Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. Announces 1st Quarter 2009 Earnings

Market Wire, April, 2009

Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIGP) reported its operating results today for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

1st Quarter highlights:

--  Net income of $0.46 per diluted share versus $0.41 per diluted share
    in the prior year's quarter,
--  Operating income of $0.51 per diluted share versus $0.49 per diluted
    share in the prior year's quarter,
--  A GAAP combined ratio of 98.4% versus 98.1% in the prior year's
    quarter,
--  Book value per share of $22.93.
    

Andrew R. Speaker, President and CEO, commented, "We are satisfied that our operating results for the quarter were good and a slight improvement over the prior year's quarter. Profits generated by operations were in part offset by net realized losses, which were comprised mostly of a provision for declines in fair value of securities considered to be other than temporary."

Speaker added, "Direct premium writings continue to be under pressure from the current economic environment as exposures are reduced by the slowdown in economic activity and business failures. This has been especially true of our contractors' related business which, despite an increase in the number of businesses we insure, has less exposures to insure and consequently results in less direct premium revenue. We have offset some of this direct premium loss by modifications to our reinsurance programs, introduction of new products and an active expense management program."

Speaker concluded, "We have and will continue to exercise discipline in every facet of the organization. We are confident that such an approach provides the best means to achieve profitable results, increase book value and position ourselves well for changing market and economic situations."

Financial Summary (in thousands, except per share data)

                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                         (unaudited)
                                                    ----------------------
                                                       2009        2008
                                                    ----------  ----------
Total revenue                                       $   39,192  $   42,073
Net premiums written                                    31,856      34,539
Net premiums earned                                     35,582      39,077
Net investment income                                    3,603       3,361
Net realized losses on investments                        (481)       (820)
Net income                                               2,891       2,592

Earnings per share - Basic                          $     0.47  $     0.42
Earnings per share - Diluted                        $     0.46  $     0.41

Combined ratio                                            98.4%       98.1%
Book value per share                                $    22.93  $    21.94

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures:

Net income                                          $    2,891  $    2,592
Net realized losses on investments, net of tax            (317)       (533)
Net operating income                                     3,208       3,125

Operating earnings per share - Basic                $     0.52  $     0.50
Operating earnings per share - Diluted              $     0.51  $     0.49

In the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company reported GAAP net income under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) of $2.9 million, or $0.46 per diluted share. This result compares to net income of $2.6 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the same quarter in the previous year. Included in the current year's net income are net realized losses of $481,000, as compared to net realized losses of $820,000 in the same period of the previous year. These net realized losses include other than temporary impairments of $535,000 and $100,000, respectively, and a gain of $81,000 and a loss of $696,000 related to the interest rate swaps on trust preferred debt, respectively, in the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. Operating income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, increased by approximately 3% over that of the prior year with operating earnings per diluted share of $0.51 as compared to $0.49 for the prior year, and reflected increased net investment income, decreased net premiums earned caused by weakness in the economy in our operating territories, as well as lower levels of losses and operating expenses.

The Board of Directors of Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. has approved a dividend of $0.075 per share, to be paid on June 29, 2009 to shareholders of record on June 12, 2009.

Operating income and operating earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures that we present because we believe they enhance an investor's understanding of Mercer's core operating performance. Operating income and operating earnings per share consist of net earnings adjusted for after-tax net realized investment gains and losses.