KINGSWAY Corp (KWY)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Insurance Carriers > SIC 6331 Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1072627. Latest filing source: 0001437749-26-007961.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read KWY's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read KWY's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 134,996,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-12 |
| Net income | -10,252,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-12 |
| Assets | 231,499,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-03-12 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-03-12. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001072627.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 176,630,000 | 44,598,000 | 52,078,000 | 59,948,000 | 60,972,000 | 78,401,000 | 93,280,000 | 103,244,000 | 109,382,000 | 134,996,000 | ||
| Net income | 522,000 | -11,609,000 | -28,336,000 | -4,313,000 | -5,416,000 | 1,860,000 | 15,065,000 | 24,012,000 | -8,295,000 | -10,252,000 | ||
| Operating income | -7,069,000 | 6,779,000 | -2,293,000 | -1,409,000 | -5,221,000 | -474,000 | -3,573,000 | 954,000 | 2,162,000 | -2,398,000 | ||
| Diluted EPS | 0.01 | -0.79 | -1.41 | -0.32 | -0.35 | -0.04 | 0.98 | 0.89 | -0.35 | -0.43 | ||
| Operating cash flow | -15,589,000 | -14,404,000 | -10,143,000 | 759,000 | 1,672,000 | -5,908,000 | -14,574,000 | -26,186,000 | 1,067,000 | -3,000 | ||
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 125,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3,204,000 | 2,504,000 | 345,000 | ||||
| Assets | 501,021,000 | 506,685,000 | 378,240,000 | 399,623,000 | 452,474,000 | 475,634,000 | 285,650,000 | 197,717,000 | 186,616,000 | 231,499,000 | ||
| Liabilities | 437,759,000 | 450,778,000 | 348,182,000 | 378,850,000 | 433,811,000 | 460,880,000 | 263,529,000 | 173,106,000 | 168,314,000 | 197,087,000 | ||
| Stockholders' equity | 56,006,000 | 41,366,000 | 12,462,000 | 874,000 | -1,998,000 | -5,724,000 | 15,671,000 | 27,709,000 | 8,413,000 | 15,169,000 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 36,475,000 | 5,377,000 | 14,619,000 | 13,478,000 | 14,374,000 | 10,084,000 | 64,168,000 | 9,098,000 | 5,493,000 | 8,306,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 0.30% | -26.03% | -54.41% | -7.19% | -8.88% | 2.37% | 16.15% | 23.26% | -7.58% | -7.59% | ||
| Operating margin | -4.00% | 15.20% | -4.40% | -2.35% | -8.56% | -0.60% | -3.83% | 0.92% | 1.98% | -1.78% | ||
| Return on equity | 0.93% | -28.06% | -227.38% | -493.48% | 96.13% | 86.66% | -98.60% | -67.59% | ||||
| Return on assets | 0.10% | -2.29% | -7.49% | -1.08% | -1.20% | 0.39% | 5.27% | 12.14% | -4.44% | -4.43% | ||
| Liabilities / equity | 7.82 | 10.90 | 27.94 | 16.82 | 6.25 | 20.01 | 12.99 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: ProfitLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:ProfitLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001437749-26-007961; filed 2026-03-12. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-07. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001072627.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | -0.12 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 1.49 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 1.05 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 26,197,000 | -1,667,000 | -0.06 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 24,790,000 | -675,000 | -0.04 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 25,868,000 | -1,485,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 26,160,000 | -2,328,000 | -0.09 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 26,446,000 | -2,186,000 | -0.08 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 27,136,000 | -2,311,000 | -0.10 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 29,640,000 | -1,470,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 28,349,000 | -3,092,000 | -0.13 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 30,919,000 | -3,165,000 | -0.13 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 37,173,000 | -2,411,000 | -0.10 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 38,555,000 | -1,584,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 38,959,000 | -2,268,000 | -0.10 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001437749-26-015567; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001437749-26-015567; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: ProfitLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:ProfitLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001437749-26-015567; filed 2026-05-07. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001437749-26-015567.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Management's Discussion and Analysis includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “seeks” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect Kingsway management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, see Kingsway’s securities filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 ("2025 Annual Report"). The Company's securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, on the Canadian Securities Administrators’ website at www.sedar.com or through the Company’s website at www.kingsway-financial.com. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.
OVERVIEW
Kingsway is a Delaware holding company with operating subsidiaries located in the United States. The Company is the only publicly-traded US company employing the Search Fund model to acquire and build great businesses and owns and operates a collection of high-quality B2B and B2C services companies that are asset-light, growing, profitable, and that have recurring revenues. Kingsway seeks to compound long-term shareholder value on a per share basis via its decentralized management model, its talented team of operators, and its tax-advantaged corporate structure. Kingsway conducts its business through two reportable segments: Kingsway Search Xcelerator and Extended Warranty.
Kingsway Search Xcelerator includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: CSuite Financial Partners, LLC ("CSuite"), Ravix Group, Inc. ("Ravix"), Secure Nursing Service LLC ("SNS"), Systems Products International, Inc. ("SPI"), Digital Diagnostics Inc. ("DDI"), Image Solutions, LLC ("Image Solutions"), Roundhouse Electric & Equipment Co., Inc. ("Roundhouse"), M.L.C. Plumbing, LLC (d/b/a Bud's Plumbing Service, "Bud's Plumbing"), Advanced Plumbing & Drain, LLC (d/b/a AAA Advanced Plumbing & Drain, "Advanced Plumbing") and Efficient Plumbing, LLC (d/b/a Southside Plumbing, "Southside Plumbing"). Throughout Management's Discussion and Analysis, the term the term "Kingsway Search Xcelerator" is used to refer to this segment.
CSuite is a professional services firm that provides experienced chief financial officer and other finance professionals to its clients through a variety of flexible offerings. These offerings include project, fractional and interim staffing of senior finance professionals, CFO mentoring, board advisory services, and executive search services for permanent placements for its clients throughout the United States.
Ravix provides outsourced financial services and human resources consulting to its clients on a fractional basis for both projects with definitive endpoints and ongoing engagements of indeterminate length for short or long duration engagements for customers throughout the United States.
SNS provides healthcare staffing services to acute healthcare facilities on a contract or per diem basis in the United States, primarily in California.
SPI provides software products created exclusively to serve the management needs of all types of shared-ownership properties globally.
DDI provides outsourced 24 hours a day and 7 days per week ("24/7") cardiac telemetry services for general acute care, long-term acute care and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Outsourcing cardiac monitoring allows hospitals to eliminate personnel callouts and human resources issues, remove distractions from onsite operations, and free up facility staff to assist directly with patient care. DDI currently has a presence in 42 states and Puerto Rico.
Image Solutions provides comprehensive information technology managed services, including equipment sales, service, and helpdesk support to customers primarily in North Carolina, Kansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Roundhouse provides industrial-scale electric motor solutions, including field maintenance, in-shop repair, testing, and new motor sales primarily to midstream natural gas pipeline operators and utilities across the Permian Basin.
Kingsway Skilled Trades ("KST") includes Bud's Plumbing, Advanced Plumbing and Southside Plumbing. KST provides a comprehensive range of plumbing services, including emergency repairs, drain cleaning, water heater installations, and water treatment solutions to residential and commercial customers, primarily in Evansville, Indiana (Bud's Plumbing), Cleveland, Ohio (Advanced Plumbing) and Omaha, Nebraska (Southside Plumbing).
Extended Warranty includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: IWS Acquisition Corporation ("IWS"), Geminus Holding Company, Inc. ("Geminus"), PWI Holdings, Inc. ("PWI") and Trinity Warranty Solutions LLC ("Trinity"). Throughout Management's Discussion and Analysis, the term "Extended Warranty" is used to refer to this segment.
IWS is a licensed motor vehicle service agreement company and is a provider of after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions in 28 states and the District of Columbia to their members, with customers in all fifty states.
Geminus primarily sells vehicle service agreements to used car buyers across the United States, through its subsidiary, The Penn Warranty Corporation ("Penn"). Penn distributes these products in 46 states via independent used car dealerships and franchised car dealerships.
PWI markets, sells and administers vehicle service agreements to used car buyers in
47 states via independent used car and franchise network of approved automobile and motorcycle dealer partners. PWI’s business model is supported by an internal sales and operations team.
33
Table of Contents
KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Trinity sells heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC"), standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration warranty products and provides equipment breakdown and maintenance support services to companies across the United States. As a seller of warranty products, Trinity markets and administers product warranty contracts for certain new and used products in the HVAC, standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration industries throughout the United States. Trinity acts as an agent on behalf of the third-party insurance companies that underwrite and guaranty these warranty contracts. Trinity does not guaranty the performance underlying the warranty contracts it sells. As a provider of equipment breakdown and maintenance support services, Trinity acts as a single point of contact to its clients for both certain equipment breakdowns and scheduled maintenance of equipment. Trinity will provide such repair and breakdown services by contracting with certain HVAC providers.
NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE
Throughout this quarterly report, we present our operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful, useful and transparent to anyone using this financial information to evaluate our performance. Our unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. In addition to the U.S. GAAP presentation of net loss, we present segment operating income as a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, which we believe is valuable in managing our business and drawing comparisons to our peers. Below is a definition of our non-U.S. GAAP measure and its relationship to U.S. GAAP.
Segment Operating Income
Segment operating income represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our segments and is derived by subtracting direct segment expenses from direct segment revenues. Revenues and expenses are presented in the unaudited consolidated interim statements of operations, but are not subtotaled by segment; however, this information is available in total and by segment in Note 21, "Segmented Information," to the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements, regarding reportable segment information. The nearest comparable U.S. GAAP measure to total segment operating income is operating income (loss) that, in addition to total segment operating income, includes corporate general and administrative expenses and excludes segment non-operating other revenue, net.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ESTIMATES
The preparation of unaudited consolidated interim financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and their underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which they are determined.
The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and that require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The critical accounting policies and judgments in the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements include revenue recognition; valuation of fixed maturity investments; impairment assessment of investments; valuation of limited liability investment, at fair value; valuation of deferred income taxes; accounting for business combinations; valuation and impairment assessment of intangible assets; goodwill recoverability; valuation of contingent consideration; fair value assumptions for subordinated debt obligations; fair value assumptions for subsidiary stock-based compensation awards; and valuation of redeemable noncontrolling interest. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The Company’s significant accounting policies and critical estimates are described in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2025 Annual Report. There has been no material change subsequent to December 31, 2025 to the information previously disclosed in the 2025 Annual Report with respect to these significant accounting policies and critical estimates.
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
A reconciliation of total segment operating income to net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025 is presented in Table 1 below:
Table 1 Segment Operating Income
(in thousands of dollars)
[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","","For the three months ended March 31,"],
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this 2025 Annual Report.
OVERVIEW
Kingsway is a holding company with operating subsidiaries located in the United States. The Company is the only publicly-traded US company employing the Search Fund model to acquire and build great businesses and owns and operates a collection of high-quality B2B and B2C services companies that are asset-light, growing, profitable, and that have recurring revenues. Kingsway seeks to compound long-term shareholder value on a per share basis via its decentralized management model, its talented team of operators, and its tax-advantaged corporate structure. Kingsway conducts its business through two reportable segments: Kingsway Search Xcelerator and Extended Warranty.
Kingsway Search Xcelerator includes the Company's subsidiaries, CSuite Financial Partners, LLC ("CSuite"), Ravix Group, Inc. ("Ravix"), Secure Nursing Service LLC ("SNS"), Systems Products International, Inc. ("SPI"), Digital Diagnostics Inc. ("DDI"), Image Solutions, LLC ("Image Solutions"), Roundhouse Electric & Equipment Co., Inc. ("Roundhouse"), M.L.C. Plumbing, LLC (d/b/a Bud's Plumbing Service, "Bud's Plumbing"), Advanced Plumbing & Drain, LLC (d/b/a AAA Advanced Plumbing & Drain, "Advanced Plumbing") and Efficient Plumbing, LLC (d/b/a Southside Plumbing, "Southside Plumbing"). Throughout this 2025 Annual Report, the term "Kingsway Search Xcelerator" or "KSX" is used to refer to this segment.
CSuite is a professional services firm that provides experienced chief financial officer and other finance professionals to its clients through a variety of flexible offerings. These offerings include project, fractional, and interim staffing of senior finance professionals, CFO mentoring, board advisory services, and executive search services for permanent placements for its clients throughout the United States.
Ravix provides outsourced financial services and human resources consulting to its clients on a fractional basis for both projects with definitive endpoints and ongoing engagements of indeterminate length for short or long duration engagements for customers throughout the United States.
SNS provides healthcare staffing services to acute healthcare facilities on a contract or per diem basis in the United States, primarily in California.
SPI provides software products created exclusively to serve the management needs of all types of shared-ownership properties globally.
DDI provides outsourced 24 hours a day and 7 days per week ("24/7") cardiac telemetry services for general acute care, long-term acute care and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Outsourcing cardiac monitoring allows hospitals to eliminate personnel callouts and human resources issues, remove distractions from onsite operations, and free up facility staff to assist directly with patient care. DDI currently has a presence in
42 states and Puerto Rico.
Image Solutions provides comprehensive information technology managed services, including equipment sales, service, and helpdesk support to customers primarily in North Carolina, Kansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Roundhouse provides industrial-scale electric motor solutions, including field maintenance, in-shop repair, testing, and new motor sales primarily to midstream natural gas pipeline operators and utilities across the Permian Basin.
Kingsway Skilled Trades includes Bud's Plumbing, Advanced Plumbing and Southside Plumbing. Kingsway Skilled Trades provides a comprehensive range of plumbing services, including emergency repairs, drain cleaning, water heater installations, and water treatment solutions to residential and commercial customers, primarily in Evansville, Indiana (Bud's Plumbing), Cleveland, Ohio (Advanced Plumbing) and Omaha, Nebraska (Southside Plumbing).
Extended Warranty includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: IWS Acquisition Corporation ("IWS"), Geminus Holding Company, Inc. ("Geminus"), PWI Holdings, Inc. ("PWI") and Trinity Warranty Solutions LLC ("Trinity"). Throughout this 2025 Annual Report, the term "Extended Warranty" is used to refer to this segment.
IWS is a licensed motor vehicle service agreement company and is a provider of after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions in 28 states and the District of Columbia to their members, with customers in all fifty states.
Geminus primarily sells vehicle service agreements to used car buyers across the United States, mainly through its subsidiary, The Penn Warranty Corporation ("Penn"). Penn distributes these products in 46 states via independent used car dealerships and franchised car dealerships.
PWI markets, sells and administers vehicle service agreements to used car buyers in 47 states via independent used car and franchise network of approved automobile and motorcycle dealer partners. PWI’s business model is supported by an internal sales and operations team.
Trinity sells heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC"), standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration warranty products and provides equipment breakdown and maintenance support services to companies across the United States. As a seller of warranty products, Trinity markets and administers product warranty contracts for certain new and used products in the HVAC, standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration industries throughout the United States. Trinity acts as an agent on behalf of the third-party insurance companies that underwrite and guaranty these warranty contracts. Trinity does not guaranty the performance underlying the warranty contracts it sells. As a provider of equipment breakdown and maintenance support services, Trinity acts as a single point of contact to its clients for both certain equipment breakdowns and scheduled maintenance of equipment. Trinity will provide such repair and breakdown services by contracting with certain HVAC providers.
NON U.S.-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE
Throughout this 2025 Annual Report, we present our operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful, useful and transparent to anyone using this financial information to evaluate our performance. In addition to the U.S. GAAP presentation of net loss, we present segment operating income as a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, which we believe is valuable in managing our business and drawing comparisons to our peers. Below is a definition of our non-U.S. GAAP measure and its relationship to U.S. GAAP.
19
Table of Contents
KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Segment Operating Income
Segment operating income represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our segments and is derived by subtracting direct segment expenses from direct segment revenues. Revenues and expenses presented in the consolidated statements of operations are not subtotaled by segment; however, this information is available in total and by segment in Note 22, "Segmented Information," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, regarding reportable segment information. The nearest comparable U.S. GAAP measure to total segment operating income is operating (loss) income that, in addition to total segment operating income, includes corporate general and administrative expenses and excludes segment non-operating other revenue, net.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classification of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and their underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which they are determined.
The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and that require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Revenue Recognition
Service fee and other revenue represents vehicle service agreement fees, maintenance support service fees, warranty product commissions, business services consulting revenue, healthcare services revenue, software license and support revenue, motor sales and repair service revenue and skilled trades repair and service revenue. Revenue is based on terms of various agreements with credit unions, consumers and businesses. Customers either pay in full at the inception of a warranty contract or commission product sale, or when consulting, healthcare, software license and support, motor sales and repair and skilled trades services are billed, or on terms subject to the Company’s customary credit reviews.
The Company’s revenue recognition policy follows guidance from ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which utilizes a five-step revenue recognition framework. The Company identifies the contract with its customers and then identifies the performance obligations in the contracts. The transaction price is determined based on the amount we expect to be entitled to in exchange for providing the promised services to the customer. The transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied.
Certain of the Company’s contracts with customers include obligations to provide multiple services to a customer. Determining whether services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately from one another requires judgment. Revenue from software license and support contains multiple distinct performance obligations that are accounted for separately.
Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price ("SASP") for each distinct performance obligation. Revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative SASP. SASP are not directly observable in the software license and support contracts for the separate performance obligations.
For software license and support contracts, the Company's software licenses are sold as term licenses, and the contracts include software support services, which are accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue is recognized upfront at the point in time when control is transferred, which is defined as the point in time when the customer can use and benefit from the license. The Company recognizes the portion of the transaction price allocated to the software license on a residual basis. The residual basis is used to allocate revenue when the contract arrangement includes a software license and has at least one performance obligation for which the SASP is observable, such as the software support services. The residual method is used as the selling price for software licenses in circumstances when the transaction price is highly variable and the SASP is not discernable from past transactions or other observable evidence. The Company evaluates the residual approach estimate compared to all available observable data in order to conclude the estimate is representative of its SASP. Software support revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period as services are rendered. The SASP of software support is consistent with the stand-alone pricing of subsequent software support renewals. For certain SPI contracts, the transaction price of the software license is billed in installments, typically over a three to five year period. The Company allocates a portion of the consideration received from these arrangements to a financing component when it determines that a significant financing component exists. The financing component is subsequently recognized as interest income separate from software license and support fee revenue over the term of the arrangement with the customer. Pursuant to practical expedients afforded under ASC 606, the Company does not recognize a financing component for software license sales that have a term of one year or less.
In certain jurisdictions the Company is required to refund to a customer a pro-rata share of the vehicle service agreement fees if a customer cancels the agreement prior to the end of the term. Depending on the jurisdiction, the Company may be entitled to deduct from the refund a cancellation fee and/or amounts for claims incurred prior to cancellation. While refunds vary depending on the term and type of product offered, historically refunds have averaged 6.65% to 10.10% of the original amount of the vehicle service agreement fee. Revenues recorded by the Company are net of variable consideration related to refunds and the associated refund liability is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The Company estimates refunds based on the actual historical refund rates by warranty type taking into consideration current observable refund trends in estimating the expected amount of future customer refunds to be paid at each reporting period.
Refer to Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about our revenue recognition accounting policies.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Valuation of Fixed Maturity Investments
For fixed maturity investments, we use observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are inactive; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. We do not have any fixed maturities in our portfolio that require us to use unobservable inputs. The Company engages a third-party vendor who utilizes third-party pricing sources and primarily employs a market approach to determine the fair values of our fixed maturities. The market approach includes primarily obtaining prices from independent third-party pricing services as well as, to a lesser extent, quotes from broker-dealers. Our third-party vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events, to ensure pricing is appropriate. All classes of our fixed maturities are valued using this technique. We have obtained an understanding of our third-party vendor’s valuation methodologies and inputs. Fair values obtained from our third-party vendor are not adjusted by the Company.
Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on the first-in first-out basis and credited or charged to the consolidated statements of operations. Premium and discount on investments are amortized using the interest method and charged or credited to net investment income.
Fixed maturity investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk and overall market volatility risk. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair values of the Company’s investments reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.
Impairment Assessment of Investments
The establishment of an impairment loss on an investment requires a number of judgments and estimates. A consistent and systematic process is followed for determining and recording an impairment loss, including the evaluation of securities in an unrealized loss position and securities with an allowance for credit losses.
We perform a quarterly analysis of our investments classified as available-for-sale fixed maturity investments to determine if an impairment loss has occurred.
If the decline in fair value is due to credit factors and the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to support the entire amortized cost basis, the credit loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the declines are evaluated. Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether a credit loss has occurred for a security. The Company considers all available evidence when determining whether a security requires a credit allowance to be recorded, including the following:
| • | the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost; |
|---|---|
| • | the financial condition and expected near-term and long term prospects of the issuer; |
| • | whether the issuer is current with interest and principal payments; |
| • | credit ratings on the security or changes in ratings over time; |
| • | general market conditions, industry, sector or other specific factors; and |
| • | whether the Company expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. |
As a result of the analysis performed, the Company recorded no impairment losses related to available-for-sale fixed maturity investments during the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
See "Investments" section below and Note 7, "Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Limited Liability Investment, at Fair Value
Limited liability investment, at fair value represents the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entity, Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings"). The Company accounts for this investment at fair value with changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations.
Argo Holdings makes investments in limited liability companies and limited partnerships that hold investments in private operating companies. The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in private operating companies is valued using a market approach.
Refer to Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Deferred Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is calculated based on the expected tax treatment of transactions recorded in our consolidated financial statements. In determining our provision for income taxes, we interpret tax legislation in a variety of jurisdictions and make assumptions about the expected timing of the reversal of deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the valuation of deferred income taxes.
The ultimate realization of the deferred income tax asset balance is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the Company's temporary differences reverse and become deductible. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred income tax asset balance will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is needed, management considers all available positive and negative evidence affecting specific deferred income tax asset balances, including the Company's historical and anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, and the availability of tax planning strategies.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Objective positive evidence is necessary to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of a company's deferred income tax asset balances when significant negative evidence exists. Cumulative losses are the most compelling form of negative evidence considered by management in this determination. To the extent a valuation allowance is established in a period, an expense must be recorded within the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2025, the Company maintains a valuation allowance of $129.4 million. The largest component of the U.S. deferred income tax asset balance relates to tax loss carryforwards that have arisen as a result of losses generated from the Company's U.S. operations. Uncertainty over the Company's ability to utilize these losses over the short-term has led the Company to record a valuation allowance.
Future events may result in the valuation allowance being adjusted, which could materially affect our financial position and results of operations. If sufficient positive evidence were to arise in the future indicating that all or a portion of the deferred income tax assets would meet the more likely than not standard, all or a portion of the valuation allowance would be reversed in the period that such a conclusion was reached, which would beneficially impact our results of operations.
Accounting for Business Combinations
The Company evaluates acquisitions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), to determine if a transaction represents an acquisition of a business or an acquisition of assets.
An acquisition of a business represents a business combination. The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for a business combination by assigning the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill. We determine the fair value of such assets and liabilities, often in consultation with third-party valuation advisors. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue, costs and cash flows, discount rates, royalty rates, and selection of comparable companies. The resulting fair values and useful lives assigned to acquisition-related intangible assets impact the amount and timing of future amortization expense. Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year but is considered complete once all necessary information is available to management to estimate fair value. Acquisition costs related to a business combination are expensed as incurred.
Valuation and Impairment Assessment of Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Intangible assets with definite useful lives consist of developed technology and customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a definite-lived intangible asset be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that definite-lived intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the definite-lived intangible asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names, which are assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company may perform its impairment test for any indefinite-lived intangible asset through a qualitative assessment or elect to proceed directly to a quantitative impairment test; however, the Company may resume a qualitative assessment in any subsequent period if facts and circumstances permit.
Under the qualitative approach, the impairment test consists of an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset, or if a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated carrying amount of such asset exceeds its fair value, the Company performs a quantitative test. Factors that could trigger a quantitative impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under performance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends.
At each quarter end of the first through third quarters of
2025 and
2024 and at November 30,
2025 and November 30,
2024
, the Company determined that certain trade names should be further examined under a quantitative approach due to actual revenue coming in lower than previous projections.
Based upon these quantitative assessments, the Company recorded impairment charges of
$0.7 million and
$2.1 million during
2025 and
2024, respectively, related to the CSuite, Ravix and SNS indefinite-lived trade names. The fair value of the CSuite, Ravix and SNS trade names were estimated using the relief-from-royalty method. The significant unobservable inputs used in the relief-from-royalty method, which are level 3 inputs, include a royalty rate and discount rate. The reduction in value is primarily due to higher discount rates and a reduction in projected revenue. Future impairments may be recorded if discount rates increase further, or if actual revenue falls short of current projections. The valuation of these assets is not dependent on the underlying profit or loss generated by the respective business. Therefore, even if a change in revenue does not have a significant impact on operating results, it could significantly impact the fair value of the trade name.
Additional information regarding our intangible assets is included i
n Note 9, "Intangible Assets," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill Recoverability
Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units and compares it to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to such excess.
For the reporting units within Kingsway Search Xcelerator, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of EBITDA from its recent acquisitions of similar businesses.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
For Extended Warranty, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for a group of publicly traded insurance services and insurance brokerage companies, an approach that the Company views as a technique consistent with the objective of measuring fair value consistent with prior years’ assessments performed.
Estimating the fair value of reporting units requires the use of significant judgments that are based on a number of factors including actual operating results, internal forecasts, market observable pricing multiples of similar businesses and comparable transactions and determining the appropriate discount rate and long-term growth rate assumptions. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment. It is reasonably possible that the judgments and estimates described above could change in future periods.
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of the goodwill impairment charge, or both.
Based upon the assessment performed at November 30, 2025, no impairment charges were recorded against goodwill in 2025. Based upon the quantitative assessment performed at November 30, 2024, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million during 2024 related to the Argo Management reporting unit. No impairment charges were recorded against goodwill for the Company's other reporting units in 2024, as the estimated fair values of the Company's other reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values.
Additional information regarding our goodwill is included in Note 8, "Goodwill," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Valuation of Contingent Consideration
The consideration for certain of the Company's acquisitions include future payments to the former owners that are contingent upon the achievement of certain targets over future reporting periods. Liabilities for contingent consideration are measured and reported at fair value at the date of acquisition with subsequent changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations as non-operating other revenue, net.
Determining the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities requires management to make assumptions and judgments. The fair value of Company’s contingent consideration liabilities is estimated by applying the Monte Carlo simulation method to forecast achievement of gross profit, gross revenue or adjusted EBITDA. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market. Key inputs in the valuations include forecasted gross profit or revenue, gross profit or revenue volatility, projected EBITDA, asset volatility, risk-free rate, discount rate and discount term. Management must use judgment in determining the appropriateness of these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Changes in assumptions could have a material impact on the amount of contingent consideration benefit or expense reported in the consolidated statements of operations and have an impact on the payout of contingent consideration liabilities. Contingent consideration liabilities are revalued each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities can result from changes to one or multiple inputs, including adjustments to the key inputs or changes in the assumed achievement or timing of any targets. Any changes in fair value are reported in the consolidated statements of operations. Additional information regarding our contingent consideration liabilities is included in Note 23 ,"Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Assumptions for Subordinated Debt Obligations
Our subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. These inputs include credit spread assumptions developed by a third-party and market observable swap rates. The following summarizes the impacts:
| Impact of Rate Change on Fair Value | 2025 Result | 2024 Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOFR: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to increase; decrease causes fair value to decrease | Decrease to fair value | Decrease to fair value | |||
| Risk free rate: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to decrease; decrease causes fair value to increase | Increase to fair value | Increase to fair value |
The other primary variable affecting the fair value of debt calculation is the passage of time, which will always have the effect of increasing the fair value of debt.
Therefore, changes in the underlying interest rates used would cause the fair value to be impacted, but only impacts the income statement (or comprehensive income/loss for the portion related to credit risk) and does not impact cash flows.
Fair Value Assumptions for Subsidiary Stock-Based Compensation Awards
Certain of the Company's subsidiaries have made grants of restricted stock awards or restricted unit awards (together "Subsidiary Restricted Awards"). The Subsidiary Restricted Awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period during which awards are expected to vest, with a corresponding increase to either additional paid-in capital for equity-classified awards or to a liability for liability-classified awards. Certain of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards are classified as a liability because the awards are expected to settle in cash. Liability-classified awards, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, are measured and reported at fair value on the date of grant and are remeasured each reporting period. The Subsidiary Restricted Awards contain performance vesting and/or market vesting conditions. Performance vesting conditions are reviewed quarterly to assess the probability of achievement of the performance condition. Compensation expense is adjusted when a change in the assessment of achievement of the specific performance condition is determined to be probable. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis for awards subject to market conditions regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied, provided that the requisite service has been provided. Forfeitures are recognized in the period that Subsidiary Restricted Awards are forfeited.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The determination of fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is subjective and involves significant estimates and assumptions of whether the awards will achieve performance thresholds. The fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is estimated using either the Black-Scholes option pricing model and/or the Monte Carlo simulation model to derive certain inputs. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards, expected dividend yield, and risk-free interest rates. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Monte Carlo simulation model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards and risk-free interest rates. The assumptions used in the Company’s Black-Scholes option-pricing and Monte Carlo simulation models requires significant judgment and represents management’s best estimates.
Valuation of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Redeemable noncontrolling interest represents a 20% noncontrolling ownership in Southside Plumbing, which was acquired on August 14, 2025. The 20% noncontrolling interest in Southside Plumbing includes a put option redemption right for the noncontrolling interest holder to require the Company to repurchase the 20% interest of the noncontrolling interest holder at fair value, on the fifth anniversary of the acquisition of Southside Plumbing, or August 14, 2030. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is presented outside of permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets since it is redeemable by the holder of the noncontrolling interest and the redemption is outside the control of the Company. The redeemable noncontrolling interest was initially recorded at fair value at the date of issuance and is subsequently adjusted each reporting period. The Company records the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest at the greater of (i) the initial carrying amount, increased or decreased for the noncontrolling interest's share of net income or loss and its share of other comprehensive income or loss, and dividends or (ii) the redemption value. Determining the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest requires management to make assumptions and judgments. The fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest is determined using the market approach, which estimates the fair value of the subsidiary using discounted cash flow methods.
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
A reconciliation of total segment operating income to net loss for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 is presented in Table 1 below:
Table 1 Segment Operating Income
For the years ended December 31 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2025 | 2024 | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment operating income: | ||||||||||||
| KSX | $ | 7,787 | $ | 5,662 | $ | 2,125 | ||||||
| Extended Warranty | 1,154 | 5,942 | (4,788 | ) | ||||||||
| Total segment operating income | 8,941 | 11,604 | (2,663 | ) | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 1,627 | 1,432 | 195 | |||||||||
| Net realized and unrealized investment gains | 714 | 1,896 | (1,182 | ) | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses and other revenue not allocated to segments, net | (10,962 | ) | (9,250 | ) | (1,712 | ) | ||||||
| Interest expense | (5,449 | ) | (4,790 | ) | (659 | ) | ||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | (8,169 | ) | (6,304 | ) | (1,865 | ) | ||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | (706 | ) | (2,848 | ) | 2,142 | |||||||
| Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit | (14,004 | ) | (8,260 | ) | (5,744 | ) | ||||||
| Income tax benefit | (3,752 | ) | (147 | ) | (3,605 | ) | ||||||
| Loss from continuing operations | (10,252 | ) | (8,113 | ) | (2,139 | ) | ||||||
| Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes (a) | — | 438 | (438 | ) | ||||||||
| Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes (a) | — | (620 | ) | 620 | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (10,252 | ) | $ | (8,295 | ) | $ | (1,957 | ) |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | The income from discontinued operations and the loss on disposal of discontinued operations is related to VA Lafayette. See Note 5, "Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information. |
Among other items, the degree and pace of inflation and interest rate changes may have impacts on our business and the recently announced tariffs or retaliatory responses to such tariffs may impact the Company’s operating income. The potential impact of current macroeconomic uncertainties on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows is subject to change and continues to depend on the extent and duration of these uncertainties.
The discussion below highlights the key drivers of the current and prior year results.
Kingsway Search Xcelerator
The Kingsway Search Xcelerator revenue increased to $64.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with $40.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Kingsway Search Xcelerator operating income was $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. Revenue and operating income were primarily impacted by the following:
| • | The inclusion of Image Solutions for twelve months during 2025 following its acquisition effective September 26, 2024. For 2025, Image Solutions had revenue and operating income of $8.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Roundhouse had revenue and operating income of $9.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, following its acquisition on July 1, 2025; | |
| • | Kingsway Skilled Trades had revenue and operating loss of $10.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively following the acquisitions of Bud's Plumbing in March 2025 and Advanced Plumbing and Southside Plumbing in August 2025; | |
| • | DDI operating income increased $0.2 million to $1.2 million, primarily due to an increase in revenue, partially offset by higher cost of sales compared to 2024; and |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Ravix operating income decreased $0.9 million to $2.4 million, due to a 19% decrease in revenue (primarily due to loss of retained customers as they were acquired, as well as financially distressed customers spending less on Ravix services), partially offset by a decrease in costs of services sold and general and administrative expenses compared to 2024. |
Extended Warranty
The Extended Warranty revenue increased 2.8% (or $1.9 million) to $70.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with $68.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, while cash sales were up 9.2% in 2025 (and 12.4% in the second half of 2025 compared with the prior year). The Extended Warranty operating income was $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company's revenue – and therefore operating income – is impacted by the fact that VSA sales are recognized over the life of the contract, which is not on a straight-line basis. This means that in periods where cash VSA sales are declining, revenue and operating income may continue to be strong due to higher prior-year sales. Conversely, when VSA cash sales are in a period of growth – as we are seeing now – revenue and operating income may continue to lag as prior-year lower sales have a larger impact on current period revenue/operating income than current period VSA cash sales.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, there was a 4.4% increase in claims paid at our auto Extended Warranty companies, primarily due to inflationary pressures on the cost of parts and labor, but not due to a spike in the number of claims; however, the year-over-year increase was lower than that experienced in 2024. In 2025, we mitigated the impact of claims increasing by increasing pricing and re-categorizing vehicles to ensure they are in the appropriate rate class. Due to the deferred revenue model under US GAAP, these price increases may impact our financials more in future periods rather than in the current period.
The Extended Warranty operating income was impacted by other higher expenses, such as commissions, dealer profit sharing, and personnel costs. Commissions and dealer profit sharing were up primarily due to the increase in cash sales during 2025. Personnel costs were up primarily at PWI, Geminus and Trinity, as each company invests in its sales teams. In addition, PWI/Geminus includes nearly $0.4 million in severance and redundant compensation related to the transition of their leadership team in the second quarter of 2025.
Net Realized and Unrealized Investment Gains
Net realized and unrealized investment gains were $0.7 million in 2025 compared to $1.9 million in 2024, due primarily to net realized gains on the sale of investments of $0.1 million in 2025 compared to $1.6 million in 2024. The net realized gains for 2024 primarily relate to realized gains recognized by Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings") and a net realized gain related to the sale of one of the private company investments.
General and Administrative Expenses and Other Revenue
not Allocated to Segments, Net
General and administrative expenses and other revenue not allocated to segments was a net expense of $11.0 million in 2025 compared to $9.3 million in 2024. Included are primarily expenses associated with our corporate holding company, expenses associated with our Operator-in-Residence who search for our next acquisition, revenue and expenses associated with our various other investments that are accounted for on a consolidated basis, loss on change in fair value of debt and loss on extinguishment of debt.
The increase in net expense for 2025 is primarily attributable to reimbursement payments made to Aegis in connection with the Settlement Agreement and higher acquisition, search and slightly higher compensation related expenses as the holding company staffed-up to take on more accounting from the KSX subsidiaries.
See Note 25 ," Commitments and Contingent Liabilities " to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details related to the Aegis Settlement Agreement.
See Note 11, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion of changes in fair value of debt and loss on extinguishment of debt recorded in 2025 and 2024.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for 2025 was $5.4 million compared to $4.8 million in 2024. The increase in 2025 is primarily attributable to the inclusion of the Image Solutions loan for 12 months in 2025, as well as the addition of the new Roundhouse and KPH loans in 2025, partially offset by reduced expense for existing loans due to principal amortization.
See Note 11, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further details.
Amortization Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets was $8.2 million in 2025 compared to $6.3 million in 2024. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2025 is primarily due to the inclusion of Image Solutions (acquired September 26, 2024) and Roundhouse, Advanced Plumbing and Southside Plumbing (acquired in the third quarter of 2025), partially offset by decreased amortization expense for the Company's other intangible assets.
Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets was $0.7 million in 2025 (tradenames at CSuite, Ravix and SNS) compared to $2.8 million in 2024 (Argo goodwill impairment of $0.7 million; remainder tradenames at CSuite, Ravix and SNS). The Company's goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. See Note 9, "Intangible Assets," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Income Tax Benefit
Income tax benefit for 2025 was $3.8 million compared to $0.1 million in 2024. The 2025 and 2024 income tax benefit is primarily related to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $1.2 million and $0.2 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively, associated with interest expense and net operating loss carryforwards generating indefinite life deferred tax assets utilizable against indefinite life deferred tax liabilities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $2.7 million and income tax expense $0.1 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively, for the change in the Company’s deferred tax valuation allowance related to acquired deferred tax liabilities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of less than $0.1 million and income tax benefit of $0.2 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively, relating to a change in valuation allowance due to the change in indefinite life deferred income tax liabilities; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively, for state income taxes. |
See Note 14, "Income Taxes," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional detail of the income tax benefit recorded for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
INVESTMENTS
Portfolio Composition
Our investments consist primarily of fixed maturities and limited liability investment, at fair value. The following is an overview of how we account for these investments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in fixed maturities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investment, at fair value represents the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entity, Argo Holdings. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investment, at fair value and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
At December 31, 2025, we held cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments with a carrying value of $57.9 million. Our operations typically invest in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments to mitigate their exposure to currency rate fluctuations.
Table 2 below summarizes the carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, at the dates indicated.
TABLE 2 Carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
As of December 31 (in thousands of dollars, except for percentages)
| Type of investment | 2025 | % of Total | 2024 | % of Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, government agencies and authorities | 13,491 | 23.3 | % | 13,354 | 24.5 | % | ||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 1,771 | 3.1 | % | 2,775 | 5.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | 9,818 | 17.0 | % | 9,886 | 18.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Asset-backed | 1,364 | 2.4 | % | 1,326 | 2.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | 10,321 | 17.8 | % | 9,622 | 17.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | 36,765 | 63.5 | % | 36,963 | 67.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investments | 649 | 1.1 | % | 650 | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investment, at fair value | 3,476 | 6.0 | % | 2,859 | 5.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Investments in private companies | 575 | 1.0 | % | 696 | 1.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Short-term investments | 178 | 0.3 | % | 169 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Total investments | 41,643 | 71.9 | % | 41,337 | 75.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 8,306 | 14.3 | % | 5,493 | 10.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Restricted cash | 7,965 | 13.8 | % | 7,643 | 14.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 57,914 | 100.0 | % | 54,473 | 100.0 | % |
Investment Impairment
The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its investments to determine if declines in fair value may result in the recognition of impairment losses in net loss. Factors considered in the determination of whether or not an impairment loss is recognized in net loss include a current intention or need to sell the security or an indication that a credit loss exists. Further information regarding our detailed analysis and factors considered in establishing an impairment loss on an investment is discussed within the "Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates" section of MD&A.
The Company's fixed maturities are subject to declines in fair value below amortized cost that may result in the recognition of impairment losses in net loss. If the decline in fair value is due to credit factors and the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to support the entire amortized cost basis, the credit loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the declines are evaluated. The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its available for-sale fixed maturity investments to determine if an impairment loss has occurred.
There were no impairment losses recorded related to investments for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
At December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities amounted to $0.5 million and $1.2 million, and there were no unrealized losses attributable to non-investment grade fixed maturities.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
DEBT
The principal and carrying value of the Company’s debt instruments at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 are as follows:
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | Carrying Value | Principal | Carrying Value | ||||||||||||
| Bank loans: | |||||||||||||||
| KSX Term Loans | $ | 36,135 | $ | 35,551 | $ | 23,493 | $ | 23,100 | |||||||
| KSX Revolvers | 2,053 | 2,053 | 950 | 950 | |||||||||||
| Extended Warranty Term Loan and DDTL | 15,504 | 15,438 | 19,163 | 19,078 | |||||||||||
| Extended Warranty Revolver | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||||||||
| Total bank loans | 55,692 | 55,042 | 44,606 | 44,128 | |||||||||||
| Notes payable: | |||||||||||||||
| KSX Notes Payable | 1,164 | 1,016 | — | — | |||||||||||
| KSX Vehicle Loans | 630 | 630 | — | — | |||||||||||
| KSX Equipment Loans | 326 | 326 | — | — | |||||||||||
| Total notes payable | 2,120 | 1,972 | — | — | |||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 15,000 | 13,698 | 15,000 | 13,409 | |||||||||||
| Total Debt | $ | 72,812 | $ | 70,712 | $ | 59,606 | $ | 57,537 |
See Note 11, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the Company’s debt instruments. Changes related to the Company’s debt during 2025 are further described below.
Bank Loans
Our bank loans contain a number of covenants, including, but not limited to, a leverage ratio and a fixed charge ratio and limits on annual capital expenditures, all of which are as defined in and calculated pursuant to the respective loan that, among other things, restrict the borrowing company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, make dividends and distributions, engage in mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, make certain payments and investments and dispose of certain assets.
On February 7, 2025, Ravix, Ravix LLC and CSuite entered into a fourth amendment to the Ravix term loan that provides for: (1) a new 2025 term loan in the principal amount of $9.1 million, with a maturity date of February 7, 2031; and (2) extending the maturity date of the revolver to February 7, 2027. In connection with the fourth amendment, Ravix used a portion of the proceeds to repay $6.4 million on the then outstanding term loan (original and supplemental).
During 2025, SNS borrowed $0.6 million under its revolver. As of December 31, 2025, the SNS revolver is fully drawn.
As part of the acquisition of Roundhouse on July 1, 2025, Roundhouse became a wholly owned subsidiary of Longhorns Acquisition LLC ("Longhorns LLC"), and together they borrowed from a bank a principal amount of $11.0 million in the form of a term loan, and established a $0.5 million revolver to finance the acquisition of Roundhouse. The Roundhouse term loan requires monthly payments of principal and interest and has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the one-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus 3.3%, or 5.0%. The term loan and revolver mature on July 1, 2035. At December 31, 2025, the balance of the revolver was zero.
In 2025, the Company formed Kingsway Plumbing Holdco LLC ("KPH"), whose subsidiaries include Bud's Plumbing, Advanced Plumbing and Southside Plumbing. As part of the acquisition of Southside Plumbing on August 14, 2025, KPH and its subsidiaries borrowed from a bank a principal amount of $3.75 million in the form of a term loan, and established a $0.5 million revolver. The KPH term loan requires monthly payments of interest and has an annual fixed interest rate of 7.5%. Monthly principal payments on the KPH term loan begin September 14, 2026. The term loan matures on August 14, 2032. The KPH revolver requires monthly payments of interest and has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.75%, or 7.5%. The KPH revolver matures on August 14, 2026. During the fourth quarter of 2025, KPH borrowed $0.4 million under its revolver.
On December 18, 2025, KWH entered into a fifth amendment to its revolver that provides for: (1) an increase to the KWH revolver commitment from $1.0 million to $5.0 million; and (2) amends to maturity date of the KWH revolver to March 31, 2027. During the fourth quarter of 2025, KWH borrowed $1.0 million under its revolver.
At each quarter end beginning March 31, 2024 through December 31, 2025, the SNS was in default under its loan due to debt covenant violations related to the leverage and fixed charge ratios. Also, as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2025, DDI was in default under its loan due to a debt covenant violation related to the fixed charge ratio. Each of the companies has entered into an amendment to its respective loan that waives the events of default for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2025. As of the report date, there is some uncertainty as to whether the companies will be in compliance with the covenants in future periods, and if not, when the companies will be able to cure any potential violations. A default may permit the lender to declare the amounts owed under the loans immediately due and payable, exercise their rights with respect to collateral securing the obligations, and/or exercise any other rights and remedies available.
All of the KSX and Extended Warranty indebtedness arises from individual, stand-alone credit agreements with the applicable Company subsidiary. None of such indebtedness is guaranteed by the Company or any other subsidiary or affiliate of the Company other than the borrower entity and its direct subsidiary, if any, and there are no cross-collateral, cross-default or similar provisions in the credit agreements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Notes Payable
As part of the acquisition of Bud's Plumbing on March 14, 2025, Bud's Plumbing became a wholly owned subsidiary of KPH, and together they borrowed from the seller of Bud's Plumbing a principal amount of $1.25 million in the form of a promissory note, to partially finance the acquisition of Bud's Plumbing (the "KPH Note"). The KPH Note was recorded at its estimated fair value of $1.1 million, which included the unpaid principal amount of $1.25 million as of the date of acquisition less a discount of $0.2 million. The KPH Note required monthly payments of principal and interest and had an annual fixed interest rate of 6.00%. The KPH Note was due to mature on April 1, 2030; however on August 7, 2025, the KPH Note was repaid in full to the seller of Bud's Plumbing in exchange for shares of Kingsway common stock. See Note 20, "Shareholders' Equity," for further discussion of the exchange. The settlement of the KPH Note by issuing the Company's common shares is accounted for as a debt extinguishment. The difference between the reacquisition price of the debt and the net carrying amount of the KPH Note at the date of the exchange of $0.1 million is recorded as loss on extinguishment of debt and is included in non-operating other revenue, net in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025.
The following seller notes were entered into during 2025 in connection with various acquisitions which were used to partially finance the respective acquisitions:
| • | Advanced Plumbing on August 1, 2025, principal amount of $0.5 million in the form of a promissory note; and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Southside Plumbing on March 14, 2025, principal amount of $0.5 million in the form of a promissory note. |
Subordinated Debt
The Company's subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. At December 31, 2025, the carrying value of the subordinated debt is $13.7 million. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. For a description of the market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party used in determining fair value of debt, see Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Though changes in the market observable swap rates will continue to introduce some volatility each quarter to the Company’s reported gain or loss on change in fair value of debt, changes in the credit spread assumption developed by the third party does not introduce volatility to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt will eventually equal the principal value totaling $15.0 million of the subordinated debt by the time of the stated redemption date of the remaining trust, which matures on May 22, 2033.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The purpose of liquidity management is to ensure there is sufficient cash to meet all financial commitments and obligations as they fall due. The liquidity requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been met primarily by funds generated from operations, capital raising, disposal of subsidiaries, investment maturities and investment income, and other returns received on investments and from the sale of investments.
A significant portion of the cash provided by our Extended Warranty companies is required to be placed into restricted trust accounts, as determined by the insurers who back-up our service contracts, in order to fund future expected claims. On a periodic basis (quarterly or annually), we may be required to contribute more into the restricted accounts or we may be permitted to draw additional funds from the restricted accounts, dependent upon actuarial analyses performed by the insurers regarding sufficiency of funds to cover future expected claims. A substantial portion of the restricted trust accounts are invested in fixed maturities and other instruments that have durations similar to the expected future claim projections.
Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for warranty expenses, business service expenses, debt servicing, acquisitions and operating expenses of the holding company.
The Company's Kingsway Search Xcelerator and Extended Warranty subsidiaries fund their obligations primarily through service fee and other revenue.
Cash Flows from Continuing Operations
During 2025, the net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations was essentially break even, primarily due to operating income from the Kingsway Search Xcelerator and Extended Warranty (the latter due to higher cash sales) segments, offset by higher interest expense on term loans and cash paid to settle the Ravix contingent liability of $2.3 million that is reported as an operating activity.
During 2024, the Company reported $0.6 million of net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, primarily due to operating income from the Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator segments.
During 2025, the net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $29.6 million. This use of cash was primarily attributed to the acquisitions of Bud's Plumbing, Roundhouse, Advanced Plumbing and Southside Plumbing, that was partially offset by Extended Warranty investment activity.
During 2024, the net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $16.8 million. This use of cash was primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The acquisition of Image Solutions in 2024, which totaled $20.1 million, net of cash acquired; partially offset by |
| • | Distributions received by Argo Holdings from four of its underlying limited liability investment companies; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from the sale of a private company investment; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from the sale of VA Lafayette. |
During 2025, the net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations was $32.7 million, primarily attributed to:
| • | Principal proceeds from debt of $26.3 million, primarily related to the Roundhouse, KPH and Ravix loans issued in 2025; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $15.6 million; and |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from the issuance of Class C and Class D preferred stock of $6.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively; partially offset by |
| • | Principal repayments on bank loans of $15.3 million; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Payment of preferred stock dividends of $1.0 million; | |
| • | Cash paid for repurchases of common stock of $0.3 million; and | |
| • | Cash paid to settle a portion of the Ravix contingent consideration liability of $0.4 million. |
During 2024, the net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations was $11.9 million, primarily attributed to:
| • | Principal proceeds from bank loans of $34.6 million; and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from the issuance of Class B preferred stock of $8.3 million; partially offset by |
| • | Principal repayments on bank loans of $21.6 million; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Cash paid for repurchases of common stock of $2.5 million; | |
| • | Cash paid to acquire the IWS noncontrolling interest of $2.5 million; | |
| • | Taxes paid related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards of $2.3 million; |
| • | Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $1.4 million; and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Cash paid to settle a portion of the Ravix contingent consideration liability of $0.7 million. |
Holding Company Liquidity
The liquidity of the holding company is managed separately from its subsidiaries. The obligations of the holding company primarily consist of holding company operating expenses; transaction-related expenses; investments; stock repurchases; and any other extraordinary demands on the holding company. The holding company does not provide guarantees to any of the operating companies with respect to borrowings that they might have and, as such, any debt incurred by the operating companies is non-recourse to the holding company. In addition, any debt incurred by the operating companies does not have cross-collateral or cross-default provisions; therefore, any default that might arise is limited only to the underlying borrower that might be in default and does not extend to other operating companies’ debt.
Pursuant to satisfying the covenants under the KWH bank loan, distributions to the holding company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 million in any 12-month period are permitted. Also, the holding company is permitted to receive a portion of the excess cash flow (as defined in the loan document) generated by the KWH subsidiaries in the previous year.
The holding company’s liquidity, defined as the amount of cash in the bank accounts of Kingsway Financial Services Inc. and Kingsway America Inc., was $1.0 million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, which excludes future actions available to the holding company that could be taken to generate liquidity. Such future actions include, but are not limited to, issuance of equity securities and distributions from the Kingsway Search Xcelerator and Extended Warranty operating companies subject to certain loan covenants that may be in place at each operating company. The holding company cash amounts are reflected in the cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $16.3 million and $13.1 million reported at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Based on the Company’s current business plan and revenue prospects, existing cash, cash equivalents, investment balances and anticipated cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital and operating expenditure requirements, for the next twelve months. However, the Company’s assessment could also be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the developing macro-economic environment.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Table 3 summarizes cash disbursements related to the Company's contractual obligations projected by period, including debt maturities, interest payments on outstanding debt and future minimum payments under operating leases. Interest payments on outstanding debt in Table 3 related to the subordinated debt and the Company's bank loans with variable interest rates, assume the variable rates at December 31, 2025 remain constant throughout the projection period. Future minimum lease payments in Table 3 include payments on leases for office space that are included in total lease liabilities in Note 12," Leases," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as payments for short-term leases and equipment leases.
TABLE 3 Cash payments related to contractual obligations projected by period
As of December 31, 2025 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank loans | 9,612 | 12,094 | 8,566 | 12,540 | 5,522 | 7,358 | 55,692 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | — | — | — | — | — | 15,000 | 15,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest payments on outstanding bank loans and subordinated debt | 5,059 | 4,212 | 3,520 | 2,632 | 2,069 | 4,031 | 21,523 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Future minimum lease payments | 1,570 | 1,379 | 1,134 | 1,047 | 1,020 | 3,363 | 9,513 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 16,241 | 17,685 | 13,220 | 16,219 | 8,611 | 29,752 | 101,728 |
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437749-25-008039.
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this 2024 Annual Report.
OVERVIEW
Kingsway is a holding company with operating subsidiaries located in the United States. The Company owns or controls subsidiaries primarily in the extended warranty and business services industries. Kingsway conducts its business through two reportable segments: Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator.
Extended Warranty includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: IWS Acquisition Corporation ("IWS"), Geminus Holding Company, Inc. ("Geminus"), PWI Holdings, Inc. ("PWI") and Trinity Warranty Solutions LLC ("Trinity"). Throughout this 2024 Annual Report, the term "Extended Warranty" is used to refer to this segment.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
IWS is a licensed motor vehicle service agreement company and is a provider of after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions in 26 states and the District of Columbia to their members, with customers in all fifty states.
Geminus primarily sells vehicle service agreements to used car buyers across the United States, through its subsidiaries, The Penn Warranty Corporation ("Penn") and Prime Auto Care, Inc. ("Prime"). Penn and Prime distribute these products in 46 and 34 states, respectively, via independent used car dealerships and franchised car dealerships. Penn also sells and administers a guaranteed asset protection product ("GAP") in states where Penn is approved.
PWI markets, sells and administers vehicle service agreements to used car buyers in all fifty states via independent used car and franchise network of approved automobile and motorcycle dealer partners. PWI’s business model is supported by an internal sales and operations team and partners with American Auto Shield in three states with a white label agreement.
Trinity sells heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC"), standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration warranty products and provides equipment breakdown and maintenance support services to companies across the United States. As a seller of warranty products, Trinity markets and administers product warranty contracts for certain new and used products in the HVAC, standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration industries throughout the United States. Trinity acts as an agent on behalf of the third-party insurance companies that underwrite and guaranty these warranty contracts. Trinity does not guaranty the performance underlying the warranty contracts it sells. As a provider of equipment breakdown and maintenance support services, Trinity acts as a single point of contact to its clients for both certain equipment breakdowns and scheduled maintenance of equipment. Trinity will provide such repair and breakdown services by contracting with certain HVAC providers.
Kingsway Search Xcelerator includes the Company's subsidiaries, CSuite Financial Partners, LLC ("CSuite"), Ravix Group, Inc. ("Ravix"), Secure Nursing Service LLC ("SNS"), Systems Products International, Inc. ("SPI"), Digital Diagnostics Imaging, Inc. ("DDI") and Image Solutions, LLC ("Image Solutions"). Throughout this
2024 Annual Report, the term "Kingsway Search Xcelerator" is used to refer to this segment.
CSuite is a professional services firm that provides experienced chief financial officer and other finance professionals to its clients through a variety of flexible offerings. These offerings include project and interim staffing engagements, and contingent search services for permanent placements for its clients throughout the United States.
Ravix provides outsourced financial services and human resources consulting for short or long duration engagements for customers throughout the United States.
SNS provides healthcare staffing services to acute healthcare facilities on a contract or per diem basis in the United States, primarily in California.
SPI provides software products created exclusively to serve the management needs of all types of shared-ownership properties throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean.
DDI provides outsourced 24 hours a day and 7 days per week ("24/7") cardiac telemetry services for long-term acute care and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Outsourcing cardiac monitoring is intended to allow hospitals to eliminate personnel callouts and human resources issues, remove distractions from onsite operations, and free up facility staff to assist directly with patient care. DDI has been operating for over 10 years and currently has a presence in 39 states and Puerto Rico.
Image Solutions provides comprehensive information technology managed services, including equipment sales, service, and helpdesk support to customers primarily in North Carolina, Kansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
NON U.S.-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE
Throughout this 2024 Annual Report, we present our operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful, useful and transparent to anyone using this financial information to evaluate our performance. In addition to the U.S. GAAP presentation of net income, we present segment operating income as a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, which we believe is valuable in managing our business and drawing comparisons to our peers. Below is a definition of our non-U.S. GAAP measure and its relationship to U.S. GAAP.
Segment Operating Income
Segment operating income represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our segments and is derived by subtracting direct segment expenses from direct segment revenues. Revenues and expenses presented in the consolidated statements of operations are not subtotaled by segment; however, this information is available in total and bysegment in Note 22, "Segmented Information," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, regarding reportable segment information. The nearest comparable U.S. GAAP measure to total segment operating income is operating income that, in addition to total segment operating income, includes corporate general and administrative expenses and excludes segment non-operating other revenue (expense).
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classification of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and their underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which they are determined.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and that require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Revenue Recognition
Service fee and commission revenue represents vehicle service agreement fees, guaranteed asset protection products ("GAP") commissions, maintenance support service fees, warranty product commissions, business services consulting revenue, healthcare services revenue and software license and support revenue. Revenue is based on terms of various agreements with credit unions, consumers and businesses. Customers either pay in full at the inception of a warranty contract or commission product sale, or when consulting, healthcare and software license and support services are billed, or on terms subject to the Company’s customary credit reviews.
The Company’s revenue recognition policy follows guidance from ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which utilizes a five-step revenue recognition framework. The Company identifies the contract with its customers and then identifies the performance obligations in the contracts. The transaction price is determined based on the amount we expect to be entitled to in exchange for providing the promised services to the customer. The transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied.
Certain of the Company’s contracts with customers include obligations to provide multiple services to a customer. Determining whether services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately from one another requires judgment. Revenue from GAP commissions and software license and support contain multiple distinct performance obligations that are accounted for separately.
Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price ("SASP") for each distinct performance obligation. Revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative SASP. SASP are not directly observable in the GAP and software license and support contracts for the separate performance obligations.
For the GAP contracts, the Company has applied the expected cost plus a margin approach to develop models to estimate the SASP for each of its performance obligations in order to allocate the transaction price to the two separate performance obligations identified. In these models, the Company makes judgments about which of its actual costs are associated with each of the performance obligations. The relative percentage of expected costs plus a margin associated with these performance obligations is applied to the transaction price to determine the estimated SASP of the performance obligations, which the Company recognizes as earned as services are performed over the term of the contract period.
For software license and support contracts, the Company's software licenses are sold as term licenses, and the contracts include software support services, which are accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue is recognized upfront at the point in time when control is transferred, which is defined as the point in time when the customer can use and benefit from the license. The Company recognizes the portion of the transaction price allocated to the software license on a residual basis. The residual basis is used to allocate revenue when the contract arrangement includes a software license and has at least one performance obligation for which the SASP is observable, such as the software support services. The residual method is used as the selling price for software licenses in circumstances when the transaction price is highly variable and the SASP is not discernable from past transactions or other observable evidence. The Company evaluates the residual approach estimate compared to all available observable data in order to conclude the estimate is representative of its SASP. Software support revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period as services are rendered. The SASP of software support is consistent with the stand-alone pricing of subsequent software support renewals. For certain SPI contracts, the transaction price of the software license is billed in installments, typically over a three to five year period. The Company allocates a portion of the consideration received from these arrangements to a financing component when it determines that a significant financing component exists. The financing component is subsequently recognized as interest income separate from software license and support fee revenue over the term of the arrangement with the customer. Pursuant to practical expedients afforded under ASC 606, the Company does not recognize a financing component for software license sales that have a term of one year or less.
In certain jurisdictions the Company is required to refund to a customer a pro-rata share of the vehicle service agreement fees if a customer cancels the agreement prior to the end of the term. Depending on the jurisdiction, the Company may be entitled to deduct from the refund a cancellation fee and/or amounts for claims incurred prior to cancellation. While refunds vary depending on the term and type of product offered, historically refunds have averaged 5.83% to 12.00% of the original amount of the vehicle service agreement fee. Revenues recorded by the Company are net of variable consideration related to refunds and the associated refund liability is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The Company estimates refunds based on the actual historical refund rates by warranty type taking into consideration current observable refund trends in estimating the expected amount of future customer refunds to be paid at each reporting period.
Refer to Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about our revenue recognition accounting policies.
Valuation of Fixed Maturity Investments
For fixed maturity investments, we use observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are inactive; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. We do not have any fixed maturities in our portfolio that require us to use unobservable inputs. The Company engages a third-party vendor who utilizes third-party pricing sources and primarily employs a market approach to determine the fair values of our fixed maturities. The market approach includes primarily obtaining prices from independent third-party pricing services as well as, to a lesser extent, quotes from broker-dealers. Our third-party vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events, to ensure pricing is appropriate. All classes of our fixed maturities are valued using this technique. We have obtained an understanding of our third-party vendor’s valuation methodologies and inputs. Fair values obtained from our third-party vendor are not adjusted by the Company.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on the first-in first-out basis and credited or charged to the consolidated statements of operations. Premium and discount on investments are amortized using the interest method and charged or credited to net investment income.
Fixed maturity investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk and overall market volatility risk. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair values of the Company’s investments reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.
Impairment Assessment of Investments
The establishment of an impairment loss on an investment requires a number of judgments and estimates. A consistent and systematic process is followed for determining and recording an impairment loss, including the evaluation of securities in an unrealized loss position and securities with an allowance for credit losses.
We perform a quarterly analysis of our investments classified as available-for-sale fixed maturity investments and other investments to determine if an impairment loss has occurred.
If the decline in fair value is due to credit factors and the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to support the entire amortized cost basis, the credit loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the declines are evaluated. Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether a credit loss has occurred for a security. The Company considers all available evidence when determining whether a security requires a credit allowance to be recorded, including the following:
| • | the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost; |
|---|---|
| • | the financial condition and expected near-term and long term prospects of the issuer; |
| • | whether the issuer is current with interest and principal payments; |
| • | credit ratings on the security or changes in ratings over time; |
| • | general market conditions, industry, sector or other specific factors; and |
| • | whether the Company expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. |
As a result of the analysis performed, the Company recorded no impairment losses related to available-for-sale fixed maturity investments or other investments during the year ended December 31, 2024.
See "Investments" section below and Note 7, "Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Limited Liability Investment, at Fair Value
Limited liability investment, at fair value represents the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entity, Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings"). The Company accounts for this investment at fair value with changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations.
Argo Holdings makes investments in limited liability companies and limited partnerships that hold investments in private operating companies. The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in private operating companies is valued using a market approach.
Refer to Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Deferred Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is calculated based on the expected tax treatment of transactions recorded in our consolidated financial statements. In determining our provision for income taxes, we interpret tax legislation in a variety of jurisdictions and make assumptions about the expected timing of the reversal of deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the valuation of deferred income taxes.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The ultimate realization of the deferred income tax asset balance is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the Company's temporary differences reverse and become deductible. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred income tax asset balance will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is needed, management considers all available positive and negative evidence affecting specific deferred income tax asset balances, including the Company's historical and anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, and the availability of tax planning strategies.
Objective positive evidence is necessary to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of a company's deferred income tax asset balances when significant negative evidence exists. Cumulative losses are the most compelling form of negative evidence considered by management in this determination. To the extent a valuation allowance is established in a period, an expense must be recorded within the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2024, the Company maintains a valuation allowance of $130.7 million. The largest component of the U.S. deferred income tax asset balance relates to tax loss carryforwards that have arisen as a result of losses generated from the Company's U.S. operations. Uncertainty over the Company's ability to utilize these losses over the short-term has led the Company to record a valuation allowance.
Future events may result in the valuation allowance being adjusted, which could materially affect our financial position and results of operations. If sufficient positive evidence were to arise in the future indicating that all or a portion of the deferred income tax assets would meet the more likely than not standard, all or a portion of the valuation allowance would be reversed in the period that such a conclusion was reached, which would beneficially impact our results of operations.
Accounting for Business Combinations
The Company evaluates acquisitions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), to determine if a transaction represents an acquisition of a business or an acquisition of assets.
An acquisition of a business represents a business combination. The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for a business combination by assigning the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill. We determine the fair value of such assets and liabilities, often in consultation with third-party valuation advisors. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue, costs and cash flows, discount rates, royalty rates, and selection of comparable companies. The resulting fair values and useful lives assigned to acquisition-related intangible assets impact the amount and timing of future amortization expense. Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year but is considered complete once all necessary information is available to management to estimate fair value. Acquisition costs related to a business combination are expensed as incurred.
Valuation and Impairment Assessment of Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Intangible assets with definite useful lives consist of developed technology and customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a definite-lived intangible asset be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that definite-lived intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the definite-lived intangible asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names, which are assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company may perform its impairment test for any indefinite-lived intangible asset through a qualitative assessment or elect to proceed directly to a quantitative impairment test; however, the Company may resume a qualitative assessment in any subsequent period if facts and circumstances permit.
Under the qualitative approach, the impairment test consists of an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset, or if a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated carrying amount of such asset exceeds its fair value, the Company performs a quantitative test. Factors that could trigger a quantitative impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under performance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
At March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024 and November 30, 2024, the Company determined that certain trade names should be further examined under a quantitative approach due to actual revenue coming in lower than previous projections. Based upon these quantitative assessments, the Company recorded impairment charges of $2.1 million during 2024 related to the SNS, CSuite and Ravix indefinite-lived trade names. The fair value of the SNS, CSuite and Ravix trade names were estimated using the relief-from-royalty method. The significant unobservable inputs used in the relief-from-royalty method, which are level 3 inputs, include a royalty rate and discount rate. The reduction in value is primarily due to higher discount rates and a reduction in projected revenue. Future impairments may be recorded if discount rates increase further, or if actual revenue falls short of current projections. The valuation of these assets is not dependent on the underlying profit or loss generated by the respective business. Therefore, even if a change in revenue does not have a significant impact on operating results, it could significantly impact the fair value of the trade name. No impairment charges were recorded against intangible assets in 2023.
Additional information regarding our intangible assets is included in Note 9, "Intangible Assets," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill Recoverability
Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units and compares it to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to such excess.
For Extended Warranty, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for a group of publicly traded insurance services and insurance brokerage companies, an approach that the Company views as a technique consistent with the objective of measuring fair value consistent with prior years’ assessments performed.
For the reporting units within Kingsway Search Xcelerator, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of EBITDA from its recent acquisitions of similar businesses.
For the Argo Management reporting unit, the Company estimates the fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis that includes estimates of future cash flows expected to be generated by the business and recent market transactions related to the investments owned by Argo Holdings.
Estimating the fair value of reporting units requires the use of significant judgments that are based on a number of factors including actual operating results, internal forecasts, market observable pricing multiples of similar businesses and comparable transactions and determining the appropriate discount rate and long-term growth rate assumptions. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment. It is reasonably possible that the judgments and estimates described above could change in future periods.
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of the goodwill impairment charge, or both.
Based upon the impairment assessments performed at November 30, 2024, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million during 2024 related to the Argo Management reporting unit. No impairment charges were recorded against goodwill for the Company's other reporting units in 2024, as the estimated fair values of the Company's other reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. No impairment charges were recorded against goodwill in 2023.
Additional information regarding our goodwill is included in Note 8, "Goodwill," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Assumptions for Subordinated Debt Obligations
Our subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. These inputs include credit spread assumptions developed by a third-party and market observable swap rates. The following summarizes the impacts:
| Impact of Rate Change on Fair Value | 2024 Result | 2023 Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOFR: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to increase; decrease causes fair value to decrease | Decrease to fair value | Increase to fair value | |||
| Risk free rate: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to decrease; decrease causes fair value to increase | Increase to fair value | Increase to fair value |
The other primary variable affecting the fair value of debt calculation is the passage of time, which will always have the effect of increasing the fair value of debt.
Therefore, changes in the underlying interest rates used would cause the fair value to be impacted, but only impacts the income statement (or comprehensive income/loss for the portion related to credit risk) and does not impact cash flows.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Fair Value Assumptions for Subsidiary Stock-Based Compensation Awards
Certain of the Company's subsidiaries have made grants of restricted stock awards or restricted unit awards (together "Subsidiary Restricted Awards"). The Subsidiary Restricted Awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period during which awards are expected to vest, with a corresponding increase to either additional paid-in capital for equity-classified awards or to a liability for liability-classified awards. Certain of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards are classified as a liability because the awards are expected to settle in cash. Liability-classified awards, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, are measured and reported at fair value on the date of grant and are remeasured each reporting period. The Subsidiary Restricted Awards contain performance vesting and/or market vesting conditions. Performance vesting conditions are reviewed quarterly to assess the probability of achievement of the performance condition. Compensation expense is adjusted when a change in the assessment of achievement of the specific performance condition is determined to be probable. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis for awards subject to market conditions regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied, provided that the requisite service has been provided. Forfeitures are recognized in the period that Subsidiary Restricted Awards are forfeited.
The determination of fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is subjective and involves significant estimates and assumptions of whether the awards will achieve performance thresholds. The fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is estimated using either the Black-Scholes option pricing model and/or the Monte Carlo simulation model to derive certain inputs. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards, expected dividend yield, and risk-free interest rates. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Monte Carlo simulation model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards and risk-free interest rates. The assumptions used in the Company’s Black-Scholes option-pricing and Monte Carlo simulation models requires significant judgment and represents management’s best estimates.
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
A reconciliation of total segment operating income to net (loss) income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is presented in Table 1 below:
Table 1 Segment Operating Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
For the years ended December 31 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2024 | 2023 | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment operating income | ||||||||||||
| Extended Warranty | 5,942 | 6,983 | (1,041 | ) | ||||||||
| Kingsway Search Xcelerator | 5,662 | 5,252 | 410 | |||||||||
| Total segment operating income | 11,604 | 12,235 | (631 | ) | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 1,432 | 1,804 | (372 | ) | ||||||||
| Net realized gains | 1,557 | 761 | 796 | |||||||||
| Net (loss) gain on equity investments | (3 | ) | 3,397 | (3,400 | ) | |||||||
| Gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value | 342 | 78 | 264 | |||||||||
| Net change in unrealized gain on private company investments | — | 63 | (63 | ) | ||||||||
| Impairment losses on investments | — | (229 | ) | 229 | ||||||||
| Loss on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts | — | (1,366 | ) | 1,366 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (4,790 | ) | (6,250 | ) | 1,460 | |||||||
| General and administrative expenses and other revenue not allocated to segments, net | (8,892 | ) | (12,823 | ) | 3,931 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | (6,304 | ) | (5,909 | ) | (395 | ) | ||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets | (2,848 | ) | — | (2,848 | ) | |||||||
| Loss on change in fair value of debt | (198 | ) | (68 | ) | (130 | ) | ||||||
| Gain on disposal of subsidiary | — | 342 | (342 | ) | ||||||||
| (Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt | (160 | ) | 31,616 | (31,776 | ) | |||||||
| (Loss) income from continuing operations before income tax benefit | (8,260 | ) | 23,651 | (31,911 | ) | |||||||
| Income tax benefit | (147 | ) | (1,899 | ) | 1,752 | |||||||
| (Loss) income from continuing operations | (8,113 | ) | 25,550 | (33,663 | ) | |||||||
| Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes | 438 | 450 | (12 | ) | ||||||||
| Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes | (620 | ) | (1,988 | ) | 1,368 | |||||||
| Net (loss) income | (8,295 | ) | 24,012 | (32,307 | ) |
Segment Operating Income, (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations and Net (Loss) Income
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we reported segment operating income of $11.6 million compared to $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we reported loss from continuing operations of $8.1 million compared to income from continuing operations of $25.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we reported net loss of $8.3 million compared to net income of $24.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the income from discontinued operations and the loss on disposal of discontinued operations is related to VA Lafayette. See to Note 5, "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information related to the sale of VA Lafayette.
The discussion below highlights the key drivers of the current and prior year results.
Extended Warranty
The Extended Warranty service fee and commission revenue increased 1.0% (or $0.7 million) to $68.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with $68.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, while cash sales were up 3.6% in 2024. Service fee and commission revenue was impacted by the following in 2024:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.4 million increase at Geminus, due to an increase in the number of contracts sold; |
| • | A $0.3 million increase at IWS, primarily due to an increase in both contracts sold and revenue per contract resulting from a significant improvement in sales at a key credit union and the onboarding of new credit unions in 2024; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.1 million increase at Trinity, as an increase in the sale of warranty products more than offset a slight decline in maintenance revenue; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.2 million decrease at PWI. PWI had fewer contracts sold in 2024 than 2023; however, PWI’s cash sales were stronger in 2024 than in 2023. |
The Extended Warranty operating income was $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. We saw an increase in claims paid at our auto Extended Warranty companies, primarily due to inflationary pressures on the cost of parts and labor; however, the year-over-year increase was lower in the second half of 2024 than the first half. The total number of claims was down 4.6% in 2024 compared to 2023.
Operating income was primarily impacted by the following:
| • | A $0.1 million increase at Geminus to $0.6 million, as an increase in revenue and a decrease in general expenses were nearly offset by increased claims and commission expenses; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.8 million decrease at PWI to $1.2 million, due to lower revenues and higher claims expense and commission expense, which more than offset the benefits from lower general and administrative expenses compared to 2023; | |
| • | A $0.3 million decrease at IWS to $3.0 million, primarily due to higher claims, commission expense and general and administrative expenses; which more than offset the benefits from higher revenue compared to 2023; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Trinity operating income remained flat at $1.1 million in both 2024 and 2023; margins improved in 2024 while 2023 included warranty profit share releases that did not occur in 2024. |
Kingsway Search Xcelerator
The Kingsway Search Xcelerator revenue increased to $40.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with $35.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Kingsway Search Xcelerator operating income was $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Revenue and operating income were primarily impacted by the following:
| • | Ravix operating income decreased $0.1 million to $3.3 million, primarily due to decreased revenue, partially offset by a decrease in costs of services sold compared to 2023 (gross margin improved 200 bps in 2024 compared to 2023); | |
|---|---|---|
| • | SNS operating income decreased by $1.3 million to $0.3 million, primarily due to a decrease in revenue and higher general and administration expenses, partially offset by lower cost of sales compared to 2023 gross margin was essentially flat in 2024 and SNS had significantly more travel shifts in the second half of 2024 than the first half; | |
| • | CSuite operating loss increased $0.1 million to $0.1 million, primarily due to a decrease in revenue, partially offset by lower cost of sales and general and administrative expenses compared to 2023; | |
| • | The inclusion of DDI for twelve months during 2024 following its acquisition effective October 26, 2023. During 2024, DDI had revenue and operating income of $5.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively, added more hospital locations and opened a second monitoring facility in Salt Lake City, UT that will support future growth; | |
| • | The inclusion of SPI for twelve months during 2024 following its acquisition effective September 7, 2023. For 2024, SPI had revenue and operating income of $3.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively; and | |
| • | The revenue and operating income derived from Image Solutions, which was acquired on September 26, 2024. Image Solutions had revenue and operating income of $2.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, from its date of acquisition through December 31, 2024. |
Net Investment Income
Net investment income was $1.4 million in 2024 compared to $1.8 million in 2023. The decrease in 2024 primarily relates to less income from cash equivalents, as a result of a decrease in the cash equivalents balance (in the first quarter of 2023 the Company was holding cash that was used to repurchase some of its subordinated debt), more equity pick-up loss related to limited liability investments and less preferred interest income at Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings"). These decreases were partially offset by an increase in investment income from fixed maturities and interest income related to the significant financing component for certain SPI contracts.
Net Realized Gains
The Company recorded net realized gains of $1.6 million in 2024 compared to $0.8 million in 2023. The net realized gains for 2024 primarily relate to realized gains recognized by Argo Holdings and a net realized gain related to the sale of one of the private company investments. The net realized gains for 2023 primarily relate to realized gains recognized by Argo Holdings and net realized gains on sales of limited liability investments.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Net (Loss) Gain on Equity Investments
Net loss on equity investments was less than $0.1 million in 2024 compared to a net gain of $3.4 million in 2023. The net gain for 2023 primarily relates to the Company's former investment in Limbach Holdings, Inc. ("Limbach"). Prior to the second quarter of 2023, the Company held warrants in Limbach. During the first quarter of 2023, the underlying common stock price of Limbach increased, resulting in an increase in the fair value of the warrants held at March 31, 2023. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company completed a cashless exercise of its Limbach warrants. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company sold all of its shares of Limbach common stock.
Gain on Change in Fair Value of Limited Liability Investments, at Fair Value
Gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value was $0.3 million in 2024 compared to $0.1 million in 2023. The gain for the year ended December 31, 2024 represents an increase in fair value related to Argo Holdings. The gain for the year ended December 31, 2023 represents an increase in fair value of $0.7 million related to Argo Holdings, partially offset by a decrease in fair value of $0.6 million related to Net Lease Investment Grade Portfolio LLC ("Net Lease"). During the second quarter of 2023, the Company recorded the sale of Net Lease's final investment property, and as such, Argo Holdings is the only asset group left in this category.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Derivative Asset Option Contracts
Loss on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts was zero in 2024 compared to $1.4 million in 2023. The derivative contract relates to three trust preferred debt repurchase option agreements the Company entered into during the third quarter of 2022. The Company exercised the repurchase options during the first quarter of 2023.
Refer to Note 11, "Derivatives," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information on the option agreements.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for 2024 was $4.8 million compared to $6.4 million in 2023. The decrease in 2024 is primarily attributable to:
| • | A decrease of $2.0 million on the Company’s subordinated debt. On March 22, 2023, the Company repurchased TruPs debt having a principal amount of $75.5 million. As a result, interest expense for 2024 and the last three quarters of 2023 relates only to the one remaining TruPs debt instrument outstanding. The Company's subordinated debt bore interest at the rate of LIBOR, plus spreads ranging from 3.85% to 4.20%. Effective July 3, 2023, the index used for determining the interest rate for the remaining trust preferred debt instrument converted from LIBOR to CME Term SOFR; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A decrease of $0.1 million related to the 2021 Ravix Loan, which has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 3.75% (current rate of 8.00%); | |
| • | A decrease of $0.1 million related to the 2022 Ravix Loan, which has an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.75% (current rate of 8.25%); | |
| • | A decrease of $0.2 million related to the SNS Loan, which has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 5.00% (current rate of 8.00%); | |
| • | An increase of $0.4 million related to the $6.0 million DDI Loan, which was effective October 26, 2023 and has an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 5.00% (current rate of 8.00%); | |
| • | An increase of $0.2 million related to the 2020 KWH Loan. During the first quarter of 2024, KWH borrowed $3.5 million under the KWH DDTL and an additional $0.5 million under the KWH Revolver. Also during the first quarter of 2024, the KWH swap expired. During the second quarter of 2024, KWH entered into an amendment to the 2020 KWH Loan whereby KWH borrowed $15.0 million and used the proceeds to repay the existing loan balances. During the third quarter of 2024, KWH borrowed $5.5 million under the KWH DDTL and $1.0 million under the KWH Revolver. During the fourth quarter of 2024, KWH borrowed an additional $0.5 million under the KWH DDTL. These events resulted in higher interest expense related to the KWH Loan during 2024 compared to 2023; and | |
| • | An increase of $0.2 million related to the new $7.75 million Image Solutions Loan, which was effective September 26, 2024 and has an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 7.25% (current rate of 8.00%). |
See Note 12, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further details.
General and Administrative Expenses and Other Revenue not Allocated to Segments, Net
General and administrative expenses and other revenue not allocated to segments was a net expense of $8.9 million in 2024 compared to $12.8 million in 2023. Included are primarily expenses associated with our corporate holding company, as well as revenue and expenses associated with our various other investments that are accounted for on a consolidated basis.
The decrease in net expense for 2024 is primarily attributable to management fees of $1.8 million paid to the external managers of two previously consolidated entities during 2023; as well as lower general expenses in 2024 compared to 2023.
Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets was $2.8 million in 2024 compared to zero in 2023. The Company's goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Based on the quantitative assessment performed at November 30, 2024, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $0.7 million during 2024 related to the Argo Management reporting unit. No impairment charges were recorded against goodwill for the Company's other reporting units in 2024, as the estimated fair values of the Company's other reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values.
The Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names. At March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, September 30, 2024 and November 30, 2024, the Company determined that certain of its trade name intangible assets should be further examined under a quantitative approach due to actual revenue coming in lower than previous projections. Based upon this assessment, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.1 million during 2024 related to the SNS, CSuite and Ravix indefinite-lived trade names. The reduction in value is primarily due to higher discount rates and a reduction in projected revenue. The valuation of these assets is not dependent on the underlying profit or loss generated by the respective business. Therefore, even if a change in revenue does not have a significant impact on operating results, it could significantly impact the fair value of the trade name.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Debt
The loss on change in fair value of debt amounted to $0.2 million in 2024 compared to $0.1 million in 2023. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased TruPs debt having a principal amount of $75.5 million. The change in fair value related to the repurchased TruPs debt was a gain of $0.3 million and the change in fair value related to the remaining TruPs debt instrument was a loss of $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
The loss for 2024 and 2023 reflects changes in the fair value of the subordinated debt resulting primarily from changes in interest rates used (not related to instrument-specific credit risk). See "Debt" section below for further information.
Gain on Disposal of Subsidiary
On July 29, 2022, the Company sold its 80% majority-owned subsidiary, Professional Warranty Service Corporation ("PWSC"). At the time of the sale, the Company recognized a net gain on disposal. During 2023, the Company recorded an additional gain on disposal of PWSC of $0.3 million related to the working capital true-up and release of indemnity funds that were held in escrow. The sale of PWSC did not represent a strategic shift that would have a major effect on the Company's operations or financial results; therefore, PWSC is not presented as a discontinued operation.
(Loss) Gain on Extinguishment of Debt
During the second quarter of 2024, there was a modification to the 2020 KWH Loan. During 2024, loss on extinguishment of debt of $0.2 million relates to the write-down of the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs from the 2020 KWH Loan at the modification date, since the original debt was fully repaid as part of the modification.
During 2023, gain on extinguishment of debt consists of a $31.6 million gain related to the repurchase of TruPs debt having a principal amount of $75.5 million. The gain on extinguishment of debt results from removing the fair value of the debt, trust preferred debt repurchase options, deferred interest payable and accumulated other comprehensive income related to the repurchased TruPs from the Company's consolidated balance sheet at the repurchase date.
See Note 12, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
Income Tax Benefit
Income tax benefit for 2024 was $0.1 million compared to $1.9 million in 2023. The 2024 and 2023 income tax benefit is primarily related to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $0.2 million and zero in 2024 and 2023, respectively, for the partial release of the Company’s deferred income tax valuation allowance associated with business interest expense with an indefinite life; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $0.1 million and an income tax benefit of $2.1 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, for the change in the Company’s deferred tax valuation allowance related to acquired deferred tax liabilities; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $0.2 million and an income tax expense of $0.2 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, relating to a change in indefinite life deferred income tax liabilities; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $0.2 million and an income tax benefit of less than $0.1 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, for state income taxes. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
See Note 15, "Income Taxes," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional detail of the income tax benefit recorded for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
INVESTMENTS
Portfolio Composition
The following is an overview of how we account for our various investments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in fixed maturities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Equity investments are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The most recently available financial statements of the limited liability investments are used in applying the equity method. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investments and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investment, at fair value represents the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entity, Argo Holdings. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investment, at fair value and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in private companies consist of: convertible preferred stocks and notes in privately owned companies; and investments in limited liability companies in which the Company’s interests are deemed minor. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values and, therefore, are reported at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and impairments. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Other investments include collateral loans and are reported at their unpaid principal balance, net of an allowance for credit losses. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Short-term investments, which consist of investments with original maturities between three months and one year, are reported at cost, which approximates fair value. |
At December 31, 2024, we held cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments with a carrying value of $54.5 million. Our operations typically invest in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments to mitigate their exposure to currency rate fluctuations.
Table 2 below summarizes the carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, at the dates indicated.
TABLE 2 Carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
As of December 31 (in thousands of dollars, except for percentages)
| Type of investment | 2024 | % of Total | 2023 | % of Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, government agencies and authorities | 13,354 | 24.5 | % | 12,997 | 21.9 | % | ||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 2,775 | 5.1 | % | 2,783 | 4.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | 9,886 | 18.1 | % | 9,253 | 15.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Asset-backed | 1,326 | 2.4 | % | 1,210 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | 9,622 | 17.7 | % | 10,230 | 17.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | 36,963 | 67.9 | % | 36,473 | 61.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Equity investments | — | — | % | 79 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investments | 650 | 1.2 | % | 812 | 1.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investment, at fair value | 2,859 | 5.2 | % | 3,496 | 5.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Investments in private companies | 696 | 1.3 | % | 854 | 1.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Other investments | — | — | % | 6 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Short-term investments | 169 | 0.3 | % | 161 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Total investments | 41,337 | 75.9 | % | 41,881 | 70.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 5,493 | 10.1 | % | 9,098 | 15.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Restricted cash | 7,643 | 14.0 | % | 8,400 | 14.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 54,473 | 100.0 | % | 59,379 | 100.0 | % |
Investment Impairment
The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its investments to determine if declines in fair value may result in the recognition of impairment losses in net (loss) income. Factors considered in the determination of whether or not an impairment loss is recognized in net (loss) income include a current intention or need to sell the security or an indication that a credit loss exists. Further information regarding our detailed analysis and factors considered in establishing an impairment loss on an investment is discussed within the "Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates" section of MD&A.
The Company's fixed maturities are subject to declines in fair value below amortized cost that may result in the recognition of impairment losses in net (loss) income. If the decline in fair value is due to credit factors and the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to support the entire amortized cost basis, the credit loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the declines are evaluated. The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its available for-sale fixed maturity investments and other investments to determine if an impairment loss has occurred. As a result of the analysis performed, the Company recorded an impairment loss related to other investments of zero and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which are included in impairment losses on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. There were no impairment losses recorded related to available-for-sale fixed maturity investments during the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The Company recorded impairment write-downs related to limited liability investments of zero and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which are included in impairment losses on investments in the consolidated statements of operations.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
There were no write-downs recorded for impairments related to investments in private companies for the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
At December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities amounted to $1.2 million and $1.7 million, and there were no unrealized losses attributable to non-investment grade fixed maturities.
DEBT
The principal and carrying value of the Company’s debt instruments at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | Carrying Value | Principal | Carrying Value | ||||||||||||
| Bank loans: | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 Ravix Loan | $ | 2,288 | $ | 2,288 | $ | 4,650 | $ | 4,650 | |||||||
| 2022 Ravix Loan | 4,300 | 4,182 | 4,925 | 4,769 | |||||||||||
| 2022 Ravix Revolver | 500 | 500 | — | — | |||||||||||
| SNS Term Loan | 3,842 | 3,779 | 5,142 | 5,063 | |||||||||||
| SNS Revolver | 450 | 450 | — | — | |||||||||||
| DDI Loan | 5,507 | 5,452 | 5,600 | 5,534 | |||||||||||
| Image Solutions Loan | 7,556 | 7,399 | — | — | |||||||||||
| 2020 KWH Term Loan | — | — | 10,479 | 10,306 | |||||||||||
| 2024 KWH Term Loan | 13,313 | 13,228 | — | — | |||||||||||
| 2024 KWH DDTL | 5,850 | 5,850 | — | — | |||||||||||
| KWH Revolver | 1,000 | 1,000 | 500 | 500 | |||||||||||
| Total bank loans | 44,606 | 44,128 | 31,296 | 30,822 | |||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 15,000 | 13,409 | 15,000 | 13,594 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 59,606 | $ | 57,537 | $ | 46,296 | $ | 44,416 |
See Note 12, " Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the Company’s debt instruments. Changes related to the Company’s debt during 2024 are further described below.
Bank Loans
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company borrowed $3.5 million under the KWH Delayed Draw Term Loan ("DDTL") and $0.5 million under the KWH Revolver.
On May 24, 2024, KWH entered into a third amendment to the 2020 KWH Loan that provides for: (1) a new 2024 term loan in the principal amount of $15.0 million, with a maturity date of May 24, 2029 (the “2024 KWH Loan”); and (2) a new 2024 delayed draw term loan in a principal amount of up to $6.0 million, with a maturity date of May 24, 2029 (the “2024 KWH DDTL”). All or any portion of the 2024 KWH DDTL, subject to a $2.0 million minimum draw amount, could be requested at any time in up to three advances through May 24, 2026. In connection with the third amendment, KWH used the proceeds from the 2024 KWH Loan to repay the following outstanding balances under the 2020 KWH Loan: (1) $9.6 million related to the original 2020 term loan; (2) $1.0 million related to the KWH Revolver; and (3) $3.1 million related to the KWH DDTL.
The 2020 KWH Loan and the 2024 KWH Loan were not deemed to be substantially different; therefore, the 2024 KWH Loan is accounted for as a modification of the 2020 KHW Loan. The unamortized debt discount and issuance costs from the 2020 KWH Loan at the modification date of $0.2 million were recorded as loss on extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2024 since the original debt was fully repaid as part of the modification.
During the third quarter of 2024, the Company borrowed $5.5 million under the 2024 KWH DDTL and $1.0 million under the KWH Revolver. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company borrowed an additional $0.5 million under the 2024 KWH DDTL. As of December 31, 2024, both the 2024 KWH DDTL and the KWH Revolver are fully drawn.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company borrowed $0.2 million under the SNS Loan Revolver. During the second quarter of 2024, the SNS Loan Revolver of $0.2 million was repaid. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company borrowed $0.5 million under the SNS Loan Revolver.
The SNS Loan contains a number of covenants, including, but not limited to, a leverage ratio and a fixed charge ratio and limits on annual capital expenditures, all of which are as defined in and calculated pursuant to the SNS Loan that, among other things, restrict SNS’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, make dividends and distributions, engage in mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, make certain payments and investments and dispose of certain assets. At December 31, September 30, June 30 and March 31, 2024, the Company was in default under the SNS Loan due to debt covenant violations related to the leverage and fixed charge ratios. The Company has entered into an amendment to the SNS Loan that waives the events of default for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024. As of the report date, there is some uncertainty as to whether the Company will be in compliance with the covenants in future periods, and if not, when the Company will be able to cure any potential violations. A default may permit the lender to declare the amounts owed under the SNS Loan immediately due and payable, exercise their rights with respect to collateral securing the obligation, and/or exercise any other rights and remedies available.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
On July 23, 2024, Ravix, Ravix LLC and CSuite entered into a second amendment to the 2021 Ravix Loan that provides for: (1) a principal prepayment of the 2021 Ravix term loan of $1.5 million, partially financed by borrowing $0.5 million under the 2022 Revolver and the remainder to be paid with available cash; and (2) amending the loan amortization payment schedule to provide for equal monthly payments through the loan maturity date. The original 2021 Ravix Loan and the amended 2021 Ravix Loan were not deemed to be substantially different; therefore, the amended 2021 Ravix Loan is accounted for as a modification of the original 2021 Ravix Loan.
On October 24, 2024, Ravix, Ravix LLC and CSuite entered into a third amendment to the 2021 Ravix Loan to extend the maturity date on the 2022 Ravix Revolver to February 13, 2025.
On February 7, 2025, Ravix, Ravix LLC and CSuite entered into a fourth amendment to the 2021 Ravix Loan that provides for: (1) a new 2025 term loan in the principal amount of $9.1 million, with a maturity date of February 7, 2031 (the "2025 Ravix Loan"); and (2) extending the maturity date of the 2022 Revolver to February 7, 2027. In connection with the fourth amendment, Ravix used a portion of the proceeds from the 2025 Ravix Loan to repay the following outstanding principal balances under the 2021 and 2022 Ravix Loans: (1) $2.2 million related to the 2021 Ravix term loan; and (2) $4.2 million related to the 2022 Ravix term loan.
As part of the acquisition of Image Solutions on September 26, 2024, Image Solutions became a wholly owned subsidiary of Steel Bridge Acquisition, LLC ("SB LLC"), and together they borrowed from a bank a principal amount of $7.75 million in the form of a term loan, and established a $0.5 million revolver to finance the acquisition of Image Solutions (together, the "Image Solutions Loan"). The Image Solutions Loan has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 7.25%. At December 31, 2024, the interest rate was 8.00%. The revolver matures on September 26, 2026 and the term loan matures on September 26, 2030. As of December 31, 2024, there was no draw down on the Image Solutions Loan revolver.
On December 12, 2024, the DDI Loan was amended to change the maturity date on the revolver to be November 1, 2025. No amounts have been drawn on the DDI Loan revolver.
Subordinated Debt
The Company's subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. At December 31, 2024, the carrying value of the subordinated debt is $13.4 million. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. For a description of the market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party used in determining fair value of debt, see Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Though changes in the market observable swap rates will continue to introduce some volatility each quarter to the Company’s reported gain or loss on change in fair value of debt, changes in the credit spread assumption developed by the third party does not introduce volatility to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt will eventually equal the principal value totaling $15.0 million of the subordinated debt by the time of the stated redemption date of the remaining trust, which matures on May 22, 2033.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The purpose of liquidity management is to ensure there is sufficient cash to meet all financial commitments and obligations as they fall due. The liquidity requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been met primarily by funds generated from operations, capital raising, disposal of subsidiaries, investment maturities and investment income, and other returns received on investments and from the sale of investments.
A significant portion of the cash provided by our Extended Warranty companies is required to be placed into restricted trust accounts, as determined by the insurers who back-up our service contracts, in order to fund future expected claims. On a periodic basis (quarterly or annually), we may be required to contribute more into the restricted accounts or we may be permitted to draw additional funds from the restricted accounts, dependent upon actuarial analyses performed by the insurers regarding sufficiency of funds to cover future expected claims. A substantial portion of the restricted trust accounts are invested in fixed maturities and other instruments that have durations similar to the expected future claim projections.
Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for warranty expenses, business service expenses, debt servicing, acquisitions and operating expenses of the holding company.
The Company's Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator subsidiaries fund their obligations primarily through service fee and commission revenue.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Cash Flows from Continuing Operations
During 2024, the Company reported $0.6 million of net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, primarily due to operating income from the Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator segments.
During 2023, the Company reported $26.8 million of net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations, primarily due to:
| • | Payment of deferred interest on the trust preferred debt instruments that were repurchased during the year ($16.1 million) and payment of deferred interest on the remaining trust preferred debt instrument ($5.0 million); | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Outflows related to the payment of management fees to the managers of Net Lease and Flowers ($1.8 million); and | |
| • | An indemnity payment to the buyer of the Company's former subsidiary, Mendota Insurance Company, related to loss and loss adjustment expenses ($2.0 million); all of which were partially offset by | |
| • | Gain on equity investments; and | |
| • | Operating income from the Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator segments. |
During 2024, the net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $16.8 million. This use of cash was primarily attributed to:
| • | The acquisition of Image Solutions in 2024, which totaled $20.1 million, net of cash acquired; partially offset by | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions received by Argo Holdings from four of its underlying limited liability investment companies; |
| • | Proceeds from the sale of a private company investment; and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from the sale of VA Lafayette. |
During 2023, the net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations was $6.5 million. This source of cash was primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions received by the Company's former subsidiary, Net Lease, from one of its limited liability investment companies of $13.3 million; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities and sales of equity securities in excess of purchases of fixed maturities; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The acquisitions of SPI and DDI in 2023, which totaled $13.6 million, net of cash acquired. |
During 2024, the net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations was $11.9 million, primarily attributed to:
| • | Principal proceeds from bank loans of $34.6 million; and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from the issuance of Class B preferred stock of $8.3 million; partially offset by |
| • | Principal repayments on bank loans of $21.6 million; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Cash paid for repurchases of common stock of $2.5 million; | |
| • | Cash paid to acquire the IWS noncontrolling interest of $2.5 million; | |
| • | Taxes paid related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards of $2.3 million; | |
| • | Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $1.4 million; and | |
| • | Cash paid to settle a portion of the Ravix contingent consideration liability of $0.7 million. |
During 2023, the net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $39.4 million, primarily attributed to:
| • | The repurchase of five of the TruPs for 40.3 million; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Principal repayments on bank loans of $9.1 million; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $4.0 million; and |
| • | Cash paid for repurchase of warrants of $4.0 million and common stock of $3.2 million, partially offset by | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from the exercise of warrants (reducing the use of cash) of $16.7 million and net proceeds from bank loans of $5.5 million related to the DDI Loan. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Holding Company Liquidity
The liquidity of the holding company is managed separately from its subsidiaries. The obligations of the holding company primarily consist of holding company operating expenses; transaction-related expenses; investments; stock repurchases; and any other extraordinary demands on the holding company.
Pursuant to satisfying the covenants under the 2020 KWH Loan, distributions to the holding company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 million in any 12-month period are permitted. Also, beginning in 2022, the holding company is permitted to receive a portion of the excess cash flow (as defined in the 2020 KWH Loan document) generated by the KWH subsidiaries in the previous year.
The amount of excess cash flow which the Company is entitled to retain is dependent upon the leverage ratio (as defined in the 2020 KWH Loan document):
| Percent of excess cash flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| If leverage ratio is | retained by the Company | ||
| Greater than 1.75:1.00 | 50% | ||
| Less than 1.75:1.00 but greater than 0.75:1.00 | 75% | ||
| Less than 0.75:1.0 | 100% |
The holding company’s liquidity, defined as the amount of cash in the bank accounts of Kingsway Financial Services Inc. and Kingsway America Inc., was $0.9 million and $4.3 million at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, which excludes future actions available to the holding company that could be taken to generate liquidity. Such future actions include, but are not limited to, issuance of equity securities and distributions from the Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator operating companies subject to certain loan covenants that may be in place at each operating company. The holding company cash amounts are reflected in the cash and cash equivalents of $5.5 million and $9.1 million reported at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Based on the Company’s current business plan and revenue prospects, existing cash, cash equivalents, investment balances and anticipated cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital and operating expenditure requirements, for the next twelve months. However, the Company’s assessment could also be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the developing macro-economic environment.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Table 3 summarizes cash disbursements related to the Company's contractual obligations projected by period, including debt maturities, interest payments on outstanding debt and future minimum payments under operating leases. Interest payments on outstanding debt in Table 3 related to the subordinated debt, the 2024 KWH Loan, the 2021 Ravix Loan, the 2022 Ravix Loan, the SNS Loan, the DDI Loan and the Image Solutions Loan assume the variable rates remain constant throughout the projection period. Future minimum lease payments in Table 3 include payments on leases for office space that are included in total lease liabilities in Note 13," Leases," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as payments for short-term leases and equipment leases.
TABLE 3 Cash payments related to contractual obligations projected by period
As of December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank loans | 9,428 | 7,850 | 7,972 | 5,879 | 11,539 | 1,938 | 44,606 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | — | — | — | — | — | 15,000 | 15,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest payments on outstanding debt | 4,530 | 3,873 | 3,239 | 2,686 | 1,883 | 4,856 | 21,067 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Future minimum lease payments | 895 | 751 | 594 | 331 | 225 | 411 | 3,207 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 14,853 | 12,474 | 11,805 | 8,896 | 13,647 | 22,205 | 83,880 |
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437749-24-006644.
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this 2023 Annual Report.
OVERVIEW
Kingsway is a holding company with operating subsidiaries located in the United States. The Company owns or controls subsidiaries primarily in the extended warranty and business services industries. Kingsway conducts its business through the following two reportable segments: Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator.
Prior to the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company conducted its business through a third reportable segment, Leased Real Estate. Leased Real Estate included the following subsidiaries of the Company: CMC Industries, Inc. ("CMC") and VA Lafayette, LLC ("VA Lafayette").
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | CMC owned, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary (the "Property Owner"), a parcel of real property consisting of approximately 192 acres located in the State of Texas (the "Real Property"), which is subject to a long-term triple net lease agreement. The Real Property is also subject to two mortgages. On December 22, 2022, the Company announced a definitive agreement for the sale of the Real Property, for gross cash proceeds of $44.5 million and the assumption of the mortgages. On December 29, 2022, the sale was completed. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | VA Lafayette owns real property consisting of approximately 6.5 acres and a 29,224 square foot single-tenant medical office building located in the State of Louisiana (the "LA Real Property"). The LA Real Property serves as a medical and dental clinic for the Department of Veteran Affairs and is subject to a long-term lease. The LA Real Property is also subject to a mortgage (the "LA Mortgage"). During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company began executing a plan to sell VA Lafayette, and as a result, VA Lafayette is reported as held for sale at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | Both CMC and VA Lafayette have been classified as discontinued operations and the results of their operations are reported separately for all periods presented. See Note 5, "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. All segmented information has been restated to exclude the Leased Real Estate segment for all periods presented. |
Extended Warranty includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: IWS Acquisition Corporation ("IWS"), Geminus Holding Company, Inc. ("Geminus"), PWI Holdings, Inc. ("PWI"), Professional Warranty Service Corporation ("PWSC") and Trinity Warranty Solutions LLC ("Trinity"). As discussed in Note 5, "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company disposed of PWSC on July 29, 2022. The earnings of PWSC are included in the consolidated statements of operations and the segment disclosures through the disposal date. Throughout this 2023 Annual Report, the term "Extended Warranty" is used to refer to this segment.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
IWS is a licensed motor vehicle service agreement company and is a provider of after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions in 24 states and the District of Columbia to their members, with customers in all 50 states.
Geminus primarily sells vehicle service agreements to used car buyers across the United States, through its subsidiaries, The Penn Warranty Corporation ("Penn") and Prime Auto Care, Inc. ("Prime"). Penn and Prime distribute these products in 47 and 40 states, respectively, via independent used car dealerships and franchised car dealerships.
PWI markets, sells and administers vehicle service agreements to used car buyers in all fifty states via independent used car and franchise network of approved automobile and motorcycle dealer partners. PWI’s business model is supported by an internal sales and operations team and partners with American Auto Shield in three states with a white label agreement. PWI also sells and administers a guaranteed asset protection product ("GAP"), under the Penn name, in states where Penn is approved.
PWSC sold home warranty products and provided administration services to homebuilders and homeowners across the United States. PWSC distributed its products and services through an in-house sales team and through insurance brokers and insurance carriers throughout all states except Alaska and Louisiana.
Trinity sells heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC"), standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration warranty products and provides equipment breakdown and maintenance support services to companies across the United States. As a seller of warranty products, Trinity markets and administers product warranty contracts for certain new and used products in the HVAC, standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration industries throughout the United States. Trinity acts as an agent on behalf of the third-party insurance companies that underwrite and guaranty these warranty contracts. Trinity does not guaranty the performance underlying the warranty contracts it sells. As a provider of equipment breakdown and maintenance support services, Trinity acts as a single point of contact to its clients for both certain equipment breakdowns and scheduled maintenance of equipment. Trinity will provide such repair and breakdown services by contracting with certain HVAC providers.
Kingsway Search Xcelerator includes the Company's subsidiaries, CSuite Financial Partners, LLC ("CSuite"), Ravix Group, Inc. ("Ravix"), Secure Nursing Service LLC ("SNS"), Systems Products International, Inc. ("SPI") and Digital Diagnostics Imaging, Inc. ("DDI"). Throughout this
2023 Annual Report, the term "Kingsway Search Xcelerator" is used to refer to this segment.
CSuite is a professional services firm that provides experienced chief financial officer and other finance professionals to its clients through a variety of flexible offerings. These offerings include project and interim staffing engagements, and contingent search services for permanent placements for its clients throughout the United States.
Ravix provides outsourced financial services and human resources consulting for short or long duration engagements for customers throughout the United States.
SNS provides healthcare staffing services to acute healthcare facilities on a contract or per diem basis in the United States, primarily in California.
SPI provides software products created exclusively to serve the management needs of all types of shared-ownership properties throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Mexico and the Caribbean,
DDI provides outsourced 24 hours a day and 7 days per week ("24/7") cardiac telemetry services for long-term acute care and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. Outsourcing cardiac monitoring is intended to allow hospitals to eliminate personnel callouts and human resources issues, remove distractions from onsite operations, and free up facility staff to assist directly with patient care. DDI has been operating for over 10 years and currently has a presence in 42 states.
NON U.S.-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE
Throughout this 2023 Annual Report, we present our operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful, useful and transparent to anyone using this financial information to evaluate our performance. In addition to the U.S. GAAP presentation of net income, we present segment operating income as a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, which we believe is valuable in managing our business and drawing comparisons to our peers. Below is a definition of our non-U.S. GAAP measure and its relationship to U.S. GAAP.
Segment Operating Income
Segment operating income represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our segments and is derived by subtracting direct segment expenses from direct segment revenues. Revenues and expenses presented in the consolidated statements of operations are not subtotaled by segment; however, this information is available in total and bysegment in Note 22, "Segmented Information," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, regarding reportable segment information. The nearest comparable U.S. GAAP measure to total segment operating income is income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense that, in addition to total segment operating income, includes net investment income, net realized gains, net gain (loss) on equity investments, gain (loss) on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value, net change in unrealized gain on private company investments, gain on change in fair value of real estate investments, impairment losses, (loss) gain on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts, interest expense, other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net, amortization of intangible assets, loss on change in fair value of debt, gain on disposal of subsidiary and gain on extinguishment of debt. A reconciliation of total segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is presented in Table 1 of the "Results of Continuing Operations" section of MD&A.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classification of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and their underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which they are determined.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and that require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Revenue Recognition
Service fee and commission revenue represents vehicle service agreement fees, guaranteed asset protection products ("GAP") commissions, maintenance support service fees, warranty product commissions, homebuilder warranty service fees, homebuilder warranty commissions, business services consulting revenue, healthcare services revenue and software license and support revenue based on terms of various agreements with credit unions, consumers, businesses and homebuilders. Customers either pay in full at the inception of a warranty contract or commission product sale, or when consulting, healthcare and software license and support services are billed, or on terms subject to the Company’s customary credit reviews.
The Company’s revenue recognition policy follows guidance from ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which utilizes a five-step revenue recognition framework. The Company identifies the contract with its customers and then identifies the performance obligations in the contracts. The transaction price is determined based on the amount we expect to be entitled to in exchange for providing the promised services to the customer. The transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied.
Certain of the Company’s contracts with customers include obligations to provide multiple services to a customer. Determining whether services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately from one another requires judgment. Revenue from GAP commissions, homebuilder warranty service fees and software license and support contain multiple distinct performance obligations that are accounted for separately.
Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price ("SASP") for each distinct performance obligation. Revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative SASP. SASP are not directly observable in the GAP, homebuilder warranty and software license and support contracts for the separate performance obligations.
For the GAP and homebuilder warranty contracts, the Company has applied the expected cost plus a margin approach to develop models to estimate the SASP for each of its performance obligations in order to allocate the transaction price to the two separate performance obligations identified. In these models, the Company makes judgments about which of its actual costs are associated with each of the performance obligations. The relative percentage of expected costs plus a margin associated with these performance obligations is applied to the transaction price to determine the estimated SASP of the performance obligations, which the Company recognizes as earned as services are performed over the term of the contract period.
For software license and support contracts, the Company's software licenses are sold as term licenses, and the contracts include software support services, which are accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue is recognized upfront at the point in time when control is transferred, which is defined as the point in time when the customer can use and benefit from the license. The Company recognizes the portion of the transaction price allocated to the software license on a residual basis. The residual basis is used to allocate revenue when the contract arrangement includes a software license and has at least one performance obligation for which the SASP is observable, such as the software support services. The residual method is used as the selling price for software licenses in circumstances when the transaction price is highly variable and the SASP is not discernable from past transactions or other observable evidence. The Company evaluates the residual approach estimate compared to all available observable data in order to conclude the estimate is representative of its SASP. Software support revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period as services are rendered. The SASP of software support is consistent with the stand-alone pricing of subsequent software support renewals.
In certain jurisdictions the Company is required to refund to a customer a pro-rata share of the vehicle service agreement fees if a customer cancels the agreement prior to the end of the term. Depending on the jurisdiction, the Company may be entitled to deduct from the refund a cancellation fee and/or amounts for claims incurred prior to cancellation. While refunds vary depending on the term and type of product offered, historically refunds have averaged5.75% to 14% of the original amount of the vehicle service agreement fee. Revenues recorded by the Company are net of variable consideration related to refunds and the associated refund liability is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The Company estimates refunds based on the actual historical refund rates by warranty type taking into consideration current observable refund trends in estimating the expected amount of future customer refunds to be paid at each reporting period.
Refer to Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about our revenue recognition accounting policies.
Valuation of Fixed Maturities and Equity Investments
Our equity investments are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Fair value for our equity investments are determined using quoted market values based on latest bid prices, where active markets exist, or models based on significant market observable inputs, where no active markets exist.
For fixed maturities, we use observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are inactive; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. We do not have any fixed maturities in our portfolio that require us to use unobservable inputs. The Company engages a third-party vendor who utilizes third-party pricing sources and primarily employs a market approach to determine the fair values of our fixed maturities. The market approach includes primarily obtaining prices from independent third-party pricing services as well as, to a lesser extent, quotes from broker-dealers. Our third-party vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events, to ensure pricing is appropriate. All classes of our fixed maturities are valued using this technique. We have obtained an understanding of our third-party vendor’s valuation methodologies and inputs. Fair values obtained from our third-party vendor are not adjusted by the Company.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on the first-in first-out basis and credited or charged to the consolidated statements of operations. Premium and discount on investments are amortized using the interest method and charged or credited to net investment income.
Fixed maturities and equity investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk and overall market volatility risk. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair values of the Company’s investments reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.
Impairment Assessment of Investments
The establishment of an impairment loss on an investment requires a number of judgments and estimates. A consistent and systematic process is followed for determining and recording an impairment loss, including the evaluation of securities in an unrealized loss position and securities with an allowance for credit losses.
We perform a quarterly analysis of our investments classified as available-for-sale fixed maturity investments and other investments to determine if an impairment loss has occurred.
Effective January 1, 2023, as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"), if the decline in fair value is due to credit factors and the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to support the entire amortized cost basis, the credit loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the declines are evaluated. Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether a credit loss has occurred for a security. The Company considers all available evidence when determining whether a security requires a credit allowance to be recorded, including the following:
| • | the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost; |
|---|---|
| • | the financial condition and expected near-term and long term prospects of the issuer; |
| • | whether the issuer is current with interest and principal payments; |
| • | credit ratings on the security or changes in ratings over time; |
| • | general market conditions, industry, sector or other specific factors; and |
| • | whether the Company expects to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. |
As a result of the analysis performed, the Company recorded an impairment loss related to other investments for the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no impairment losses recorded related to available-for-sale fixed maturity investments during the year ended December 31, 2023. See "Investments" section below and Note 7, "Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
We perform a quarterly analysis of our limited liability investments and investments in private companies. The analysis includes some or all of the following procedures, as applicable:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the opinions of external investment and portfolio managers; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the financial condition and prospects of the investee; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | recent operating trends and forecasted performance of the investee; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | current market conditions in the geographic area or industry in which the investee operates; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | changes in credit ratings; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | changes in the regulatory environment. |
As a result of the analysis performed, the Company recorded impairment losses related to limited liability investments and limited liability investments, at fair value. See "Investments" section below and Note 7, "Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Limited Liability Investments, at Fair Value
Limited liability investments, at fair value represent the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entities Net Lease Investment Grade Portfolio LLC ("Net Lease") and Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings"). The Company accounts for these investments at fair value with changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations.
At December 31, 2022, Net Lease owned investments in limited liability companies that held investment properties. Net Lease sold its final investment property during its first quarter of 2023, and as a result, the Net Lease's investment in its underlying investments is zero at December 31, 2023. The fair value of Net Lease's investments was based upon the net asset values of the underlying investments companies as a practical expedient to estimate fair value.
Argo Holdings makes investments in limited liability companies and limited partnerships that hold investments in search funds and private operating companies. The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in search funds is based on the initial investment in the search funds. The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in private operating companies is valued using a market approach.
Refer to Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Deferred Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is calculated based on the expected tax treatment of transactions recorded in our consolidated financial statements. In determining our provision for income taxes, we interpret tax legislation in a variety of jurisdictions and make assumptions about the expected timing of the reversal of deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the valuation of deferred income taxes.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The ultimate realization of the deferred income tax asset balance is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the Company's temporary differences reverse and become deductible. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred income tax asset balance will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is needed, management considers all available positive and negative evidence affecting specific deferred income tax asset balances, including the Company's historical and anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, and the availability of tax planning strategies.
Objective positive evidence is necessary to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of a company's deferred income tax asset balances when significant negative evidence exists. Cumulative losses are the most compelling form of negative evidence considered by management in this determination. To the extent a valuation allowance is established in a period, an expense must be recorded within the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company maintains a valuation allowance of $129.4 million, all of which relates to its U.S. deferred income taxes. The largest component of the U.S. deferred income tax asset balance relates to tax loss carryforwards that have arisen as a result of losses generated from the Company's U.S. operations. Uncertainty over the Company's ability to utilize these losses over the short-term has led the Company to record a valuation allowance.
Future events may result in the valuation allowance being adjusted, which could materially affect our financial position and results of operations. If sufficient positive evidence were to arise in the future indicating that all or a portion of the deferred income tax assets would meet the more likely than not standard, all or a portion of the valuation allowance would be reversed in the period that such a conclusion was reached, which would beneficially impact our results of operations.
Accounting for Business Combinations
The Company evaluates acquisitions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), to determine if a transaction represents an acquisition of a business or an acquisition of assets.
An acquisition of a business represents a business combination. The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for a business combination by assigning the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill. We determine the fair value of such assets and liabilities, often in consultation with third-party valuation advisors. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue, costs and cash flows, discount rates, royalty rates, and selection of comparable companies. The resulting fair values and useful lives assigned to acquisition-related intangible assets impact the amount and timing of future amortization expense. Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year but is considered complete once all necessary information is available to management to estimate fair value. Acquisition costs related to a business combination are expensed as incurred.
Contingent Consideration
The consideration for certain of the Company's acquisitions include future payments to the former owners that are contingent upon the achievement of certain targets over future reporting periods. Liabilities for contingent consideration are measured and reported at fair value at the date of acquisition with subsequent changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations
as non-operating other expense.
Determining the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities requires management to make assumptions and judgments. The fair value of Company’s contingent consideration liabilities is estimated by applying the Monte Carlo simulation method to forecast achievement of gross profit or gross revenue. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market. Key inputs in the valuations include forecasted gross profit or revenue, gross profit or revenue volatility, discount rate and discount term. Management must use judgment in determining the appropriateness of these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Changes in assumptions could have a material impact on the amount of contingent consideration benefit or expense reported in the consolidated statements of operations and have an impact on the payout of contingent consideration liabilities. Contingent consideration liabilities are revalued each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities can result from changes to one or multiple inputs, including adjustments to the key inputs or changes in the assumed achievement or timing of any targets. Any changes in fair value are reported in the consolidated statements of operations as non-operating other expense. Additional information regarding our contingent consideration liabilities is included in
Note 23
, "
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Valuation and Impairment Assessment of Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Intangible assets with definite useful lives consist of developed technology and customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a definite-lived intangible asset be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that definite-lived intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the definite-lived intangible asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names, which are assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company may perform its impairment test for any indefinite-lived intangible asset through a qualitative assessment or elect to proceed directly to a quantitative impairment test, however, the Company may resume a qualitative assessment in any subsequent period if facts and circumstances permit.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Under the qualitative approach, the impairment test consists of an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset, or if a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated carrying amount of such asset exceeds its fair value, the Company performs a quantitative test. Factors that could trigger a quantitative impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under performance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends.
As of November 30, 2023, the Company conducted its annual qualitative assessment. As a result, the Company determined that certain trade names should be further examined under a quantitative approach. Based on the results of the quantitative approach, the Company did not record any impairment. However, the Company notes that certain of its indefinite-lived intangible assets are sensitive to changes in interest rates, as well as the performance of the underlying business. Changes in interest rates and/or if the business underlying the intangible asset performs below the assumptions used in the original purchase accounting could cause certain intangible assets to become impaired.
No impairment charges were recorded against intangible assets in 2023 or 2022. Additional information regarding our intangible assets is included in Note 9, "Intangible Assets," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill Recoverability
Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units and compares it to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to such excess.
For Extended Warranty, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for a group of publicly traded insurance services and insurance brokerage companies, an approach that the Company views as a technique consistent with the objective of measuring fair value consistent with prior years’ assessments performed.
For Kingsway Search Xcelerator, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of EBITDA from its recent acquisitions of similar businesses.
Estimating the fair value of reporting units requires the use of significant judgments that are based on a number of factors including actual operating results, internal forecasts, market observable pricing multiples of similar businesses and comparable transactions and determining the appropriate discount rate and long-term growth rate assumptions. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment. It is reasonably possible that the judgments and estimates described above could change in future periods.
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of the goodwill impairment charge, or both.
No impairment charges were recorded against goodwill in 2023 or 2022, as the estimated fair values of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. Additional information regarding our goodwill is included in Note 8, "Goodwill," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Deferred Contract Costs
Deferred contract costs represent the deferral of incremental costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. Incremental costs to obtain a contract with a customer primarily include sales commissions. The Company capitalizes costs incurred to fulfill a contract if the costs are identifiable, generate or enhance resources used to satisfy future performance obligations and are expected to be recovered. Costs to fulfill a contract include labor costs for set-up activities directly related to the acquisition of vehicle service agreements. Contract costs are deferred and amortized over the expected customer relationship period consistent with the pattern in which the related revenues are earned. Amortization of incremental costs to obtain a contract and costs to fulfill a contract with a customer are recorded in commissions and general and administrative expenses, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charges related to deferred contract costs were recorded in 2023 or 2022.
Fair Value Assumptions for Subordinated Debt Obligations
Our subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. These inputs include credit spread assumptions developed by a third-party and market observable swap rates. The following summarizes the impacts:
| Impact of Rate Change on Fair Value | 2023 Result | 2022 Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libor/SOFR: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to increase; decrease causes fair value to decrease | Increase to fair value | Increase to fair value | |||
| Risk free rate: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to decrease; decrease causes fair value to increase | Increase to fair value | Decrease to fair value |
The other primary variable affecting the fair value of debt calculation is the passage of time, which will always have the effect of increasing the fair value of debt.
Therefore, changes in the underlying interest rates used would cause the fair value to be impacted, but only impacts the income statement (or comprehensive income/loss for the portion related to credit risk) and does not impact cash flows.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Fair Value Assumptions for Subsidiary Stock-Based Compensation Awards
Certain of the Company's subsidiaries have made grants of restricted stock awards or restricted unit awards (together "Subsidiary Restricted Awards"). The Subsidiary Restricted Awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period during which awards are expected to vest, with a corresponding increase to either additional paid-in capital for equity-classified awards or to a liability for liability-classified awards. Certain of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards are classified as a liability because the awards are expected to settle in cash. Liability-classified awards, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, are measured and reported at fair value on the date of grant and are remeasured each reporting period. The Subsidiary Restricted Awards contain performance vesting and/or market vesting conditions. Performance vesting conditions are reviewed quarterly to assess the probability of achievement of the performance condition. Compensation expense is adjusted when a change in the assessment of achievement of the specific performance condition is determined to be probable. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis for awards subject to market conditions regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied, provided that the requisite service has been provided. Forfeitures are recognized in the period that Subsidiary Restricted Awards are forfeited.
The determination of fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is subjective and involves significant estimates and assumptions of whether the awards will achieve performance thresholds. The fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is estimated using either the Black-Scholes option pricing model and/or the Monte Carlo simulation model to derive certain inputs. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards, expected dividend yield, and risk-free interest rates. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Monte Carlo simulation model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards and risk-free interest rates. The assumptions used in the Company’s Black-Scholes option-pricing and Monte Carlo simulation models requires significant judgment and represents management’s best estimates.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments include interest rate swap contract and the trust preferred debt repurchase options (through the March 2023 exercise date). The Company measures derivative financial instruments at fair value. The fair value of derivative financial instruments is required to be revalued each reporting period, with corresponding changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains or losses are recognized upon settlement of the contracts. See Note 11, "Derivatives" and Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
A reconciliation of total segment operating income to net income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is presented in Table 1 below:
Table 1 Segment Operating Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
For the years ended December 31 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2023 | 2022 | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment operating income | ||||||||||||
| Extended Warranty | 6,983 | 9,879 | (2,896 | ) | ||||||||
| Kingsway Search Xcelerator | 5,252 | 3,548 | 1,704 | |||||||||
| Total segment operating income | 12,235 | 13,427 | (1,192 | ) | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 1,804 | 2,305 | (501 | ) | ||||||||
| Net realized gains | 761 | 1,209 | (448 | ) | ||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on equity investments | 3,397 | (26 | ) | 3,423 | ||||||||
| Gain (loss) on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value | 78 | (1,754 | ) | 1,832 | ||||||||
| Net change in unrealized gain on private company investments | 63 | — | 63 | |||||||||
| Gain on change in fair value of real estate investments | — | 1,488 | (1,488 | ) | ||||||||
| Impairment losses | (229 | ) | — | (229 | ) | |||||||
| (Loss) gain on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts | (1,366 | ) | 16,730 | (18,096 | ) | |||||||
| Interest expense | (6,250 | ) | (8,092 | ) | 1,842 | |||||||
| Other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net | (12,823 | ) | (17,206 | ) | 4,383 | |||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | (5,909 | ) | (6,133 | ) | 224 | |||||||
| Loss on change in fair value of debt | (68 | ) | (4,908 | ) | 4,840 | |||||||
| Gain on disposal of subsidiary | 342 | 37,917 | (37,575 | ) | ||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | 31,616 | — | 31,616 | |||||||||
| Income from continuing operations before income tax (benefit) expense | 23,651 | 34,957 | (11,306 | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (1,899 | ) | 4,825 | (6,724 | ) | |||||||
| Income from continuing operations | 25,550 | 30,132 | (4,582 | ) | ||||||||
| Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes | 450 | (12,805 | ) | 13,255 | ||||||||
| Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes | (1,988 | ) | (2,262 | ) | 274 | |||||||
| Net income | 24,012 | 15,065 | 8,947 |
Segment Operating Income, Income from Continuing Operations and Net Income
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we reported segment operating income of $12.2 million compared to $13.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease is primarily due to the following items:
| • | The disposal of PWSC as of July 29, 2022, which had segment operating income of $1.0 million prior year to date; and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Decreased operating income at the other Extended Warranty subsidiaries (see further discussion below); which was partially offset by | |
| • | Increased operating income from Kingsway Search Xcelerator, primarily due to including SNS for twelve months in 2023 (acquired in November 2022), as well as the October 2023 acquisition of DDI. SNS and DDI had combined operating income of $1.9 million for 2023, respectively. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we reported income from continuing operations of $25.6 million compared to $30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The income from continuing operations for 2023 is primarily due to:
| • | A gain on extinguishment debt of $31.6 million, related to the repurchase of the trust preferred debt; and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Gain on equity investments, which includes a gain of $3.3 million related to the Company's investment in Limbach Holdings, Inc. ("Limbach"); which was partially offset by | |
| • | Other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net, which includes a management fee expense of $1.8 million paid to the managers of Flower Portfolio 001, LLC ("Flower") and Net Lease Investment Grade Portfolio LLC ("Net Lease"). |
See Note 12, " Debt," and Note 11, "Derivatives," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion of the repurchase of the trust preferred debt and trust preferred debt repurchase options.
The income from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, is primarily due to:
| • | A gain on disposal of subsidiary of $37.9 million, related to the sale of PWSC, a gain on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts of $16.7 million, related to the trust preferred debt repurchase options, and a gain on change in fair value of real estate investments of $1.5 million; all of which were partially offset by | |
|---|---|---|
| • | An increase in interest expense related to rising interest rates, other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net, which includes $6.1 million of expense related to previously-granted awards to PWSC employees that are accounted for on a fair value basis and $1.5 million of expense due to the increase in fair value of the Ravix contingent consideration; and | |
| • | Loss on change in fair value of debt, loss on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value and income tax expense which is primarily due to the state tax expense associated with the sale of PWSC on July 29, 2022, and the related increase in valuation allowance from the accelerated utilization of indefinite life interest expense carryforwards as a result of such sale. |
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we reported net income of $24.0 million compared to $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. In addition to the items described above impacting income from continuing operations, the net income includes:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes of $0.5 million and loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes of $12.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes of $2.0 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. |
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the income from discontinued operations is related to the operations of VA Lafayette. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the loss from discontinued operations is related to the operations of CMC and VA Lafayette and is primarily due to a final management fee of $16.4 million resulting from the sale of the CMC railyard.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the loss on disposal of discontinued operations is the result of adjusting the net carrying value of VA Lafayette to be equal to the estimated selling price. As discussed in Note 5 "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, during the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company committed to a plan sell VA Lafayette. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company entered into a letter of intent for the sale of VA Lafayette. As part of recognizing the business as held for sale, the Company is required to measure VA Lafayette at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. As a result of this analysis, during 2023, the Company recognized an estimated non-cash, loss on disposal of $2.0 million, which is included in loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes in the consolidated statements of operations. The loss was determined by comparing the expected cash consideration received for the sale of VA Lafayette with the net assets of VA Lafayette.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the loss on disposal of discontinued operations includes the gain on disposal of CMC of $0.2 million and a loss of $2.5 million related to a liability recorded during 2022 regarding the Company's obligation to indemnify a former subsidiary for open claims (the maximum liability under the indemnity is $2.5 million). See Note 5 "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
Extended Warranty
The Extended Warranty service fee and commission revenue decreased 7.8% (or $5.8 million) to $68.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with $74.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Service fee and commission revenue was impacted by the following in 2023:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $4.9 million decrease at PWSC, due to the sale of PWSC on July 29, 2022 (the financial results for PWSC are only included through the disposal date); |
| • | A $2.1 million decrease at Trinity, primarily driven by decreases in its equipment breakdown and maintenance support services due to mild weather conditions, which results in fewer service calls, as well as a decrease in the sales of its warranty products due to long lead times on product availability and installations; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.3 million decrease at Geminus; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.9 million increase at PWI; PWI sold slightly more contracts sold in 2023 than 2022, but average cash sales per contract was down slightly. In the second half of 2022, there was a restructuring of leadership at PWI that has resulted in a higher focus on salesforce production; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.6 million increase at IWS. IWS sells a substantial amount of VSAs for new automobiles but, more importantly, its products are distributed through credit unions at the point of vehicle financing, which has been less impacted by the current macro-economic conditions. However, in 2023 IWS has been impacted by the loss of two customers (one due to acquisition, one due to change in management), which was partially offset by growth at new and existing customers, the latter usually due to credit unions getting competitive on interest rates. During the first quarter of 2022, there was a change in estimate of IWS’ deferred revenue associated with vehicle service contract fees, which resulted in a reduction to IWS revenue of $1.2 million. |
The Extended Warranty operating income was $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. We saw an increase in claims paid at our auto Extended Warranty companies – both sequentially and year over year – primarily due to inflationary pressures on the cost of parts and labor.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Operating income was primarily impacted by the following:
| • | A $0.9 million decrease at PWSC, due to the sale of PWSC on July 29, 2022; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.7 million decrease at Geminus to $0.5 million, due to an increase in commission expense and claims authorized on vehicle service agreements, partially offset by lower general and administrative expenses compared to 2022; | |
| • | A $0.7 million decrease at IWS to $3.3 million, primarily due to increased claims authorized on vehicle service agreements. General and administrative expenses and commissions were essentially flat compared to 2022. During 2022, there was a change in estimate of IWS' deferred revenue and deferred contract costs associated with vehicle service contract fees, which resulted in a reduction to IWS operating income of $0.9 million in 2022; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.6 million decrease at Trinity to $1.1 million, primarily due to a decrease in revenue that was partially offset by a decrease in cost of services sold (higher percent of warranty product sales in 2023 than 2022); and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A less than $0.1 million decrease at PWI to $2.0 million. |
Kingsway Search Xcelerator
The Kingsway Search Xcelerator revenue increased to $35.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Kingsway Search Xcelerator operating income was $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared with $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in revenue and operating income is primarily due to:
| • | Increased segment operating income at Ravix. While revenue was down $1.2 million compared to 2022; gross margin and operating income increased $0.4 million compared to the prior year due to lower cost of sales and lower general and administrative expenses; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | The inclusion of CSuite and SNS for twelve months during 2023 following their acquisitions effective November 1, 2022 and November 18, 2022, respectively. For 2023, CSuite and SNS had combined revenue and operating income of $19.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively; and | |
| • | The revenue and operating income derived from SPI and DDI, which were acquired September 7, 2023 and October 26, 2023, respectively. SPI and DDI had combined revenue and operating income of $1.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively from their dates of acquisition through December 31, 2023. |
Net Investment Income
Net investment income was $1.8 million in 2023 compared to $2.3 million in 2022. The decrease in 2023 primarily relates to the decrease in investment income from real estate investments and limited liability investments as a majority of those assets have been sold in recent years, partially offset by higher investment income from cash equivalents and fixed maturities due to the generally higher interest rate environment.
Net Realized Gains
The Company recorded net realized gains of $0.8 million in 2023 compared to $1.2 million in 2022. The net realized gains for 2023 and 2022 primarily relate to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net realized gains on sales of limited liability investments; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Realized gains recognized by Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings"); and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions received from one of the Company’s investments in private companies in which its carrying value previously had been written down to zero as a result of prior distributions. |
Net Gain (Loss) on Equity Investments
Net gain on equity investments was $3.4 million in 2023 compared to a net loss of less than $0.1 million in 2022. The net gain for 2023 primarily relates to the Company's investment in Limbach. Prior to the second quarter of 2023, the Company held warrants in Limbach. During the first quarter of 2023, the underlying common stock price of Limbach increased, resulting in an increase in the fair value of the warrants held at March 31, 2023. During the second quarter of 2023, the Company completed a cashless exercise of its Limbach warrants. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company sold all of its shares of Limbach common stock.
Gain (Loss) on Change in Fair Value of Limited Liability Investments, at Fair Value
Gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value was $0.1 million in 2023 compared to a loss of $1.8 million in 2022. The gain for the year ended December 31, 2023 represents an increase in fair value of $0.7 million related to Argo Holdings, partially offset by a decrease in fair value of $0.6 million related to Net Lease Investment Grade Portfolio LLC ("Net Lease"). The loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes decreases in fair value of $0.9 million related to Net Lease and $0.8 million related to Argo Holdings. The final Net Lease property was sold in February 2023 and, as such, as of December 31, 2023 Argo Holdings was the only asset group left in this category.
Gain on Change in Fair Value of Real Estate Investments
Gain on change in fair value of real estate investments was $1.5 million in 2022. Real estate investments represented investment real estate properties held by the Company’s consolidated subsidiary, Flower Portfolio 001, LLC ("Flower"). The increase in fair value was attributable to the sale of the real estate investment properties for $12.2 million, which closed on September 29, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, there were no remaining investments in this category.
(Loss) Gain on Change in Fair Value of Derivative Asset Option Contracts
Loss on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts was $1.4 million in 2023 compared to a gain of $16.7 million in 2022. The derivative contract relates to three trust preferred debt repurchase option agreements the Company entered into during the third quarter of 2022. The Company exercised the repurchase options during the first quarter of 2023. The gain for the year ended December 31, 2022 relates to the $11.4 million difference between the fair value of the option at date of inception ($13.7 million) and the cash consideration paid ($2.3 million), as well as the subsequent change in fair value of $5.3 million as of December 31, 2022.
Refer to Note 11, "Derivatives," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information on the option agreements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Interest Expense
Interest expense for 2023 was $6.3 million compared to $8.1 million in 2022. The decrease in 2023 is primarily attributable to:
| • | A decrease of $3.3 million on the Company’s subordinated debt. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased TruPs debt having a principal amount of $75.5 million, resulting in 2023 year to date interest expense including only the one remaining TruPs debt instrument outstanding during the last three quarters of 2023, partially offset by generally higher London interbank offered interest rates ("LIBOR") for three-month U.S. dollar deposits and CME Term SOFR during 2023 compared to 2022. The Company's subordinated debt bore interest at the rate of LIBOR, plus spreads ranging from 3.85% to 4.20%. Effective July 3, 2023, the index used for determining the interest rate for the remaining trust preferred debt instrument converted from LIBOR to CME Term SOFR; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A decrease of $0.3 million related to notes payable held by the Company’s consolidated subsidiary, Flower. The Flower debt was repaid in the third quarter of 2022; | |
| • | A decrease of $0.2 million related to the 2021 Ravix Loan, which was effective October 1, 2021, and has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 3.75% (current rate of 9.00%) | |
| • | An increase of $0.8 million related to the $6.0 million 2022 Ravix Loan, which was effective November 16, 2022 and has an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.75% (current rate of 9.25%); | |
| • | An increase of $0.6 million related to the 2020 KWH Loan, as a result of a decrease in fair value of the interest rate swap related to the 2020 KWH bank loan; | |
| • | An increase of $0.5 million related to the $6.5 million SNS Loan, which was effective November 18, 2022 and has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 5.00% (current rate of 9.00%); and | |
| • | An increase of $0.1 million related to the new $6.0 million DDI Loan, which was effective October 26, 2023 and has an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 5.00% (current rate of 9.00%). |
See Note 12, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further details.
Other Revenue and Expenses not Allocated to Segments, Net
Other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments was a net expense of $12.8 million in 2023 compared to $17.2 million in 2022. Included are revenue and expenses associated with our various other investments that are accounted for on a consolidated basis, our former insurance company that has been in run-off since 2012, and expenses associated with our corporate holding company.
The decrease in net expense for 2023 is primarily attributable to decreases in stock-based compensation expense of $6.1 million related to previously-granted awards to PWSC employees and expense related to the Ravix contingent consideration liability, partially offset by increases due to management fees paid to the managers of Flower and Net Lease, acquisition related expenses during 2023 compared to 2022, and an increase in the number of searchers in our Kingsway Search Xcelerator segment.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Debt
The loss on change in fair value of debt amounted to $0.1 million in 2023 compared to $4.9 million in 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased TruPs debt having a principal amount of $75.5 million. The change in fair value related to the repurchased TruPs debt was a gain of $0.3 million and the change in fair value related to the remaining TruPs debt instrument was a loss of $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
The loss for 2023 and 2022 reflects changes in the fair value of the subordinated debt resulting primarily from changes in interest rates used (not related to instrument-specific credit risk). See "Debt" section below for further information.
Gain on Disposal of Subsidiary
On July 29, 2022, the Company sold its 80% majority-owned subsidiary, PWSC. As a result of the sale, the Company recognized a net gain on disposal of $37.9 million during 2022. During 2023, the Company recorded an additional gain on disposal of PWSC of $0.3 million related to the working capital true-up and release of indemnity funds that were held in escrow. The sale of PWSC did not represent a strategic shift that would have a major effect on the Company's operations or financial results; therefore, PWSC is not presented as a discontinued operation.
See Note 5, "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion of the PWSC disposal.
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt
During 2023, gain on extinguishment of debt consists of a $31.6 million gain related to the repurchase of TruPs debt having a principal amount of $75.5 million. The gain on extinguishment of debt results from removing the fair value of the debt, trust preferred debt repurchase options, deferred interest payable and accumulated other comprehensive income related to the repurchased TruPs from the Company's consolidated balance sheet at the repurchase date.
See Note 12, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
Income tax benefit for 2023 was $1.9 million compared to income tax expense of $4.8 million in 2022. The 2023 and 2022 income tax (benefit) expense is primarily related to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of zero and an expense of $1.0 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, for the partial release of the Company’s deferred income tax valuation allowance associated with business interest expense with an indefinite life; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $2.1 million and $0.2 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, for the partial release of the Company’s deferred tax valuation allowance related to acquired deferred tax liabilities and change in future income assumptions, respectively; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.1 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, relating to a change in indefinite life deferred income tax liabilities; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of less than $0.1 million and an expense of $3.9 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, for state income taxes. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
See Note 15, "Income Taxes," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional detail of the income tax (benefit) expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
INVESTMENTS
Portfolio Composition
The following is an overview of how we account for our various investments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in fixed maturities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Equity investments are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The most recently available financial statements of the limited liability investments are used in applying the equity method. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investments and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments, at fair value represent the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entities Net Lease (December 31, 2022 only) and Argo Holdings. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investments, at fair value and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in private companies consist of: convertible preferred stocks and notes in privately owned companies; and investments in limited liability companies in which the Company’s interests are deemed minor. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values and, therefore, are reported at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and impairments. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Other investments include collateral loans and are reported at their unpaid principal balance, net of an allowance for credit losses. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Short-term investments, which consist of investments with original maturities between three months and one year, are reported at cost, which approximates fair value. |
At December 31, 2023, we held cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments with a carrying value of $59.4 million. Our U.S. operations typically invest in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments to mitigate their exposure to currency rate fluctuations.
Table 2 below summarizes the carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, at the dates indicated.
TABLE 2 Carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
As of December 31 (in thousands of dollars, except for percentages)
| Type of investment | 2023 | % of Total | 2022 | % of Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, government agencies and authorities | 12,997 | 21.9 | % | 15,080 | 11.2 | % | ||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 2,783 | 4.7 | % | 2,232 | 1.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | 9,253 | 15.6 | % | 8,412 | 6.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Asset-backed | 1,210 | 2.0 | % | 1,610 | 1.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | 10,230 | 17.2 | % | 10,257 | 7.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | 36,473 | 61.4 | % | 37,591 | 28.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Equity investments | 79 | 0.1 | % | 153 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investments | 812 | 1.4 | % | 983 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investments, at fair value | 3,496 | 5.9 | % | 17,059 | 12.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Investments in private companies | 854 | 1.4 | % | 790 | 0.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Other investments | 6 | 0.0 | % | 201 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Short-term investments | 161 | 0.3 | % | 157 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Total investments | 41,881 | 70.5 | % | 56,934 | 42.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 9,098 | 15.4 | % | 64,168 | 47.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Restricted cash | 8,400 | 14.1 | % | 13,064 | 9.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 59,379 | 100.0 | % | 134,166 | 100.0 | % |
Investment Impairment
The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its investments to determine if declines in fair value may result in the recognition of impairment losses in net income. Further information regarding our detailed analysis and factors considered in establishing an impairment loss on an investment is discussed within the "Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates" section of MD&A.
The Company's fixed maturities are subject to declines in fair value below amortized cost that may result in the recognition of impairment losses. Effective January 1, 2023, as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-13, if the decline in fair value is due to credit factors and the Company does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to support the entire amortized cost basis, the credit loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that the declines are evaluated. As a result of the analysis performed, the Company recorded an impairment loss related to other investments of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. There were no impairment losses recorded related to available-for-sale fixed maturity investments during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company performed a quarterly analysis of its available-for-sale fixed maturity investments and other investments to determine if declines in market value were other-than-temporary. As a result of the analysis performed, there were no write downs for other-than-temporary impairment related to fixed maturity investments and other investments for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company recorded impairment write-downs related to limited liability investments of $0.1 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are included in impairment losses in the consolidated statements of operations.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Company recorded impairment losses related to limited liability investments, at fair value of $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are included in gain (loss) on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value in the consolidated statements of operations.
There were no write-downs recorded for impairments related to investments in private companies for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities amounted to $1.7 million and $2.5 million, and there were no unrealized losses attributable to non-investment grade fixed maturities.
DEBT
The principal and carrying value of the Company’s debt instruments at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are as follows:
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | Carrying Value | Principal | Carrying Value | ||||||||||||
| Bank loans: | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 Ravix Loan | $ | 4,650 | $ | 4,650 | $ | 5,300 | $ | 5,300 | |||||||
| 2022 Ravix Loan | 4,925 | 4,769 | 5,950 | 5,754 | |||||||||||
| SNS Loan | 5,142 | 5,063 | 6,850 | 6,755 | |||||||||||
| DDI Loan | 5,600 | 5,534 | — | — | |||||||||||
| 2020 KWH Loan | 10,979 | 10,806 | 16,708 | 16,472 | |||||||||||
| Total bank loans | 31,296 | 30,822 | 34,808 | 34,281 | |||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 15,000 | 13,594 | 90,500 | 67,811 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 46,296 | $ | 44,416 | $ | 125,308 | $ | 102,092 |
See Note 12, " Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the Company’s debt instruments. Changes related to the Company’s debt during 2023 are further described below.
Bank Loans
As part of the acquisition of DDI on October 26, 2023, DDI became a wholly owned subsidiary of DDI Acquisition, LLC ("DDI LLC"), and together they borrowed from a bank a principal amount of $5.6 million in the form of a term loan, and established a $0.4 million revolver to finance the acquisition of DDI (together, the "DDI Loan"). The DDI Loan has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 5.00% (current rate of 9.00%). Monthly principal payments on the term loan begin on December 15, 2024. The revolver matures on September 1, 2024 and the term loan matures on October 26, 2029.
During
2023, the Company made additional principal payments with respect to the SNS Loan ($1.3 million), KWH Loan ($1.1 million) and 2022 Ravix Loan ($0.4 million).
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company borrowed $3.5 million under the KWH DDTL and $0.5 million under the KWH Loan revolver.
Subordinated Debt
During 2022, the Company entered into repurchase agreements with certain holders of its subordinated trust preferred debt instruments ("TruPs") that gave the Company the option to repurchase up to 100% of the holder’s principal and deferred interest for a purchase price defined in the contract ("the TruPs Options"). The Company paid $2.3 million to the holder’s for the TruPs Options. See Note 11, "Derivatives," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the TruPS Options.
On March 22, 2023, the Company completed the repurchases using currently available funds from working capital to fund the repurchases. The total amount paid was $56.5 million, which included a credit for the $2.3 million that the Company previously paid at the time of entering into the repurchase agreements. As a result, the Company repurchased $75.5 million of principal and $23.0 million of deferred interest payable. The Company recognized a gain of $31.6 million, which is included in gain on extinguishment of debt in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023.
During the third quarter of 2018, the Company gave notice to its Trust Preferred trustees of its intention to exercise its voluntary right to defer interest payments for up to 20 quarters, pursuant to the contractual terms of its outstanding Trust Preferred indentures, which permit interest deferral. This action does not constitute a default under the Company's Trust Preferred indentures or any of its other debt indentures. In order to execute the repurchases described above, on March 13, 2023, the Company paid $5.0 million to the remaining Trust Preferred trustee to be used by the trustee to pay the interest which the Company had been deferring since the third quarter of 2018. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, deferred interest payable of zero and $25.5 million, respectively, is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company's subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. At December 31, 2023, the carrying value of the subordinated debt is $13.6 million. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. For a description of the market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party used in determining fair value of debt, see Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Though changes in the market observable swap rates will continue to introduce some volatility each quarter to the Company’s reported gain or loss on change in fair value of debt, changes in the credit spread assumption developed by the third party does not introduce volatility to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt will eventually equal the principal value totaling $15.0 million of the subordinated debt by the time of the stated redemption date of the remaining trust, which matures on May 22, 2033.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The $54.2 million decrease in the Company’s subordinated debt between December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023, is attributed to the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A decrease of $56.1 million as a result of the repurchase of trust preferred debt during the first quarter of 2023; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A decrease of $0.3 million related to the change in fair value of the repurchased trust preferred debt instruments between December 31, 2022 and the repurchase dates; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An increase of $2.2 million related to the change in fair value of the remaining trust preferred debt instrument between December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023. |
Of the $1.9 million increase in fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt between
December 31, 2022 and
December 31, 2023,
$1.8
million is reported as an
increase in fair value of debt attributable to instrument-specific credit risk in the Company's consolidated statements of
comprehensive (loss) income and
$0.1
million is reported as loss on change in fair value of debt in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
The consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the year ended December 31, 2023 also includes an increase of $27.2 million as a result of removing the accumulated other comprehensive income related to the repurchased TruPs from the Company's consolidated balance sheet at the repurchase date.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The purpose of liquidity management is to ensure there is sufficient cash to meet all financial commitments and obligations as they fall due. The liquidity requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries have historically been met primarily by funds generated from operations, capital raising, disposal of subsidiaries, investment maturities and investment income, and other returns received on investments and from the sale of investments.
A significant portion of the cash provided by our Extended Warranty companies is required to be placed into restricted trust accounts, as determined by the insurers who back-up our service contracts, in order to fund future expected claims. On a periodic basis (quarterly or annually), we may be required to contribute more into the restricted accounts or we may be permitted to draw additional funds from the restricted accounts, dependent upon actuarial analyses performed by the insurers regarding sufficiency of funds to cover future expected claims. A substantial portion of the restricted trust accounts are invested in fixed maturities and other instruments that have durations similar to the expected future claim projections.
Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for warranty expenses, business service expenses, debt servicing, acquisitions and operating expenses of the holding company.
The Company's Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator subsidiaries fund their obligations primarily through service fee and commission revenue.
On October 18, 2018, the Company completed the previously announced sale of its non-standard automobile insurance companies Mendota Insurance Company, Mendakota Insurance Company and Mendakota Casualty Company (collectively "Mendota"). As part of the transaction, the Company will indemnify the buyer for any loss and loss adjustment expenses with respect to open claims in excess of Mendota's carried unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses at June 30, 2018 related to the open claims. The maximum obligation to the Company with respect to the open claims was $2.5 million.
During the third quarter of 2022, the buyer provided to the Company an analysis of the claims development that indicated that the Company's potential exposure with respect to the open claims was at the maximum obligation amount. Previous communications from the buyer noted no such development. As a result of the newly provided information, the Company recorded a liability of $2.5 million, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 and loss on disposal of discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. During the first quarter of 2023, the $2.0 million that had been previously deposited into an escrow account was released and remitted to the buyer to satisfy the Company's payment with respect to the open claims.
Cash Flows from Continuing Operations
During 2023, the Company reported $26.8 million of net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations, primarily due to:
| • | Payment of deferred interest on the trust preferred debt instruments that were repurchased during the year ($16.1 million) and payment of deferred interest on the remaining trust preferred debt instrument ($5.0 million); | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Outflows related to the payment of management fees to the managers of Net Lease and Flowers ($1.8 million); and | |
| • | An indemnity payment to the buyer of Mendota related to loss and loss adjustment expenses ($2.0 million); all of which were partially offset by: | |
| • | Gain on equity investments; and | |
| • | Operating income from the Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator segments. |
During 2022, the Company reported $2.6 million of net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations, primarily due to:
| • | The sale of PWSC, which generated cash flows of $1.8 million through the date of the sale in 2022; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A reduction in cash flows from the remaining Extended Warranty companies; | |
| • | Outflows at the holding company related to the TruPs repurchase option ($2.3 million); all of which were partially offset by; | |
| • | Continued cost containment initiatives at the holding company regarding ongoing expenses; and | |
| • | Increases in cash flows from the KSX companies, due to the inclusion of Ravix for the full twelve months in 2022 and the acquisitions of CSuite and SNS. |
During 2023, the net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations was $6.5 million. This source of cash was primarily attributed to:
| • | Distributions received by Net Lease from one of its limited liability investment companies of $13.3 million; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities and sales of equity securities in excess of purchases of fixed maturities; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The acquisitions of SPI and DDI in 2023, which totaled $13.6 million, net of cash acquired. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
During 2022, the net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations was $58.1 million. This source of cash was primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net cash proceeds received, net of cash disposed of from the sale of PWSC, of $35.2 million; |
| • | Net cash proceeds received from the sale of the CMC Real Property of $26.4 million; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Cash proceeds received from the sale of real estate investments of $12.2 million; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The acquisitions of CSuite and SNS in 2022, which totaled $13.7 million, net of cash acquired; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Purchases of fixed maturities in excess of proceeds from limited liability investments and from sales and maturities of fixed maturities. |
During 2023, the net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $39.4 million, primarily attributed to:
| • | The repurchase of five of the TruPs for 40.3 million; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Principal repayments on bank loans of $9.1 million; |
| • | Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $4.0 million; and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Cash paid for repurchase of warrants of $4.0 million and common stock of $3.2 milion, partially offset by |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds from the exercise of warrants (reducing the use of cash) of $16.7 million and net proceeds from bank loans of $5.5 million related to the DDI Loan. |
During 2022, the net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $5.6 million, primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Principal repayments: on bank loans of $5.2 million, notes payable of $6.4 million, which relates to the repayment of the Flower Note; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $6.0 million; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net proceeds (reducing the use of cash) from bank loans of $12.7 million related to the 2022 Ravix Loan the SNS Loan, and proceeds from the exercise of warrants of $0.5 million. |
Holding Company Liquidity
The liquidity of the holding company is managed separately from its subsidiaries. The obligations of the holding company primarily consist of holding company operating expenses; transaction-related expenses; investments; stock repurchases; and any other extraordinary demands on the holding company.
Pursuant to satisfying the covenants under the 2020 KWH Loan, distributions to the holding company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 million in any 12-month period are permitted. Also, beginning in 2022, the holding company is permitted to receive a portion of the excess cash flow (as defined in the 2020 KWH Loan document) generated by the KWH subsidiaries in the previous year. In 2022, the Company was entitled to 50% of the excess cash flow with the other 50% used to pay down the 2020 KWH Loan. During 2022, the Company received $1.7 million and in March 2022 paid down the KWH 2020 Loan by $1.7 million. In 2023, the Company was entitled to 75% of the 2022 excess cash flow, or $3.3 million. During the first quarter of 2023, the Company paid down the KWH 2020 Loan by $1.1 million.
The amount of excess cash flow which the Company is entitled to retain is dependent upon the leverage ratio (as defined in the 2020 KWH Loan document):
| Percent of excess cash flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| If leverage ratio is | retained by the Company | ||
| Greater than 1.75:1.00 | 50% | ||
| Less than 1.75:1.00 but greater than 0.75:1.00 | 75% | ||
| Less than 0.75:1.0 | 100% |
The holding company’s liquidity, defined as the amount of cash in the bank accounts of Kingsway Financial Services Inc. and Kingsway America Inc., was $4.3 million and $48.9 million at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which excludes future actions available to the holding company that could be taken to generate liquidity. Such future actions include, but are not limited to, distributions from the Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator operating companies subject to certain loan covenants that may be in place at each operating company.
The holding company cash amounts are reflected in the cash and cash equivalents of $9.1 million and $64.2 million reported at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The significant decrease between December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023 is primarily due to the repurchase of the trust preferred debt during the first quarter of 2023, as well as the acquisitions of SPI and DDI in September 2023 and October 2023, respectively.
The Company also notes that, as of the filing date, it has an additional $6.5 million available from the second amendment to the 2020 KWH Loan (see
Note 12
, "
Debt
,"
to the Consolidated Financial Statements), that is available to be drawn.
Based on the Company’s current business plan and revenue prospects, existing cash, cash equivalents, investment balances and anticipated cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital and operating expenditure requirements, for the next twelve months. However, the Company’s assessment could also be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the developing macro-economic environment.
Regulatory Capital
Kingsway Reinsurance Corporation ("Kingsway Re"), our reinsurance subsidiary domiciled in Barbados, is required by the regulator in Barbados to maintain minimum statutory capital of $125,000. Kingsway Re is currently operating with statutory capital near the regulatory minimum, requiring us to periodically contribute capital to fund operating expenses. Kingsway Re incurs operating expenses of approximately $0.1 million per year. As of December 31, 2023, the capital maintained by Kingsway Re was in excess of the regulatory capital requirements in Barbados.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Table 3 summarizes cash disbursements related to the Company's contractual obligations projected by period, including debt maturities, interest payments on outstanding debt and future minimum payments under operating leases. Interest payments on outstanding debt in Table 3 related to the subordinated debt, the 2020 KWH Loan, the 2021 Ravix Loan, the 2022 Ravix Loan, the SNS Loan and the DDI Loan assume the variable rates remain constant throughout the projection period. Future minimum lease payments in Table 3 include payments on leases for office space that are included in total lease liabilities in Note 13," Leases," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as payments for short-term leases, equipment leases and a lease with an effective date of January 1 2024.
TABLE 3 Cash payments related to contractual obligations projected by period
As of December 31, 2023 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank loans | 6,673 | 11,819 | 4,870 | 4,837 | 2,070 | 1,027 | 31,296 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | — | — | — | — | — | 15,000 | 15,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest payments on outstanding debt | 4,065 | 3,388 | 2,380 | 2,038 | 1,721 | 6,821 | 20,413 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Future minimum lease payments | 647 | 449 | 340 | 257 | 172 | 47 | 1,912 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 11,385 | 15,656 | 7,590 | 7,132 | 3,963 | 22,895 | 68,621 |
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437749-23-005796.
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this 2022 Annual Report.
OVERVIEW
Kingsway is a holding company with operating subsidiaries located in the United States. The Company owns or controls subsidiaries primarily in the extended warranty and business services industries. Kingsway conducts its business through the following two reportable segments: Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator.
Prior to the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company conducted its business through a third reportable segment, Leased Real Estate. Leased Real Estate included the following subsidiaries of the Company: CMC Industries, Inc. ("CMC") and VA Lafayette, LLC ("VA Lafayette").
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | CMC owned, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary (the "Property Owner"), a parcel of real property consisting of approximately 192 acres located in the State of Texas (the "Real Property"), which is subject to a long-term triple net lease agreement. The Real Property is also subject to two mortgages. On December 22, 2022, the Company announced a definitive agreement for the sale of the Real Property, for gross cash proceeds of $44.5 million and the assumption of the mortgages. On December 29, 2022, the sale was completed. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | VA Lafayette owns real property consisting of approximately 6.5 acres and a 29,224 square foot single-tenant medical office building located in the State of Louisiana (the "LA Real Property"). The LA Real Property serves as a medical and dental clinic for the Department of Veteran Affairs and is subject to a long-term lease. The LA Real Property is also subject to a mortgage (the "LA Mortgage"). During the fourth quarter, the Company began executing a plan to sell VA Lafayette, and as a result, VA Lafayette is reported as held for sale at December 31, 2022. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | Both CMC and VA Lafayette have been classified as discontinued operations and the results of their operations are reported separately for all periods presented. See Note 5, "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. All segmented information has been restated to exclude the Leased Real Estate segment for all periods presented. |
Extended Warranty includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: IWS Acquisition Corporation ("IWS"), Geminus Holding Company, Inc. ("Geminus"), PWI Holdings, Inc. ("PWI"), Professional Warranty Service Corporation ("PWSC") and Trinity Warranty Solutions LLC ("Trinity"). As discussed in Note 5, "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company disposed of PWSC on July 29, 2022. The earnings of PWSC are included in the consolidated statements of operations and the segment disclosures through the disposal date. Throughout this 2022 Annual Report, the term "Extended Warranty" is used to refer to this segment.
IWS is a licensed motor vehicle service agreement company and is a provider of after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions in 25 states and the District of Columbia to their members, with customers in all 50 states.
Geminus primarily sells vehicle service agreements to used car buyers across the United States, through its subsidiaries, The Penn Warranty Corporation ("Penn") and Prime Auto Care, Inc. ("Prime"). Penn and Prime distribute these products in 39 and 40 states, respectively, via independent used car dealerships and franchised car dealerships.
PWI markets, sells and administers vehicle service agreements to used car buyers in all fifty states via independent used car and franchise network of approved automobile and motorcycle dealer partners. PWI’s business model is supported by an internal sales and operations team and partners with American Auto Shield in three states with a white label agreement. PWI also has a "white label" agreement with Classic to sell a guaranteed asset protection product ("GAP") in states that Classic is approved in.
PWSC sells home warranty products and provides administration services to homebuilders and homeowners across the United States. PWSC distributes its products and services through an in-house sales team and through insurance brokers and insurance carriers throughout all states except Alaska and Louisiana.
Trinity sells heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC"), standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration warranty products and provides equipment breakdown and maintenance support services to companies across the United States. As a seller of warranty products, Trinity markets and administers product warranty contracts for certain new and used products in the HVAC, standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration industries throughout the United States. Trinity acts as an agent on behalf of the third-party insurance companies that underwrite and guaranty these warranty contracts. Trinity does not guaranty the performance underlying the warranty contracts it sells. As a provider of equipment breakdown and maintenance support services, Trinity acts as a single point of contact to its clients for both certain equipment breakdowns and scheduled maintenance of equipment. Trinity will provide such repair and breakdown services by contracting with certain HVAC providers.
Kingsway Search Xcelerator includes the Company's subsidiaries, CSuite Financial Partners, LLC ("CSuite"), Ravix Financial, Inc. ("Ravix") and Secure Nursing Service LLC ("SNS"). Throughout this
2022 Annual Report, the term "Kingsway Search Xcelerator" is used to refer to this segment.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
CSuite provides financial executive services, for project and interim-staffing engagements, and search services for full-time placements for customers throughout the United States.
Ravix provides outsourced financial services and human resources consulting for short or long duration engagements for customers in several states.
SNS provides healthcare staffing services to acute healthcare facilities on a contract or per diem basis in the United States, primarily in California.
NON U.S.-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE
Throughout this 2022 Annual Report, we present our operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful, useful and transparent to anyone using this financial information to evaluate our performance. In addition to the U.S. GAAP presentation of net income, we present segment operating income as a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, which we believe is valuable in managing our business and drawing comparisons to our peers. Below is a definition of our non-U.S. GAAP measure and its relationship to U.S. GAAP.
Segment Operating Income
Segment operating income represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our segments and is derived by subtracting direct segment expenses from direct segment revenues. Revenues and expenses presented in the consolidated statements of operations are not subtotaled by segment; however, this information is available in total and bysegment in Note 22, "Segmented Information," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, regarding reportable segment information. The nearest comparable U.S. GAAP measure to total segment operating income is income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit) that, in addition to total segment operating income, includes net investment income, net realized gains, loss on change in fair value of equity investments, (loss) gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value, gain on change in fair value of real estate investments, gain on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts, interest expense, other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net, amortization of intangible assets, loss on change in fair value of debt, gain on disposal of subsidiary and gain on extinguishment of debt not allocated to segments. A reconciliation of total segment operating income to income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is presented in Table 1 of the "Results of Continuing Operations" section of MD&A.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classification of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and their underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which they are determined.
The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and that require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Revenue Recognition
Service fee and commission revenue represents vehicle service agreement fees, guaranteed asset protection products ("GAP") commissions, maintenance support service fees, warranty product commissions, homebuilder warranty service fees, homebuilder warranty commissions and business services consulting revenue based on terms of various agreements with credit unions, consumers, businesses and homebuilders. Customers either pay in full at the inception of a warranty contract, commission product sale, or when consulting services are billed, or on terms subject to the Company’s customary credit reviews.
The Company’s revenue recognition policy follows guidance from ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which utilizes a five-step revenue recognition framework. The Company identifies the contract with its customers and then identifies the performance obligations in the contracts. The transaction price is determined based on the amount we expect to be entitled to in exchange for providing the promised services to the customer. The transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied.
Certain of the Company’s contracts with customers include obligations to provide multiple services to a customer. Determining whether services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately from one another requires judgment. Revenue from GAP commissions and homebuilder warranty service fees contain multiple distinct performance obligations that are accounted for separately.
Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price ("SASP") for each distinct performance obligation. Revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative SASP. SASP are not directly observable in the GAP and homebuilder warranty contracts for the separate performance obligations. As a result, the Company has applied the expected cost plus a margin approach to develop models to estimate the standalone selling price for each of its performance obligations in order to allocate the transaction price to the two separate performance obligations identified. In these models, the Company makes judgments about which of its actual costs are associated with each of the performance obligations. The relative percentage of expected costs plus a margin associated with these performance obligations is applied to the transaction price to determine the estimated SASP of the performance obligations, which the Company recognizes as earned as services are performed over the term of the contract period.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
In certain jurisdictions the Company is required to refund to a customer a pro-rata share of the vehicle service agreement fees if a customer cancels the agreement prior to the end of the term. Depending on the jurisdiction, the Company may be entitled to deduct from the refund a cancellation fee and/or amounts for claims incurred prior to cancellation. While refunds vary depending on the term and type of product offered, historically refunds have averaged 9% to 13% of the original amount of the vehicle service agreement fee. Revenues recorded by the Company are net of variable consideration related to refunds and the associated refund liability is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The Company estimates refunds based on the actual historical refund rates by warranty type taking into consideration current observable refund trends in estimating the expected amount of future customer refunds to be paid at each reporting period.
Refer to Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about our revenue recognition accounting policies.
Valuation of Fixed Maturities and Equity Investments
Our equity investments, including warrants, are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Fair value for our equity investments are determined using quoted market values based on latest bid prices, where active markets exist, or models based on significant market observable inputs, where no active markets exist.
For fixed maturities, we use observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are inactive; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. We do not have any fixed maturities in our portfolio that require us to use unobservable inputs. The Company engages a third-party vendor who utilizes third-party pricing sources and primarily employs a market approach to determine the fair values of our fixed maturities. The market approach includes primarily obtaining prices from independent third-party pricing services as well as, to a lesser extent, quotes from broker-dealers. Our third-party vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events, to ensure pricing is appropriate. All classes of our fixed maturities are valued using this technique. We have obtained an understanding of our third-party vendor’s valuation methodologies and inputs. Fair values obtained from our third-party vendor are not adjusted by the Company.
Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on the first-in first-out basis and credited or charged to the consolidated statements of operations. Premium and discount on investments are amortized using the interest method and charged or credited to net investment income.
Fixed maturities and equity investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk and overall market volatility risk. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair values of the Company’s investments reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.
Impairment Assessment of Investments
The establishment of an other-than-temporary impairment on an investment requires a number of judgments and estimates.
We perform a quarterly analysis of our investments classified as available-for-sale and our limited liability investments to determine if any declines in market value are other-than-temporary. The analysis for available-for-sale investments includes some or all of the following procedures, as applicable:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | identifying all unrealized loss positions that have existed for at least six months; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | identifying other circumstances management believes may affect the recoverability of the unrealized loss positions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | obtaining a valuation analysis from third-party investment managers regarding the intrinsic value of these investments based on their knowledge and experience together with market-based valuation techniques; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | reviewing the trading range of certain investments over the preceding calendar period; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | assessing if declines in market value are other-than-temporary for debt instruments based on the investment grade credit ratings from third-party rating agencies; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | assessing if declines in market value are other-than-temporary for any debt instrument with a non-investment grade credit rating based on the continuity of its debt service record; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | determining the necessary provision for declines in market value that are considered other-than-temporary based on the analyses performed; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | assessing the Company's ability and intent to hold these investments at least until any investment impairment is recovered. |
The risks and uncertainties inherent in the assessment methodology used to determine declines in market value that are other-than-temporary include, but may not be limited to, the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the opinions of professional investment managers could be incorrect; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the historical trading patterns of individual investments may not reflect future valuation trends; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the credit ratings assigned by independent credit rating agencies may be incorrect due to unforeseen or unknown facts related to a company's financial situation; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the debt service pattern of non-investment grade instruments may not reflect future debt service capabilities and may not reflect a company's unknown underlying financial problems. |
We perform a quarterly analysis of our investments in private companies. The analysis includes some or all of the following procedures, as applicable:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the opinions of external investment and portfolio managers; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the financial condition and prospects of the investee; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | recent operating trends and forecasted performance of the investee; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | current market conditions in the geographic area or industry in which the investee operates; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | changes in credit ratings; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | changes in the regulatory environment. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
As a result of the analysis performed to determine declines in market value that are other-than-temporary, the Company recorded write downs for other-than-temporary impairment related to limited liability investments, at fair value. See "Investments" section below and Note 7, "Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Limited Liability Investments, at Fair Value
Limited liability investments, at fair value represent the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entities Net Lease Investment Grade Portfolio LLC ("Net Lease") and Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings"). The Company accounts for these investments at fair value with changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations.
Net Lease owns investments in limited liability companies that hold investment properties. The fair value of Net Lease's investments is based upon the net asset values of the underlying investments companies as a practical expedient to estimate fair value.
Argo Holdings makes investments in limited liability companies and limited partnerships that hold investments in search funds and private operating companies. The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in search funds is based on the initial investment in the search funds. The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in private operating companies is valued using a market approach.
Refer to Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Deferred Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is calculated based on the expected tax treatment of transactions recorded in our consolidated financial statements. In determining our provision for income taxes, we interpret tax legislation in a variety of jurisdictions and make assumptions about the expected timing of the reversal of deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the valuation of deferred income taxes.
The ultimate realization of the deferred income tax asset balance is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the Company's temporary differences reverse and become deductible. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred income tax asset balance will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is needed, management considers all available positive and negative evidence affecting specific deferred income tax asset balances, including the Company's historical and anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, and the availability of tax planning strategies.
Objective positive evidence is necessary to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of a company's deferred income tax asset balances when significant negative evidence exists. Cumulative losses are the most compelling form of negative evidence considered by management in this determination. To the extent a valuation allowance is established in a period, an expense must be recorded within the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2022, the Company maintains a valuation allowance of $130.6 million, all of which relates to its U.S. deferred income taxes. The largest component of the U.S. deferred income tax asset balance relates to tax loss carryforwards that have arisen as a result of losses generated from the Company's U.S. operations. Uncertainty over the Company's ability to utilize these losses over the short-term has led the Company to record a valuation allowance.
Future events may result in the valuation allowance being adjusted, which could materially affect our financial position and results of operations. If sufficient positive evidence were to arise in the future indicating that all or a portion of the deferred income tax assets would meet the more likely than not standard, all or a portion of the valuation allowance would be reversed in the period that such a conclusion was reached, which would beneficially impact our results of operations.
Accounting for Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions
The Company evaluates acquisitions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), to determine if a transaction represents an acquisition of a business or an acquisition of assets.
An acquisition of a business represents a business combination. The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for a business combination by assigning the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill. We determine the fair value of such assets and liabilities, often in consultation with third-party valuation advisors. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue, costs and cash flows, discount rates, royalty rates, and selection of comparable companies. The resulting fair values and useful lives assigned to acquisition-related intangible assets impact the amount and timing of future amortization expense. Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year but is considered complete once all necessary information is available to management to estimate fair value. Acquisition costs related to a business combination are expensed as incurred.
When an acquisition does not meet the definition of a business combination either because: (i) substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset, or group of similar identified assets, or (ii) the acquired entity does not have an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs, the Company accounts for the acquisition as an asset acquisition. In an asset acquisition, goodwill is not recognized. Any excess of the total purchase price plus transaction costs over the fair value of the net assets acquired is allocated on a relative fair value basis to the identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. The net assets acquired in an asset acquisition of property generally include, but are not limited to: land, building, building and tenant improvements, and intangible assets or liabilities associated with above-market and below-market leases and in-place leases.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Company's methodology for determining fair value of the acquired tangible and intangible assets and liabilities includes estimating an "as-if vacant" fair value of the physical property, which includes land, building, and improvements. In addition, the Company determines the estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, considering the following categories: (i) value of in-place leases, and (ii) above and below-market value of in-place leases. The value of in-place leases is estimated based on the value associated with the costs avoided in originating leases compared to the acquired in-place leases as well as the value associated with lost rental and recovery revenue during the assumed lease-up period. The value of in-place leases is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term and is included in amortization of intangible assets in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the above-market or below-market component of an acquired lease is based upon the present value (calculated using a market discount rate) of the difference between the contractual rents to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term and management’s estimate of the rents that would be paid using fair market rental rates and rent escalations at the date of acquisition over the remaining term of the lease. An identifiable intangible asset or liability is recorded if there is an above-market or below-market lease at an acquired property. The amounts recorded for above-market leases are included in intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheets, and the amounts for below-market leases are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. These amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis as an adjustment to rental revenue over the remaining term of the applicable leases. Changes to these assumptions could result in a different pattern of recognition. If tenants do not remain in their lease through the expected term or exercise an assumed renewal option, there could be a material impact to earnings.
Valuation and Impairment Assessment of Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Intangible assets with definite useful lives consist of database and customer relationships. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a definite-lived intangible asset be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that definite-lived intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the definite-lived intangible asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names, which are assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company may perform its impairment test for any indefinite-lived intangible asset through a qualitative assessment or elect to proceed directly to a quantitative impairment test, however, the Company may resume a qualitative assessment in any subsequent period if facts and circumstances permit.
Under the qualitative approach, the impairment test consists of an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset, or if a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated carrying amount of such asset exceeds its fair value, the Company performs a quantitative test. Factors that could trigger a quantitative impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant under performance relative to historical or projected future operating results and significant negative industry or economic trends.
As of November 30, 2022, the Company conducted its annual qualitative assessment. As a result, the Company determined that certain trade names should be further examined under a quantitative approach. Based on the results of the quantitative approach, the estimated fair values of the trade names exceeded their respective carrying values; therefore, the Company did not record any impairment.
No impairment charges were recorded against intangible assets in 2022 or 2021. Additional information regarding our intangible assets is included in Note 9, "Intangible Assets," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill Recoverability
Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units and compares it to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to such excess.
For Extended Warranty, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for a group of publicly traded insurance services and insurance brokerage companies, an approach that the Company views as a technique consistent with the objective of measuring fair value consistent with prior years’ assessments performed.
For Kingsway Search Xcelerator, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of EBITDA from its recent acquisitions of similar businesses.
Estimating the fair value of reporting units requires the use of significant judgments that are based on a number of factors including actual operating results, internal forecasts, market observable pricing multiples of similar businesses and comparable transactions and determining the appropriate discount rate and long-term growth rate assumptions. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment. It is reasonably possible that the judgments and estimates described above could change in future periods.
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of the goodwill impairment charge, or both.
No impairment charges were recorded against goodwill in 2022 or 2021, as the estimated fair values of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. Additional information regarding our goodwill is included in Note 8, "Goodwill," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Deferred Contract Costs
Deferred contract costs represent the deferral of incremental costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. Incremental costs to obtain a contract with a customer primarily include sales commissions. The Company capitalizes costs incurred to fulfill a contract if the costs are identifiable, generate or enhance resources used to satisfy future performance obligations and are expected to be recovered. Costs to fulfill a contract include labor costs for set-up activities directly related to the acquisition of vehicle service agreements. Contract costs are deferred and amortized over the expected customer relationship period consistent with the pattern in which the related revenues are earned. Amortization of incremental costs to obtain a contract and costs to fulfill a contract with a customer are recorded in commissions and general and administrative expenses, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charges related to deferred contract costs were recorded in 2022 or 2021.
Fair Value Assumptions for Subordinated Debt Obligations
Our subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. These inputs include credit spread assumptions developed by a third-party and market observable swap rates. The following summarizes the impacts:
| Impact of Rate Change on Fair Value | 2022 Result | 2021 Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libor: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to increase; decrease causes fair value to decrease | Increase to fair value | Increase to fair value | |||
| Risk free rate: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to decrease; decrease causes fair value to increase | Decrease to fair value | Decrease to fair value |
The other primary variable affecting the fair value of debt calculation is the passage of time, which will always have the effect of increasing the fair value of debt.
Therefore, changes in the underlying interest rates used would cause the fair value to be impacted, but only impacts the income statement (or comprehensive income/loss for the portion related to credit risk) and does not impact cash flows.
Fair Value Assumptions for Subsidiary Stock-Based Compensation Awards
Three of the Company's subsidiaries, PWSC, Ravix and SNS, have made grants of restricted stock awards or restricted unit awards (together "Subsidiary Restricted Awards"). The Subsidiary Restricted Awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period during which awards are expected to vest, with a corresponding increase to either additional paid-in capital for equity-classified awards or to a liability for liability-classified awards. Certain of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards are classified as a liability, either because they contain a noncontingent put option that is exercisable less than six months after the vesting of certain shares or because the awards are expected to settle in cash. Liability-classified awards, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, are measured and reported at fair value on the date of grant and are remeasured each reporting period. The Subsidiary Restricted Awards contain performance vesting and/or market vesting conditions. Performance vesting conditions are reviewed quarterly to assess the probability of achievement of the performance condition. Compensation expense is adjusted when a change in the assessment of achievement of the specific performance condition is determined to be probable. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis for awards subject to market conditions regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied, provided that the requisite service has been provided. Forfeitures are recognized in the period that Subsidiary Restricted Awards are forfeited.
The determination of fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is subjective and involves significant estimates and assumptions of whether the awards will achieve performance thresholds. The fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is estimated using either an internal valuation model without relevant observable market inputs, the Black-Scholes option pricing model and/or the Monte Carlo simulation model to derive certain inputs. The significant inputs used in the internal valuation model includes a valuation multiple applied to trailing twelve month earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards, expected dividend yield, and risk-free interest rates. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Monte Carlo simulation model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards and risk-free interest rates. The assumptions used in the Company’s Black-Scholes option-pricing and Monte Carlo simulation models requires significant judgment and represents management’s best estimates.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments include interest rate swap contract and the trust preferred debt repurchase options. The Company measures derivative financial instruments at fair value. The fair value of derivative financial instruments is required to be revalued each reporting period, with corresponding changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains or losses are recognized upon settlement of the contracts. See Note 11, "Derivatives" and Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Contingent Consideration
The consideration for certain of the Company's acquisitions include future payments to the former owners that are contingent upon the achievement of certain targets over future reporting periods. Liabilities for contingent consideration are measured and reported at fair value at the date of acquisition with subsequent changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations as non-operating other (expense) revenue.
Determining the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities requires management to make assumptions and judgments. The fair value of Company’s contingent consideration liabilities is estimated by applying the Monte Carlo simulation method to forecast achievement of gross profit or gross revenue. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market. Key inputs in the valuations include forecasted gross profit or revenue, gross profit or revenue volatility, discount rate and discount term. Management must use judgment in determining the appropriateness of these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Changes in assumptions could have a material impact on the amount of contingent consideration benefit or expense reported in the consolidated statements of operations and have an impact on the payout of contingent consideration liabilities. Contingent consideration liabilities are revalued each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities can result from changes to one or multiple inputs, including adjustments to the key inputs or changes in the assumed achievement or timing of any targets. Any changes in fair value are reported in the consolidated statements of operations as non-operating other (expense) revenue. Additional information regarding our contingent consideration liabilities is included in Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
A reconciliation of total segment operating income to net income for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is presented in Table 1 below:
Table 1 Segment Operating Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021
For the years ended December 31 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment operating income (loss) | ||||||
| Extended Warranty | 9,879 | 12,636 | (2,757) | |||
| Kingsway Search Xcelerator | 3,548 | 484 | 3,064 | |||
| Total segment operating income | 13,427 | 13,120 | 307 | |||
| Net investment income | 2,305 | 1,575 | 730 | |||
| Net realized gains | 1,209 | 1,809 | (600) | |||
| Loss on change in fair value of equity investments | (26) | (242) | 216 | |||
| (Loss) gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value | (1,754) | 2,391 | (4,145) | |||
| Gain on change in fair value of real estate investments | 1,488 | — | 1,488 | |||
| Gain on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts | 16,730 | — | 16,730 | |||
| Interest expense | (8,092) | (6,161) | (1,931) | |||
| Other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net | (17,206) | (11,395) | (5,811) | |||
| Amortization of intangible assets | (6,133) | (4,837) | (1,296) | |||
| Loss on change in fair value of debt | (4,908) | (3,201) | (1,707) | |||
| Gain on disposal of subsidiary | 37,917 | — | 37,917 | |||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt not allocated to segments | — | 311 | (311) | |||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit) | 34,957 | (6,630) | 41,587 | |||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 4,825 | (3,916) | 8,741 | |||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | 30,132 | (2,714) | 32,846 | |||
| (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of taxes | (12,805) | 4,574 | (17,379) | |||
| Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes | (2,262) | — | (2,262) | |||
| Net income | 15,065 | 1,860 | 13,205 |
Segment Operating Income, Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations and Net Income
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we reported segment operating income of $13.4 million compared to $13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase is primarily due to the following items:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Increased operating income from Kingsway Search Xcelerator, primarily due to including Ravix for twelve months in 2022 (acquired October 2021), as well as the November 2022 acquisitions of CSuite and SNS, which was partially offset by |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | 2021 operating income in Extended Warranty segment includes a gain on extinguishment of debt of $2.2 million, related to Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loan forgiveness, while there was zero in 2022; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | 2022 operating income includes a reduction to IWS operating income of $0.9 million, due to a change in estimate of IWS' deferred revenue and deferred contract costs associated with vehicle service contract fees; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The disposal of PWSC as of July 29, 2022, which had segment operating income of $0.1 million and $2.6 million for 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we reported income from continuing operations of $30.1 million compared to a loss from continuing operations of $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The income from continuing operations for 2022 is primarily due to:
| • | A gain on disposal of subsidiary of $37.9 million, related to the sale of PWSC; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A gain on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts of $16.7 million, related to the trust preferred debt repurchase options; | |
| • | A gain on change in fair value of real estate investments of $1.5 million; all of which were partially offset by | |
| • | An increase in interest expense related to rising interest rates; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net, which includes a $4.8 million increase in the fair value of previously-granted awards to PWSC employees that are accounted for on a fair value basis and $1.2 million increase in expense due to the increase in fair value of the Ravix contingent consideration; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Loss on change in fair value of debt, which increased by $1.7 million; |
| • | Loss on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value which increased by $4.1 million (see below); and | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Income tax expense which increased by $8.7 million. The income tax expense in 2022 is primarily due to the state tax expense associated with the sale of PWSC on July 29, 2022 and the related increase in valuation allowance from the accelerated utilization of indefinite life interest expense carryforwards as a result of such sale. The income tax benefit in 2021 is primarily due to the release of valuation allowance as a result of deferred tax liabilities available in 2021 arising from the acquisitions of Ravix Financial and PWI available to offset existing deferred tax assets. |
The loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 is primarily due to operating income in Extended Warranty (which includes gain on extinguishment of debt of $2.2 million, related to PPP loan forgiveness) that was negatively impacted by recording a $1.9 million non-cash, cumulative reduction to service fee and commission revenue relating to the decrease in PWI acquired deferred service fees as a result of finalizing the purchase accounting, net investment income, net realized gains, gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value and income tax benefit, partially offset by interest expense, other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net, increased amortization of intangible assets as a result of a $1.9 million non-cash, cumulative adjustment related to finalizing the PWI purchase accounting and loss on change in fair value of debt.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we reported net income of $15.1 million compared to $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. In addition to the items described above impacting income (loss) from continuing operations, the net income includes:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes of $12.8 million and income from discontinued operations, net of taxes of $4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes of $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. |
The loss from discontinued operations is related to the operations of CMC and VA Lafayette and is primarily due to a final management fee of $16.4 million resulting from the sale of the CMC railyard.
The loss on disposal of discontinued operations includes the gain on disposal of CMC of $0.2 million and a loss of $2.5 million related to a liability recorded at September 30, 2022 regarding the Company's obligation to indemnify a former subsidiary for open claims (the maximum liability under the indemnity is $2.5 million). See Note 5 "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
Extended Warranty
The Extended Warranty service fee and commission revenue decreased 0.1% (or $0.9 million) to $74.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $74.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Service fee and commission revenue was impacted by the following in 2022:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $3.1 million decrease at PWSC, due to the sale of PWSC on July 29, 2022 (the financial results for PWSC are only included through the disposal date); |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.7 million decrease at Geminus, due to the continued supply-chain issues in the automotive industry, resulting in significant increases in the prices of used automobiles, making it difficult for smaller automobile dealers to obtain inventory and, therefore, putting downward pressure on revenue; both of which were partially offset by |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $1.3 million increase at PWI. During the third quarter of 2021, PWI recorded a $1.9 million non-cash, cumulative reduction to service fee and commission revenue relating to the decrease in PWI acquired deferred service fees as a result of finalizing the purchase accounting. This was partially offset by similar macro-economic conditions as explained above for Geminus, as well as a restructuring of leadership at PWI that has resulted in a higher focus salesforce production; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $1.2 million increase at Trinity, primarily driven by a $0.9 million increase in its equipment breakdown and maintenance support services, as Trinity continues to recover from the original impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.4 million increase at IWS. During the first quarter of 2022, there was a change in estimate of IWS' deferred revenue associated with vehicle service contract fees, which resulted in a reduction to IWS revenue of $1.2 million. This reduction was more than offset by an increase in revenue due primarily to an increase in the number of VSAs written in 2022, as sales volume continues to trend up towards pre-COVID levels. IWS sells a substantial amount of VSAs for new automobiles but, more importantly, its products are distributed through credit unions at the point of vehicle financing, which has been less impacted by the recent macro-economic conditions. |
The Extended Warranty operating income was $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The 2021 operating income results include a $1.9 million non-cash, cumulative reduction to service fee and commission revenue relating to the decrease in PWI acquired deferred service fees as a result of finalizing the purchase accounting.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Operating income was primarily impacted by the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Inclusion of PPP loan forgiveness related to Extended Warranty companies of $2.2 million for 2021, of which there was zero in 2022; |
| • | A 1.1 million decrease at PWSC to an operating income of $0.9 million, primarily due to the sale of PWSC on July 29, 2022; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.5 million decrease at Geminus to $1.3 million, due to a decrease in revenue that was partially offset by a slight decrease in general and administrative expenses; all of which were partially offset by | |
| • | A $0.5 million increase at IWS to $4.0 million, primarily due to increased revenue. This was partially offset by a change in estimate of IWS' deferred revenue and deferred contract costs associated with vehicle service contract fees, which resulted in a reduction to IWS operating income of $0.9 million in 2022. Also, during 2022, IWS had a slight increase in commission and claims expense, as a decrease in the number of claims was slightly more than offset by an increase in the average cost of a claim; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.3 million increase at PWI to $2.1 million. The 2021 results include a $1.9 million non-cash, cumulative reduction to service fee and commission revenue relating to the decrease in PWI acquired deferred service fees as a result of finalizing the purchase accounting. The operating income for 2022 was impacted by an increase in claims expense (decreased volume of claims that was more than offset by a higher average cost per claim) compared to 2021; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.2 million increase at Trinity to $1.7 million, primarily due to an increase in revenue that was partially offset by an increase in cost of services sold and higher general and administrative expenses compared to 2021. |
Kingsway Search Xcelerator
The Kingsway Search Xcelerator revenue increased to $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Kingsway Search Xcelerator operating income was $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in revenue and operating income is primarily due to the inclusion of Ravix for a full year in 2022 following its acquisition effective October 1, 2021, as well as revenue and operating income derived from CSuite and SNS, which were acquired on November 1, 2022 and November 18, 2022, respectively.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income was $2.3 million in 2022 compared to $1.6 million in 2021. The increase in 2022 relates primarily to higher investment income from the Company's limited liability investments, fixed maturities and cash equivalents. The Company also benefited from increasing interest rates and an increase in the Company’s unrestricted cash balance (from $10.1 million as of December 31, 2021 to $64.2 million as of December 31, 2022).
The increases above were partially offset by a decrease in investment income from the Company's limited liability investments, at fair value, which is recognized based on the Company's share of the earnings of the limited liability entities.
Net Realized Gains
The Company recorded net realized gains of $1.2 million in 2022 compared to $1.8 million in 2021. The net realized gains for 2022 and 2021 primarily relate to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net realized gains on sales of limited liability investments; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Realized gains recognized by Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings"); and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions received from one of the Company’s investments in private companies in which its carrying value previously had been written down to zero as a result of prior distributions. |
(Loss) Gain on Change in Fair Value of Limited Liability Investments, at Fair Value
Loss on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value was $1.8 million in 2022 compared to a gain of $2.4 million in 2021. The loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 represents decreases in fair value of $0.9 million related to Net Lease Investment Grade Portfolio LLC ("Net Lease") and $0.8 million related to Argo Holdings. The remaining property in Net Lease was sold in February 2023.
The gain for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes increases in fair value of $1.6 million related to Net Lease, due to the sale of one of the Net Lease investment properties, and $0.8 million related to Argo Holdings.
Gain on Change in Fair Value of Real Estate Investments
Gain on change in fair value of real estate investments was $1.5 million in 2022 compared to zero in 2021. Real estate investments solely relates to investment real estate properties held by the Company’s consolidated subsidiary, Flower Portfolio 001, LLC ("Flower"). The Company consolidates the financial statements of Flower on a three-month lag. The increase in fair value is attributable to the sale of the Flower real estate investment properties for $12.2 million, which closed on September 29, 2022. As a result of the three-month lag, the Company recorded the sale transaction in its fourth quarter 2022 financial statements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Gain on Change in Fair Value of Derivative Asset Option Contracts
Gain on change in fair value of derivative asset option contracts was $16.7 million in 2022 compared to zero in 2021, due to the fact that the Company entered into three option agreements during the third quarter of 2022 to repurchase a significant portion of its subordinated debt. The amount relates to the difference between the value of the option at date of inception and the cash consideration paid of (total of $11.4 million), and the subsequent change in fair value of $5.3 million through December 31, 2022.
Refer to Note 11, "Derivatives," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information on the option agreements.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for 2022 was $8.1 million compared to $6.2 million in 2021. The increase in 2022 is primarily attributable to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | $2.1 million higher interest expense on the Company’s subordinated debt, which resulted from generally higher London interbank offered interest rates ("LIBOR") for three-month U.S. dollar deposits during 2022 compared to 2021. The Company's subordinated debt bears interest at the rate of LIBOR, plus spreads ranging from 3.85% to 4.20%; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An increase of $0.3 million related to the 2021 Ravix Loan, which was effective October 1, 2021, and has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 3.75% (current rate of 8.00%); |
| • | An increase of $0.1 million related to the new $6.0 million 2022 Ravix Loan, which was effective November 16, 2022 and has an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.75% (current rate of 8.25%); | |
|---|---|---|
| • | An increase of $0.1 million related to the new $6.5 million SNS Loan, which was effective November 18, 2022 and has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 5.00% (current rate of 8.00%); all of which were partially offset by | |
| • | A decrease of $0.4 million, related to the 2020 KWH Loan, as a result of lower principal balance, as well as an increase in fair value of the interest rate swap related to the 2020 KWH bank loan; and | |
| • | A decrease of $0.1 million related to notes payable at Net Lease. The Net Lease debt was repaid in the fourth quarter of 2020, however due to the three-month reporting lag for Net Lease, the Company continued to report interest expense through the first quarter of 2021 related to the Net Lease debt. |
See "Debt" section below for further details.
Other Revenue and Expenses not Allocated to Segments, Net
Other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments was a net expense of $17.2 million in 2022 compared to $11.4 million in 2021. Included are revenue and expenses associated with our various other investments that are accounted for on a consolidated basis, our insurance company that has been in run-off since 2012, and expenses associated with our corporate holding company.
The increase in net expense for 2022 is primarily attributable to a $4.8 million increase in the fair value of previously-granted awards to PWSC employees that are accounted for on a fair value basis and an increase in the fair value of the Ravix contingent consideration liability of $1.2 million, partially offset by lower general and administrative expense incurred by the holding company during 2022 compared to 2021.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets was $6.1 million in 2022 compared to $4.8 million in 2021.
The higher amortization expense for 2022 is related to amortization of intangible assets recorded in conjunction with the Company's acquisitions of Ravix effective October 1, 2021, CSuite effective November 1, 2022 and SNS effective November 18, 2022. During 2022, the Company recorded $1.1 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of amortization expense related to the intangible assets identified as part of the acquisitions of Ravix, CSuite and SNS.
See Note 4, "Acquisitions," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the Company’s acquisitions of Ravix, CSuite and SNS.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Debt
The loss on change in fair value of debt amounted to $4.9 million in 2022 compared to $3.2 million in 2021. The loss for 2022 reflects an increase in the fair value of the subordinated debt resulting primarily from changes in interest rates used (not related to instrument-specific credit risk). The following summarizes the impacts:
| Impact of Rate Change on Fair Value | 2022 Result | 2021 Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libor: | ||||
| increase causes fair value to increase; decrease causes fair value to decrease | Increase to fair value | Increase to fair value | ||
| Risk free rate: | ||||
| increase causes fair value to decrease; decrease causes fair value to increase | Decrease to fair value | Decrease to fair value |
See "Debt" section below for further information.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Gain on Disposal of Subsidiary
On July 29, 2022, the Company sold its 80% majority-owned subsidiary, PWSC. As a result of the sale, the Company recognized a net gain on disposal of $37.9 million during the third quarter of 2022. The sale of PWSC did not represent a strategic shift that would have a major effect on the Company's operations or financial results; therefore, PWSC is not presented within discontinued operations.
See Note 5, "Disposal and Discontinued Operations," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion of the PWSC disposal.
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt not Allocated to Segments
During 2021, gain on extinguishment of debt not allocated to segments consists of a $0.3 million gain (recorded in the first quarter of 2021) on forgiveness of the balance of the holding company's loan obtained through the PPP of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act. See Note 12, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense for 2022 was $4.8 million compared to income tax benefit of $3.9 million in 2021. The 2022 and 2021 income tax expense (benefit) is primarily related to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $1.0 million and an income tax benefit $0.4 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, for the partial release of the Company’s deferred income tax valuation allowance associated with business interest expense with an indefinite life; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $0.2 million in 2022 for the partial release of the Company’s deferred tax valuation allowance related to the change in future income assumptions and $4.1 million in 2021 for the partial release of the Company’s deferred income tax valuation allowance related to its acquisitions of PWI and Ravix; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, relating to a change in indefinite life deferred income tax liabilities; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $3.9 million and $0.4 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, for state income taxes. |
See Note 15, "Income Taxes," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional detail of the income tax benefit recorded for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
INVESTMENTS
Portfolio Composition
The following is an overview of how we account for our various investments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in fixed maturities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Equity investments are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The most recently available financial statements of the limited liability investments are used in applying the equity method. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investments and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments, at fair value represent the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entities Net Lease and Argo Holdings. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investments, at fair value and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in private companies consist of: convertible preferred stocks and notes in privately owned companies; and investments in limited liability companies in which the Company’s interests are deemed minor. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values and, therefore, are reported at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and impairments. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Real estate investments are reported at fair value, which consisted of Flowers. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Other investments include collateral loans and are reported at their unpaid principal balance. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Short-term investments, which consist of investments with original maturities between three months and one year, are reported at cost, which approximates fair value. |
At December 31, 2022, we held cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments with a carrying value of $134.2 million. Our U.S. operations typically invest in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments to mitigate their exposure to currency rate fluctuations.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Table 2 below summarizes the carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, at the dates indicated.
TABLE 2 Carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
As of December 31 (in thousands of dollars, except for percentages)
| Type of investment | 2022 | % of Total | 2021 | % of Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, government agencies and authorities | 15,080 | 11.2 | % | 16,223 | 16.9 | % | ||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 2,232 | 1.7 | % | 1,878 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | 8,412 | 6.3 | % | 7,629 | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Asset-backed | 1,610 | 1.2 | % | 445 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | 10,257 | 7.6 | % | 9,491 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | 37,591 | 28.0 | % | 35,666 | 37.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Equity investments: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | 153 | 0.1 | % | 171 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Warrants | — | — | % | 8 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Total equity investments | 153 | 0.1 | % | 179 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investments | 983 | 0.7 | % | 1,901 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investments, at fair value | 17,059 | 12.7 | % | 18,826 | 19.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Investments in private companies | 790 | 0.6 | % | 790 | 0.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate investments | — | — | % | 10,662 | 11.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Other investments | 201 | 0.2 | % | 256 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Short-term investments | 157 | 0.1 | % | 157 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Total investments | 56,934 | 42.4 | % | 68,437 | 71.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 64,168 | 47.9 | % | 10,084 | 10.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Restricted cash | 13,064 | 9.7 | % | 17,257 | 18.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 134,166 | 100.0 | % | 95,778 | 100.0 | % |
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its investments to determine if declines in market value are other-than-temporary. Further information regarding our detailed analysis and factors considered in establishing an other-than-temporary impairment on an investment is discussed within the "Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates" section of MD&A.
As a result of the analysis performed, the Company recorded write downs for other-than-temporary impairment related to limited liability investments, at fair value of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which are included in (loss) gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value in the consolidated statements of operations.
There were no write-downs recorded for other-than-temporary impairments related to available-for sale investments, limited liability investments, investments in private companies and other investments for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
The length of time a fixed maturity investment may be held in an unrealized loss position may vary based on the opinion of the investment manager and their respective analyses related to valuation and to the various credit risks that may prevent us from recapturing the principal investment. In the case of a fixed maturity investment where the investment manager determines that there is little or no risk of default prior to the maturity of a holding, we would elect to hold the investment in an unrealized loss position until the price recovers or the investment matures. In situations where facts emerge that might increase the risk associated with recapture of principal, the Company may elect to sell a fixed maturity investment at a loss.
At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities amounted to $2.5 million and $0.3 million, and there were no unrealized losses attributable to non-investment grade fixed maturities. At each of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, all unrealized losses on individual investments were considered temporary.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
DEBT
See Note 12 , " Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details to those provided below.
Bank Loans
In 2019, the Company formed Kingsway Warranty Holdings LLC ("KWH"), whose subsidiaries at the time included IWS, Geminus and Trinity. As part of the acquisition of PWI on December 1, 2020, PWI became a wholly owned subsidiary of KWH, which borrowed a principal amount of $25.7 million from a bank to finance its acquisition of PWI and to fully repay the prior outstanding loan at KWH (the "2020 KWH Loan"). The 2020 KWH Loan had an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, having a floor of 0.75%, plus 3.00%. During the second quarter of 2022, the 2020 KWH Loan was amended to change the annual interest rate to be equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), having a floor of 0.75%, plus spreads ranging from 2.62% to 3.12%. At December 31, 2022, the interest rate was 6.96%. The 2020 KWH Loan is carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its amortized cost, which reflects the pay-down of principal, as well as the amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs using the effective interest rate method. The 2020 KWH Loan matures on December 1, 2025.
The 2020 KWH Loan contains a number of covenants, including, but not limited to, a leverage ratio, a fixed charge ratio and limits on annual capital expenditures, all of which are as defined in and calculated pursuant to the 2020 KWH Loan that, among other things, restrict KWH’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, make dividends and distributions, engage in mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, make certain payments and investments and dispose of certain assets.
On February 28, 2023, KWH entered into a second amendment to the 2020 KWH Loan (the “KWH DDTL”) that provides for an additional delayed draw term loan in the principal amount of up to $10 million, with a maturity date of December 1, 2025. All or any portion of the KWH DDTL, subject to a $2 million minimum draw amount, may be requested at any time through February 27, 2024. The proceeds are evidenced by an intercompany loan and guarantee between KAI and KWH. Proceeds from certain assets dispositions, as defined, may be required to be used to repay outstanding draws under the DDTL. The principal amount shall be repaid in quarterly installments in an amount equal to 3.75% of the original amount of the drawn DDTL. The KWH DDTL also increases the senior cash flow leverage ratio maximum permissible for certain periods.
As part of the acquisition of Ravix on October 1, 2021, Ravix became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ravix Acquisition LLC ("Ravix LLC"), and together they borrowed from a bank a principal amount of $6.0 million in the form of a term loan, and established a $1.0 million revolver to finance the acquisition of Ravix (together, the "2021 Ravix Loan"). The 2021 Ravix Loan has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 3.75% (current rate of 8.00%) and is carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its amortized cost, which reflects the monthly pay-down of principal as well as the amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs using the effective interest rate method. The term loan matures on October 1, 2027.
Subsequent to the acquisition of CSuite on November 1, 2022, CSuite became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ravix LLC. As a result of the acquisition of CSuite, on November 16, 2022, the Ravix Loan was amended to (1) include CSuite as a borrower; (2) borrow an additional principal amount of $6.0 million in the form of a supplemental term loan (the "2022 Ravix Loan"); and (3) amend the maturity date and interest rate of the $1.0 million revolver (the "2022 Revolver"). The 2022 Ravix Loan matures on November 16, 2028 and has an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.75% (current rate of 8.25%) and is carried in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 at its amortized cost, which reflects the monthly pay-down of principal. The 2022 Revolver matures on November 16, 2024 and has an annual interest rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 0.50%.
The 2021 Ravix Loan and 2022 Ravix Loan contain a number of covenants, including, but not limited to, a leverage ratio and a fixed charge ratio, all of which are as defined in and calculated pursuant to the 2021 Ravix Loan and 2022 Ravix Loan that, among other things, restrict Ravix and CSuite’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, make dividends and distributions, engage in mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, make certain payments and investments and dispose of certain assets.
As part of the asset acquisition of SNS on November 18, 2022, the Company formed Secure Nursing Service LLC, who became a wholly owned subsidiary of Pegasus Acquirer Holdings LLC ("Pegasus LLC"), and together they borrowed from a bank a principal amount of $6.5 million in the form of a term loan, and established a $1.0 million revolver to finance the acquisition of SNS (together, the "SNS Loan"). The SNS Loan has an annual interest rate equal to the greater of the Prime Rate plus 0.5%, or 5.00% (current rate of 8.00%) and is carried in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 at its amortized cost, which reflects the monthly amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs using the effective interest rate method. The term loan matures on November 18, 2028 and revolver matures on November 18, 2023.
The SNS Loan contains a number of covenants, including, but not limited to, a leverage ratio and a fixed charge ratio and limits on annual capital expenditures, all of which are as defined in and calculated pursuant to the SNS Loan that, among other things, restrict SNS’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, make dividends and distributions, engage in mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, make certain payments and investments and dispose of certain assets.
Notes Payable
On January 5, 2015, Flower Portfolio 001, LLC assumed a $9.2 million mortgage in conjunction with the purchase of investment real estate properties ("the Flower Note"). The Flower Note was scheduled to mature on December 10, 2031 and had a fixed interest rate of 4.81%. On September 29, 2022, Flower sold its investment real estate properties and used a portion of the sales proceeds to repay the unpaid principal balance of the Flower Note. At December 31, 2021, the Flower Note is carried in the consolidated balance sheet at its unpaid principal balance.
In April 2020, certain subsidiaries of the Company received loan proceeds under the PPP, totaling $2.9 million with a stated annual interest rate of 1.00%. The PPP, established as part of the CARES Act and administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the "SBA"), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times of the average monthly payroll costs (as defined for purposes of the PPP) of the qualifying business. The loans and accrued interest are forgivable as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll, costs, rent and utilities, during the twenty-four week period following the borrower’s receipt of the loan and maintains its payroll levels and employee headcount. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower reduces its employee headcount below its average employee headcount during a benchmark period or significantly reduces salaries for certain employees during the covered period.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Company used the entire loan amount for qualifying expenses. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced that it will conduct audits for PPP loans that exceed $2.0 million. If we were to be audited and receive an adverse outcome in such an audit, we could be required to return the full amount of the PPP Loan and may potentially be subject to civil and criminal fines and penalties.
On December 21, 2020 the SBA approved the forgiveness of the full amount of one of the five PPP loans, which included principal and interest of $0.4 million. In January 2021 and March 2021, the SBA provided the Company with notices of forgiveness of the full amount of the remaining four loans. The forgiveness in the first quarter of 2021 included total principal and interest of $2.5 million.
Subordinated Debt
Between December 4, 2002 and December 16, 2003, six subsidiary trusts of the Company issued $90.5 million of 30-year capital securities to third parties in separate private transactions. In each instance, a corresponding floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debenture was then issued by Kingsway America Inc. to the trust in exchange for the proceeds from the private sale. The floating rate debentures bear interest at the rate of LIBOR, plus spreads ranging from 3.85% to 4.20%. The Company has the right to call each of these securities at par value any time after five years from their issuance until their maturity.
During the third quarter of 2018, the Company gave notice to its Trust Preferred trustees of its intention to exercise its voluntary right to defer interest payments for up to 20 quarters, pursuant to the contractual terms of its outstanding Trust Preferred indentures, which permit interest deferral. This action does not constitute a default under the Company's Trust Preferred indentures or any of its other debt indentures. At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, deferred interest payable of $25.5 million and $18.7 million, respectively, is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
On August 2, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with a holder of four of the trust preferred debt instruments ("TruPs") that gives the Company the option to repurchase up to 100% of the holder’s principal and deferred interest for a purchase price equal to 63% of the outstanding principal and deferred interest. Originally, the agreement called for a repurchase at 63%, which escalated to 63.75% once the September 26, 2022 agreement (described below) was signed. The Company has agreed that any repurchase made will be for no less than 50% of the TruPs held by the holder.
Until the earlier of (i) the date that all four of the preferred debt instruments have been repurchased and (ii) the nine month anniversary of the agreement ("May Termination Date"), all interest on the four preferred debt instruments will continue to accrue. However, with respect to TruPs that are repurchased prior to the May Termination Date, the amount of interest accrued during the term of the agreement will be treated as an offset and reduce the repurchase price for such TruPs. The Company will have no obligation to pay any such accrued interest with respect to any of the TruPs that are repurchased prior to the May Termination Date.
The Company paid approximately $2.0 million to the holder for this option and the Company has until the May Termination Date to execute the repurchases. If the Company repurchases less than $30.0 million of principal and deferred interest, or fails to purchase any principal or deferred interest within one year, then the $2.0 million paid is forfeited. If the Company repurchases an amount equal to or great than $30.0 million, then the $2.0 million paid would be applied to such repurchases.
On September 20, 2022, the Company entered into an additional agreement with the same party to the August 2, 2022 agreement that gives the Company the option to repurchase up to 100% of the holder’s principal and deferred interest for 63.75% of the outstanding principal and deferred interest relating to a portion of a fifth TruPs held. The September 20, 2022 agreement is subject to the same terms and conditions as the August 2, 2022 and no additional consideration was paid.
On September 26, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with a holder of a portion of one of the TruPs that gives the Company the option to repurchase up to 100% of the holder’s principal and deferred interest for a purchase price equal to 63% of the outstanding principal and deferred interest.
Until the earlier of (i) the date that all of the preferred debt instrument has been repurchased and (ii) the May Termination Date, all interest on the preferred debt instrument will continue to accrue. However, with respect to TruPs that are repurchased prior to the May Termination Date, the amount of interest accrued during the term of the agreement will be treated as an offset and reduce the repurchase price for such TruPs. The Company will have no obligation to pay any such accrued interest with respect to the TruPs that are repurchased prior to the May Termination Date.
The Company paid approximately $0.3 million to the holder for this option and the Company has until the May Termination Date to execute the repurchase. If the Company fails to purchase any principal or deferred interest before the May Termination Date, then the $0.3 million paid is forfeited. If the Company repurchases any of the TruPs, then the $0.3 million paid would be applied to any repurchases.
The Company continues to accrue interest on all six of the TruPs.
In February 2023, the Company entered into amendments to the repurchase agreements described above that would give the Company an additional discount on the total repurchase price if the Company effected a 100% repurchase on or before March 15, 2023. On March 2, 2023, the Company gave notice to the holders that it intends to exercise its options to repurchase 100% of the principal no later than March 15, 2023. The total amount to be paid will be $56.5 million, which includes a credit for the $2.3 million that the Company previously paid at the time of entering into the repurchase agreements. As a result, the Company will have repurchased $75.5 million of principal and $21.2 million of deferred interest (valued as of December 31, 2022). The Company intends to use currently available funds from working capital to fund the repurchases.
In order to execute the repurchase, the Company will have to pay an estimated $4.7 million of deferred interest to the remaining trust preferred debt instrument for which the Company did not have the right to repurchase. After the repurchase is completed, the Company will continue to have $15 million of principal outstanding related to remaining trust preferred debt instrument.
The agreements governing our subordinated debt contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make dividends and distributions, and make certain payments in respect of the Company’s outstanding securities.
The Company's subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. At December 31, 2022, the carrying value of the subordinated debt is $67.8 million. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. For a description of the market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party used in determining fair value of debt, see Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the market observable swap rates changed, and the Company experienced a decrease in the credit spread assumption developed by the third-party. Changes in the market observable swap rates affect the fair value model in different ways. An increase in the LIBOR swap rates has the effect of increasing the fair value of the Company's subordinated debt while an increase in the risk-free swap rates has the effect of decreasing the fair value. The increase in the credit spread assumption has the effect of decreasing the fair value of the Company's subordinated debt while a decrease in the credit spread assumption has the effect of increasing the fair value. The other primary variable affecting the fair value of debt calculation is the passage of time, which will always have the effect of increasing the fair value of debt. The changes to the credit spread and swap rate variables during 2022, along with the passage of time, contributed to the $6.8 million increase in fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022.
Of the $6.8 million increase in fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt between December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022, $1.9 million is reported as an increase in fair value of debt attributable to instrument-specific credit risk in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) and $4.9 million is reported as loss on change in fair value of debt in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Though changes in the market observable swap rates will continue to introduce some volatility each quarter to the Company’s reported gain or loss on change in fair value of debt, changes in the credit spread assumption developed by the third party does not introduce volatility to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt will eventually equal the principal value, totaling $90.5 million, of the subordinated debt by the time of the stated redemption date of each trust, beginning with the trust maturing on December 4, 2032 and continuing through January 8, 2034, the redemption date of the last of the Company’s outstanding trusts.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The purpose of liquidity management is to ensure there is sufficient cash to meet all financial commitments and obligations as they fall due. The liquidity requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries have historically been met primarily by funds generated from operations, capital raising, disposal of subsidiaries, investment maturities and investment income, and other returns received on investments and from the sale of investments.
A significant portion of the cash provided by our Extended Warranty companies is required to be placed into restricted trust accounts, as determined by the insurers who back-up our service contracts, in order to fund future expected claims. On a periodic basis (quarterly or annually), we may be required to contribute more into the restricted accounts or we may be permitted to draw additional funds from the restricted accounts, dependent upon actuarial analyses performed by the insurers regarding sufficiency of funds to cover future expected claims. A substantial portion of the restricted trust accounts are invested in fixed maturities and other instruments that have durations similar to the expected future claim projections.
Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for warranty expenses, business service expenses, debt servicing, acquisitions and operating expenses of the holding company.
The Company's Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator subsidiaries fund their obligations primarily through service fee and commission revenue.
Cash Flows from Continuing Operations
During 2022, the Company reported $2.6 million of net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations, primarily due to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The sale of PWSC, which generated cash flows of $1.8 million through the date of the sale in 2022, compared to $2.8 million for 2021; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.4 million reduction in cash flows from the remaining Extended Warranty companies; |
| • | Outflows at the holding company related to the TruPs repurchase option ($2.3 million); all of which were partially offset by; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | Continued cost containment initiatives at the holding company regarding ongoing expenses; and | |
| • | Increases in cash flows from the KSX companies, due to the inclusion of Ravix for the full twelve months in 2022 and the acquisitions of CSuite and SNS. |
During 2021, the Company reported $6.5 million of net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, primarily due to cash inflows generated by the Extended Warranty segment (which includes PWI for 12 months in 2021) and cost containment initiatives at the holding company.
During 2022, the net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations was $58.1 million. This source of cash was primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net cash proceeds received, net of cash disposed of from the sale of PWSC, of $35.2 million; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net cash proceeds received from the sale of the CMC Real Property of $26.4 million; |
| • | Cash proceeds received from the sale of real estate investments of $12.2 million; | |
|---|---|---|
| • | The acquisitions of CSuite and SNS in 2022, which totaled $13.7 million, net of cash acquired; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Purchases of fixed maturities in excess of proceeds from limited liability investments and from sales and maturities of fixed maturities. |
During 2021, the net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $9.0 million. This use of cash was primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Purchases of fixed maturities in excess of proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities of $15.6 million; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The acquisitions of Ravix and RoeCo in 2021, which totaled $12.6 million, net of cash acquired; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions received (reducing the use of cash) by Net Lease from two of its limited liability investment companies of $16.3 million; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds received (reducing the use of cash) from the Company's limited liability investments. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
During 2022, the net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $5.6 million, primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Principal repayments: on bank loans of $5.2 million, notes payable of $6.4 million, which relates to the repayment of the Flower Note; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $6.0 million; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net proceeds (reducing the use of cash) from bank loans of $12.7 million related to the 2022 Ravix Loan and the SNS Loan, and proceeds from the exercise of warrants of $0.5 million. |
During 2021, the net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $9.3 million, primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Principal repayments: on bank loans of $4.9 million, notes payable of $9.5 million, of which $9.0 million relates to the repayment of Net Lease's $9.0 million mezzanine loan and $0.5 million relating to principal paydowns on the Flower Note; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $2.4 million; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net proceeds (reducing the use of cash) from bank loans of $6.2 million related to the Ravix Loan and proceeds from the exercise of warrants of $1.8 million. |
Holding Company Liquidity
The liquidity of the holding company is managed separately from its subsidiaries. The obligations of the holding company primarily consist of holding company operating expenses; transaction-related expenses; investments; and any other extraordinary demands on the holding company.
Pursuant to satisfying the covenants under the 2020 KWH Loan, distributions to the holding company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 million in any 12-month period are permitted. Also, beginning in 2022, the holding company is permitted to receive a portion of the excess cash flow (as defined in the 2020 KWH Loan document) generated by the KWH Subs in the previous year. In 2022, the Company was entitled to 50% of the excess cash flow with the other 50% used to pay down the 2020 KWH Loan. During 2022, the Company received $1.7 million and in March 2022 paid down the KWH 2020 Loan by $1.7 million.
The amount of excess cash flow the Company is entitled to retain is dependent upon the leverage ratio (as defined in the 2020 KWH Loan document):
| Percent of excess cash flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| If leverage ratio is | retained by the Company | ||
| Greater than 1.75:1.00 | 50% | ||
| Less than 1.75:1.00 but greater than 0.75:1.00 | 75% | ||
| Less than 0.75:1.0 | 100% |
The Company anticipates that in 2023 it will be entitled to receive 75% of the 2022 excess cash flow.
On October 1, 2021, the Company closed on the acquisition of Ravix. Related to the Ravix acquisition, the Company secured the 2021 Ravix Loan with Ravix and Ravix LLC as borrowers under the 2021 Ravix Loan. On November 1, 2022, the Company closed on the acquisition of CSuite. Related to the CSuite acquisition, the Company secured the 2022 Ravix Loan with CSuite, Ravix and Ravix LLC as borrowers under the 2022 Ravix Loan. Pursuant to the covenants under the 2021 Ravix Loan and the 2022 Ravix Loan, Ravix and CSuite are permitted to make distributions to the holding company so long as doing such would not cause non-compliance with the various covenants outlined within the 2021 Ravix Loan and 2022 Ravix Loan.
On November 18, 2022, the Company closed on the acquisition of SNS. Related to the SNS acquisition, the Company secured the SNS Loan with SNS and Pegasus LLC as borrowers under the SNS Loan. Pursuant to the covenants under the SNS Loan, SNS is not permitted to make distributions to the holding company without the consent of the lender.
On October 18, 2018, the Company completed the previously announced sale of its non-standard automobile insurance companies Mendota Insurance Company, Mendakota Insurance Company and Mendakota Casualty Company (collectively "Mendota"). As part of the transaction, the Company will indemnify the buyer for any loss and loss adjustment expenses with respect to open claims in excess of Mendota's carried unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses at June 30, 2018 related to the open claims. The maximum obligation to the Company with respect to the open claims is $2.5 million. Per the purchase agreement, a security interest on the Company’s equity interest in its consolidated subsidiary, Net Lease, as well as any distributions to the Company from Net Lease, was to be collateral for the Company’s payment of obligations with respect to the open claims.
During the third quarter of 2021, the purchasers of Mendota and the Company agreed to release the Company's equity interest in Net Lease as collateral and allow Net Lease to make distributions to the Company. In exchange, the Company agreed to deposit $2.0 million into an escrow account and advance $0.5 million to the purchaser of Mendota to satisfy the Company's payment obligation with respect to the open claims.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
During the third quarter of 2022, the buyer provided to the Company an analysis of the claims development that indicated that the Company's potential exposure with respect to the open claims was at the maximum obligation amount. Previous communications from the buyer noted no such development. As a result of the newly provided information, the Company recorded a liability of $2.5 million during the third quarter of 2022, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 and loss on disposal of discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022. There were no payments made by the Company related to the open claims during the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. During the first quarter of 2023, the $2.0 million that had been previously deposited into an escrow account was released and remitted to the buyer to satisfy the Company's payment with respect to the open claims.
The holding company’s liquidity, defined as the amount of cash in the bank accounts of Kingsway Financial Services Inc. and Kingsway America Inc., was $48.9 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, which excludes future actions available to the holding company that could be taken to generate liquidity. The holding company cash amounts are reflected in the cash and cash equivalents of $64.2 million and $10.1 million reported at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The significant increase is primarily due to the sale of PWSC and the sale of the CMC railyard in 2022.
In addition to its collections from subsidiaries and holding company expenditures, the Company anticipates the following cash inflows and outflows over the next twelve months:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | Inflows: |
| • | Distributions from Net Lease of $8.3 million, from the sale of the last commercial real estate property in February 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| • | $3.7 million from the exercise of 0.7 million warrants from January 1 through February 28, 2023 | |
| • | $1.5 million distribution from Amigo, given that as of early March 2023 it was no longer a regulated insurance company |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | Outflows: |
| • | $56.5 million to repurchase the trust preferred debt instruments (aka subordinate debt) for which it has the option to repurchase, which outflow is expected no later than March 15, 2023 (see Note 11, "Derivatives," and Note 26, “Subsequent Events,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements) | |
|---|---|---|
| • | $4.7 million of deferred interest to the remaining trust preferred debt instrument for which the Company did not have the right to repurchase (see Note 26 , “ Subsequent Events ,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements); the Company would have the ability to defer interest payments for up to 20 quarters on the remaining trust preferred debt instrument, if it so elected | |
| • | $6.1 million required to redeem the Class A Preferred Shares; however, based on discussions with the holders of the Class A Preferred Shares, the Company anticipates that 100% of the Class A Preferred Shares would be converted and, in that case, there would be no cash outlay by the Company (see Note 19 , “ Redeemable Class A Preferred Stock ,” and Note 26 , “ Subsequent Events ,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements) |
The Company notes there are outstanding warrants that expire in September 2023 (see
Note 20
, “
Shareholders' Equity
,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and, if all outstanding warrants were exercised, the Company would receive an additional $18.7 million. The Company also notes that it has an additional $10 million available from the second amendment to the 2020 KWH Loan (see
Note 12
, "
Debt
," and
Note 26
, “
Subsequent Events
,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements), that is available to be drawn.
Based on the Company’s current business plan and revenue prospects, existing cash, cash equivalents, investment balances and anticipated cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital and operating expenditure requirements, including the cash that may be required to redeem the Preferred Shares, repurchase its trust preferred securities and pay deferred interest on its trust preferred securities, for the next twelve months. However, the Company’s assessment could also be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the developing macro-economic environment.
Regulatory Capital
Kingsway Reinsurance Corporation ("Kingsway Re"), our reinsurance subsidiary domiciled in Barbados, is required by the regulator in Barbados to maintain minimum statutory capital of $125,000. Kingsway Re is currently operating with statutory capital near the regulatory minimum, requiring us to periodically contribute capital to fund operating expenses. Kingsway Re incurs operating expenses of approximately $0.1 million per year. As of December 31, 2022, the capital maintained by Kingsway Re was in excess of the regulatory capital requirements in Barbados.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Table 3 summarizes cash disbursements related to the Company's contractual obligations projected by period, including debt maturities, interest payments on outstanding debt and future minimum payments under operating leases. Interest payments on outstanding debt in Table 3 related to the subordinated debt, the 2020 KWH Loan, the 2021 Ravix Loan, the 2022 Ravix Loan and the SNS Loan assume the variable rates remain constant throughout the projection period. Also, interest payments on outstanding debt reflect the interest deferral described in the "Subordinated Debt" section above.
TABLE 3 Cash payments related to contractual obligations projected by period
As of December 31, 2022 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank loans | 5,413 | 6,580 | 12,723 | 3,750 | 3,775 | 2,567 | 34,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | — | — | — | — | — | 90,500 | 90,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest payments on outstanding debt | 36,451 | 10,461 | 9,859 | 9,162 | 8,832 | 41,189 | 115,954 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Future minimum lease payments | 472 | 356 | 191 | 124 | 59 | 61 | 1,263 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 42,336 | 17,397 | 22,773 | 13,036 | 12,666 | 134,317 | 242,525 |
Table 3 above does not assume that the Company has repurchased any of its TruPs subordinated debt on or before March 15, 2023, as discussed in the “Debt” section above, given the table presents information as of December 31, 2022. Refer to Note 11, "Derivatives," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the trust preferred debt repurchase option agreements.
While the Company gave notice on March 1, 2023 of its intent to redeem the Preferred Shares on March 15, 2023, Table 3 above does not reflect the $6.1 million that may be paid for the redemption. See "Holding Company Liquidity" above for further discussion. Refer to Note 19, "Redeemable Class A Preferred Stock," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the Preferred Shares.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437749-22-004674.
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this 2021 Annual Report.
OVERVIEW
Kingsway is a Delaware holding company with operating subsidiaries located in the United States. The Company owns or controls subsidiaries primarily in the extended warranty, business services, asset management and real estate industries. Kingsway conducts its business through the following three reportable segments: Extended Warranty, Leased Real Estate and Kingsway Search Xcelerator.
Extended Warranty includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: IWS Acquisition Corporation ("IWS"), Geminus Holding Company, Inc. ("Geminus"), PWI Holdings, Inc. ("PWI"), Professional Warranty Service Corporation ("PWSC") and Trinity Warranty Solutions LLC ("Trinity"). Throughout this 2021 Annual Report, the term "Extended Warranty" is used to refer to this segment.
IWS is a licensed motor vehicle service agreement company and is a provider of after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions in 25 states and the District of Columbia to their members, with customers in all 50 states.
Geminus primarily sells vehicle service agreements to used car buyers across the United States, through its subsidiaries, The Penn Warranty Corporation ("Penn") and Prime Auto Care, Inc. ("Prime"). Penn and Prime distribute these products in 32 and 40 states, respectively, via independent used car dealerships and franchised car dealerships.
PWI markets, sells and administers vehicle service agreements to used car buyers in all fifty states via independent used car and franchise network of approved automobile and motorcycle dealer partners. PWI’s business model is supported by an internal sales and operations team and partners with American Auto Shield in three states with a white label agreement. PWI also has a "white label" agreement with Classic to sell a guaranteed asset protection product ("GAP") in states that Classic is approved in.
PWSC sells home warranty products and provides administration services to homebuilders and homeowners across the United States. PWSC distributes its products and services through an in-house sales team and through insurance brokers and insurance carriers throughout all states except Alaska and Louisiana.
Trinity sells heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC"), standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration warranty products and provides equipment breakdown and maintenance support services to companies across the United States. As a seller of warranty products, Trinity markets and administers product warranty contracts for certain new and used products in the HVAC, standby generator, commercial LED lighting and commercial refrigeration industries throughout the United States. Trinity acts as an agent on behalf of the third-party insurance companies that underwrite and guaranty these warranty contracts. Trinity does not guaranty the performance underlying the warranty contracts it sells. As a provider of equipment breakdown and maintenance support services, Trinity acts as a single point of contact to its clients for both certain equipment breakdowns and scheduled maintenance of equipment. Trinity will provide such repair and breakdown services by contracting with certain HVAC providers.
Leased Real Estate includes the Company's subsidiaries, CMC Industries, Inc. ("CMC") and Roeco Lafayette, LLC ("RoeCo"). Throughout this 2021 Annual Report, the term "Leased Real Estate" is used to refer to this segment.
CMC owns, through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary (the "Property Owner"), a parcel of real property consisting of approximately 192 acres located in the State of Texas (the "Real Property"), which is subject to a long-term triple net lease agreement. The Real Property is also subject to a mortgage, which is recorded as note payable in the consolidated balance sheets (the "Mortgage").
RoeCo owns real property consisting of approximately 6.5 acres and a 29,224 square foot single-tenant medical office building located in the State of Lousiana (the "LA Real Property"). The LA Real Property serves as a medical and dental clinic for the Department of Veteran Affairs and is subject to a long-term lease. The LA Real Property is also subject to a mortgage, which is recorded as note payable in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021 (the "RoeCo Mortgage").
Kingsway Search Xcelerator includes the Company's subsidiary, Ravix Financial, Inc. ("Ravix"). Ravix provides outsourced financial services and human resources consulting for short or long duration engagements for customers in
21
states and
5
countries.
All services are delivered by employees who are located in the United States. Throughout this
2021 Annual Report, the term "Kingsway Search Xcelerator" is used to refer to this segment.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a notable impact on general economic conditions, including but not limited to the temporary closures of many businesses; "shelter in place" and other governmental regulations; and many businesses continue to operate in a work-from-home mode.
The near-term impacts of COVID-19 are primarily with respect to our Extended Warranty segment. Consumer spending was initially impacted, including a decline in the purchase of new and used vehicles, and many businesses through which we distribute our products remained closed or were open but with capacity constraints. More recently, consumer spending has improved but supply-chain issues have caused a shortage of new automobiles which, in turn, has caused demand for used automobiles to increase. This dynamic has had both positive and negative impacts on the Company’s revenues. With respect to homeowner warranties, we saw an initial reduction in new enrollments in our home warranty programs associated with the impact of COVID-19 on new home sales in the United States.
The Company could experience other potential impacts as a result of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, potential impairment charges to the carrying amounts of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles and long-lived assets, the loss in value of investments, as well as the potential for adverse impacts on the Company's debt covenant financial ratios. The Company is not aware of any specific event or circumstance that would require an update to its estimates or judgments or a revision of the carrying value of its assets or liabilities as of the date of issuance of this 2021 Annual Report. Actual results may differ materially from the Company’s current estimates as the scope of COVID-19 evolves or if the duration of business disruptions is longer than initially anticipated. We continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic closely. However, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact our operations or financial results is uncertain. There remain many unknowns and the Company continues to monitor the expected trends and related demand for its services and will continue to adjust its operations accordingly.
NON U.S.-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURE
Throughout this 2021 Annual Report, we present our operations in the way we believe will be most meaningful, useful and transparent to anyone using this financial information to evaluate our performance. In addition to the U.S. GAAP presentation of net income (loss), we present segment operating income as a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, which we believe is valuable in managing our business and drawing comparisons to our peers. Below is a definition of our non-U.S. GAAP measure and its relationship to U.S. GAAP.
Segment Operating Income (Loss)
Segment operating income (loss) represents one measure of the pretax profitability of our segments and is derived by subtracting direct segment expenses from direct segment revenues. Revenues and expenses presented in the consolidated statements of operations are not subtotaled by segment; however, this information is available in total and by segment in Note 22, "Segmented Information," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, regarding reportable segment information. The nearest comparable U.S. GAAP measure to total segment operating income is loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit that, in addition to total segment operating income, includes net investment income, net realized gains, (loss) gain on change in fair value of equity investments, gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value, net change in unrealized loss on private company investments, other-than-temporary impairment loss, interest expense not allocated to segments, other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net, amortization of intangible assets, (loss) gain on change in fair value of debt and gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt not allocated to segments. A reconciliation of total segment operating income to loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is presented in Table 1 of the "Results of Continuing Operations" section of MD&A.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classification of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and their underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which they are determined.
The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and that require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Valuation of Fixed Maturities and Equity Investments
Our equity investments, including warrants, are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income (loss). Fair value for our equity investments are determined using quoted market values based on latest bid prices, where active markets exist, or models based on significant market observable inputs, where no active markets exist.
For fixed maturities, we use observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are inactive; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. We do not have any fixed maturities in our portfolio that require us to use unobservable inputs. The Company engages a third-party vendor who utilizes third-party pricing sources and primarily employs a market approach to determine the fair values of our fixed maturities. The market approach includes primarily obtaining prices from independent third-party pricing services as well as, to a lesser extent, quotes from broker-dealers. Our third-party vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events, to ensure pricing is appropriate. All classes of our fixed maturities are valued using this technique. We have obtained an understanding of our third-party vendor’s valuation methodologies and inputs. Fair values obtained from our third-party vendor are not adjusted by the Company.
Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on the first-in first-out basis and credited or charged to the consolidated statements of operations. Premium and discount on investments are amortized using the interest method and charged or credited to net investment income.
Fixed maturities and equity investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk and overall market volatility risk. Accordingly, it is reasonably possible that changes in the fair values of the Company’s investments reported at fair value will occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements.
Impairment Assessment of Investments
The establishment of an other-than-temporary impairment on an investment requires a number of judgments and estimates.
We perform a quarterly analysis of our investments classified as available-for-sale and our limited liability investments to determine if any declines in market value are other-than-temporary. The analysis for available-for-sale investments includes some or all of the following procedures, as applicable:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | identifying all unrealized loss positions that have existed for at least six months; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | identifying other circumstances management believes may affect the recoverability of the unrealized loss positions; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | obtaining a valuation analysis from third-party investment managers regarding the intrinsic value of these investments based on their knowledge and experience together with market-based valuation techniques; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | reviewing the trading range of certain investments over the preceding calendar period; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | assessing if declines in market value are other-than-temporary for debt instruments based on the investment grade credit ratings from third-party rating agencies; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | assessing if declines in market value are other-than-temporary for any debt instrument with a non-investment grade credit rating based on the continuity of its debt service record; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | determining the necessary provision for declines in market value that are considered other-than-temporary based on the analyses performed; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | assessing the Company's ability and intent to hold these investments at least until any investment impairment is recovered. |
The risks and uncertainties inherent in the assessment methodology used to determine declines in market value that are other-than-temporary include, but may not be limited to, the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the opinions of professional investment managers could be incorrect; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the historical trading patterns of individual investments may not reflect future valuation trends; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the credit ratings assigned by independent credit rating agencies may be incorrect due to unforeseen or unknown facts related to a company's financial situation; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the debt service pattern of non-investment grade instruments may not reflect future debt service capabilities and may not reflect a company's unknown underlying financial problems. |
We perform a quarterly analysis of our investments in private companies. The analysis includes some or all of the following procedures, as applicable:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the opinions of external investment and portfolio managers; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | the financial condition and prospects of the investee; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | recent operating trends and forecasted performance of the investee; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | current market conditions in the geographic area or industry in which the investee operates; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | changes in credit ratings; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| • | changes in the regulatory environment. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
As a result of the analysis performed to determine declines in market value that are other-than-temporary, the Company recorded write downs for other-than-temporary impairment related to certain of its investments. See "Investments" section below and Note 6, "Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Limited Liability Investments, at Fair Value
Limited liability investments, at fair value represent the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entities Net Lease Investment Grade Portfolio LLC ("Net Lease") and Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC ("Argo Holdings"). The Company accounts for these investments at fair value with changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations.
Net Lease owns investments in limited liability companies that hold investment properties. The fair value of Net Lease's investments is based upon the net asset values of the underlying investments companies as a practical expedient to estimate fair value.
Argo Holdings makes investments in limited liability companies and limited partnerships that hold investments in search funds and private operating companies. The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in search funds is based on the initial investment in the search funds. The fair value of Argo Holdings' limited liability investments that hold investments in private operating companies is valued using a market approach.
Refer to Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Valuation of Real Estate Investments
The fair value of real estate investments is subjective and involves a combination of the market and income valuation techniques. Under this approach, a market-based capitalization rate is derived from comparable transactions, adjusted for any unique characteristics of each asset, and applied to the asset under consideration. The cap rates used during underwriting and subsequent valuations incorporate the consideration of risks of vacancy and collection loss, administrative costs of owning net leased assets and possible capital expenditures that could be determined a landlord expense.
Valuation of Deferred Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is calculated based on the expected tax treatment of transactions recorded in our consolidated financial statements. In determining our provision for income taxes, we interpret tax legislation in a variety of jurisdictions and make assumptions about the expected timing of the reversal of deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the valuation of deferred income taxes.
The ultimate realization of the deferred income tax asset balance is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the Company's temporary differences reverse and become deductible. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred income tax asset balance will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is needed, management considers all available positive and negative evidence affecting specific deferred income tax asset balances, including the Company's historical and anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, and the availability of tax planning strategies.
Objective positive evidence is necessary to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of a company's deferred income tax asset balances when significant negative evidence exists. Cumulative losses are the most compelling form of negative evidence considered by management in this determination. To the extent a valuation allowance is established in a period, an expense must be recorded within the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2021, the Company maintains a valuation allowance of $169.7 million, all of which relates to its U.S. deferred income taxes. The largest component of the U.S. deferred income tax asset balance relates to tax loss carryforwards that have arisen as a result of losses generated from the Company's U.S. operations. Uncertainty over the Company's ability to utilize these losses over the short-term has led the Company to record a valuation allowance.
Future events may result in the valuation allowance being adjusted, which could materially affect our financial position and results of operations. If sufficient positive evidence were to arise in the future indicating that all or a portion of the deferred income tax assets would meet the more likely than not standard, all or a portion of the valuation allowance would be reversed in the period that such a conclusion was reached.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Accounting for Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions
The Company evaluates acquisitions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations ("ASC 805"), to determine if a transaction represents an acquisition of a business or an acquisition of assets.
An acquisition of a business represents a business combination. The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for a business combination by assigning the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill. We determine the fair value of such assets and liabilities, often in consultation with third-party valuation advisors. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue, costs and cash flows, discount rates, royalty rates, and selection of comparable companies. The resulting fair values and useful lives assigned to acquisition-related intangible assets impact the amount and timing of future amortization expense. Acquired intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Adjustments to fair value assessments are recorded to goodwill over the purchase price allocation period. Acquisition costs related to a business combination are expensed as incurred.
When an acquisition does not meet the definition of a business combination either because: (i) substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset, or group of similar identified assets, or (ii) the acquired entity does not have an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs, the Company accounts for the acquisition as an asset acquisition. In an asset acquisition, goodwill is not recognized. Any excess of the total purchase price plus transaction costs over the fair value of the net assets acquired is allocated on a relative fair value basis to the identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. The net assets acquired in an asset acquisition of property generally include, but are not limited to: land, building, building and tenant improvements, and intangible assets or liabilities associated with above-market and below-market leases and in-place leases.
The Company's methodology for determining fair value of the acquired tangible and intangible assets and liabilities includes estimating an "as-if vacant" fair value of the physical property, which includes land, building, and improvements. In addition, the Company determines the estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, considering the following categories: (i) value of in-place leases, and (ii) above and below-market value of in-place leases. The value of in-place leases is estimated based on the value associated with the costs avoided in originating leases compared to the acquired in-place leases as well as the value associated with lost rental and recovery revenue during the assumed lease-up period. The value of in-place leases is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term and is included in amortization of intangible assets in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the above-market or below-market component of an acquired lease is based upon the present value (calculated using a market discount rate) of the difference between the contractual rents to be paid pursuant to the lease over its remaining term and management’s estimate of the rents that would be paid using fair market rental rates and rent escalations at the date of acquisition over the remaining term of the lease. An identifiable intangible asset or liability is recorded if there is an above-market or below-market lease at an acquired property. The amounts recorded for above-market leases are included in intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheets, and the amounts for below-market leases are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. These amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis as an adjustment to rental revenue over the remaining term of the applicable leases. Changes to these assumptions could result in a different pattern of recognition. If tenants do not remain in their lease through the expected termor exercise an assumed renewal option, there could be a material impact to earnings.
Valuation and Impairment Assessment of Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Intangible assets with definite useful lives consist of database, customer relationships, in-place lease and non-compete agreement. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a definite-lived intangible asset be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that definite-lived intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the definite-lived intangible asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of a tenant relationship and trade names. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If facts and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the intangible asset is impaired, then a fair value-based impairment test would be required. Management must make estimates and assumptions in determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets that may affect any resulting impairment write-down. This includes assumptions regarding future cash flows and future revenues from the related intangible assets or their reporting units. Management then compares the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets to their respective carrying amounts. If the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds the fair values of that intangible asset, an impairment is recorded.
No impairment charges were recorded against intangible assets in 2021 or 2020. Additional information regarding our intangible assets is included in Note 9, "Intangible Assets," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Goodwill Recoverability
Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually as of November 30, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units and compares it to the carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to such excess.
For Extended Warranty, the Company estimates the fair value using a valuation technique based on observed market capitalization multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for a group of publicly traded insurance services and insurance brokerage companies, an approach that the Company views as a technique consistent with the objective of measuring fair value consistent with prior years’ assessments performed.
For Leased Real Estate, the Company models a hypothetical sale of the underlying asset in order to arrive at fair value, which, due to the unique nature of Leased Real Estate, the Company views as a technique consistent with the objective of measuring fair value. The estimated fair value of Leased Real Estate is highly sensitive to discount rates applied and changes in the underlying assumptions in the future could differ materially due to the inherent uncertainty in making such estimates. Additionally, estimates regarding future sales proceeds and timing of such proceeds could also have a significant impact on the fair value. The Company performed a Step 1 impairment assessment for Leased Real Estate at June 30, 2021, due to the sensitivity of interest rates in determining fair value and the impact that the additional borrowing may have on the determination of fair value. The results of this assessment indicated the fair value exceeded carrying value for Leased Real Estate. However, if there were sustained increases in the underlying interest rates used in our analysis then the fair value could be reduced to a level that could indicate impairment.
Estimating the fair value of reporting units requires the use of significant judgments that are based on a number of factors including actual operating results, internal forecasts, market observable pricing multiples of similar businesses and comparable transactions and determining the appropriate discount rate and long-term growth rate assumptions. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment. It is reasonably possible that the judgments and estimates described above could change in future periods.
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value of the reporting units, the amount of the goodwill impairment charge, or both.
No impairment charges were recorded against goodwill in 2021 or 2020, as the estimated fair values of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. Additional information regarding our goodwill is included in Note 8, "Goodwill," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Deferred Acquisition Costs
Deferred acquisition costs represent the deferral of expenses that we incur related to successful efforts to acquire new business or renew existing business. Acquisition costs, which are incremental costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and primarily include commissions and expenses incurred directly related to the acquisition of vehicle service agreements, are deferred and amortized over the expected customer relationship period consistent with the pattern in which the related revenues are earned. Management regularly reviews the categories of acquisition costs that are deferred and assesses the recoverability of this asset.
Fair Value Assumptions for Subordinated Debt Obligations
Our subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. These inputs include credit spread assumptions developed by a third-party and market observable swap rates. The following summarizes the impacts:
| Impact of Rate Change on Fair Value | 2021 Result | 2020 Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libor: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to increase; decrease causes fair value to decrease | Increase to fair value | Decrease to fair value | |||
| Risk free rate: | |||||
| increase causes fair value to decrease; decrease causes fair value to increase | Decrease to fair value | Increase to fair value |
The other primary variable affecting the fair value of debt calculation is the passage of time, which will always have the effect of increasing the fair value of debt.
Therefore, changes in the underlying interest rates used would cause the fair value to be impacted. However, such impact only impacts the income statement (or comprehensive income/loss for the portion related to credit risk) and does not impact cash flows.
Fair Value Assumptions for Subsidiary Stock-Based Compensation Awards
Two of the Company's subsidiaries, PWSC and Ravix, have made grants of restricted stock awards or restricted unit awards (together "Subsidiary Restricted Awards"). The Subsidiary Restricted Awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period during which awards are expected to vest, with a corresponding increase to either additional paid-in capital for equity-classified awards or to a liability for liability-classified awards. Certain of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards are classified as a liability, either because they contain a noncontingent put option that is exercisable less than six months after the vesting of certain shares or because the awards are expected to settle in cash. Liability-classified awards, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, are measured and reported at fair value on the date of grant and are remeasured each reporting period. The Subsidiary Restricted Awards contain performance conditions that are reviewed quarterly to assess the probability of achievement of the performance condition. Compensation expense is adjusted when a change in the assessment of achievement of the specific performance condition is determined to be probable. Forfeitures are recognized in the period that Subsidiary Restricted Awards are forfeited.
The determination of fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is subjective and involves significant estimates and assumptions of whether the awards will achieve performance thresholds. The fair value of the Subsidiary Restricted Awards is estimated using either an internal valuation model without relevant observable market inputs or the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The significant inputs used in the internal valuation model includes a valuation multiple applied to trailing twelve month earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. The determination of the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model is affected by subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the awards, expected volatility over the expected term of the awards, expected dividend yield, and risk-free interest rates. The assumptions used in the Company’s Black-Scholes option-pricing model require significant judgment and represent management’s best estimates.
Contingent Consideration
The consideration for certain of the Company's acquisitions include future payments to the former owners that are contingent upon the achievement of certain targets over future reporting periods. Liabilities for contingent consideration are measured and reported at fair value at the date of acquisition with subsequent changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statements of operations as other (expense) income.
Determining the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities requires management to make assumptions and judgments. The fair value of Company’s contingent consideration liability is estimated by applying the Monte Carlo simulation method to forecast achievement of gross profit. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market. Key inputs in the valuation include forecasted gross profit, gross profit volatility, discount rate and discount term. Management must use judgment in determining the appropriateness of these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Changes in assumptions could have a material impact on the amount of contingent consideration benefit or expense reported in the consolidated statements of operations and have an impact on the payout of contingent consideration liabilities. Contingent consideration liabilities are revalued each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities can result from changes to one or multiple inputs, including adjustments to the key inputs or changes in the assumed achievement or timing of any targets. Any changes in fair value are reported in the consolidated statements of operations as other (expense) income. Additional information regarding our contingent consideration liabilities is included in Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Revenue Recognition
Service fee and commission revenue represents vehicle service agreement fees, guaranteed asset protection products ("GAP") commissions, maintenance support service fees, warranty product commissions, homebuilder warranty service fees, homebuilder warranty commissions and business services consulting revenue based on terms of various agreements with credit unions, consumers, businesses and homebuilders. Customers either pay in full at the inception of a warranty contract, commission product sale or when consulting services are billed, or on terms subject to the Company’s customary credit reviews.
The Company’s revenue recognition policy follows guidance from ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which utilizes a five-step revenue recognition framework. The Company identifies the contract with its customers and then identifies the performance obligations in the contracts. The transaction price is determined based on the amount we expect to be entitled to in exchange for providing the promised services to the customer. The transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied.
Certain of the Company’s contracts with customers include obligations to provide multiple services to a customer. Determining whether services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately from one another requires judgment. Revenue from GAP commissions and homebuilder warranty service fees contain multiple distinct performance obligations that are accounted for separately.
Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price ("SASP") for each distinct performance obligation. Revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative SASP. SASP are not directly observable in the GAP and homebuilder warranty contracts for the separate performance obligations. As a result, the Company has applied the expected cost plus a margin approach to develop models to estimate the standalone selling price for each of its performance obligations in order to allocate the transaction price to the two separate performance obligations identified. In these models, the Company makes judgments about which of its actual costs are associated with each of the performance obligations. The relative percentage of expected costs plus a margin associated with these performance obligations is applied to the transaction price to determine the estimated SASP of the performance obligations, which the Company recognizes as earned as services are performed over the term of the contract period.
In certain jurisdictions the Company is required to refund to a customer a pro-rata share of the vehicle service agreement fees if a customer cancels the agreement prior to the end of the term. Depending on the jurisdiction, the Company may be entitled to deduct from the refund a cancellation fee and/or amounts for claims incurred prior to cancellation. While refunds vary depending on the term and type of product offered, historically refunds have averaged 9% to 13% of the original amount of the vehicle service agreement fee. Revenues recorded by the Company are net of variable consideration related to refunds and the associated refund liability is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The Company estimates refunds based on the actual historical refund rates by warranty type taking into consideration current observable refund trends in estimating the expected amount of future customer refunds to be paid at each reporting period.
Refer to Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about our revenue recognition accounting policies.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
RESULTS OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS
A reconciliation of total segment operating income to net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is presented in Table 1 below:
Table 1 Segment Operating Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
For the years ended December 31 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2021 | 2020 | Change | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment operating income (loss) | ||||||
| Extended Warranty | 12,636 | 6,604 | 6,032 | |||
| Leased Real Estate | 909 | (504) | 1,413 | |||
| Kingsway Search Xcelerator | 484 | — | 484 | |||
| Total segment operating income | 14,029 | 6,100 | 7,929 | |||
| Net investment income | 1,575 | 2,625 | (1,050) | |||
| Net realized gains | 1,809 | 580 | 1,229 | |||
| (Loss) gain on change in fair value of equity investments | (242) | 1,267 | (1,509) | |||
| Gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value | 2,391 | 4,046 | (1,655) | |||
| Net change in unrealized loss on private company investments | — | (744) | 744 | |||
| Other-than-temporary impairment loss | — | (117) | 117 | |||
| Interest expense not allocated to segments | (6,161) | (7,719) | 1,558 | |||
| Other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments, net | (11,395) | (10,606) | (789) | |||
| Amortization of intangible assets | (4,900) | (2,291) | (2,609) | |||
| (Loss) gain on change in fair value of debt | (3,201) | 1,173 | (4,374) | |||
| Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt not allocated to segments | 311 | (851) | 1,162 | |||
| Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit | (5,784) | (6,537) | 753 | |||
| Income tax benefit | (7,644) | (1,115) | (6,529) | |||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | 1,860 | (5,422) | 7,282 | |||
| Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes | — | 6 | (6) | |||
| Net income (loss) | 1,860 | (5,416) | 7,276 |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations and Net Income (Loss)
During the third quarter of 2021, the Company completed its fair value analysis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in its acquisition of PWI, which resulted in PWI recording a $3.6 million reduction to deferred service fees that will be amortized over time. As a result, PWI recorded a $1.9 million non-cash, current period cumulative reduction to service fee and commission revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2021. Of this amount, $1.4 million relates to the period from acquisition through June 30, 2021 and $0.4 million relates to the period from July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we reported income from continuing operations of $1.9 million compared to a loss from continuing operations of $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is primarily attributable to the items explained in the following paragraphs. Net income (loss) was the same as income (loss) from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 and was materially the same for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Extended Warranty
The Extended Warranty service fee and commission revenue increased 57.4% (or $27.3 million) to $74.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared with $47.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The 2021 service fee and commission revenue of $74.9 million includes a $1.9 million non-cash, cumulative reduction to service fee and commission revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2021 relating to the decrease in PWI acquired deferred service fees as a result of finalizing the purchase accounting. Service fee and commission revenue was impacted by the following in 2021:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $25.8 million increase due to the inclusion of PWI in 2021 following its acquisition effective December 1, 2020, which includes a $1.9 million non-cash, cumulative reduction to service fee and commission revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2021 relating to the decrease in PWI acquired deferred service fees as a result of finalizing the purchase accounting. However, the continued COVID-19 pandemic has caused supply-chain issues in the automotive industry, resulting in significant increases in the prices of used automobiles (PWI’s primary market), making it difficult for smaller automobile dealers to obtain inventory and, therefore, putting downward pressure on PWI’s revenue; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $2.1 million increase at Trinity driven by increased revenues ($1.4 million) in its equipment breakdown and maintenance support services primarily due to the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on 2020 revenues; and increased sales ($0.7 million) of extended warranty services product as a result of marketing efforts; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.6 million increase at PWSC, driven by a strong housing market; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.4 million increase at IWS. While IWS’ market is also impacted by similar macro-economic conditions brought on by the continued COVID-19 pandemic as explained above for PWI, IWS has more product diversity in that it also sells a substantial amount of VSAs for new automobiles but, more importantly, its products are distributed through credit unions at the point of vehicle financing, which has been less impacted by the recent macro-economic conditions; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $1.6 million decrease at Geminus, which is being impacted by similar macro-economic conditions brought on by the continued COVID-19 pandemic as explained above for PWI. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The Extended Warranty operating income was $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared with $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in operating income is primarily due to the following:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Inclusion of Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") loan forgiveness related to Extended Warranty companies of $2.2 million for 2021, compared with $0.4 million for 2020; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $1.1 million increase due to the inclusion of PWI in 2021 following its acquisition effective December 1, 2020. Current year results include a $1.9 million non-cash, cumulative reduction to service fee and commission revenue relating to the decrease in PWI acquired deferred service fees as a result of finalizing the purchase accounting during 2021; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $1.8 million increase at IWS primarily due to the increase in revenue explained above, as well as a decrease in claims authorized on vehicle service agreements (fewer claims in 2021 partially offset by higher cost per claim) and lower general and administrative expenses as the company continues to contain costs at pre-COVID levels; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.4 million increase at PWSC, primarily due to increased revenue and holding operating costs in-check; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.1 million increase at Geminus due to a decrease in claims authorized on vehicle service agreements (fewer claims in 2021) and lower general and administrative expenses as the company continues to contain costs at pre-COVID levels, both of which were essentially offset by a decrease in revenue; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.8 million increase at Trinity driven by increased revenues, partially offset by a related increase in cost of services sold (primarily for equipment breakdown and maintenance support services), compared to 2020. |
Leased Real Estate
Leased Real Estate rental revenue was $13.4 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The rental revenue is derived from CMC's long-term triple net lease.
Leased Real Estate operating income was $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to operating loss of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Leased Real Estate operating income (loss) includes interest expense of $6.2 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
The operating income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was impacted by:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $2.9 million expense recorded during the second quarter of 2021 to write-off an indemnification receivable (which is exactly offset by a tax benefit of $2.9 million in net income); |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Management expense of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 as a result of the March settlement agreement; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $0.6 million benefit recorded in 2021 related to the finalization of management fees and legal expenses associated with the settlement of CMC litigation. |
The operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was impacted by a $2.6 million management fee expense recorded pursuant to the CMC litigation settlement and $1.3 million of litigation expenses.
See Note 25, "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information on the CMC litigation settlement.
Kingsway Search Xcelerator
The Kingsway Search Xcelerator revenue was$3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and is derived from the Company's subsidiary, Ravix, that was acquired on October 1, 2021. Kingsway Search Xcelerator operating income was $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income was $1.6 million in 2021 compared to $2.6 million in 2020. The decrease in 2021 is primarily due to lower investment income from:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments, at fair value. This consists of Argo Holdings and Net Lease. Argo Holdings is not expected to generate a substantial portion of investment income annually. The Net Lease decrease is due to (1) the sale of two underlying properties over the past year and (2) interest income no longer being reported separately by Net Lease due to a change associated with the sale of the two properties; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Fixed maturities held within investments by Extended Warranty. The decrease is a result of general changes in market conditions. |
Net Realized Gains
The Company recorded net realized gains of $1.8 million in 2021 compared to $0.6 million in 2020. The net realized gains for 2021 primarily relate to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The sale of two limited liability investments during the fourth quarter of 2021; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Realized gains recognized by Argo Holdings; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions received from one of the Company’s investments in private companies in which its carrying value previously had been written down to zero as a result of prior distributions. |
The net realized gains for 2020 primarily relate to realized gains recognized by Argo Holdings.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(Loss) Gain on Change in Fair Value of Equity Investments
Loss on change in fair value of equity investments was $0.2 million in 2021 compared to a gain of $1.3 million in 2020. Significant drivers include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Unrealized losses of $0.3 million and $0.2 million on equity investments held during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net realized gains of less than $0.1 million and $1.5 million on equity investments sold during the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The net realized gains for the year ended December 31, 2020 relate primarily to the sale of the Company's shares of Limbach Holdings, Inc. ("Limbach") common stock. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company sold all of its shares of Limbach common stock for cash proceeds totaling $3.2 million. |
Gain on Change in Fair Value of Limited Liability Investments, at Fair Value
Gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value was $2.4 million in 2021 compared to $4.0 million in 2020. The gain for the year ended December 31, 2021 represents increases in fair value of $1.6 million related to Net Lease, due to net cash proceeds received in excess of the carrying value from the sale of one of the properties and a resulting reduction in debt at one of the underlying LLC's, as well as an increase in fair value of $0.8 million related to Argo Holdings.
The gain for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes an increase in fair value of $4.9 million related to Net Lease, due to the sale of one of the Net Lease investment properties, partially offset by a decrease in fair value of $0.8 million related to Argo Holdings.
Net Change in Unrealized Loss on Private Company Investments
Net change in unrealized loss on private company investments was zero in 2021 compared to $0.7 million in 2020. For 2021 and 2020, the Company did not record any adjustments to the fair value of its investments in private companies for observable price changes. As part of the Company's quarterly impairment analysis of its investments in private companies, the Company determined it should write down two of its investments for other-than-temporary impairment of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as a result of the impacts of COVID-19 on the investments' underlying business.
Interest Expense not Allocated to Segments
Interest expense not allocated to segments for 2021 was $6.2 million compared to $7.7 million in 2020. The decrease in 2021 is primarily attributable to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | $0.2 million lower interest expense related to the Company's bank loan used to acquire PWI in December 2020. As part of that transaction, the Company borrowed a principal amount of $25.7 million from a bank to partially finance the acquisition of PWI and to fully repay the prior outstanding loan at KWH (which had an original loan amount of $10.0 million). The new loan has an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, having a floor of 0.75%, plus 3.00% (current rate of 3.75%), while the previous loan had an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, having a floor of 2.00%, plus 9.25% (rate prior to payoff of 11.25%); |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | $0.5 million lower interest expense on the Company’s subordinated debt, which resulted from generally lower London interbank offered interest rates for three-month U.S. dollar deposits ("LIBOR") during 2021 compared to 2020. The Company's subordinated debt bears interest at the rate of LIBOR, plus spreads ranging from 3.85% to 4.20%; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An increase of $0.1 million that partially offset the above decreases, related to a new $6.0 million bank loan as part of the acquisition of Ravix on October 1, 2021, that has an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, having a floor of 0.75%, plus 3.00% (current rate of 3.75%). |
See "Debt" section below for further details.
Other Revenue and Expenses not Allocated to Segments, Net
Other revenue and expenses not allocated to segments was a net expense of $11.4 million in 2021 compared to $10.6 million in 2020.
The increase in net expense for 2021 is primarily attributable higher expense related to restricted stock awards due to new grants to officers of the Company, as well as an increase in fair value of previously-granted awards to a subsidiary President that are accounted for on a fair value basis. This increase was partially offset by:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | $1.3 million in expense recorded in 2020 to settle outstanding litigation between the Company and Aegis Security Insurance Company ("Aegis"); |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A decrease in audit professional services fees incurred during 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, as the Company is now current in its required financial filings; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Continued cost reduction initiatives with respect to the holding company’s ongoing expense base. |
See Note 25, "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion related to Aegis.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets was $4.9 million in 2021 compared to $2.3 million in 2020. The higher amortization expense for 2021 is related to amortization of intangible assets recorded in conjunction with the Company's acquisitions of PWI effective December 1, 2020 and Ravix effective October 1, 2021. During 2021, the Company finalized its fair value analysis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in its acquisition of PWI, which resulted in the Company recording $2.6 million of amortization expense during 2021 related to the intangible assets identified. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company completed a preliminary evaluation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in its acquisition of Ravix, which resulted in the Company recording $0.4 million of amortization expense during 2021 related to the intangible assets identified.
See Note 4, "Acquisitions," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the Company’s acquisition of PWI.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(Loss) Gain on Change in Fair Value of Debt
The loss on change in fair value of debt amounted to $3.2 million in 2021 compared to a gain on change in fair value of debt of $1.2 million in 2020. The loss for 2021 reflects an increase in the fair value of the subordinated debt resulting primarily from changes in interest rates used (not related to instrument-specific credit risk). The following summarizes the impacts:
| Impact of Rate Change on Fair Value | 2021 Result | 2020 Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libor: | ||||
| increase causes fair value to increase; decrease causes fair value to decrease | Increase to fair value | Decrease to fair value | ||
| Risk free rate: | ||||
| increase causes fair value to decrease; decrease causes fair value to increase | Decrease to fair value | Increase to fair value |
See "Debt" section below for further information.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt not Allocated to Segments
During 2021, gain on extinguishment of debt not allocated to segments consists of a $0.3 million gain (recorded in the first quarter) on forgiveness of the balance of the holding company's loan obtained through the PPP of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act.
During 2020, loss on extinguishment of debt not allocated to segments consists of a $0.9 million loss on the extinguishment of the 2019 KWH Loan, which includes the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and discount of $0.6 million and early termination fees paid to the lender of $0.2 million.
See Note 12, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion.
Income Tax Benefit
Income tax benefit for 2021 was $7.6 million compared to $1.1 million in 2020. The 2021 and 2020 income tax benefit is primarily related to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $1.9 million and $1.3 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, for the partial release of the Company’s deferred income tax valuation allowance associated with business interest expense with an indefinite life; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $0.5 million in 2021 and an income tax benefit of $0.5 million in 2020 attributable to the Company’s deferred income tax valuation allowance related to its acquisition of CMC; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $4.1 million in 2021 for the partial release of the Company’s deferred income tax valuation allowance related to its acquisitions of PWI and Ravix; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax benefit of $2.8 million in 2021 and an income tax expense of $0.2 million in 2020 relating to a change in unrecognized tax benefits; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.2 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, relating to a change in indefinite life deferred income tax liabilities; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | An income tax expense of $0.5 million and 0.3 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, for state income taxes. |
See Note 15, "Income Taxes," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional detail of the income tax benefit recorded for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
INVESTMENTS
PWI, which was acquired by the Company in December 2020, began investing a substantial portion of its restricted cash during 2021. Previously, PWI had not held a substantial amount of investments.
Portfolio Composition
The following is an overview of how we account for our various investments:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in fixed maturities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Equity investments are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The most recently available financial statements of the limited liability investments are used in applying the equity method. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investments and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments, at fair value represent the underlying investments of the Company’s consolidated entities Net Lease and Argo Holdings. The difference between the end of the reporting period of the limited liability investments, at fair value and that of the Company is no more than three months. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in private companies consist of: convertible preferred stocks and notes in privately owned companies; and investments in limited liability companies in which the Company’s interests are deemed minor. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values and, therefore, are reported at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and impairments. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Real estate investments are reported at fair value. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Other investments include collateral loans and are reported at their unpaid principal balance. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Short-term investments, which consist of investments with original maturities between three months and one year, are reported at cost, which approximates fair value. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
At December 31, 2021, we held cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments with a carrying value of $98.3 million.
Investments held by our insurance subsidiary, Kingsway Amigo Insurance Company ("Amigo"), must comply with domiciliary state regulations that prescribe the type, quality and concentration of investments. Our U.S. operations typically invest in U.S. dollar-denominated instruments to mitigate their exposure to currency rate fluctuations.
Table 2 below summarizes the carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, at the dates indicated.
TABLE 2 Carrying value of investments, including cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
As of December 31 (in thousands of dollars, except for percentages)
| Type of investment | 2021 | % of Total | 2020 | % of Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government, government agencies and authorities | 16,223 | 16.5 | % | 10,104 | 8.8 | % | ||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 1,878 | 1.9 | % | 1,454 | 1.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | 7,629 | 7.8 | % | 5,394 | 4.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Asset-backed | 445 | 0.5 | % | — | — | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate | 9,491 | 9.7 | % | 3,764 | 3.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | 35,666 | 36.4 | % | 20,716 | 18.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Equity investments: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | 171 | 0.2 | % | 155 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Warrants | 8 | 0.0 | % | 289 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Total equity investments | 179 | 0.2 | % | 444 | 0.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investments | 1,901 | 1.9 | % | 3,692 | 3.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Limited liability investments, at fair value | 18,826 | 19.1 | % | 32,811 | 28.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Investments in private companies | 790 | 0.8 | % | 790 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Real estate investments | 10,662 | 10.8 | % | 10,662 | 9.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Other investments | 256 | 0.3 | % | 294 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Short-term investments | 157 | 0.1 | % | 157 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Total investments | 68,437 | 69.6 | % | 69,566 | 60.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 12,642 | 12.9 | % | 14,374 | 12.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Restricted cash | 17,257 | 17.5 | % | 30,571 | 26.7 | % | ||||||||||
| Total | 98,336 | 100.0 | % | 114,511 | 100.0 | % |
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its investments to determine if declines in market value are other-than-temporary. Further information regarding our detailed analysis and factors considered in establishing an other-than-temporary impairment on an investment is discussed within the "Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Estimates" section of MD&A.
As a result of the analysis performed, the Company recorded the following write downs for other-than-temporary impairment:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Other investments: zero and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Limited liability investments, at fair value: $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, which are included in gain on change in fair value of limited liability investments, at fair value in the consolidated statements of operations. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Investments in private companies: zero and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which are included in net change in unrealized loss on private company investments in the consolidated statements of operations. |
There were no write-downs recorded for other-than-temporary impairments related to available-for sale investments or limited liability investments for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
The length of time a fixed maturity investment may be held in an unrealized loss position may vary based on the opinion of the investment manager and their respective analyses related to valuation and to the various credit risks that may prevent us from recapturing the principal investment. In the case of a fixed maturity investment where the investment manager determines that there is little or no risk of default prior to the maturity of a holding, we would elect to hold the investment in an unrealized loss position until the price recovers or the investment matures. In situations where facts emerge that might increase the risk associated with recapture of principal, the Company may elect to sell a fixed maturity investment at a loss.
At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the gross unrealized losses for fixed maturities amounted to $0.3 million and less than $0.1 million, and there were no unrealized losses attributable to non-investment grade fixed maturities. At each of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, all unrealized losses on individual investments were considered temporary.
Impact of COVID-19 on Investments
The Company continues to assess the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the value of its various investments, which could result in future material decreases in the underlying investment values. Such decreases may be considered temporary or could be deemed to be other-than-temporary, and management may be required to record write-downs of the related investments in future reporting periods.
DEBT
See Note 12, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details to those provided below.
Bank Loans
On October 12, 2017, the Company borrowed a principal amount of $5.0 million from a bank to partially finance its acquisition of PWSC (the "PWSC Loan"). The PWSC Loan was scheduled to mature on October 12, 2022; however, the principal was fully repaid on January 30, 2020.
In 2019, the Company formed Kingsway Warranty Holdings LLC ("KWH"), whose subsidiaries at the time included IWS, Geminus and Trinity. On March 1, 2019, KWH borrowed a principal amount of $10.0 million from a bank to finance its acquisition of Geminus (the "2019 KWH Loan"). The 2019 KWH Loan had an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, having a floor of 2.00%, plus 9.25%. The 2019 KWH Loan was scheduled to mature on March 1, 2024; however, the principal was fully repaid on December 1, 2020.
As part of the acquisition of PWI on December 1, 2020, PWI became a wholly owned subsidiary of KWH, which borrowed a principal amount of $25.7 million from a bank to finance its acquisition of PWI and to fully repay the 2019 KWH Loan (the "2020 KWH Loan"). The 2020 KWH Loan has an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, having a floor of 0.75%, plus 3.00% (current rate of 3.75%) and is carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its amortized cost, which reflects the quarterly pay-down of principal as well as the amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs using the effective interest rate method. The 2020 KWH Loan matures on December 1, 2025.
The 2020 KWH Loan contains a number of covenants, including, but not limited to, a leverage ratio, a fixed charge ratio and limits on annual capital expenditures, all of which are as defined in and calculated pursuant to the 2020 KWH Loan that, among other things, restrict KWH’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, make dividends and distributions, engage in mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, make certain payments and investments and dispose of certain assets.
As part of the acquisition of Ravix on October 1, 2021, Ravix became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ravix Acquisition LLC ("Ravix LLC"), and together they borrowed from a bank a principal amount of $6.0 million in the form of a term loan, and established a $1.0 million revolver to finance the acquisition of Ravix (together, the "Ravix Loan"). The Ravix Loan has an annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, having a floor of 0.75%, plus 3.00% (current rate of 3.75%) and is carried in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021 at its amortized cost, which reflects the monthly pay-down of principal as well as the amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs using the effective interest rate method. The revolver matures on October 1, 2023 and the term loan matures on October 1, 2017.
The Ravix Loan contains a number of covenants, including, but not limited to, a leverage ratio and a fixed charge ratio, all of which are as defined in and calculated pursuant to the Ravix Loan that, among other things, restrict Ravix’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, make dividends and distributions, engage in mergers, acquisitions and consolidations, make certain payments and investments and dispose of certain assets.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Notes Payable
As part of its acquisition of CMC in July 2016, the Company assumed the Mortgage and recorded the Mortgage at its estimated fair value of $191.7 million, which included the unpaid principal amount of $180.0 million as of the date of acquisition plus a premium of $11.7 million. The Mortgage matures on May 15, 2034 and has a fixed interest rate of 4.07%. The Mortgage is carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its amortized cost, which reflects the monthly pay-down of principal as well as the amortization of the premium using the effective interest rate method.
On June 2, 2021, TRT Leaseco ("TRT"), a subsidiary of CMC, entered into an amendment to the Mortgage to borrow an additional $15.0 million, which is recorded as note payable in the consolidated balance sheets ("the Additional Mortgage"). The net proceeds from the Additional Mortgage were used to advance increased rental payments to the parties that had entered into a legal settlement agreement reached during the first quarter of 2021, including the Company, which received $2.7 million. The Additional Mortgage matures on May 15, 2034 and has a fixed interest rate of 3.20%. The Additional Mortgage is carried in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021 at its amortized cost, which reflects the monthly pay-down of principal as well as the amortization of the debt discount and issuance costs using the effective interest rate method. See Note 25(a), "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Legal proceedings," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the CMC litigation settlement agreement.
As part of its acquisition of RoeCo on December 30, 2021, the Company assumed the LA Mortgage, which is comprised of a senior amortizing note, a senior interest only note and a junior note. The Company recorded the LA Mortgage at its aggregate unpaid principal amount of $13.5 million as of the date of acquisition plus a premium of $3.5 million. The senior amortizing note matures on September 14, 2036 and has a fixed interest rate of 3.75%. The senior interest only note matures on October 14, 2036 and has a fixed interest rate of 5.682%. The junior note matures on September 16, 2036 and has a fixed interest rate of 7.0%, of which a fixed amount is payable semi-annually and the remainder is added to the principal balance of the junior note. The LA Mortgage is carried in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021 at its aggregate unpaid principal balance.
On January 5, 2015, Flower Portfolio 001, LLC assumed a $9.2 million mortgage in conjunction with the purchase of investment real estate properties ("the Flower Note"). The Flower Note matures on December 10, 2031 and has a fixed interest rate of 4.81%. The Flower Note is carried in the consolidated balance sheets at its unpaid principal balance.
On October 15, 2015, Net Lease Investment assumed a $9.0 million mezzanine debt in conjunction with the purchase of investment real estate properties ("the Net Lease Note"). The Net Lease Note matured on November 1, 2020 and had a fixed interest rate of 10.25%. The Net Lease Note is carried in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 at its unpaid principal balance. In conjunction with the maturity of the Net Lease Note on November 1, 2020, Net Lease explored alternatives to maximize the value of its investment portfolio. As a result of this process, Net Lease elected to sell one of its three investment real estate properties while refinancing the remaining properties and the existing financing was repaid. Each of these transactions closed on October 30, 2020, however because the Company reports Net Lease on a three-month lag, the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 continues to report the $9.0 million mezzanine debt.
In April 2020, certain subsidiaries of the Company received loan proceeds under the PPP, totaling $2.9 million with a stated annual interest rate of 1.00%. The PPP, established as part of the CARES Act and administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the "SBA"), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times of the average monthly payroll costs (as defined for purposes of the PPP) of the qualifying business. The loans and accrued interest are forgivable as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll, costs, rent and utilities, during the twenty-four week period following the borrower’s receipt of the loan and maintains its payroll levels and employee headcount. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower reduces its employee headcount below its average employee headcount during a benchmark period or significantly reduces salaries for certain employees during the covered period.
The Company used the entire loan amount for qualifying expenses. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced that it will conduct audits for PPP loans that exceed $2.0 million. If we were to be audited and receive an adverse outcome in such an audit, we could be required to return the full amount of the PPP Loan and may potentially be subject to civil and criminal fines and penalties.
On December 21, 2020 the SBA approved the forgiveness of the full amount of one of the five PPP loans, which included principal and interest of $0.4 million. In January 2021 and March 2021, the SBA provided the Company with notices of forgiveness of the full amount of the remaining four loans. The forgiveness in the first quarter of 2021 included total principal and interest of $2.5 million. The carrying value of the PPP at December 31, 2020 represents its unpaid principal balance.
Subordinated Debt
Between December 4, 2002 and December 16, 2003, six subsidiary trusts of the Company issued $90.5 million of 30-year capital securities to third parties in separate private transactions. In each instance, a corresponding floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debenture was then issued by Kingsway America Inc. to the trust in exchange for the proceeds from the private sale. The floating rate debentures bear interest at the rate of LIBOR, plus spreads ranging from 3.85% to 4.20%. The Company has the right to call each of these securities at par value any time after five years from their issuance until their maturity.
During the third quarter of 2018, the Company gave notice to its Trust Preferred trustees of its intention to exercise its voluntary right to defer interest payments for up to 20 quarters, pursuant to the contractual terms of its outstanding Trust Preferred indentures, which permit interest deferral. This action does not constitute a default under the Company's Trust Preferred indentures or any of its other debt indentures. At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, deferred interest payable of $18.7 million and $14.1 million, respectively, is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
The agreements governing our subordinated debt contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make dividends and distributions, and make certain payments in respect of the Company’s outstanding securities.
The Company's subordinated debt is measured and reported at fair value. At December 31, 2021, the carrying value of the subordinated debt is $61.0 million. The fair value of the subordinated debt is calculated using a model based on significant market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party. For a description of the market observable inputs and inputs developed by a third-party used in determining fair value of debt, see Note 23, "Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the market observable swap rates changed, and the Company experienced a decrease in the credit spread assumption developed by the third-party. Changes in the market observable swap rates affect the fair value model in different ways. An increase in the LIBOR swap rates has the effect of increasing the fair value of the Company's subordinated debt while an increase in the risk-free swap rates has the effect of decreasing the fair value. The increase in the credit spread assumption has the effect of decreasing the fair value of the Company's subordinated debt while a decrease in the credit spread assumption has the effect of increasing the fair value. The other primary variable affecting the fair value of debt calculation is the passage of time, which will always have the effect of increasing the fair value of debt. The changes to the credit spread and swap rate variables during 2021, along with the passage of time, contributed to the $10.0 million increase in fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021.
Of the $10.0 million increase in fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021, $6.8 million is reported as an increase in fair value of debt attributable to instrument-specific credit risk in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive loss and $3.2 million is reported as loss on change in fair value of debt in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Though changes in the market observable swap rates will continue to introduce some volatility each quarter to the Company’s reported gain or loss on change in fair value of debt, changes in the credit spread assumption developed by the third party does not introduce volatility to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the Company’s subordinated debt will eventually equal the principal value, totaling $90.5 million, of the subordinated debt by the time of the stated redemption date of each trust, beginning with the trust maturing on December 4, 2032 and continuing through January 8, 2034, the redemption date of the last of the Company’s outstanding trusts.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The purpose of liquidity management is to ensure there is sufficient cash to meet all financial commitments and obligations as they fall due. The liquidity requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries have historically been met primarily by funds generated from operations, capital raising, disposal of discontinued operations, investment maturities investment income, other returns received on investments and from the sale of investments.
A significant portion of the cash provided by our Extended Warranty companies is required to be placed into restricted trust accounts, as determined by the insurers who back-up our service contracts, in order to fund future expected claims. On a periodic basis (quarterly or annually), we may be required to contribute more into the restricted accounts or we may be permitted to draw additional funds from the restricted accounts, dependent upon actuarial analyses performed by the insurers regarding sufficiency of funds to cover future expected claims. A substantial portion of the restricted trust accounts are invested in fixed maturities and other instruments that have durations similar to the expected future claim projections.
Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for warranty expenses, business service expenses, debt servicing, acquisitions and operating expenses of the holding company.
The Company's Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator subsidiaries fund their obligations primarily through service fee and commission revenue. The Company's Leased Real Estate subsidiaries fund their obligations through rental revenue.
Cash Flows
During 2021, the Company reported $5.9 million of net cash used in operating activities, primarily due to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $10.6 million cash outflow related to prepaid management fees recorded during the second quarter of 2021. The $10.6 million was only paid because of the gross proceeds received under the Additional Mortgage (shown as a cash inflow from financing activities), of which the Company retained $2.7 million; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | A $3.1 million change in other assets and liabilities, net, which is primarily due to a decrease in income taxes payable; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Cash inflows generated by the Extended Warranty segment (which includes PWI for twelve months in 2021) and cost containment initiatives at the holding company. |
To clarify, the gross proceeds received under the Additional Mortgage and associated cash outflows (to the Company and a third party) had essentially no impact on the Company’s overall net cash flows. However, the outflow to the third party is a reduction to operating cash flows while the gross proceeds are shown as a cash inflow from financing activities, as required by U.S. GAAP.
During 2021, the net cash used in investing activities was $8.6 million. This use of cash was primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Purchases of fixed maturities in excess of proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities of $15.6 million; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | The acquisitions of Ravix and RoeCo in 2021, which totaled $12.2 million, net of cash acquired; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions received (reducing the use of cash) by Net Lease from two of its limited liability investment companies of $16.3 million; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Proceeds received (reducing the use of cash) from the Company's limited liability investments. |
During 2021, the net cash provided by used in financing activities was $0.5 million, primarily attributed to:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Principal repayments: on bank loans of $4.9 million, notes payable of $14.0 million, of which $9.0 million relates to the repayment of Net Lease's $9.0 million mezzanine loan and $5.0 million relating to principal paydowns on the Mortgage, Additional Mortgage and the Flower Note; |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $2.4 million; and |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| • | Net proceeds (reducing the use of cash) from notes payable of $13.3 million related to the Additional Mortgage, net proceeds from bank loans of $6.2 million related to the Ravix Loan and proceeds from the exercise of warrants of $1.8 million. |
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
Holding Company Liquidity
The liquidity of the holding company is managed separately from its subsidiaries. The obligations of the holding company primarily consist of holding company operating expenses; transaction-related expenses; investments; and any other extraordinary demands on the holding company.
Actions available to the holding company to increase liquidity in order to meet its obligations include the sale of passive investments; sale of subsidiaries; issuance of debt or equity securities; exercise of warrants; distributions from the Company’s Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator subsidiaries, as further described below; and giving notice to its Trust Preferred trustees of its intention to exercise its voluntary right to defer interest payments for up to 20 quarters on the six subsidiary trusts of the Company’s subordinated debt, which right the Company exercised during the third quarter of 2018.
Receipt of dividends from the Company's insurance subsidiaries is currently not considered a source of liquidity for the holding company. The insurance subsidiaries have required regulatory approval for the return of capital and, in certain circumstances, prior to the payment of dividends. At December 31, 2021, Amigo was restricted from making any dividend payments to the holding company without regulatory approval pursuant to domiciliary state insurance regulations.
On December 1, 2020, the Company closed on the acquisition of PWI, a full-service provider of vehicle service agreements. Related to the PWI acquisition, the Company secured the 2020 KWH Loan with IWS, Trinity, Geminus and PWI (the "KWH Subs") as borrowers under the 2020 KWH Loan. Pursuant to satisfying the covenants under the 2020 KWH Loan, the KWH Subs were permitted to make distributions to the holding company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.5 million in any 12-month period (which is the same amount as under the predecessor loan).
Beginning in 2022, the Company is permitted to receive a portion of the excess cash flow (as defined in the 2020 KWH Loan document) generated by the KWH Subs in the previous year. Based on current covenants, the Company would be entitled to 50% of the excess cash flow with the other 50% used to pay down the 2020 KWH Loan. The Company is currently finalizing the excess cash flow calculation for the year ended December 31, 2021, but is expected to receive between $1.0 and $1.5 million (with an equivalent amount expected to pay down the KWH 2020 Loan).
The amount of excess cash flow the Company is entitled to retain is dependent upon the leverage ratio (as defined in the 2020 KWH Loan document):
| Percent of excess cash flow | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| If leverage ratio is | retained by the Company | ||
| Greater than 1.75:1.00 | 50% | ||
| Less than 1.75:1.00 but greater than 0.75:1.00 | 75% | ||
| Less than 0.75:1.0 | 100% |
Separately, pursuant to covenants under the PWSC Loan secured to partially finance the acquisition of PWSC on October 12, 2017, PWSC was not permitted to make distributions to the holding company without the consent of the lender. The PWSC Loan was scheduled to mature on October 12, 2022; however, the remaining principal totaling $0.3 million was fully repaid on January 30, 2020 and, as such, PWSC is no longer subject to such restrictions.
On October 1, 2021, the Company closed on the acquisition of Ravix. Related to the PWI acquisition, the Company secured the Ravix Loan with Ravix and Ravix LLC as borrowers under the Ravix Loan. Pursuant to the covenants under the Ravix Loan, Ravix is permitted to make distributions to the holding company so long as doing such would not cause non-compliance with the various covenants outlined within the Ravix Loan.
Historically, dividends from the Leased Real Estate segment were not generally considered a source of liquidity for the holding company. However, as more fully described in Note 25, "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the holding company is now permitted to receive 20% of the proceeds from the increased rental payments resulting from an earlier amendment to the CMC lease (or any borrowings against such increased rental payments). In the second quarter of 2021, the holding company received a dividend of $2.7 million from the net proceeds from the Additional Mortgage. Refer to Note 12, "Debt," to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information about this borrowing. In conjunction with the Additional Mortgage, TRT paid a guarantee fee of $1.1 million to a third-party during the second quarter of 2021, who is serving as a guarantor or indemnitor with respect to certain obligations between TRT and the holder of the Additional Mortgage. Refer to Note 25, "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of this off-balance sheet guarantee.
On October 18, 2018, the Company completed the previously announced sale of its non-standard automobile insurance companies Mendota Insurance Company, Mendakota Insurance Company and Mendakota Casualty Company (collectively "Mendota"). As part of the transaction, the Company will indemnify the buyer for any loss and loss adjustment expenses with respect to open claims in excess of Mendota's carried unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses at June 30, 2018 related to the open claims. The maximum obligation to the Company with respect to the open claims is $2.5 million. Per the purchase agreement, a security interest on the Company’s equity interest in its consolidated subsidiary, Net Lease, as well as any distributions to the Company from Net Lease, was to be collateral for the Company’s payment of obligations with respect to the open claims. During the third quarter of 2021, the purchasers of Mendota and the Company agreed to release the Company's equity interest in Net Lease as collateral and allow Net Lease to make distributions to the Company. In exchange, the Company agreed to deposit $2.0 million into an escrow account and advance $0.5 million to the purchaser of Mendota to satisfy the Company's payment obligation with respect to the open claims. Refer to Note 25, "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of this off-balance sheet guarantee.
The holding company’s liquidity, defined as the amount of cash in the bank accounts of Kingsway Financial Services Inc. and Kingsway America Inc., was $2.2 million (approximately five months of recurring operating cash outflows) and $1.1 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which excludes future actions available to the holding company that could be taken to generate liquidity. The holding company cash amounts are reflected in the cash and cash equivalents of $12.6 million and $14.4 million reported at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The holding company’s liquidity at December 31, 2021 represents only actual cash on hand and does not include cash that would be made available to the holding company from the sale of investments owned by the holding company. In addition, the holding company has access to some of the operating cash generated by the Extended Warranty and Kingsway Search Xcelerator subsidiaries as described above. While these sources do not represent cash of the holding company, they do represent future sources of liquidity.
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Management's Discussion and Analysis
As of December 31, 2021, there are 169,733 shares of the Company’s Class A Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Shares"), issued and outstanding. The outstanding Preferred Shares were required to be redeemed by the Company on April 1, 2021 ("Redemption Date") if the Company had sufficient legally available funds to do so. Additionally, the Company has exercised its right to defer payment of interest on its outstanding subordinated debt ("trust preferred securities") and, because of the deferral which totaled $18.7 million at December 31, 2021, the Company is prohibited from redeeming any shares of its capital stock while payment of interest on the trust preferred securities is being deferred. If the Company was required to pay either the Preferred Shares redemption value or both the deferred interest on the trust preferred securities and redeem all the Preferred Shares currently outstanding, then the Company has determined that it does not have sufficient legally available funds to do so. However, the Company is prohibited from doing so under Delaware law and, as such, (a) the interest on the trust preferred securities remains on deferral as permitted under the indentures and (b) in accordance with Delaware law the Preferred Shares were not redeemed on the Redemption Date and instead remain outstanding with a redemption value of $6.5 million as of December 31, 2021, continue to be convertible at the discretion of the holder, and will accrue dividends until such time as the Company has sufficient legally available funds to redeem the Preferred Shares and is not otherwise prohibited from doing so. The Company continues to operate in the ordinary course.
The Company notes there are several variables to consider in such a situation, and management continues to explore the following opportunities: negotiating with the holders of the Preferred Shares with respect to the key provisions, raising additional funds through capital market transactions, as well as the Company’s strategy of working to monetize its non-core investments while attempting to maximize the tradeoff between liquidity and value received.
Based on the Company’s current business plan and revenue prospects, existing cash, cash equivalents, investment balances and anticipated cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital and operating expenditure requirements, excluding the cash that may be required to redeem the Preferred Shares and deferred interest on its trust preferred securities, for the next twelve months. However, the Company’s assessment could also be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regulatory Capital
In the United States, a risk-based capital ("RBC") formula is used by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") to identify property and casualty insurance companies that may not be adequately capitalized. In general, insurers reporting surplus as regards policyholders below 200% of the authorized control level, as defined by the NAIC, at December 31 are subject to varying levels of regulatory action, including discontinuation of operations. As of December 31, 2021, surplus as regards policyholders reported by Amigo exceeded the 200% threshold.
During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company began taking steps to place all of Amigo into voluntary run-off. As of December 31, 2012, Amigo’s RBC was 157%. In April 2013, Kingsway filed a comprehensive run-off plan with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, which outlines plans for Amigo's run-off. Amigo remains in compliance with that plan. As of December 31, 2021, Amigo's RBC was 8,417%.
Kingsway Reinsurance Corporation ("Kingsway Re"), our reinsurance subsidiary domiciled in Barbados, is required by the regulator in Barbados to maintain minimum statutory capital of $125,000. Kingsway Re is currently operating with statutory capital near the regulatory minimum, requiring us to periodically contribute capital to fund operating expenses. Kingsway Re incurs operating expenses of approximately $0.1 million per year. As of December 31, 2021, the capital maintained by Kingsway Re was in excess of the regulatory capital requirements in Barbados.
New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards
On April 17, 2020, the Company received notification from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") of the Company's noncompliance with certain NYSE standards for continued listing of its common shares. Specifically, Kingsway was below the NYSE's continued listing criteria because its average total market capitalization over a 30 consecutive trading day period was less than $50.0 million at the same time that reported shareholders' equity was below $50.0 million. Under the NYSE's continued listing criteria, a NYSE-listed company must maintain average market capitalization of not less than $50.0 million over a 30 consecutive trading day period or reported shareholders' equity of not less than $50.0 million.
In accordance with the NYSE listing requirements, the Company submitted a business plan to the NYSE on June 1, 2020 that demonstrated how we expected to return to compliance with NYSE listing standard. On July 9, 2020, the NYSE notified the Company that the plan was accepted.
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KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
On January 18, 2021, the Company received notification from the NYSE that the Company is again in compliance with NYSE's continued listing standards, but that the Company was subject to continued monitoring and review for a period of 12 months. The Company remained in compliance during this 12-month period.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Table 3 summarizes cash disbursements related to the Company's contractual obligations projected by period, including debt maturities, interest payments on outstanding debt and future minimum payments under operating leases. Interest payments on outstanding debt in Table 3 related to the subordinated debt, the 2020 KWH Loan and the Ravix Loan assume LIBOR remains constant throughout the projection period. Also, interest payments on outstanding debt reflect the interest deferral described in the "Subordinated Debt" section above.
TABLE 3 Cash payments related to contractual obligations projected by period
As of December 31, 2021 (in thousands of dollars)
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Thereafter | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank loans | 4,305 | 4,455 | 4,655 | 11,271 | 1,250 | 1,250 | 27,186 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes payable | 6,499 | 7,047 | 7,623 | 8,229 | 8,729 | 158,260 | 196,387 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | — | — | — | — | — | 90,500 | 90,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest payments on outstanding debt | 8,805 | 36,601 | 11,875 | 11,365 | 10,638 | 63,072 | 142,356 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Future minimum lease payments | 908 | 628 | 554 | 382 | 165 | — | 2,637 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 20,517 | 48,731 | 24,707 | 31,247 | 20,782 | 313,082 | 459,066 |
Table 3 above does not reflect amounts that may be paid for the redemption of the 169,733 shares of Preferred Shares outstanding at December 31, 2021. Each Preferred Share is convertible into 6.25 common shares at a conversion price of $4.00 per common share any time at the option of the holder prior to the Redemption Date. On and after February 3, 2016, the Company may redeem all or any part of the then outstanding Preferred Shares for the price of $28.75 per Preferred Share, plus accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not declared, up to and including the Redemption Date. The total redemption amount of the Preferred Shares if the Preferred Shares are not converted is $6.5 million as of December 31, 2021. As discussed in the "Cash Flows" section above, in accordance with Delaware law, the Preferred Shares were not redeemed on the Redemption Date and instead remain outstanding, continue to be convertible at the discretion of the holder, and will accrue dividends until such time as the Company has sufficient legally available funds to redeem the Preferred Shares and is not otherwise prohibited from doing so. The timing and amount of cash, if any, to be paid by the Company will be based upon the extent, if at all, that the Company exercises its right to redeem any Preferred Shares prior to the Redemption Date or the holders of the Preferred Shares exercise their option to convert any of the Preferred Shares to common shares.
Refer to Note 19, "Redeemable Class A Preferred Stock," to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the Preferred Shares.
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