Lincoln Financial Group Reports Second Quarter 2010 Results

PHILADELPHIA, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) today reported net income for the second quarter of 2010 of $255 million, or $0.33 of net income per diluted share available to common stockholders, compared to a net loss in the second quarter of 2009 of $161 million, or $0.62 per diluted share. Net income available to common stockholders in the quarter of $104 million included the write-off of unamortized discount on preferred stock of $131 million associated with the repurchase of all of the preferred shares issued to the U.S. Treasury under its Capital Purchase Program (CPP) along with the accrued dividend and accretion of discount on the preferred stock of $18.3 million in the quarter.




                                                       For the Quarter
                                                       Ended
                                                       ---------------
    ($ in millions except per share data)                  2010         2009
    -------------------------------------                  ----         ----
    Net Income (Loss)                                      $255        ($161)
    Net Income (Loss) available to common stockholders      104         (161)
    Net Income (Loss) per diluted share available to
     common stockholders(1,2)                              0.33        (0.62)
    Income from Operations                                  290          207
    Income from Operations per diluted share available
     to common stockholders(1)                             0.86         0.79
    Average Diluted Shares                                314.6        262.4
    ----------------------                                -----        -----

    (1)Earnings per share available to common shareholders is net of
    preferred dividends and the accretion of
    discount related to preferred shares.   (See the reconciliation of
    net income to net income available to
    common stockholders in the Digest of Earnings attached to this release.)
    (2)The per share calculation for the loss per share uses basic shares.

The second quarter income from operations was $290 million, or $0.86 per diluted share available to common stockholders, compared to $207 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2009. The quarter-over-quarter increase in income from operations was driven by higher asset-based revenues and net investment income.

Income from Operations in the quarter included offsetting notable items including favorable DAC amortization in individual annuities and unfavorable loss ratios in group protection.

Dennis R. Glass, president and CEO, said, "Continued strength in our business fundamentals delivered another quarter of solid top and bottom line results. Strong sales across all segments combined with good persistency drove growth in net flows, the result of distribution-related productivity gains and shelf space expansion and comprehensive product offerings."

"Given the resilience of our operating model and the success of our capital actions, we are moving into the second half of the year with the financial strength and flexibility to support our growth strategies. I am confident that Lincoln today is well-positioned to deliver on the strong demand for insurance and retirement solutions."

Second Quarter 2010 Operating Highlights:

    --  Consolidated deposits of $5.3 billion and positive net flows of $2.0
        billion.
    --  Total account balances increased 12% year-over-year to $140 billion,
        driven by strong net flows and improved equity markets.
    --  Life sales of $140 million driven by strength in MoneyGuard(®) and term
        life with a combined growth rate of 54% year-over-year.
    --  Individual variable annuity deposits of $2.2 billion up 27% and net
        flows of $870 million up 34%, year-over-year.
    --  Defined Contribution account values of $35 billion up 12%
        year-over-year.
    --  Group Protection annualized sales of $65 million up 10% year-over-year.

Second Quarter 2010 - Segment Results

Retirement Solutions

Individual Annuities

The Individual Annuities segment reported income from operations of $116 million in the second quarter of 2010 versus income from operations of $65 million in the year-ago period, reflecting a 24% increase in the average annuity account values.

Gross annuity deposits of $2.8 billion and net flows of $1.2 billion, were up 8% and 11%, respectively, versus the prior year. Variable annuity deposits of $2.2 billion and net flows of almost $0.9 billion were up 27% and 34%, respectively, over the prior-year quarter reflecting improved wholesaler productivity and shelf space expansion.

Defined Contribution

Defined Contribution reported income from operations of $36 million, versus income from operations of $28 million for the same period a year ago, reflecting a 19% increase in the average account values.

Gross deposits of $1.4 billion were up 22% versus the prior-year quarter. Total net flows in the current quarter were $182 million as compared to $256 million in the 2009 quarter.

Insurance Solutions

Life Insurance

Life Insurance income from operations was $151 million, compared to $133 million in the second quarter of 2009. The prior year quarter's results included a loss on alternative investments.

Life insurance sales of $140 million increased 13% over the prior-year quarter reflecting strong double-digit sales increases of MoneyGuard(®) and term life insurance. MoneyGuard(®) sales reflect our market leading position and expansion of wholesaling support. Universal life sales of $78 million were down 8% from the prior-year quarter reflecting the change in consumer preferences and economic conditions.

Group Protection

For the second quarter, Group Protection's income from operations was $23 million, compared to $34 million in the prior-year period. The non-medical loss ratio was 76% in the current quarter, compared to 68% in the second quarter of 2009 with the change primarily attributable to an increase in the disability product line.

Non-medical net earned premiums were $383 million in the second quarter, up 8% over the year-ago period. Annualized sales of $65 million increased 10% year-over-year.

Other Operations

The operating loss in Other Operations was $36 million in the quarter, versus a loss of $52 million in the prior-year quarter. A charge of approximately $19 million, after tax, related to expense-save initiatives was included in the 2009 quarter's results.

Alternative Investment Income

Income from operations in the second quarter of 2010 included alternative investment income of $11 million, after DAC, after tax, compared to a loss of $29 million in the year-ago quarter. The company's alternative investment portfolio, of approximately $700 million of book value, performed consistent with our long-term return expectations.

Realized Gains and Losses

Total gross realized losses from the sale and impairment of general account investments in the quarter were $37 million, pre tax, as compared to $236 million in the prior-year quarter and $109 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Realized gains and losses also includes the change in value of certain securities subject to mark-to-market accounting including credit linked notes, credit default swaps, trading securities and other derivatives. The net change in the value of these securities in the quarter was a loss of $46 million, pre tax, versus a loss of $13 million in the year-ago quarter. 2010 results reflect the company's recent adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2009-17, "Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities" ("ASU 2009-17") effective January 1, 2010.

Unrealized Gains and Losses

The company reported a net unrealized gain of approximately $3 billion, pre tax, on its available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2010. This compares to a net unrealized loss of $3.7 billion at June 30, 2009.

Capital

During the quarter, the company completed a series of capital-related transactions:

    --  Closed on a $2 billion bank credit facility to be used primarily to
        provide letters of credit in support of certain life insurance reserves,
        including a $1.5 billion credit facility expiring in 2015 and a 364-day
        $500 million credit facility.
    --  Redeemed $950 million in Series B preferred shares pursuant to the U.S.
        Treasury's Capital Purchase Program (CPP) with the net proceeds of $368
        million from the issuance of common stock, the issuance of $250 million
        of 5-year senior notes and cash on hand.
    --  Completed the issuance of $500 million of 30-year senior notes to be
        used as part of a long-term financing solution supporting universal life
        reserves of Lincoln Financial's insurance subsidiaries.

Book Value

As of June 30, 2010, the book value per share of common stock, including accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), was $39.89 compared to $30.02 a year ago. Book value per share, excluding AOCI, was $36.93, compared to $35.67 a year ago.

This press release may contain statements that are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially, especially given the current economic and credit conditions. Please see the Forward-Looking Statements - Cautionary Language that follow for additional factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations.

The tables attached to this release define and reconcile income from operations, return on equity ("ROE"), and book value per share excluding AOCI, non-GAAP measures, to net income, ROE, and book value per share including AOCI calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Lincoln Financial Group will discuss the company's second quarter results with investors in a conference call beginning at 11:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, July 29, 2010. Interested persons are invited to listen through the internet. Please go to www.LincolnFinancial.com/webcast at least fifteen minutes prior to the event to register, download and install any necessary streaming media software. Interested persons may also listen to the call by dialing the following numbers:




    Dial:              (877) 776-4049 (Domestic)
                       (914) 495-8602 (International)

                        -Ask for the Lincoln National Conference
                        Call.

The company will also post its second quarter 2010 statistical supplement and a general account supplement on its Web site, www.LincolnFinancial.com/earnings.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $140 billion as of June 30, 2010. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

Definition of Income (Loss) from Operations and ROE

Income (loss) from operations and ROE, as used in the earnings release, are non-GAAP financial measures and are not substitutes for net income (loss) and ROE, calculated using GAAP measures. We exclude the after-tax effects of the following items from GAAP net income (loss) to arrive at income (loss) from operations: realized gains and losses associated with the following ("excluded realized gain (loss)"): sale or disposal of securities; impairments of securities; change in the fair value of derivative investments; embedded derivatives within certain reinsurance arrangements; trading securities; change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge our guaranteed death benefit ("GDB") riders within our variable annuities, which is referred to as "GDB derivatives results"; change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives of our guaranteed living benefit ("GLB") riders within our variable annuities accounted for under the Derivatives and Hedging and the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topics of the FASB ASC ("embedded derivative reserves"), net of the change in the fair value of the derivatives we own to hedge the changes in the embedded derivative reserves, the net of which is referred to as "GLB net derivative results"; and changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities related to index call options we may purchase in the future to hedge contract holder index allocations applicable to future reset periods for our indexed annuity products accounted for under the Derivatives and Hedging and the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topics of the FASB ASC ("indexed annuity forward-starting option"); change in reserves accounted for under the Financial Services - Insurance - Claim Costs and Liabilities for Future Policy Benefits Subtopic of the FASB ASC resulting from benefit ratio unlocking on our GDB and GLB riders ("benefit ratio unlocking"); income (loss) from the initial adoption of new accounting standards; income (loss) from reserve changes (net of related amortization) on business sold through reinsurance; gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt; losses from the impairment of intangible assets; and income (loss) from discontinued operations.

The earnings used to calculate ROE, as used in the earnings release, are income (loss) from operations. Income (loss) from operations is an internal measure used by the company in the management of its operations. Management believes that this performance measure explains the results of the company's ongoing businesses in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying trends in the company's current business because the excluded items are unpredictable and not necessarily indicative of current operating fundamentals or future performance of the business segments, and, in most instances, decisions regarding these items do not necessarily relate to the operations of the individual segments.

The company uses its prevailing corporate federal income tax rate of 35% while taking into account any permanent differences for events recognized differently in its financial statements and federal income tax returns when reconciling non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measure.


                        Lincoln National Corporation
           Reconciliation of Net Income to Income from Operations

                          For the Three Months           For the Six Months
                                 Ended                          Ended
    ($ in
     millions,
     except per
     share data)               June 30,                       June 30,
                               --------                       --------
                           2010           2009         2010            2009
                           ----           ----         ----            ----
    Net Income
     (Loss)
     Available to
     Common
     Stockholders
      -Diluted           $104.4        ($161.4)      $369.4         ($740.4)
    Less:
      Preferred
       stock
       dividends
       and
       accretion of
       discount           (18.3)          -     (36.7)           -
      Write-off of
       unamortized
       discount on
       preferred
       stock
        at
         liquidation     (130.6)             -       (130.6)              -
      Adjustment
       for deferred
       units of LNC
       stock in our
        non-director
         deferred
         compensation
         plans (1)         (1.9)             -         (1.9)              -
      Minority
       interest
       adjustment             -              -            -            (0.1)
                            ---            ---          ---            ----
    Net Income
     (Loss)               255.2         (161.4)       538.6          (740.3)
    Less:
      Excluded
       realized
       gain (loss),
       after-tax           (7.3)        (296.8)       (33.8)         (433.2)
      Benefit ratio
       unlocking,
       after-tax          (30.9)          80.9        (25.4)           28.9
      Income from
       reserve
       changes (net
       of related
       amortization)
        on business
         sold through
         reinsurance,
         after-tax          0.5            0.4          0.9             0.8
      Gain on early
       extinguishment
       of debt,
       after tax              -              -            -            41.8
      Impairment of
       intangibles,
       after-tax              -            0.6            -          (602.9)
      Income (loss)
       from
       discontinued
       operations,
       after-tax            2.7      (153.8)     30.6       (146.1)
    Income (Loss)
     from
     Operations          $290.2         $207.3       $566.3          $370.4
                         ======         ======       ======          ======

    Earnings
     (Loss) Per
     Share
     (Diluted)
    Income (loss)
     from
     operations           $0.86          $0.79        $1.68           $1.42
    Net income
     (loss) (2)            0.33          (0.62)        1.18           (2.87)

    Average
     Equity
    (Excluding
     AOCI)            $11,882.9      $10,540.5    $11,948.4       $10,540.0

    Return on
     Equity
    Net income
     (loss)                 8.6%          -6.1%         9.0%          -14.0%
    Income (loss)
     from
     operations             9.8%           7.9%         9.5%            7.0%

    (1) The numerator used in the calculation of our diluted EPS is
    adjusted down for the removal of the favorable mark-to-market
    adjustment for deferred units of LNC stock in our non-director
    deferred compensation plans if the effect of equity classification
    would be more dilutive to our diluted EPS.
    (2)  In those periods with a loss from continuing operations, shares
    used in the earnings per share calculation represent basic
    shares, since using diluted shares would have been anti-dilutive.

Definition of Book Value Per Share Excluding AOCI

Book value per share excluding AOCI is calculated based upon a non-GAAP financial measure. It is calculated by dividing (a) stockholders' equity excluding AOCI by (b) common shares outstanding, assuming conversion of Series A preferred shares. We provide book value per share excluding AOCI to enable investors to analyze the amount of our net worth that is primarily attributable to our business operations. Management believes book value per share excluding AOCI is useful to investors because it eliminates the effect of items that can fluctuate significantly from period to period, primarily based on changes in interest rates. Book value per share is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. A reconciliation of book value per share to book value per share excluding AOCI as of June 30, 2010 and 2009 is set forth below.



                                                  As of June 30,
                                                  2010          2009
                                                  ----          ----
    Book value per share, including AOCI        $39.89        $30.02
    Per share impact of AOCI                      2.96         (5.65)
    Book value per share, excluding AOCI        $36.93        $35.67


                    LINCOLN NATIONAL CORPORATION
                         DIGEST OF EARNINGS

    ($ in millions, except per
     share data)
                                      For the Three Months Ended
                                               June 30,
                                               --------
                                          2010                  2009
                                          ----                  ----

    Revenues                          $2,604.5              $1,882.4

    Net Income (Loss)                   $255.2               $(161.4)
    Preferred stock dividends
     and accretion of discount           (18.3)                    -
    Write-off of unamortized
     discount on preferred
     stock
      at liquidation                    (130.6)                    -
    Adjustment for deferred
     units of LNC stock in our
      non-director deferred
       compensation plans (1)             (1.9)                    -
    Minority interest
     adjustment                              -                     -
    Net Income (Loss)
     Available to Common
      Stockholders - Diluted             104.4                (161.4)

    Earnings (Loss) Per Common
     Share -Basic                        $0.35                $(0.62)
    Earnings (Loss) Per Common
     Share -Diluted (2)                   0.33                 (0.62)

    Average Shares - Basic         304,483,369           260,085,214
    Average Shares - Diluted       314,611,633           262,413,771

                                     For the Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,
                                             --------
                                          2010                  2009
                                          ----                  ----

    Revenues                          $5,131.9              $4,014.5

    Net Income (Loss)                   $538.6               $(740.3)
    Preferred stock dividends
     and accretion of discount           (36.7)                    -
    Write-off of unamortized
     discount on preferred
     stock
      at liquidation                    (130.6)                    -
    Adjustment for deferred
     units of LNC stock in our
      non-director deferred
       compensation plans (1)             (1.9)                    -
    Minority interest
     adjustment                              -                  (0.1)
    Net Income (Loss)
     Available to Common
      Stockholders - Diluted             369.4                (740.4)

    Earnings (Loss) Per Common
     Share -Basic                        $1.22                $(2.87)
    Earnings (Loss) Per Common
     Share -Diluted (2)                   1.18                 (2.87)

    Average Shares - Basic         303,358,882           257,834,591
    Average Shares - Diluted       313,356,069           260,113,898

    (1) The numerator used in the calculation of our diluted EPS is
    adjusted down for the removal of
    the favorable mark-to-market adjustment for deferred units of LNC
    stock in our non-director
    deferred compensation plans if the effect of equity classification
    would be more dilutive to our
    diluted EPS.
    (2)  In those periods with a loss from continuing operations, shares
    used in the earnings per share
    calculation represent basic shares, since using diluted shares would
    have been anti-dilutive.

Forward Looking Statements -- Cautionary Language

Certain statements made in this press release and in other written or oral statements made by Lincoln, or "we," "us," or "our," or on Lincoln's behalf are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"). A forward-looking statement is a statement that is not a historical fact and, without limitation, includes any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words like: "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "project", "will", "shall" and other words or phrases with similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, trends in Lincoln's businesses, prospective services or products, future performance or financial results, and the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings. Lincoln claims the protection afforded by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the PSLRA.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results contained in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially, some of which are described within the forward-looking statements include, among others:

    --  Deterioration in general economic and business conditions that may
        affect account values, investment results, guaranteed benefit
        liabilities, premium levels, claims experience and the level of pension
        benefit costs, funding and investment results;
    --  Economic declines and credit market illiquidity could cause us to
        realize additional impairments on investments and certain intangible
        assets, including goodwill and a valuation allowance against deferred
        tax assets, which may reduce future earnings and/or affect our financial
        condition and ability to raise additional capital or refinance existing
        debt as it matures;
    --  Uncertainty about the impact of existing or new stimulus legislation on
        the economy;
    --  The restrictions, oversight, cost and other consequences of being a
        savings and loan holding company, including from the supervision,
        regulation and examination by the Office of Thrift Supervision, and
        arising from our participation in the U.S. Department of the Treasury's,
        or the "U.S. Treasury," Capital Purchase Program, or "CPP," certain
        requirements of which may continue to apply to us so long as U.S.
        Treasury holds the warrant that we issued as a part of our participation
        in the CPP even after Lincoln's repurchase of the preferred stock issued
        to the Treasury as part of the CPP;
    --  Legislative, regulatory or tax changes, both domestic and foreign, that
        affect the cost of, or demand for, our subsidiaries' products, the
        required amount of reserves and/or surplus, or otherwise affect our
        ability to conduct business, including changes to statutory reserves
        and/or risk-based capital, or "RBC," requirements related to secondary
        guarantees under universal life and variable annuity products such as
        Actuarial Guideline 43, or "AG43" (also known as Commissioners Annuity
        Reserve Valuation Method for Variable Annuities or "VACARVM");
        restrictions on revenue sharing and 12b-1 payments; and the potential
        for U.S. Federal tax reform;
    --  The initiation of legal or regulatory proceedings against us, and the
        outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings, such as: adverse actions
        related to present or past business practices common in businesses in
        which we compete; adverse decisions in significant actions including,
        but not limited to, actions brought by federal and state authorities and
        extra-contractual and class action damage cases; new decisions that
        result in changes in law; and unexpected trial court rulings;
    --  Changes in interest rates causing a reduction of investment income, the
        margins of our subsidiaries' fixed annuity and life insurance businesses
        and demand for their products;
    --  A decline in the equity markets causing a reduction in the sales of our
        subsidiaries' products, a reduction of asset-based fees that our
        subsidiaries charge on various investment and insurance products, an
        acceleration of amortization of deferred acquisition costs, or "DAC,"
        value of business acquired, or "VOBA," deferred sales inducements, or
        "DSI," and deferred front end sales loads, or "DFEL," and an increase in
        liabilities related to guaranteed benefit features of our subsidiaries'
        variable annuity products;
    --  Ineffectiveness of our various hedging strategies used to offset the
        impact of changes in the value of liabilities due to changes in the
        level and volatility of the equity markets and interest rates;
    --  A deviation in actual experience regarding future persistency,
        mortality, morbidity, interest rates or equity market returns from the
        assumptions used in pricing our subsidiaries' products, in establishing
        related insurance reserves and in elevated impairments on investments
        and amortization of intangible assets that may cause an increase in
        reserves and/or a reduction in assets, resulting in a corresponding
        decrease in net income;
    --  Changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United
        States, or "GAAP," that may result in unanticipated changes to our net
        income;
    --  Lowering of one or more of our debt ratings issued by nationally
        recognized statistical rating organizations and the adverse impact such
        action may have on our ability to raise capital and on our liquidity and
        financial condition;
    --  Lowering of one or more of the insurer financial strength ratings of our
        insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on
        the premium writings, policy retention, profitability of our insurance
        subsidiaries and liquidity;
    --  Significant credit, accounting, fraud or corporate governance issues
        that may adversely affect the value of certain investments in our
        portfolios requiring that we realize losses on such investments;
    --  The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product
        withdrawals and other unusual items, including our ability to integrate
        acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from
        acquisitions;
    --  The adequacy and collectibility of reinsurance that we have purchased;
    --  Acts of terrorism, a pandemic, war or other man-made and natural
        catastrophes that may adversely affect our businesses and the cost and
        availability of reinsurance;
    --  Competitive conditions, including pricing pressures, new product
        offerings and the emergence of new competitors, that may affect the
        level of premiums and fees that our subsidiaries can charge for their
        products;
    --  The unknown impact on our subsidiaries' businesses resulting from
        changes in the demographics of their client base, as aging baby-boomers
        move from the asset-accumulation stage to the asset-distribution stage
        of life; and
    --  Loss of key management, financial planners or wholesalers.

The risks included here are not exhaustive. Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC include additional factors which could impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a rapidly changing and competitive environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors.

Further, it is not possible to assess the impact of all risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. In addition, Lincoln disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release.

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SOURCE Lincoln Financial Group



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