EMC Insurance Group Inc. said Monday that it
expects improving fourth-quarter and full-year operating results when it
announces earnings next month. The Des Moines-based property/casualty insurer
said it expects premium income to increase by 10.2 percent for the year ended
Dec. 31 and that operating income will be approximately $2.54 per share. The company's
most recent guidance had anticipated operating income of $2.05 to $2.30 per
share. Catastrophe and storm losses for 2012 are expected to total
approximately $53.46 million, significantly less than the unprecedented $88.3
million in losses in 2011. EMC's fourth-quarter and year-end earnings results
will be released before the market opens on Feb. 20.