains and losses                                                             550                    3,158        
 (Gain) loss on disposition of operations                                                      (6          )          6            
 Interest credited to contractholder funds                                                     (1,636      )          (1,773   )   
 Changes in:                                                                                                                       
 Policy benefits and other insurance reserves                                                  (460        )          1,158        
 Unearned premiums                                                                             6                      21           
 Deferred policy acquisition costs                                                             471                    (456     )   
 Premium installment receivables, net                                                          (108        )          (156     )   
 Reinsurance recoverables, net                                                                 (101        )          (319     )   
 Income taxes                                                                                  1,175                  (1,176   )   
 Other operating assets and liabilities                                                        103                    364          
 Net cash provided by operating activities                                                     (3,515      )          (3,556   )   
 Cash flows from investing activities                                                                                              
 Proceeds from sales:                                                                                                              
 Fixed income securities                                                                       16,098                 19,289       
 Equity securities                                                                             4,636                  8,008        
 Limited partnership interests                                                                 293                    270          
 Mortgage loans                                                                                140                    228          
 Other investments                                                                             429                    167          
 Investment collections:                                                                                                           
 Fixed income securities                                                                       3,947                  3,158        
 Mortgage loans                                                                                1,093                  605          
 Other investments                                                                             99                     79           
 Investment purchases:                                                                                                             
 Fixed income securities                                                                       (22,694     )          (12,360  )   
 Equity securities                                                                             (5,991      )          (8,420   )   
 Limited partnership interests                                                                 (674        )          (810     )   
 Mortgage loans                                                                                (23         )          (501     )   
 Other investments                                                                             (54         )          (122     )   
 Change in short-term investments, net                                                         5,437                  (6,780   )   
 Change in other investments, net                                                              (144        )          (420     )   
 Disposition (acquisition) of operations                                                       12                     (120     )   
 Purchases of property and equipment, net                                                      (143        )          (153     )   
 Net cash provided by investing activities                                                     (2,461      )          (2,118   )   
 Cash flows from financing activities                                                                                              
 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                      1,003                  19           
 Repayment of long-term debt                                                                   (1          )          --           
 Contractholder fund deposits                                                                  3,252                  8,698        
 Contractholder fund withdrawals                                                               (9,485      )          (12,497  )   
 Dividends paid                                                                                (434        )          (668     )   
 Treasury stock purchases                                                                      (3          )          (1,318   )   
 Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net                                             2                      31           
 Excess tax benefits on share-based payment arrangements                                       (6          )          3            
 Other                                                                                         8                      (9       )   
 Net cash used in financing activities                                                         (5,664      )          (5,741   )   
 Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                               312                    (67      )   
 Cash at beginning of period                                                                   415                    422          
 Cash at end of period                                                                      $  727                 $  355          


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Definitions of Non-GAAP and Operating Measures

We believe that investors' understanding of Allstate's performance is enhanced by our disclosure of the following non-GAAP and operating financial measures. Our methods for calculating these measures may differ from those used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited.

Operating income (loss) is net income (loss), excluding:

realized capital gains and losses, after-tax, except for periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative instruments, which are reported with realized capital gains and losses but included in operating income,

amortization of DAC and DSI, to the extent they resulted from the recognition of certain realized capital gains and losses,

gain (loss) on disposition of operations, after-tax, and

adjustments for other significant non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items, when (a) the nature of the charge or gain is such that it is reasonably unlikely to recur within two years, or (b) there has been no similar charge or gain within the prior two years.

Net income (loss) is the GAAP measure that is most directly comparable to operating income (loss).

We use operating income (loss) as an important measure to evaluate our results of operations. We believe that the measure provides investors with a valuable measure of the company's ongoing performance because it reveals trends in our insurance and financial services business that may be obscured by the net effect of realized capital gains and losses, gain (loss) on disposition of operations and adjustments for other significant non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items. Realized capital gains and losses and gain (loss) on disposition of operations may vary significantly between periods and are generally driven by business decisions and external economic developments such as capital market conditions, the timing of which is unrelated to the insurance underwriting process. Consistent with our intent to protect results or earn additional income, operating income (loss) includes periodic settlements and accruals on certain derivative instruments that are reported in realized capital gains and losses because they do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. These instruments are used for economic hedges and to replicate fixed income securities, and by including them in operating income (loss), we are appropriately reflecting their trends in our performance and in a manner consistent with the economically hedged investments, product attributes (e.g., net investment income and interest credited to contractholder funds) or replicated investments. Non-recurring items are excluded because, by their nature, they are not indicative of our business or economic trends. Accordingly, operating income (loss) excludes the effect of items that tend to be highly variable from period to period and highlights the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability of our business. A byproduct of excluding these items to determine operating income (loss) is the transparency and understanding of their significance to net income variability and profitability while recognizing these or similar items may recur in subsequent periods. Operating income (loss) is used by management along with the other components of net income (loss) to assess our performance. We use adjusted measures of operating income (loss) and operating income (loss) per diluted share in incentive compensation. Therefore, we believe it is useful for investors to evaluate net income (loss), operating income (loss) and their components separately and in the aggregate when reviewing and evaluating our performance. We note that investors, financial analysts, financial and business media organizations and rating agencies utilize operating income (loss) results in their evaluation of our and our industry's financial performance and in their investment decisions, recommendations and communications as it represents a reliable, representative and consistent measurement of the industry and the company and management's performance. We note that the price to earnings multiple commonly used by insurance investors as a forward-looking valuation technique uses operating income (loss) as the denominator. Operating income (loss) should not be considered as a substitute for net income (loss) and does not reflect the overall profitability of our business.

The following tables reconcile operating income (loss) and net income (loss) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

                                                                                                                                                                                            
 For the three months ended September 30,                                            Property-Liability        Allstate Financial        Consolidated                Per diluted share(2)   
 ($ in millions, except per share data)                                              2009         2008         2009         2008         2009         2008           2009          2008     
 Operating income (loss)                                                          $  501       $  (248  )   $  95        $  88        $  538       $  (190    )   $  0.99       $  (0.35  ) 
 Realized capital gains and losses ((1))                                             (290  )      (634  )      (234  )      (599  )      (519  )      (1,288  )                             
 Income tax benefit                                                                  102          222          83           209          183          450                                   
 Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax                                        (188  )      (412  )      (151  )      (390  )      (336  )      (838    )      (0.62  )      (1.54  ) 
 DAC and DSI accretion relating to realized capital gains and losses, after-tax      --           --           18           110          18           110            0.04          0.20     
 Reclassification of periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative                                                                                                              
 instruments, after-tax                                                              1            (1    )      (1    )      (6    )      --           (7      )      --            (0.01  ) 
 Gain on disposition of operations, after-tax                                        --           --           1            2            1            2              --            --       
                                                                                                                                                                                            
 Net income (loss)                                                                $  314       $  (661  )   $  (38   )   $  (196  )   $  221       $  (923    )   $  0.41       $  (1.70  ) 


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                                                                                                                  
 For the nine months ended September 30,                                             Property-Liability           Allstate Financial          Consolidated                 Per diluted share(2)   
 ($ in millions, except per share data)                                              2009          2008           2009         2008           2009          2008           2009          2008     
 Operating income                                                                 $  1,204      $  973         $  245       $  349         $  1,289      $  1,240       $  2.38       $  2.25     
 Realized capital gains and losses ((1))                                             (403   )      (1,066  )      (156  )      (1,996  )      (550   )      (3,158  )                             
 Income tax benefit (expense)                                                        30            376            (83   )      698            (56    )      1,107                                 
 Realized capital gains and losses, after-tax                                        (373   )      (690    )      (239  )      (1,298  )      (606   )      (2,051  )      (1.12  )      (3.72  ) 
 DAC and DSI (amortization) accretion relating to realized capital gains and                                                                                                                      
 losses, after-tax                                                                   --            --             (132  )      283            (132   )      283            (0.24  )      0.51     
 DAC and DSI unlocking relating to realized capital gains and losses, after-tax      --            --             (224  )      --             (224   )      --             (0.42  )      --       
 Reclassification of periodic settlements and accruals on non-hedge derivative                                                                                                                    
 instruments, after-tax                                                              5             (2      )      --           (16     )      5             (18     )      0.01          (0.03  ) 
 Gain (loss) on disposition of operations, after-tax                                 --            --             4            (4      )      4             (4      )      0.01          (0.01  ) 
                                                                                                                                                                                                  
 Net income (loss)                                                                $  836        $  281         $  (346  )   $  (686    )   $  336        $  (550    )   $  0.62       $  (1.00  ) 

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