Harleysville Projects 25% Increase in Earnings

Harleysville Group Inc. (Nasdaq: HGIC) announced yesterday that it expects full- year 2002 diluted operating earnings of between $1.90 and $1.94 per share, and fourth-quarter 2002 diluted operating earnings of between $0.51 and $0.55 per share. For the comparable periods in 2001, the company reported full-year diluted operating earnings of $1.53 per share and fourth quarter diluted operating earnings of $0.40 per share. Operating earnings exclude the impact of net realized after-tax investment gains or losses from net income. "Our 2002 operating earnings will significantly surpass...