Industry roundup: a snapshot of companies’ Q1 performance

The snow has melted in most areas of the U.S, and the first quarter of the fiscal year is complete. Many businesses, including insurance companies, have posted reports on their financial performance.  Here’s a glimpse of the successes and setbacks.
 
The triumphant:

• eHealth, Inc., the country’s first private health insurance exchange, saw revenues rise by 20% to $61.3 million
• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. saw revenue increase 34.6% to $1.23 billion, although a surge in expenses did slightly hurt net income.
• Donegal Group Inc. (CGICB) enjoyed a net income of $6.9 million, after posting a loss during the same period in 2014.
• Stancorp Financial Group Inc.’s insurance segment reported pre-tax income of $74.9 million, compared with $59.8 million in the same quarter last year.
• Old Republic International Corp. (ORI) reported an impressive $1.31 billion in revenue, and saw shares rise by 4% since early 2014.
• Aspen Insurance experienced gains all around, with shares increasing by 10% and the company boasting $128 million in earnings.
• Allied World posted an admirable $124.4 million in earnings, and its shares beat Wall Street’s expectations.

The less triumphant:

• E*Trade Financial Corp.’s first quarter profit dropped by 59%.  According to Reuters, much of this can be attributed to corporate debt.
• Reinsurance Group of America Incorporated saw its operating income fall from $136.7 million to $121.8 million.
• RLI Group posted a net income of $30.6 million, but the company slightly missed forecasts, reporting 50 cents per share as opposed to the projected 51 cents per share.
• Brown & Brown experienced $56.9 million in profits, but also missed expectations. Analysts predicted that the company would earn $412.7 million in revenue, but the company only reported $404.3 million.
• American National Insurance Co. (ANAT) enjoyed $756.6 million in revenues, but shares have tumbled 12 percent since last year.

Many of these companies should continue success or rebound quickly, as the 2015 fiscal year appears to be promising.
 
“Despite continued micro- and macroeconomic fluctuations, huge opportunities exist to grow business, and make it more profitable and sustainable,” writes the Deloitte Center for Financial Services’s 2015 Insurance Industry Outlook.