WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 30, 2014-- American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL), a leading underwriter of index and fixed rate annuities, today reported second quarter 2014 net income of $36.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted common share, compared to second quarter 2013 net income of $120.1 million, or $1.71 per diluted common share.

Non-GAAP operating income¹ for the second quarter of 2014 was $38.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted common share, compared to second quarter 2013 non-GAAP operating income¹ of $30.3 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share.

Highlights for the second quarter of 2014 include:

• Annuity sales (before coinsurance) were $1.04 billion compared to first quarter 2014 annuity sales of $921 million.
• Total invested assets were $33.1 billion (amortized cost basis = $30.6 billion).
• Investment spread was 2.70% compared to 2.77% for the first quarter of 2014 and 2.70% for the second quarter of 2013.
• Estimated risk-based capital (RBC) ratio at June 30, 2014 remained above A. M. Best’s rating threshold at 356% compared to 344% at December 31, 2013.
• Book value per share (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income) was $18.19 at June 30, 2014 compared to $18.75 at December 31, 2013.

¹ In addition to net income, we have consistently utilized operating income and operating income per common share – assuming dilution, non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in the life insurance industry, as economic measures to evaluate our financial performance. See accompanying tables for reconciliations of net income to operating income and descriptions of reconciling items. See Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a more complete discussion of the reconciling items and their impact on net income for the periods presented. Because these items fluctuate from period to period in a manner unrelated to core operations, we believe measures excluding their impact are useful in analyzing operating trends. We believe the combined presentation and evaluation of operating income together with net income, provides information that may enhance an investor’s understanding of our underlying results and profitability.

The diluted share count for second quarter 2014 was 79.5 million shares compared to 70.4 million shares for the second quarter of 2013. This increase was attributable to (i) shares issued for retirement of convertible notes and the exercise of stock options and (ii) greater dilution from convertible notes, warrants and stock options because the Company’s common stock price was substantially higher in the second quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2013.

UPCOMING INITIATIVES EXPECTED TO ENHANCE COMPETITIVE POSITION
Commenting on second quarter results, founder and Executive Chairman David J. Noble said: “We are pleased to see quarterly sales back above the $1 billion level, but we also see opportunities to increase sales. In early August, we will launch three initiatives intended to enhance our competitive position: a new index crediting strategy, revisions to the payouts under our lifetime income benefit rider and a new option for payment of commissions to independent agents. We are optimistic that these initiatives will be favorably received and help us achieve our goals of at least 10% annual growth in policyholder liabilities under management and a double digit operating return on average equity.”

CASH FROM AGENCY CALLS CAUSES TEMPORARY SPREAD DECLINE
American Equity’s investment spread was 2.70% for the second quarter of 2014 compared to 2.77% for the first quarter of 2014. This decrease was primarily due to a 0.12% decrease in the average yield on invested assets, to 4.83% for the second quarter of 2014 from 4.95% for the first quarter of 2014. Much of this decrease was attributable to higher levels of low yielding cash and short-term investments during the quarter which primarily resulted from calls of $500 million of U.S. Government agency securities in April 2014. Cash and short-term investments will remain above normal operating levels for a portion of the third quarter but are expected to return to normal operating levels by the end of the third quarter of 2014.

The average yield on invested assets continues to be impacted by the investment of new premiums and portfolio cash flows at rates below the portfolio rate. The average yield on fixed income securities purchased and commercial mortgage loans funded in the second quarter of 2014 was 4.15%, compared to an average yield of 4.39% in the first quarter of 2014.

The aggregate cost of money for annuity liabilities was 2.13% in the second quarter of 2014 compared to 2.18% in the first quarter of 2014. This decrease reflected continued reductions in crediting rates and a benefit from hedging the obligations for index linked interest of 0.03%.

Commenting on investment spread, John Matovina, Chief Executive Officer and President, said: “Over the past few years we have worked to achieve our targeted investment spread by managing new money and renewal crediting rates to fairly reflect interest rate conditions. The investing environment is challenging again this year with both lower rates on benchmark treasuries and narrower credit spreads. We are balancing achievement of spread targets with the need to offer competitive new money rates and thus have been reluctant to reduce new money rates so far this year. However, reductions in new money rates are likely should current interest rate conditions continue.”

Matovina continued, “Even after the rate reductions of the past several years, we are encouraged that we still have significant room to reduce crediting rates and maintain our spread. If all fixed rates, caps and participation rates were reduced to guaranteed minimums, our cost of money would decrease by approximately 0.59%. Equally important is our commitment to delivering satisfactory returns to our policyholders. The structure of our products allows policyholders to safely earn equity linked returns while avoiding the risk of direct equity market exposure.”

CONVERTIBLE DEBT RETIREMENT PROGRESSES
During the quarter, the Company further reduced its debt leverage and potential dilution from increases in the Company’s stock price through the retirement of additional convertible notes. The Company has now retired $238 million aggregate principal amount of its two outstanding convertible debt instruments, including the $51 million that was retired this quarter. The total consideration paid by the Company in the second quarter included $65 million of cash and 1,496,664 shares of the Company’s common stock. The second quarter retirements reduced book value per share by $0.49 and net income for the second quarter included $0.07 from the loss on extinguishment of debt.

At June 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $96 million of net proceeds remaining from its July 2013$400 million 6.625% Senior Notes due 2021 offering. The Company intends to use these net proceeds to redeem or repurchase the $78 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes that were outstanding at June 30, 2014. The form and timing of any such activity will be dependent upon market conditions and other factors and there can be no assurance that any transactions can be completed prior to the December 2014 call date for the 5.25% convertible notes or the September 2015 maturity date for the 3.50% convertible notes.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements such as “guidance”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “goal”, “objective”, “target”, “may”, “should”, “estimate”, “projects” or similar words as well as specific projections of future results qualify as forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward looking statements can be found in the company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by the company will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

CONFERENCE CALL
American Equity will hold a conference call to discuss second quarter 2014 earnings on Thursday, July 31, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. CDT. The conference call will be webcast live on the Internet. Investors and interested parties who wish to listen to the call on the Internet may do so at www.american-equity.com.

The call may also be accessed by telephone at 877-703-6105, passcode 68268438 (international callers, please dial 857-244-7304). An audio replay will be available shortly after the call on AEL’s website. An audio replay will also be available via telephone through August 7, 2014 at 1-888-286-8010, passcode 38108885 (international callers will need to dial 617-801-6888).

ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, through its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, is a full service underwriter of fixed annuity and life insurance products, with a primary emphasis on the sale of index and fixed rate annuities. American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, a New York Stock Exchange Listed company (NYSE: AEL), is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. For more information, please visit www.american-equity.com.

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to net income, we have consistently utilized operating income and operating income per common share - assuming dilution, non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in the life insurance industry, as economic measures to evaluate our financial performance. Operating income equals net income adjusted to eliminate the impact of net realized gains and losses on investments including net OTTI losses recognized in operations, fair value changes in derivatives and embedded derivatives, loss on extinguishment of debt and changes in litigation reserves. Because these items fluctuate from quarter to quarter in a manner unrelated to core operations, we believe measures excluding their impact are useful in analyzing operating trends. We believe the combined presentation and evaluation of operating income together with net income provides information that may enhance an investor’s understanding of our underlying results and profitability.

Reconciliation from Net Income to Operating Income (Unaudited)

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Average Stockholders' Equity and Return on Average Equity

Return on equity measures how efficiently we generate profits from the resources provided by our net assets. Return on equity is calculated by dividing net income and operating income for the trailing twelve months by average equity excluding average accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI").

1 - simple average based on stockholders' equity at beginning and end of the twelve month period.

Source: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
John M. Matovina, 515-457-1813
Chief Executive Officer
jmatovina@american-equity.com
or
Ted M. Johnson, 515-457-1980
Chief Financial Officer
tjohnson@american-equity.com
or
Debra J. Richardson, 515-273-3551
Chief Administrative Officer
drichardson@american-equity.com
or
Julie L. LaFollette, 515-273-3602
Director of Investor Relations
jlafollette@american-equity.com