Q2 2026 James River Group Holdings Ltd Earnings Call

August 11, 2026

Operator: Hello, and thank you for standing by. My name is Lacey, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the James River Group second quarter earnings call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question and answer session.

Operator: Hello, and thank you for standing by. My name is Lacey, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the James River Group Q2 Earnings Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session.

Speaker #1: Hello, and thank you for standing by. My name is Lacey, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the James River Group second quarter earnings call.

Speaker #1: All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speaker's remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press start, followed by the number 1 on your telephone keypad.

Operator: If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw your question, press star one again. Thank you. I would now like to turn the call over to Bob Zimardo, Senior Vice President, Investments and Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: If you would like to withdraw your question, press star 1 again. Thank you. I would now like to turn the call over to Bob Zimardo, Senior Vice President of Investments and Investor Relations.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you, operator. Good morning, everybody. Welcome to James River Group's second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. A reminder that during the call, we will be making forward-looking statements that are based on current beliefs, intentions, expectations, and assumptions that are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially.

Bob Zimardo: Thank you, operator, and good morning, everybody. Welcome to James River Group's Q2 2026 earnings conference call. A reminder that during the call, we will be making forward-looking statements that are based on current beliefs, intentions, expectations, and assumptions that are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in the cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements in yesterday's earnings release and the risk factors of our most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and other reports and filings we have made with the SEC. We do not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements. In addition, during this presentation, we may reference non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to our earnings press release for a reconciliation of these numbers to GAAP, a copy of which can be found on our website.

Bob Zimardo: Thank you, operator, and good morning, everybody. Welcome to James River Group's Q2 2026 Earnings Conference Call. A reminder that during the call, we will be making forward-looking statements that are based on current beliefs, intentions, expectations, and assumptions that are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially.

Speaker #2: Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in the cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements in yesterday's earnings release and the risk factors of our most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and other reports and filings we have made with the SEC.

Bob Zimardo: Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in the cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements in yesterday's earnings release and the risk factors of our most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and other reports and filings we have made with the SEC. We do not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements. In addition, during this presentation, we may reference non-GAAP financial measures.

Speaker #2: We do not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements. In addition, during this presentation, we may reference non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to our earnings press release for a reconciliation of these numbers to GAAP, a copy of which can be found on our website.

Bob Zimardo: Please refer to our earnings press release for a reconciliation of these numbers to GAAP, a copy of which can be found on our website.

Speaker #2: Lastly, unless otherwise specified, for the reasons described in our earnings press release, all underwriting performance ratios referred to are for our continuing operations and business that is not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for loss portfolio transfers.

Bob Zimardo: Lastly, unless otherwise specified, for the reasons described in our earnings press release, all underwriting performance ratios referred to are for our continuing operations and business that is not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for loss portfolio transfer. I will now turn the call over to Frank D'Orazio, James River's Chief Executive Officer.

Speaker #2: I will now turn the call over to Frank DOrazio, James River's Chief Executive Officer.

Speaker #3: Thank you for that introduction, Bob. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. I'd like to pick up today's call with the very same theme we've emphasized over the last several quarters.

Frank D'Orazio: Thank you for that introduction, Bob. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. I would like to pick up today's call with the very same theme we have emphasized over the last several quarters. Organizationally, profitability remains our primary focus, and we saw that evidence in the 92.8% combined ratio we achieved for our E&S segment, a meaningful improvement from the 96.5% we recorded last quarter, which was largely impacted by some unique legacy reinsurance dynamics. As you have heard from other competitors this quarter, property and casualty market continues to transition. As conditions shift, our objectives remain the same, to direct underwriting capacity and capital towards areas offering the most attractive risk-adjusted returns while maintaining the discipline to walk away from opportunities that do not meet our profitability expectations.

Speaker #3: Organizationally, profitability remains our primary focus, and we saw that evidenced in the 92.8% combined ratio we achieved for our E&S segment—a meaningful improvement from the 96.5% we recorded last quarter, which was largely impacted by some unique legacy reinsurance dynamics.

Speaker #3: As you've heard from other competitors this quarter, property and casualty market continues to transition. As conditions shift, our objectives remain the same, to direct underwriting capacity and capital towards areas offering the most attractive risk-adjusted returns while maintaining the discipline to walk away from opportunities that do not meet our profitability expectations.

Frank D'Orazio: As you have heard from other competitors this quarter, property and casualty market continues to transition. As conditions shift, our objectives remain the same, to direct underwriting capacity and capital towards areas offering the most attractive risk-adjusted returns while maintaining the discipline to walk away from opportunities that do not meet our profitability expectations.

Speaker #3: We are stewarding the portfolio amidst a transitioning market while taking meaningful expense out of our business and strategically capitalizing on more efficient ways to target profitability over growth.

Frank D'Orazio: We are stewarding the portfolio amidst a transitioning market while taking meaningful expense out of our business and strategically capitalizing on more efficient ways to target profitability over growth. A prime example of this activity is evident in our specialty admitted segment, where we have significantly downsized our writings and deliberately reduced our net exposures in a competitive fronting market while removing over 40% of the expense base in the segment during the year. While the decrease in the group's overall gross written premium is largely impacted by the intentional downsizing of our specialty admitted segment, at the same time, we have increased our gross to net premium retention 9 points to 55% this quarter from 47% in the same quarter last year.

Speaker #3: A prime example of this activity is evident in our specialty admitted segment, where we have significantly downsized our writings and deliberately reduced our net exposures in a competitive-fronting market while removing over 40% of the expense base in the segment during the year.

Speaker #3: While the decrease in the group's overall gross written premium is largely impacted by the intentional downsizing of our Specialty Admitted segment, at the same time, we've increased our gross-to-net premium retention by 9 points to 55% this quarter from 47% in the same quarter last year, with the shift away from fronting, while also taking advantage of several years of underwriting improvements in our E&S segment that we see manifesting in our most recent underwriting year results.

Frank D'Orazio: While the decrease in the group's overall gross written premium is largely impacted by the intentional downsizing of our specialty admitted segment, at the same time, we have increased our gross to net premium retention 9 points to 55% this quarter from 47% in the same quarter last year.

Frank D'Orazio: With the shift away from fronting, while also taking advantage of several years of underwriting improvements in our E&S segment that we see manifesting in our most recent underwriting year results. As for market conditions, we continue to observe additional capacity entering sectors of the E&S market, primarily through MGAs and other newer market participants. As has been the case for several quarters now, property remains characterized by abundant capacity and a more competitive pricing environment. The story in casualty is more nuanced. Social inflation and elevated loss severity continue to create pressure across many casualty classes, so positive rate opportunities remain available in several areas where we continue to focus, including excess casualty and certain specialty lines. Today's market requires underwriters to pick their spots and for established participants to leverage long-standing distribution and client relationships.

Speaker #3: As for market conditions, we continue to observe additional capacity entering sectors of the E&S market, primarily through MGAs, and other newer market participants. As has been the case for several quarters now, property remains characterized by abundant capacity and a more competitive pricing environment.

Speaker #3: Storing casualties is more nuanced: social inflation and elevated loss severity continue to create pressure across many casualty classes, so positive rate opportunities remain available in several areas where we continue to focus, including excess casualty and certain specialty lines.

Frank D'Orazio: The story in casualty is more nuanced. Social inflation and elevated loss severity continue to create pressure across many casualty classes, so positive rate opportunities remain available in several areas where we continue to focus, including excess casualty and certain specialty lines. Today's market requires underwriters to pick their spots and for established participants to leverage long-standing distribution and client relationships.

Speaker #3: Today's market requires underwriters to pick their spots, and for established participants, to leverage longstanding distribution and client relationships. While the impact of industry competition is prevalent in the property marketplace, and also notably pronounced in the larger account casualty space, we have continued to remain focused on smaller insureds as market conditions have softened.

Frank D'Orazio: While the impact of industry competition is prevalent in the property marketplace and also notably pronounced in the larger account casualty space, we have continued to remain focused on smaller insureds as market conditions have softened based on our own historical views of the profitability and renewal retention levels of this sector of the market. During the quarter, submission activity continued to grow. Our submissions for active divisions increased 4%, and 10 of our 13 underwriting divisions quoted more business than they did a year ago, with quotes on new business also increasing by 4%. As we discussed last quarter, the implementation of our AI-enabled underwriting workbench continues to progress, with a handful of departments now employing the initial deliverables from these tools, including excess casualty and small business.

Speaker #3: Based on our own historical views of the profitability and renewal retention levels of this sector of the market, during the quarter, submission activity continued to grow.

Frank D'Orazio: During the quarter, submission activity continued to grow. Our submissions for active divisions increased 4%, and 10 of our 13 underwriting divisions quoted more business than they did a year ago, with quotes on new business also increasing by 4%. As we discussed last quarter, the implementation of our AI-enabled underwriting workbench continues to progress, with a handful of departments now employing the initial deliverables from these tools, including excess casualty and small business.

Speaker #3: Our submissions for active divisions increased 4% and 10 of our 13 underwriting divisions quoted more business than they did a year ago, with quotes on new business also increasing by 4%.

Speaker #3: As we discussed last quarter, the implementation of our AI-enabled underwriting workbench continues to progress, with a handful of departments now employing the initial deliverables from these tools, including Excess Casualty and Small Business.

Speaker #3: Our objective is to improve underwriting efficiency, increase quote responsiveness, and more directly focus our underwriters' attention on submissions that fit our appetite and pricing objectives.

Frank D'Orazio: Our objective is to improve underwriting efficiency, increase quote responsiveness, and more directly focus our underwriters' attention on submissions that fit our appetite and pricing objectives. We are still early in the implementation process, but our initial progress is encouraging. Turning to production. The drivers of the lower premium volume in the quarter are largely tied to a few specific dynamics, including deliberate underwriting appetite changes in the business mix and competitive dynamics within certain areas of the market, reflective of ongoing portfolio management in a shifting marketplace. There are a few important dynamics to cite when analyzing our production, in particular, when comparing levels versus prior year.

Speaker #3: We are still early in the implementation process, but our initial progress is encouraging. Turning to production, the drivers of the lower premium volume in the quarter are largely tied to a few specific dynamics, including deliberate underwriting appetite changes in the business mix and competitive dynamics within certain areas of the market.

Frank D'Orazio: The drivers of the lower premium volume in the quarter are largely tied to a few specific dynamics, including deliberate underwriting appetite changes in the business mix and competitive dynamics within certain areas of the market, reflective of ongoing portfolio management in a shifting marketplace. There are a few important dynamics to cite when analyzing our production, in particular, when comparing levels versus prior year.

Speaker #3: Reflective of ongoing portfolio management and a shifting marketplace, there are a few important dynamics to cite when analyzing our production, especially when comparing levels versus the prior year.

Speaker #3: First, our previously discussed decisions to put our contract binding department into runoff and to non-renew certain tracked housing exposures within our Manufacturers and Contractors division removed nearly $10 million of renewable premium from the quarter, and approximately $25 million of premium from the portfolio over the past year.

Frank D'Orazio: First, our previously discussed decisions to put our contract binding department into runoff and to not renew certain tract housing exposures within our manufacturers' and contractors' division removed nearly $10 million of renewable premium from the quarter and approximately $25 million of premium from the portfolio over the past year. In particular, the construction accounts also carried average premium sizes that were significantly larger than our overall average premiums per policy. Secondly, the quarter was marked by an unusually significant amount of account premium that remains in force but did not renew because account renewal effective dates have moved to other quarters, as well as a large non-recurring project in our energy department. Production impact from this renewal timing dynamic, as well as the energy project, amounted to over $16 million in gross written premiums. Finally, business mix has become increasingly important as the market continues to transition.

Speaker #3: In particular, the construction accounts also carried average premium sizes that were significantly larger than our overall average premiums per policy. Secondly, the quarter was marked by an unusually significant amount of account premium that remains in force but did not renew because account renewal effective dates have moved to other quarters, as well as a large non-recurring project in our energy department.

Frank D'Orazio: Secondly, the quarter was marked by an unusually significant amount of account premium that remains in force but did not renew because account renewal effective dates have moved to other quarters, as well as a large non-recurring project in our energy department. Production impact from this renewal timing dynamic, as well as the energy project, amounted to over $16 million in gross written premiums. Finally, business mix has become increasingly important as the market continues to transition.

Speaker #3: Production impact from this renewal timing dynamic, as well as the energy project, amounted to over $16 million in gross written premiums. Finally, business mix has become increasingly important.

Speaker #3: As the market continues to transition, for example, within our specialty E&S division, we continue to see attractive opportunities in healthy margins but the business we are writing today in these areas generally consists of smaller accounts below our average premium per policy levels of recent years.

Frank D'Orazio: For example, within our specialty E&S division, we continue to see attractive opportunities and healthy margins, but the business we are writing today in these areas generally consists of smaller accounts below our average premium per policy levels of recent years. As a result, early growth opportunity is initially seen through increased admissions, quote activity, and policy count before translating into meaningful premium growth. Aided by our technology investment, we believe we are positioning the segment well for future profitable growth. On the other side of the P&L, our focus on expense discipline continues to produce tangible benefits. In the aggregate, our G&A expense was down 9% through the H1 of the year compared with the same period last year.

Speaker #3: As a result, early growth opportunity has initially been seen through increased submissions, quote activity, and policy count before translating into meaningful premium growth. But aided by our technology investment, we believe we are positioning the segment well for future profitable growth.

Frank D'Orazio: Aided by our technology investment, we believe we are positioning the segment well for future profitable growth. On the other side of the P&L, our focus on expense discipline continues to produce tangible benefits. In the aggregate, our G&A expense was down 9% through the H1 of the year compared with the same period last year.

Speaker #3: And on the other side of the P&L, our focus on expense discipline continues to produce tangible benefits. In the aggregate, our G&A expense was down 9% through the first half of the year, compared with the same period last year.

Speaker #3: Though savings have been driven primarily by our Specialty Admitted and Corporate segments, and represent another example of our continued effort to improve efficiency, particularly in a transitioning market.

Frank D'Orazio: Those savings have been driven primarily by our specialty admitted and corporate segments and represent another example of our continued effort to improve efficiency, particularly in a transitioning market. With that, I'll turn it over to Sarah to discuss our financial results in greater detail.

Speaker #3: With that, I'll turn it over to Sarah to discuss our financial results in greater detail.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Frank. And good morning, everyone. This quarter, we reported net income available to common shareholders of $4.4 million which compares to net income of $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2025, which is a 59% increase.

Sarah Doran: Thank you, Frank, and good morning, everyone. This quarter, we reported net income available to common shareholders of $4.4 million, which compares to net income of $2.8 million in the Q2 of 2025, which is a 59% increase. Operating earnings were $10 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, as compared to $11.7 million or $0.23 per share in the prior year quarter. Our annualized operating return on tangible common equity for the quarter was 10%, and tangible common book value per share increased slightly from the start of the year to $9.01. The consolidated combined ratio was 100.2% and consists of a 66.3% loss ratio and 33.9% expense ratio for the quarter. As Frank mentioned, the E&S segment, in particular, generated a combined ratio of 92.8%. As Frank mentioned, the consolidated results heavily reflect our deliberate actions leading to lower earned premium, particularly within specialty admitted.

Speaker #2: Operating earnings were $10 million or 20 cents per diluted share, as compared to $11.7 million or 23 cents per share in the prior year quarter.

Speaker #2: Our annualized operating return on tangible common equity for the quarter was 10%, and tangible common book value per share increased slightly from the start of the year to $9.01.

Sarah Doran: Our annualized operating return on tangible common equity for the quarter was 10%, and tangible common book value per share increased slightly from the start of the year to $9.01. The consolidated combined ratio was 100.2% and consists of a 66.3% loss ratio and 33.9% expense ratio for the quarter. As Frank mentioned, the E&S segment, in particular, generated a combined ratio of 92.8%.

Speaker #2: The consolidated combined ratio was 100.2%, consisting of a 66.3% loss ratio and a 33.9% expense ratio for the quarter. While, as Frank mentioned, the E&S segment in particular generated a combined ratio of 92.8%.

Speaker #2: As Frank mentioned, the consolidated results heavily reflect our deliberate actions leading to lower earned premium, particularly within Specialty Admitted. We have deliberately shrunk our segment given the competitive conditions in the fronting and admitted market generally, and have done so while removing a significant part of the expense supporting the business.

Sarah Doran: As Frank mentioned, the consolidated results heavily reflect our deliberate actions leading to lower earned premium, particularly within specialty admitted.

Sarah Doran: We've deliberately shrunk our segment given the competitive conditions in the fronting and admitted market generally, and have done so while removing a significant part of the expense supporting the business. Expense reduction remains an important contributor to our overall performance and is an active and ongoing effort. General and administrative expenses declined $2.5 million, or 7%, compared to the prior year quarter, and were down 9% on a year-to-date basis. Savings were primarily driven by our specialty admitted and corporate segments, down 39% and 9% respectively, and reflect the actions we've taken over the last several quarters to simplify the organization, improve efficiency, and better align expenses with the size and composition of the business. The largest portion of these savings came from lower compensation-related expenses, including the impact of organizational efficiencies. We continue to actively improve operating efficiency across our business functions, and expenses remain firmly in focus.

Speaker #2: Expense reduction remains an important contributor to our overall performance and is an active and ongoing effort. General and administrative expenses declined 2.5 million dollars or 7% compared to the prior year quarter, and were down 9% on a year-to-date basis.

Speaker #2: Savings were primarily driven by our Specialty Admitted and Corporate segments, down 39% and 9%, respectively, and reflect the actions we've taken over the last several quarters to simplify the organization, improve efficiency, and better align expenses with the size and composition of the business.

Sarah Doran: Savings were primarily driven by our specialty admitted and corporate segments, down 39% and 9% respectively, and reflect the actions we've taken over the last several quarters to simplify the organization, improve efficiency, and better align expenses with the size and composition of the business. The largest portion of these savings came from lower compensation-related expenses, including the impact of organizational efficiencies.

Speaker #2: The largest portion of these savings came from lower compensation-related expenses including the impact of organizational efficiencies. We continue to actively improve operating efficiency across our business functions and expenses remain firmly in focus.

Sarah Doran: We continue to actively improve operating efficiency across our business functions, and expenses remain firmly in focus.

Speaker #2: On taxes, our effective tax rate was 21.8%, in line with the U.S. statutory rate following our domicile last year. As a reminder, our November 2025 redomicile itself was a significant and lasting expense savings effort.

Sarah Doran: On taxes, our effective tax rate was 21.8%, in line with the US statutory rate following our redomicile last year. As a reminder, our November 2025 redomicile itself was a significant and lasting expense savings effort, everything from where and how we operate to our financing costs. In the same quarter last year, which was prior to the redomicile, our effective tax rate was over 30%. Turning to reserves, underlying loss trends remained stable during the quarter. We recorded net adverse reserve development of under $1 million compared to $3 million of adverse development reported in the prior year quarter. Our prior year development stems from the pre-2023 timeframe and does not change our overall review of reserve adequacy or the underlying performance, in particular, of more recent accident years, which continue to benefit from meaningfully improved risk selection, underwriting governance, and discipline.

Speaker #2: Everything from where and how we operate to our financing costs. And in the same quarter last year, which was prior to the redomicile, our effective tax rate was over 30%.

Speaker #2: Turning to reserves, underlying loss trends remained stable during the quarter. We recorded net adverse reserve development of under $1 million, compared to $3 million of adverse development reported in the prior year quarter.

Sarah Doran: We recorded net adverse reserve development of under $1 million compared to $3 million of adverse development reported in the prior year quarter. Our prior year development stems from the pre-2023 timeframe and does not change our overall review of reserve adequacy or the underlying performance, in particular, of more recent accident years, which continue to benefit from meaningfully improved risk selection, underwriting governance, and discipline.

Speaker #2: Our prior year development stems from the 2023 the pre-2023 timeframe and does not change our overall review of reserve adequacy or the underlying performance in particular of more recent accident years, which continue to benefit from meaningfully improved risk selection underwriting governance and discipline.

Speaker #2: During the quarter, we seeded the remaining $7.5 million of development to the E&S top-up adverse development cover related to accident years 2020-2010 through 2023.

Sarah Doran: During the quarter, we ceded the remaining $7.5 million of development to the E&S top-up adverse development cover related to accident years 2010 through 2023. Consistent with prior quarters, this development was largely due to our product liability book. Turning to investments, portfolio performance remained stable and continued to support earnings and growth in book value. Net investment income was $20.3 million for the quarter, consistent with the prior year period, and supported primarily by income generated from our high-quality fixed income portfolio, where we've been able to put new money to work well above our portfolio book yields. As a reminder, the capital supporting our specialty admitted business continues to drive results in our overall net investment income.

Speaker #2: And consistent with prior quarters, this development was largely due to our product liability book. Turning to investments, portfolio performance remains stable and continues to support earnings and growth in book value.

Speaker #2: Net investment income was $20.3 million for the quarter consistent with the prior year period and supported primarily by income generated from our high-quality fixed income portfolio where we've been able to put new money to work well above our portfolio book yields.

Sarah Doran: Net investment income was $20.3 million for the quarter, consistent with the prior year period, and supported primarily by income generated from our high-quality fixed income portfolio, where we've been able to put new money to work well above our portfolio book yields. As a reminder, the capital supporting our specialty admitted business continues to drive results in our overall net investment income.

Speaker #2: As a reminder, the capital supporting our specialty admitted business continues to drive results in our overall net investment income. Turning back to the components of net investment income, private investment income was lower than the prior-year quarter, reflecting a stronger comparison period in 2025 rather than any meaningful change to portfolio strategy.

Sarah Doran: Turning back to the components of net investment income, private investment income was lower than the prior year quarter, reflecting a stronger comparison period in 2025 rather than any meaningful change to portfolio strategy. Net realized and unrealized gains contributed approximately $1 million during the quarter. Our portfolio remains conservatively positioned, but well-positioned to support growth in book value. Approximately 75% of invested assets and cash are allocated to high-grade fixed income securities with an average duration of 3.6 years and average credit quality of A-plus. We remain focused on generating consistent investment income over time while preserving capital. Finally, we completed the third renewal of our E&S reinsurance treaty structure put in place beginning in July 2023. The structure was maintained with modest changes based on current conditions, but retained a similar and consistent panel of quality reinsurance partners and very similar terms and conditions otherwise.

Speaker #2: Net realized and unrealized gains contributed approximately $1 million during the quarter. Our portfolio remains conservatively positioned but is well positioned to support growth in book value.

Speaker #2: Approximately 75% of invested assets and cash are allocated to high-grade fixed income securities, with an average duration of 3.6 years and an average credit quality of A+.

Sarah Doran: Approximately 75% of invested assets and cash are allocated to high-grade fixed income securities with an average duration of 3.6 years and average credit quality of A-plus. We remain focused on generating consistent investment income over time while preserving capital. Finally, we completed the third renewal of our E&S reinsurance treaty structure put in place beginning in July 2023.

Speaker #2: We remain focused on generating consistent investment income over time while preserving capital. Finally, we competed we completed the third renewal of our E&S reinsurance treaty structure put in place beginning in July 2023.

Speaker #2: The structure was maintained with modest changes based on current conditions but retained a similar and consistent panel of quality reinsurance partners and very similar terms and conditions otherwise.

Sarah Doran: The structure was maintained with modest changes based on current conditions, but retained a similar and consistent panel of quality reinsurance partners and very similar terms and conditions otherwise.

Speaker #2: With that, I'll turn the call back to the operator and open the line for questions.

Sarah Doran: With that, I'll turn the call back to the operator and open the line for questions.

Speaker #3: At this time, I would like to remind everyone if you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad.

Operator: At this time, I would like to remind everyone, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. Your first question comes from the line of Mark Hughes with Truist Securities. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Your first question comes from the line of Mark Hughes with Truist Securities. Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Yeah, good morning. Frank, just a question about the written premium in the E&S business. Obviously, you had some timing and project impact in the quarter.

Mark Hughes: Yeah, good morning. Frank, just a question about the written premium in the E&S business. Obviously, you had some timing and project impact in the quarter. Maybe that is about 5 points, I think. How did that competition progress through the quarter month to month when we think about what to expect in Q3? Should we anticipate this sustained pressure will have continuing impact or perhaps will be offset by some of your initiatives around submissions and getting more quotes out? Just a few thoughts about the Q3 second half would be very helpful in a volatile environment.

Speaker #4: Maybe that's about 5 points, I think. How did that competition progress through the quarter? Kind of month to month when we think about what to expect in Q3, should we anticipate this sustained pressure we'll have continuing impact or perhaps we'll be offset by some of your initiatives around submissions and getting more quotes out?

Mark Hughes: Should we anticipate this sustained pressure will have continuing impact or perhaps will be offset by some of your initiatives around submissions and getting more quotes out? Just a few thoughts about the Q3 second half would be very helpful in a volatile environment.

Speaker #4: Just a few thoughts about the Q3 second half would be very helpful in a volatile environment.

Speaker #5: Sure. Thanks, Mark. There's a lot there, so let me try to cover it all and then I think your last piece was really about outlook.

Frank D'Orazio: Sure. Thanks, Mark. There is a lot there, so let me try to cover it all, and then I think your last piece was really about outlook. So just in terms of the premium drop-off in E&S, we had a number of, I will call it noisy dynamics, and I think most instances you would not call out some of those items because when you have over 30,000 in-force accounts, you can see some semblance of these items in any given quarter. But when they aggregate into tens of millions of premium dollars, I think they are worth clarifying, particularly for a company of our size. So the runoff of contract binding, the tract home construction decision, and then some of the timing and non-recurring items accounted for about $26 million at GWP alone. So we had that about a 9-point kind of movement just relative to prior GWP.

Speaker #5: So just in terms of the premium drop-off in E&S, we had a number of I'll call it noisy dynamics and I think most instances you wouldn't call out some of those items because when you have over 30,000 in force accounts, you can see some semblance of these items in any given quarter.

Speaker #5: But when they aggregate into tens of millions of premium dollars, I think they're worth clarifying, particularly for a company of our size. So, the runoff of contract binding, the tracked home construction decision, and then some of the timing and non-recurring items account for about $26 million of GWP alone.

Frank D'Orazio: But when they aggregate into tens of millions of premium dollars, I think they are worth clarifying, particularly for a company of our size. So the runoff of contract binding, the tract home construction decision, and then some of the timing and non-recurring items accounted for about $26 million at GWP alone. So we had that about a 9-point kind of movement just relative to prior GWP.

Speaker #5: So we had that about a 9-point kind of movement just relative to prior GWP. I think you had a little bit less. But in terms of the market conditions, I mean, clearly the market's been transitioning for several quarters now.

Frank D'Orazio: I think you had a little bit less. But in terms of the market conditions, I mean, clearly the market has been transitioning for several quarters now. We are seeing increased competition beyond property, and you can see that, I think, probably most evident in the overall rate change for the portfolio. So sometimes rate change jumps around from quarter to quarter, but we were at a higher single-digit range in Q1 and about 3% in Q2, so still positive, but moderating, and we felt the difference in the quarter. You were asking for month to month. I am not sure I can give you a sense in terms of how that moved from April through June.

Speaker #5: We're seeing increased competition beyond property. And you can see that, I think, probably most evident in the overall rate change for the portfolio. So sometimes rate change jumps around from quarter to quarter, but we were kind of higher single-digit range in Q1 and about 3% in Q2.

Frank D'Orazio: So sometimes rate change jumps around from quarter to quarter, but we were at a higher single-digit range in Q1 and about 3% in Q2, so still positive, but moderating, and we felt the difference in the quarter. You were asking for month to month. I am not sure I can give you a sense in terms of how that moved from April through June.

Speaker #5: So, still positive, but moderating. And we felt the difference in the quarter. I know you were asking for month-to-month; I'm not sure I can give you a sense in terms of how that moved from April through June.

Speaker #5: But fortunately, with the significant underwriting changes that we made over the past several years and the continual overlay of performance monitoring, which we've put in place and which has informed our decisions to exit certain classes, I feel the portfolio is much better positioned today to navigate changing market conditions and target specific areas where we feel we can grow profitably, focused on underwriting margins.

Frank D'Orazio: Fortunately, with the significant underwriting changes that we made over the past several years and the continual overlay of the performance monitoring, which we have put in place and has informed our decisions to exit certain classes, I feel the portfolio is in much better position today to navigate changing market conditions and target specific areas that we feel that we can grow profitably focused on underwriting margins. The shift continues within the company, and we continue to really focus on SME and smaller accounts. We believe they are more profitable across market cycles. For Q2 2026 over Q2 2025, our average account premium was down 22.9%, and that is while the rate increases for the portfolio as a whole were still positive.

Speaker #5: So the shift continues. Within the company, I mean, we continue to really focus on SME and smaller accounts. We believe they're more profitable across market cycles.

Frank D'Orazio: The shift continues within the company, and we continue to really focus on SME and smaller accounts. We believe they are more profitable across market cycles. For Q2 2026 over Q2 2025, our average account premium was down 22.9%, and that is while the rate increases for the portfolio as a whole were still positive.

Speaker #5: For Q2 2026, over Q2 2025, our average account premium was down 22.9%. And that's while the rate increases for the portfolio as a whole were still positive.

Speaker #5: So you get a real sense for the shift in the size of the insureds in the portfolio, but also, I think, some of the pure premium headwinds when looking at prior year comparisons.

Frank D'Orazio: You get a real sense for the shift in the size of the insurers in the portfolio, but also I think some of the pure premium headwinds when looking at prior year comparisons. We think the trade-off makes sense, particularly in this phase of the market. We have analyzed historical loss ratios across the portfolio by premium band, and our history tells us that there is a comfortable, in our view, double-digit spread in loss ratio points between business that we are targeting and let us say, upper middle market to larger accounts where the premiums drift, let us say, north of 500,000 or so. Again, in terms of competition, I said it earlier, it is hard to deny that we are seeing general competition in the areas that we write increase.

Speaker #5: So we think the trade-off makes sense, particularly in this phase of the market. We've analyzed historical loss ratios across the portfolio by premium band and our history tells us that there's a comfortable our view, double-digit spread in loss ratio points between business that we're targeting and, let's say, upper middle market to larger accounts where the premiums drift, let's say, north of $500,000 or so.

Frank D'Orazio: We have analyzed historical loss ratios across the portfolio by premium band, and our history tells us that there is a comfortable, in our view, double-digit spread in loss ratio points between business that we are targeting and let us say, upper middle market to larger accounts where the premiums drift, let us say, north of 500,000 or so. Again, in terms of competition, I said it earlier, it is hard to deny that we are seeing general competition in the areas that we write increase.

Speaker #5: But again, in terms of competition—I said it earlier—it's hard to deny that we're seeing general competition in the areas that we write increase.

Speaker #5: We've seen some business moving to the admitted markets, especially in property, but I wouldn't say necessarily at a concerning rate elsewhere across the book.

Frank D'Orazio: We have seen some business moving to the admitted markets, especially in property, but I would not say necessarily at a concerning rate elsewhere across the book. Biggest competition remains from MGAs and fronted facilities, particularly in excess property, and I would say in the excess, or excuse me, the general casualty space as well, so basically primary GL. Also from other E&S carriers and newer entrants into the space. We have spent a little bit of time on property, but I think that is pretty well chronicled. I mean, in a nutshell, increased capacity supply over the last two years has well outpaced the growth or the need in the market, and the result is pretty tangible. Rates are off significantly, and as an excess player, we see program layers being replaced with much larger stretches of primaries and some terms and condition pressure on deductibles.

Speaker #5: Biggest competition remains from MGAs and fronted facilities, particularly in excess property, and I would say in the excess—excuse me, the general casualty space as well.

Speaker #5: So basically primary GL. But also from other E&S carriers and newer entrants. Into the space. So we spent a little bit of time on property, but I think that's pretty well chronicled.

Frank D'Orazio: We have spent a little bit of time on property, but I think that is pretty well chronicled. I mean, in a nutshell, increased capacity supply over the last two years has well outpaced the growth or the need in the market, and the result is pretty tangible. Rates are off significantly, and as an excess player, we see program layers being replaced with much larger stretches of primaries and some terms and condition pressure on deductibles.

Speaker #5: I mean, in a nutshell, increased capacity supply over the last two years has well outpaced the growth, or the need, in the market, and the result is pretty tangible.

Speaker #5: Rates are off significantly. And as an excess player, we see program layers being replaced with much larger stretches of primaries, and some terms and condition pressure on deductibles.

Speaker #5: But I think the more recent development that we've seen really this year is in the general casualty space. And we talked a little bit about it in Q1.

Frank D'Orazio: I think the more recent development that we have seen really this year is in the general casualty space, and we talked a little bit about it in Q1. It has become exceptionally competitive, and the pressures and competition differ regionally, and so there are pricing pressures. I think the bigger concerns that we see are on the terms and conditions that the market has fought hard over the last several years to establish, particularly relative to assault and battery sublimits. You pick a territory. In the Southeast, there are about 30 MGAs that are going hard after this business without limitations. General casualty, excess property, I think those are some areas that we are going to be off our numbers in the quarter, but with good reason. That said, overall for the segment, submissions were up 4% in total in the quarter. Quotes were up overall.

Speaker #5: It's become exceptionally competitive, and the pressures and competition differ regionally. So, there are pricing pressures. I think the bigger concerns that we see are on the terms and conditions that the market has fought hard over the last several years to establish, particularly relative to assault and battery supplements.

Speaker #5: But you pick a territory. In the Southeast, there's about 30 MGAs that are going hard after this business without limitations. So general casualty, excess property, I think those are some areas that we're going to be off our numbers in the quarter, but with good reason.

Frank D'Orazio: You pick a territory. In the Southeast, there are about 30 MGAs that are going hard after this business without limitations. General casualty, excess property, I think those are some areas that we are going to be off our numbers in the quarter, but with good reason. That said, overall for the segment, submissions were up 4% in total in the quarter. Quotes were up overall.

Speaker #5: That said, overall for the segment, submissions were up 4% in total in the quarter. Quotes were up overall. 10 of 13 underwriting departments increased quote count and 7 of 13 increased binders overall.

Frank D'Orazio: Ten of 13 underwriting departments increased quote count, and seven of 13 increased binders overall. Again, just the business that we're writing is typically smaller account premium than we have traditionally. Generally, I don't feel the sector as a whole is in a very significant growth phase. But the areas that we feel most confidently about trying to profitably grow, I would say, are in the specialty division. So professional liability, allied health, energy, environmental come to mind. Our small business unit is a place that we feel we can grow. In all those areas, we feel we've got a strong view relative to the historical underwriting margins, and a strong focus in the class. Elsewhere, I think we'll still be able to push rate in certain areas like excess casualty, which is a big part of the book.

Speaker #5: Again, just the business that we're writing is typically smaller account premium than we have traditionally. So, generally, I don't feel the sector as a whole is in a very significant growth phase, but the areas that we feel most confident about trying to profitably grow, I would say, are in the Specialty division.

Speaker #5: So professional liability, allied health, energy, environmental come to mind, our small business unit, is a place that we feel we can grow and in all those areas, we feel we've got a strong view relative to the historical underwriting margins.

Frank D'Orazio: So professional liability, allied health, energy, environmental come to mind. Our small business unit is a place that we feel we can grow. In all those areas, we feel we've got a strong view relative to the historical underwriting margins, and a strong focus in the class. Elsewhere, I think we'll still be able to push rate in certain areas like excess casualty, which is a big part of the book.

Speaker #5: And a strong focus in the class. And then elsewhere, I think we'll still be able to push rate in certain areas like excess casualty, which is a big part of the book.

Speaker #5: So, those are the areas that we're going to continue to focus on and push to offset some of what we're seeing in the marketplace, Mark.

Frank D'Orazio: Those are the areas that we're going to continue to focus on and push to offset some of what we're seeing in the marketplace. Mark.

Speaker #1: Yeah. Great. Appreciate that detail, Frank. Sarah, anything on the expenses this quarter, the corporate expenses, the obviously a very good progress year over year?

Mark Hughes: Yeah. Great. Appreciate that detail, Frank. Sarah, anything on the expenses this quarter? The corporate expenses is obviously a very good progress year-over-year. Anything non-recurring or unusual, or is this a good kind of starting point to go forward?

Speaker #1: Anything non-recurring or unusual, or is this a good kind of starting point to go forward?

Speaker #3: Thanks for the question, Mark. I think it's a fair starting point. There's nothing exceptional in this quarter, only that I would just make the point that we're not finished on our expenses.

Sarah Doran: Thanks for the question, Mark. I think it's a fair starting point. There's nothing exceptional in this quarter, only that I would just make the point that we're not finished on our expenses. We're actively managing them as we're managing the business through the rest of the year. But safe to say, I'd be comfortable with where we are now with obviously giving us some room going forward.

Speaker #3: We're actively managing them as we're managing the business through the rest of the year. But it's safe to say, and I'd be comfortable with where we are now, obviously giving us some room going forward.

Speaker #1: Understood. Thank you.

Mark Hughes: Understood. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Sarah Doran: Thank you.

Speaker #2: Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one. Your next question comes from Brian Meredith with UBS.

Operator: Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one. Your next question comes from Brian Meredith with UBS.

Speaker #4: Yeah, thanks. Sarah, I appreciate you said that the more recent action areas are looking pretty good on the reserve side. I wonder if you could talk a little bit about the reserves associated with the ADC that's now been exhausted.

Brian Meredith: Yeah, thanks. Hey, Sarah, I appreciate you said that the more recent accident year is looking pretty good on the reserve side. I wonder if you could talk a little bit about the reserves associated with the ADC that's now been exhausted. What accident years was the development coming from, and maybe a little bit in depth on what lines of business is coming from, and just trying to get comfortable that those reserves won't continue to develop adversely.

Speaker #4: What accident years was the development coming from? And maybe a little bit in depth on what lines of business it's coming from. And just trying to get comfortable that those reserves won't continue to develop adversely.

Sarah Doran: How about I start, and then Frank can give some more color, Brian. So the reserves

Speaker #3: How about I start, and then Frank can give some more color, Brian? So, the reserves—the additions were really primarily related to 2022 through 2020.

Brian Meredith: Sure

Sarah Doran: the additions were really primarily related to 2022 through 2020. Those were the more significant years of addition. As I mentioned in my comments, it is almost entirely from our product liability book, which we have talked about the last few quarters. I think Frank is probably better positioned to give you a little bit more color on that, but that answers, I think, your threshold level questions there.

Speaker #3: Those were the more significant years of addition. And as I mentioned in my comments, it's almost entirely from our product liability book, which we've talked about the last few quarters.

Speaker #3: And I think Frank is probably better positioned to give you a little bit more color on that, but that answers I think your threshold level questions there.

Brian Meredith: Yeah. That is it. Great. Thanks.

Speaker #4: Yeah. That's it. Great. Thanks.

Frank D'Orazio: Yeah, Brian, let me give you a little bit of just additional color in terms of where that stands. Sarah just addressed what was the driver in the quarter. I just want to talk more broadly about the legacy covers in general. Obviously, we put them in place a few years ago. Looking back, they have allowed us to bolster our reserve base by about $235 million over the last, call it 2 years. So I take some comfort in the fact that the amounts that we ceded to the legacy structures have generally become progressively smaller. Perhaps more importantly, I focus on the overall reserve position inclusive of all years. We feel is adequate.

Speaker #5: Yeah, Brian, let me give you a little bit of just additional cover in terms of where that stands. So Sarah just addressed what was a driver in the quarter.

Speaker #5: I just want to talk more broadly about the legacy covers. In general, and obviously, we put them in place a few years ago. And looking back, they've allowed us to bolster our reserve base by about 235 million dollars over the last, call it, two years.

Frank D'Orazio: So I take some comfort in the fact that the amounts that we ceded to the legacy structures have generally become progressively smaller. Perhaps more importantly, I focus on the overall reserve position inclusive of all years. We feel is adequate.

Speaker #5: So I take some comfort in the fact that the amounts that we seeded to the legacy structures have generally become progressively smaller. And perhaps more importantly, I focus on the overall reserve position, inclusive of all years, which we feel is adequate.

Frank D'Orazio: The reserve cover has really just been a piece of the overall position. Thankfully, we continue to see that clear demarcation in both claim counts and incurred loss ratios in recent accident year performance that we believe has been a reflection of the underwriting changes that we made over the past few years while we've utilized the legacy cover. We put the legacy structure in place coming out of our 2023 strategic review to retain any volatility coming out of the company's legacy years. Since that time, we've been through a couple annual reviews of our reserves, both internally and externally. While our more recent accident years continue to mature with those positive indications, in essence, we never had any type of preconceived notion in terms of when and if the covers would be exhausted.

Speaker #5: The reserve cover has really just been a piece of the overall position. And thankfully, we continue to see that clear demarcation in both claim counts and incurred loss ratios in recent accident year performance that we believe has been a reflection of the underwriting changes that we made over the past few years while we've utilized the legacy cover.

Frank D'Orazio: We put the legacy structure in place coming out of our 2023 strategic review to retain any volatility coming out of the company's legacy years. Since that time, we've been through a couple annual reviews of our reserves, both internally and externally. While our more recent accident years continue to mature with those positive indications, in essence, we never had any type of preconceived notion in terms of when and if the covers would be exhausted.

Speaker #5: So, we put the legacy structure in place, coming out of our 2023 strategic review, to retain any volatility coming out of the company's legacy years.

Speaker #5: And since that time, we've been through a couple of annual reviews of our reserves, both internally and externally. And while our more recent accident years continue to mature with those positive indications, in essence, we never had any type of preconceived notion in terms of when and if the covers would be exhausted.

Frank D'Orazio: The structure has, I think, provided the projections as intended, and the recent underwriting years have continued to develop favorably. We talked about it in terms of what does that mean? In essence, if you look at our 2024 year, which is now 30 months on the triangle, you see real improvements in claims counts being down 23% overall and the incurred loss ratio being down 34% for the same period. So perhaps one of the more helpful indicators just regarding the work that we've done with the underwriting portfolio over the last couple of years.

Speaker #5: But the structure has, I think, provided the projections as intended. And the recent underwriting years have continued to develop favorably. And we talked about it in terms of what does that mean?

Speaker #5: In essence, if you look at our 2024 year, which is now 30 months on the triangle, you see real improvements in claims counts being down 23% overall, and the incurred loss ratio being down 34% for the same period.

Frank D'Orazio: So perhaps one of the more helpful indicators just regarding the work that we've done with the underwriting portfolio over the last couple of years.

Speaker #5: So perhaps one of the more helpful indicators just regarding the work that we've done with the underwriting portfolio over the last couple of years.

Sarah Doran: The only thing I'd just add a couple of numbers just to contextualize, because I've seen some different data out there, so to speak. Just to be clear, we've got $1.05 billion of total net reserves on our balance sheet. $950 million of those relate to the E&S business, and only about 15% of those, a little bit more than that, relate to the 2023 and prior years. Point being, building up a significant balance of reserves in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 years to the tune of over $800 million at this point. So that's what you would expect given the tail on our business, but just wanted to lay out a few numbers as Frank has contextualized some of the more recent developments.

Speaker #3: The only thing I'd just add a couple of numbers just to contextualize because I've seen some different data out there, so to speak. Just to be clear, we've got a billion point zero five of total reserve total net reserves on our balance sheet.

Speaker #3: $950 million of those relate to the ENS business. And only about 15% of those—a little bit more than that—relate to 2023 and prior years.

Speaker #3: So we are building up point being building up a significant balance of reserves in the 24, 25, and 26 years to the tune of over 800 million dollars at this point.

Sarah Doran: Point being, building up a significant balance of reserves in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 years to the tune of over $800 million at this point. So that's what you would expect given the tail on our business, but just wanted to lay out a few numbers as Frank has contextualized some of the more recent developments.

Speaker #3: So that's what you would expect, given the tail on our business. But I just wanted to lay out a few numbers, as Frank has contextualized some of the more recent developments.

Brian Meredith: Thanks for the color. Appreciate that. A second question, Frank. I'm just curious, on the specialty admitted segment, maybe give us a little color on what kind of the medium-term and long-term plans are for that business, and is there any visibility to maybe break even results on an underwriting basis at some point?

Speaker #4: Thank you for the call. I appreciate that. And a second question, Frank—I'm just curious, on the specialty, the mid and segment. Maybe give us a little color on what kind of the medium-term and long-term plans are for that business.

Speaker #4: And is there any visibility to maybe break-even result in an underwriting basis at some point?

Frank D'Orazio: Sure. So, listen, I think the view on specialty admitted, it's been fairly consistent the last couple of years now. The rationale in terms of the steps that we've taken, obviously plenty of carriers in the space, some less obvious but real exposures in the sector with heavy MGA competition for lines like commercial auto and larger casualty accounts. We now have less than one handful of active programs today and are really maintaining just a, I'd say, capital-like platform. We still have a need to handle the claims and process the programs in runoff. We'll continue to manage the segment to what are low net retentions and have very diligent focus relative to expense management. But right now, its main contribution is to NAI. I mean, it contributes roughly 25% of our overall NAI. So that, we think, outshadows the small underwriting loss there.

Speaker #5: Sure. So, listen, I think the view on specialty, committed, it's been fairly consistent the last couple of years now. The rationale, in terms of the steps that we've taken—obviously plenty of carriers in the space, some less obvious but real exposures in the sector—with heavy MGA competition for lines like commercial auto and larger casualty accounts.

Speaker #5: We now have less than one handful of active programs today and are really maintaining just, I'd say, capital light platform. We still have a need to handle the claims and process the programs in runoff.

Frank D'Orazio: We still have a need to handle the claims and process the programs in runoff. We'll continue to manage the segment to what are low net retentions and have very diligent focus relative to expense management. But right now, its main contribution is to NAI. I mean, it contributes roughly 25% of our overall NAI. So that, we think, outshadows the small underwriting loss there.

Speaker #5: So we'll continue to manage the segment to watch our low net retentions and have a very diligent focus relative to expense management. But right now, its main contribution is NAI.

Speaker #5: I mean, it contributes roughly 25% of our overall NAI, so we think that outshadows the small underwriting loss there. But you see kind of the direction that we're taking the business here.

Frank D'Orazio: But you see kind of the direction that we're taking the business here. It was once dozens of programs, and we're down to less than one handful.

Speaker #5: It was once dozens of programs, and we're down to less than a handful.

Brian Meredith: Great. Thank you.

Speaker #4: Great. Thank you.

Operator: Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. We have a follow-up from Mark Hughes with Truist Securities. You may go ahead.

Speaker #2: Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. Oh, we have a follow-up from Mark Hughes with Truist Securities.

Speaker #2: You may go ahead.

Mark Hughes: Yeah. Thank you. Frank or Sarah, just the crowd into general casualty these days, do you think it is just soft market behavior, property is down, people are stretching for premium, there is more capacity in the market? Or I am just sort of curious, you have talked about the recent accident years developing pretty well. Do you think there is some sense that frequency and severity are really under control, and so therefore it is leading to more people being comfortable taking these long tail lines? And obviously you have got interest rates that are influencing this. So I am just sort of curious whether you think or how you would weigh some of those factors when you consider the step-up in competition in the general casualty.

Speaker #1: Yeah. Thank you, Frank or Sarah. Just the crowd into general casualties these days, do you think it's just soft market behavior? Properties down, people are stretching for premium.

Speaker #1: There's more capacity in the market. Or just sort of curious, you've talked about the recent accident years developing pretty well. Do you think there's some sense that frequency and severity are really under control?

Speaker #1: And so, therefore, it's leading to more people being comfortable taking these long-tail lines. And obviously, you've got interest rates that are influencing this.

Mark Hughes: And obviously you have got interest rates that are influencing this. So I am just sort of curious whether you think or how you would weigh some of those factors when you consider the step-up in competition in the general casualty.

Speaker #1: So I'm just sort of curious whether you think—or how you would weigh—some of those factors when you consider the step-up in competition in the general casualty?

Frank D'Orazio: Yeah. Mark, I will take a shot. I mean, obviously the property market has been kind of on this glide path now for about 2 years. So kind of coming into planning for 2026, I think the general view was that there were more attractive returns in casualty and a heck of a lot of new MGA kind of startups focusing in a line where reinsurers are starting to target more capital deployment. And we know what the formula is just relative to how MGAs are viewed as being successful. So we see it really kind of throughout the country but slightly different shades in terms of focus. But I think it is as simple as being able to more readily put together reinsurance support for a primary USD 1 million and pretty aggressive MGA community.

Speaker #5: Yeah, Mark, I'll take a shot. I mean, obviously the property market has been kind of on this glide path now for about two years.

Speaker #5: So, kind of coming into planning for '26, I think the general view was that there were more attractive returns in casualty and a heck of a lot of new MGA kind of startups.

Speaker #5: Focusing and aligned where reinsurers were starting to target more capital deployment. And we know what the formula is, just relative to how MGAs are viewed as being successful.

Frank D'Orazio: And we know what the formula is just relative to how MGAs are viewed as being successful. So we see it really kind of throughout the country but slightly different shades in terms of focus. But I think it is as simple as being able to more readily put together reinsurance support for a primary USD 1 million and pretty aggressive MGA community.

Speaker #5: So we see it really kind of throughout the country, but slightly different shades in terms of focus. But I think it's as simple as being able to more readily put together reinsurance support for primary million dollars and pretty aggressive MGA community.

Mark Hughes: Okay. Appreciate that. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Okay. Appreciate that. Thank you.

Frank D'Orazio: Thanks, Mark.

Speaker #5: Thanks, Mark.

Operator: At this time, there are no further questions. I would like to turn it back over to Frank D'Orazio, CEO, for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: At this time, there are no further questions. I would like to turn it back over to Frank D'Orazio, CEO, for closing remarks.

Frank D'Orazio: Thank you, moderator, and thank you to everyone for your time and for the questions we received this morning. Before we conclude, I want to recognize and thank Dennis Langwell for his service on our board of directors following his retirement, as we certainly wish him all the best. I would also like to welcome Rajiv Basu to the board. Rajiv brings decades of insurance industry experience, and we are pleased to have him join the board of James River. Stepping back, we continue to believe the company is well-positioned in today's market. The quarter was not without pressure, and premium trends remained affected by the underwriting and market dynamics we discussed this morning. Our core E&S business remained profitable, expenses continue to improve, and our balance sheet protections have significantly bolstered our reserve balances over the last two years as our more recent underwriting years have continued to mature.

Speaker #5: Thank you, moderator. And thank you to everyone for your time and for the questions we received this morning. Before we conclude, I want to recognize and thank Dennis Langwell for his service on our board of directors following his retirement.

Speaker #5: As we certainly wish him all the best, I'd also like to welcome Rajiv Basu to the board. Rajiv brings decades of insurance industry experience, and we're pleased to have him join the board of James River.

Frank D'Orazio: Stepping back, we continue to believe the company is well-positioned in today's market. The quarter was not without pressure, and premium trends remained affected by the underwriting and market dynamics we discussed this morning. Our core E&S business remained profitable, expenses continue to improve, and our balance sheet protections have significantly bolstered our reserve balances over the last two years as our more recent underwriting years have continued to mature.

Speaker #5: Stepping back, we continue to believe the company is well positioned in today's market. The quarter was not without pressure, and premium trends remain affected by the underwriting and market dynamics we discussed this morning.

Speaker #5: But our core E&S business remained profitable. Expenses continue to improve, and our balance sheet protections have significantly bolstered our reserve balances over the last two years, as our more recent underwriting years have continued to mature.

Frank D'Orazio: Undoubtedly, our focus remains clear. We will manage the business for underwriting profitability and long-term value rather than near-term volume. We believe the actions taken over the last several years have created a more focused organization, a more disciplined E&S portfolio, and a stronger foundation for profitable growth over time. Importantly, I want to thank all of my James River colleagues for their efforts and continued commitment to the pursuit of our corporate objectives. For those listening to this call, we appreciate your continued interest in James River and look forward to speaking with you again next quarter.

Speaker #5: Undoubtedly, our focus remains clear. We will manage the business for underwriting profitability and long-term value, rather than near-term volume. We believe the actions taken over the last several years have created a more focused organization, a more disciplined E&S portfolio, and a stronger foundation for profitable growth over time.

Frank D'Orazio: Importantly, I want to thank all of my James River colleagues for their efforts and continued commitment to the pursuit of our corporate objectives. For those listening to this call, we appreciate your continued interest in James River and look forward to speaking with you again next quarter.

Speaker #5: Importantly, I want to thank all of my James River colleagues for their efforts and continued commitment to the pursuit of our corporate objectives. And for those listening to the call, we appreciate your continued interest in James River.

Speaker #5: And look forward to speaking with you again next quarter.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's call. You may disconnect.

Q2 2026 James River Group Holdings Ltd Earnings Call

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