State Auto Financial Corporation reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2017. For the quarter, the company's net premiums written were $300.7 million against $307.1 million a year ago. Total revenue was $362.9 million against $364.9 million a year ago. Income before federal income taxes was $37.9 million against income before federal income taxes of $33.1 million a year ago. Net loss was $5.8 million against net income of $32.5 million a year ago. Loss per common share - basic and diluted was $0.14 against earnings per common share - basic and diluted of $0.77 a year ago. Loss per share from operations - basic and diluted was $0.46 against incomes per common share of $0.46 a year ago. Net loss from operations was $19.6 million against net income from operations of $19.6 million a year ago.

For the full year, the company's net premiums written were $1,269.3 million against $1,293.3 million a year ago. Total revenue was $1,421.3 million against $1,405.4 million a year ago. Income before federal income taxes was $33.4 million against $19.2 million a year ago. Net loss was $10.7 million against income of $21.0 million a year ago. Loss per common share - basic and diluted was $0.25 against income of $0.50 a year ago. Loss per share from operations – basic and diluted was $1.26 against $0.07 a year ago. Net loss from operations was $53.0million against $2.7 million a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $67.9 million against $113.5 million a year ago. STFC's book value was $20.76 per share as of Dec. 31, 2017, a decrease of $0.52 per share from STFC's book value on Sept. 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily driven by the revaluation of the company's net deferred tax asset due to the enactment of the TCJA. Return on stockholders' equity for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, was negative 1.2% compared to 2.4% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

For the year 2018, the company estimates an effective tax rate on that somewhere around 17% or so.