March 22, 2025
Insurance

Record Premiums and Strategic …


  • Total Written Premiums: $1 billion, a 28% increase over the prior year period.

  • Franchise Premium Growth: 33% to $825 million.

  • Corporate Premium Growth: 12% to $204 million.

  • Total Revenues: $78 million, representing 10% growth over the prior year period.

  • Core Revenues: $73.5 million, up 16% for the quarter.

  • Adjusted EBITDA: $26.1 million, up 17% from $22.4 million a year ago.

  • Adjusted EBITDA Margin: Expanded 193 basis points to 34%.

  • Operating Cash Flow: Increased to $59 million from $37.4 million, a 58% increase.

  • Policies in Force: 1.6 million, an increase of 12% compared to 11% in the previous quarter.

  • Client Retention Rate: Stable at 84% from the second quarter to the third quarter.

  • Franchise Producers: 2,093, up from 1,995 in the second quarter of 2024.

  • Corporate Producers: 458, up 45% from the year-ago level of 316.

  • Same Store Sales Growth: 26% over the previous year.

  • Average Gross Pay per Franchise: Up 56% in the quarter compared to the prior year.

  • Cash and Cash Equivalents: $50.1 million at the end of the third quarter.

  • Debt to Trailing Four Quarter EBITDA: 1.2 times.

  • Net Debt to Trailing Four Quarter EBITDA: 0.6 times.

  • Guidance for Full Year 2024 Total Written Premiums: Expected to be between $3.7 billion and $3.82 billion.

  • Guidance for Full Year 2024 Total Revenues: Expected to be between $295 million and $310 million.

  • Q: Can you elaborate on the market stabilization and product availability, especially in key geographies like Texas and California? A: Mark Miller, President and CEO, explained that the auto product is starting to return, and carriers are changing their home products, which is promising for markets like Texas. Although product availability is thinner, there is optimism that it will improve soon.

    Q: Are your products competitive in areas like Texas and California compared to captives? A: Mark Miller noted that while the market is not as competitive as it used to be, captives are starting to raise prices. Goosehead’s carriers are stabilizing their prices, maintaining decent lead flow and product availability.

    Q: Has client retention hit a bottom at 84%, or could it decline further? A: Mark Jones, CFO, stated that client retention is largely influenced by pricing actions. With less price increase in the book, retention is expected to remain stable and potentially improve through 2025.

    Q: How are new referral partner activations and corporate class performing given the challenging home sale volumes? A: Mark Miller emphasized that the primary strategy remains focused on home closing transactions. Despite challenges, the new corporate class is performing well, with early indications showing high quality and productivity.

    Q: Did the recent hurricanes impact revenues, and what is the expected impact on the fourth quarter? A: Mark Jones explained that hurricanes typically cause a temporary slowdown in production due to carrier moratoriums. The impact is usually short-term, with production resuming post-event, potentially shifting some business to the next quarter.

    Q: Why is there a wide range in revenue guidance despite being late in the year? A: Mark Jones highlighted the volatile environment, with product availability and contingency revenues being significant variables. Franchise performance is strong, impacting premium more than immediate revenue.

    Q: What is driving the improvement in the ratio of revenues to premiums in the fourth quarter guidance? A: The improvement is largely due to franchise performance, which accelerates new business production, impacting premium growth more than immediate revenue growth.

    Q: How does the new class of corporate recruits impact margins compared to previous classes? A: Mark Jones noted that improved productivity should lead to better margins. The focus is on retaining agents through their first year to realize the full benefits of Goosehead’s systems.

    For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

    This article first appeared on GuruFocus.



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