News Details

Third quarter 2010 net incomeof $344 million, up 32 percent, or $1.32 per diluted share

Third quarter 2010 operating earnings were $355 million, up 31 percent, or $1.37 per diluted share

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP):

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) today reported record net income¹ of $344 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $260 million for the third quarter of 2009. Net income per diluted share for the third quarter of 2010 was $1.32 compared to $1.00 a year ago.

Operating earnings increased 31 percent to $355 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to $272 million a year ago. Operating earnings per diluted share were $1.37 in the third quarter of 2010, up 32 percent from $1.04 a year ago. Operating earnings growth reflected higher equity markets, reengineering benefits and the first full quarter of Columbia Management earnings.

Operating net revenues were $2.4 billion in the third quarter of 2010, up 26 percent from $1.9 billion a year ago, reflecting growth in asset-based fees driven by market appreciation, the acquisition of Columbia Management and retail net inflows.

As of September 30, 2010, the company’s excess capital position was more than $1.5 billion after deploying approximately $373 million in 2010 to repurchase more than 9.3 million shares of its common stock. The company’s investment portfolio ended the quarter with a $2.3 billion net unrealized gain. Excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and the equity impact of the required consolidation in certain investment entities, book value per share increased 10 percent from a year ago, to $37.30.

Return on shareholders’ equity excluding AOCI was 11.1 percent for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010. Operating return on equity excluding AOCI was 12.0 percent for the same time period.

"We generated record third quarter earnings, driven largely by strong results in Advice & Wealth Management and Asset Management,” said Jim Cracchiolo, chairman and chief executive officer. "We're growing our core client base and our advisor force is strong and increasingly productive. The integration of Columbia Management is proceeding well, and we are beginning to realize the benefits of the acquisition.”

“While we continue to operate in a challenging environment, I am pleased with our positioning and the overall strength of our company.”

1. Net income represents net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial.

Summary

The company believes that operating measures, which exclude net realized gains or losses, integration charges and the impact of the consolidation of certain investment entities, best reflect the performance of the business.

Third quarter operating earnings results included the following after-tax items:

Third quarter operating results in both periods benefited from the company’s annual review and unlocking of insurance and annuity valuation assumptions and model changes. In the third quarter of 2010, this benefited earnings by $37 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to a benefit of $87 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, a year ago.

The $37 million after-tax benefit in the third quarter of 2010 reflected the following:

• $101 million benefit from persistency improvements, including a net benefit from extending annuity amortization periods and increased living benefits expense.
• $55 million expense from resetting near-term equity return assumptions equal to the long-term assumptions and reducing both near- and long-term bond fund return assumptions.
• $9 million in additional expenses from all other assumption and model changes.

The $15 million after-tax net variable annuity benefits expense was primarily driven by the impact of a 22 basis point narrowing of the credit default spread on the liability valuation.

Taxes

The effective tax rate on net income excluding net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests and the required consolidation of certain investment entities was 27.6 percent in the third quarter of 2010. While the company continues to expect its full-year 2010 operating tax rate to be at the low end of the 25 to 27 percent range based on benefits from tax planning, higher pretax earnings would result in a higher effective tax rate.

Third Quarter 2010 Business Highlights

• Total owned, managed and administered assets were $649 billion at September 30, 2010, up 48 percent from a year ago as a result of the acquisition of Columbia Management and market appreciation.
• Total client assets increased 9 percent year-over-year to $313 billion, reflecting market appreciation, retail net inflows in the advisor network, and strong client and advisor retention.
• Advisor productivity, measured as operating net revenue per advisor, increased 21 percent compared to a year ago. Growth was primarily driven by higher asset-based fees as a result of year-over-year market appreciation and wrap net inflows, improved client activity and the company’s focus on higher-producing advisors.
• Total advisors declined 6 percent from a year ago to 11,608, primarily due to the continued departure of low-producing advisors. Advisor retention rates remained strong.
• Asset Management segment managed assets increased 89 percent to $445 billion largely due to the acquisition of Columbia Management and the year-over-year appreciation in the S&P 500, partially offset by net outflows. In the third quarter of 2010, U.S. Asset Management reported $3.2 billion in net outflows, primarily in equity and subadvisory portfolios. Threadneedle net inflows of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2010 primarily reflected strong institutional net inflows, partially offset by Zurich-related net outflows and European retail net outflows.
• Wrap assets increased 18 percent year-over-year to $105 billion and included $1.8 billion in net inflows in the third quarter of 2010.
• Variable annuity net inflows more than doubled sequentially to $0.5 billion driven by the company’s introduction of a new variable annuity in the Ameriprise channel, RAVA 5, and an updated guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit rider in the Ameriprise and third-party channels. Third quarter 2010 variable annuity net inflows more than offset continued outflows in fixed annuities.
• Variable universal life / universal life (VUL/UL) sales decreased 2 percent from a year ago, with equity market increases driving a 6 percent year-over-year increase in VUL/UL ending policyholder account balances.
• Ameriprise Auto & Home premiums increased 7 percent from a year ago, primarily due to growth in policy counts.

Liquidity and Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2010

The company maintains strong balance sheet fundamentals, excess capital and financial flexibility to capture additional growth opportunities.

Conservative capital management

• The company’s excess capital position was more than $1.5 billion.
• The company repurchased 3.6 million shares of its common stock during the third quarter of 2010 for $153 million.
• RiverSource Life Insurance Company’s estimated risk-based capital ratio remained above 500 percent.
• The debt-to-total capital ratio attributable to Ameriprise Financial was 20.0 percent. The debt-to-total capital ratio was 19.0 percent, excluding non-recourse debt, the impact of consolidated investment entities and the 75 percent equity credit for the hybrid securities.
• The company will continue to use enterprise risk management capabilities and product hedging to anticipate and mitigate risk. The company’s variable annuity hedging program continued to perform well.

Substantial liquidity

• Cash and cash equivalents were $3.7 billion, with $1.8 billion at the holding company level and $2.1 billion in free cash.
• The company will retire $340 million of debt on November 15, 2010. The company’s next outstanding debt maturity is in 2015.

High-quality investment portfolio

• The $33.6 billion available-for-sale portfolio remained well diversified and high quality.
• The investment portfolio remained in a net unrealized gain position, with $2.3 billion in net unrealized gains.
• The total investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $41.7 billion and remained well positioned. Detailed information about the portfolio is available at ir.ameriprise.com.

Segment Results

Advice & Wealth Management reported pretax income of $87 million for the third quarter of 2010. Segment operating earnings were $88 million compared to $28 million a year ago. Third quarter 2010 pretax margin was 9.2 percent and operating pretax margin was 9.3 percent.

Operating net revenues increased 14 percent, or $119 million, to $946 million from higher management and distribution fees partially offset by lower net investment income. Higher management and distribution fees were driven by year-over-year market appreciation, retail net inflows and increased brokerage transactional activity. The decline in net investment income was driven by lower short-term interest rates and lower certificate balances. The expected seasonal decline in third quarter distribution revenues was materially offset by increased sales of the company’s new variable annuity product.

Operating expenses increased 7 percent, or $59 million, to $858 million, primarily as a result of higher advisor compensation from business growth. General and administrative expenses excluding integration charges remained well controlled, contributing to margin expansion. Operating general and administrative expenses declined $7 million from the prior year and $4 million sequentially.

Advisor productivity increased 21 percent from a year ago driven by higher asset-based fees as a result of year-over-year market appreciation and net inflows, improved client activity, and the company’s focus on higher-producing advisors.

Asset Management reported pretax income of $104 million for the third quarter of 2010. Segment operating earnings were $121 million compared to $17 million a year ago driven by the acquisition of Columbia Management, year-over-year market appreciation on assets, and re-engineering benefits. Third quarter 2010 pretax margin was 15.7 percent and operating pretax margin was 18.3 percent. The 4 percent sequential decline in the average S&P 500 negatively impacted operating pretax margins by approximately 1 percent.

Operating net revenues more than doubled compared to a year ago, increasing $333 million to $661 million, driven by an increase in management fees due to growth in assets from the acquisition and market appreciation.

Operating expenses increased 74 percent, or $229 million, to $540 million, primarily reflecting increased ongoing general and administrative and distribution expenses from the acquisition. Year to date, the company has realized approximately $47 million in integration gross synergies and approximately $76 million in integration-related expenses, which were consistent with original estimates.

U.S. Asset Management assets under management were $347 billion at September 30, 2010 compared to $146 billion a year ago, driven by the Columbia Management acquisition and market appreciation. Investment performance continued to be solid, complementing strong longer-term investment track records. Net outflows of $3.2 billion in the quarter were primarily in equity and subadvisory portfolios, reflecting industry-wide outflows in equities and lower retail sales as a result of pending fund mergers.

Threadneedle assets under management were $102 billion at September 30, 2010, up 9 percent from a year ago, reflecting year-over-year market appreciation and net inflows. Net inflows of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2010 primarily reflected strong institutional net inflows, partially offset by Zurich-related net outflows and European retail net outflows. Overall, investment track records remained strong.

Annuities reported pretax income of $264 million for the third quarter of 2010. Segment operating earnings were $265 million for the third quarter of 2010, down $3 million from a year ago. The items listed in the table above drove $26 million of the operating earnings decline, which was largely offset by business growth.

Operating net revenues increased 6 percent, or $36 million, to $627 million, reflecting increased management fees from higher separate account balances, increased premiums from life contingent payout annuities, and higher fees from variable annuity guarantees. Third quarter 2010 net investment income declined primarily as a result of the implementation of Enhanced Portfolio Navigator in the second quarter of 2010, which resulted in a decline in general account assets and a commensurate increase in separate accounts.

Segment general and administrative expenses were down $2 million compared to a year ago. These expenses declined $7 million sequentially as costs associated with the RAVA 5 introduction and the implementation of Enhanced Portfolio Navigator declined.

Variable annuity net inflows more than doubled sequentially from the introduction of RAVA 5 in the Ameriprise channel and an updated guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit rider in the advisor and outside distribution channels. Variable annuity net inflows in the third quarter of 2010 were partially offset by continued fixed annuity net outflows reflecting low client demand.

Protection reported pretax income of $65 million for the third quarter of 2010. Segment operating earnings were also $65 million, down $73 million from a year ago. The items listed in the table above drove a $63 million year-over-year decline in third quarter earnings.

Operating net revenues increased 13 percent, or $59 million, to $502 million. The impact of unlocking in both periods resulted in $45 million in net revenue growth, with the remaining growth primarily driven by auto and home premiums.

Operating expenses increased 43 percent, or $132 million, to $437 million. The impact of unlocking in both periods resulted in $117 million in increased expenses in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the prior-year period. Benefits expenses also increased due to higher disability income and long-term care insurance claims in the third quarter of 2010.

Life and health insurance cash sales were flat with the year-ago period and down sequentially, reflecting historical third quarter seasonality.

Auto and Home continued to increase policy counts and retention remained strong, driving net written premiums up 7 percent compared to a year ago. In addition, the combined loss ratio and expense ratio in the quarter remained favorable.

Corporate & Other reported a pretax loss of $78 million for the third quarter of 2010. Segment operating loss was $48 million in the quarter compared to an operating pretax loss of $93 million a year ago.

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a diversified financial services company serving the comprehensive financial planning needs of the mass affluent and affluent. For more information visit ameriprise.com.

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. offers financial planning services, investments, insurance and annuity products. RiverSource insurance and annuity products are issued by RiverSource Life Insurance Company, and in New York only by RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York, Albany, New York. Only RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York is authorized to sell insurance and annuity products in the state of New York. These companies are all part of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. CA License #0684538. RiverSource Distributors, Inc. (Distributor), Member FINRA.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management’s plans, estimates and beliefs. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking statements include:

• the statement of belief in this news release that the Columbia Management integration is proceeding well and the company is realizing the benefits of the acquisition;
• the statement of intention in this news release that the company will retire $340 million in debt on November 15, 2010;
• the statement of belief in this news release that the company will continue to use enterprise risk management capabilities and product hedging to anticipate and mitigate risk;
• the statement of belief in this news release that the company expects its 2010 full-year effective tax rate will be at the low end of the 25 to 27 percent range;
• statements of the company’s plans, intentions, positioning, expectations, objectives or goals, including those relating to asset flows, mass affluent and affluent client acquisition strategy, client retention and growth of our client base, financial advisor productivity, retention, recruiting and enrollments, general and administrative costs, consolidated tax rate, return of capital to shareholders, and excess capital position and financial flexibility to capture additional growth opportunities;
• other statements about future economic performance, the performance of equity markets and interest rate variations and the economic performance of the United States and of global markets; and
• statements of assumptions underlying such statements.

The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “optimistic,” “intend,” “plan,” “aim,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “likely,” “forecast,” “on pace,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.

Such factors include, but are not limited to:

• changes in the valuations, liquidity and volatility in the interest rate, credit default, equity market and foreign exchange environments;
• changes in relevant accounting standards, as well as changes in the litigation and regulatory environment, including ongoing legal proceedings and regulatory actions, the frequency and extent of legal claims threatened or initiated by clients, other persons and regulators, and developments in regulation and legislation, including the recent enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act;
• investment management performance and consumer acceptance of the company’s products;
• effects of competition in the financial services industry and changes in product distribution mix and distribution channels;
• changes to the company’s reputation that may arise from employee or affiliated advisor misconduct, legal or regulatory actions, improper management of conflicts of interest or otherwise;
• the company’s capital structure, including indebtedness, limitations on subsidiaries to pay dividends, and the extent, manner, terms and timing of any share or debt repurchases management may effect as well as the opinions of rating agencies and other analysts and the reactions of market participants or the company’s regulators, advisors, distribution partners or customers in response to any change or prospect of change in any such opinion;
• risks of default, capacity constraint or repricing by issuers or guarantors of investments the company owns or by counterparties to hedge, derivative, insurance or reinsurance arrangements or by manufacturers of products the company distributes, experience deviations from the company’s assumptions regarding such risks, the evaluations or the prospect of changes in evaluations of any such third parties published by rating agencies or other analysts, and the reactions of other market participants or the company’s regulators, advisors, distribution partners or customers in response to any such evaluation or prospect of changes in evaluation;
• experience deviations from the company’s assumptions regarding morbidity, mortality and persistency in certain annuity and insurance products, or from assumptions regarding market returns assumed in valuing DAC and DSIC or market volatility underlying our valuation and hedging of guaranteed living benefit annuity riders, or from assumptions regarding anticipated claims and losses relating to our automobile and home insurance products;
• changes in capital requirements that may be indicated, required or advised by regulators or rating agencies;
• the impacts of the company’s efforts to improve distribution economics and to grow third-party distribution of its products;
• the ability to complete the acquisition opportunities the company negotiates and to pursue other growth opportunities;
• the company’s ability to realize the financial, operating and business fundamental benefits or to obtain regulatory approvals regarding integrations we plan for the acquisitions we have completed or may pursue and contract to complete in the future, as well as the amount and timing of integration expenses;
• the ability and timing to realize savings and other benefits from re-engineering and tax planning;
• changes in the capital markets and competitive environments induced or resulting from the partial or total ownership or other support by central governments of certain financial services firms or financial assets; and
• general economic and political factors, including consumer confidence in the economy, the ability and inclination of consumers generally to invest as well as their ability and inclination to invest in financial instruments and products other than cash and cash equivalents, the costs of products and services the company consumes in the conduct of its business, and applicable legislation and regulation and changes therein, including tax laws, tax treaties, fiscal and central government treasury policy, and policies regarding the financial services industry and publicly held firms, and regulatory rulings and pronouncements.

Management cautions the reader that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. There may also be other risks that management is unable to predict at this time that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Management undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements. The foregoing list of factors should be read in conjunction with the “Risk Factors” discussion under Part 1, Item 1A of and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and under Part 2, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, available at ir.ameriprise.com.

The financial results discussed in this news release represent past performance only, which may not be used to predict or project future results. The financial results and values presented in this news release and the below-referenced Statistical Supplement are based upon asset valuations that represent estimates as of the date of this news release and may be revised in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. For information about Ameriprise Financial entities, please refer to the Third Quarter 2010 Statistical Supplement available at ir.ameriprise.com and the tables that follow in this news release.

Source: Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

Ameriprise Financial

Investor Relations:

Laura Gagnon, 612-671-2080

laura.c.gagnon@ampf.com

or

Media Relations:

Paul Johnson, 612-671-0625

paul.w.johnson@ampf.com

or

Ben Pratt, 612-678-5881

benjamin.j.pratt@ampf.com