UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period endedSeptember 30, 2017March 31, 2020

or

 

Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period fromto

Commission File Number:1-09761

 

ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

36-2151613

Delaware36-2151613

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2850 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois60008

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(630) 773-3800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value$1.00 per share

2850 W. Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008-4050

`(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

AJG

(630)773-3800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

New York Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company”company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company 

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act)Act). Yes  No 

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was approximately 180,799,000.189,621,000.

 

 

 


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Index

Page No.
Part I.Financial Information
Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited):
Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Three-month and Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 20163
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings for the Three-month and Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 20164
Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 20165
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 20166
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine-month Period Ended September 30, 20177
Notes to September 30, 2017 Consolidated Financial Statements8-29
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm30
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations31-60
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk60-62
Item 4.Controls and Procedures62
Part II.Other Information
Item 1.Legal Proceedings62
Item 1A.Risk Factors.62
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds63
Item 5.Other Information64
Item 6.Exhibits64
Signature65

- 2 -


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

(Unaudited - in millions, except per share data)

   Three-month period ended
September 30,
  Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
   2017  2016  2017  2016 

Commissions

  $662.6  $612.9  $1,943.3  $1,842.3 

Fees

   422.4   375.0   1,203.8   1,087.8 

Supplemental commissions

   39.9   35.3   115.9   106.8 

Contingent commissions

   13.5   16.4   96.4   96.7 

Investment income

   14.9   13.6   39.3   36.4 

Gains on books of business sales

   0.6   1.1   3.1   4.7 

Revenues from clean coal activities

   430.6   429.3   1,158.8   1,036.0 

Other net losses

   —     (1.3  —     (0.9
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total revenues

   1,584.5   1,482.3   4,560.6   4,209.8 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Compensation

   680.1   626.6   2,013.4   1,879.7 

Operating

   214.2   189.6   626.2   598.7 

Cost of revenues from clean coal activities

   451.4   449.7   1,215.4   1,079.1 

Interest

   31.4   28.5   92.9   81.5 

Depreciation

   30.5   25.7   90.2   76.4 

Amortization

   69.6   63.2   199.0   185.1 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

   10.6   4.1   27.5   21.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total expenses

   1,487.8   1,387.4   4,264.6   3,921.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

   96.7   94.9   296.0   288.1 

Benefit for income taxes

   (41.1  (35.5  (90.0  (55.9
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net earnings

   137.8   130.4   386.0   344.0 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

   7.4   7.6   28.0   24.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

  $130.4  $122.8  $358.0  $319.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic net earnings per share

  $0.72  $0.69  $1.99  $1.80 

Diluted net earnings per share

   0.71   0.69   1.97   1.79 

Dividends declared per common share

   0.39   0.38   1.17   1.14 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 3 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings

(Unaudited - in millions)

   Three-month period ended
September 30,
  Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
   2017   2016  2017   2016 

Net earnings

  $137.8   $130.4  $386.0   $344.0 

Change in pension liability, net of taxes

   1.1    0.8   3.7    4.4 

Foreign currency translation

   157.4    (19.6  249.7    (91.4

Change in fair value of derivative investments, net of taxes

   2.9    1.8   11.7    (11.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive earnings

   299.2    113.4   651.1    246.0 

Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

   5.8    6.6   28.4    28.9 
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive earnings attributable to controlling interests

  $293.4   $106.8  $622.7   $217.1 
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 4 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(In millions)

   September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2016
 
   (Unaudited)    

Cash and cash equivalents

  $564.9  $545.5 

Restricted cash

   1,615.6   1,392.1 

Premiums and fees receivable

   2,227.3   1,844.8 

Other current assets

   679.6   633.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total current assets

   5,087.4   4,416.1 

Fixed assets - net

   413.4   377.6 

Deferred income taxes

   918.4   796.5 

Other noncurrent assets

   559.6   504.3 

Goodwill - net

   4,160.4   3,767.8 

Amortizable intangible assets - net

   1,671.2   1,627.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total assets

  $12,810.4  $11,489.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Premiums payable to insurance and reinsurance companies

  $3,508.5  $2,996.1 

Accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities

   768.1   772.1 

Unearned fees

   85.4   69.0 

Other current liabilities

   61.8   70.9 

Premium financing debt

   156.4   125.6 

Corporate related borrowings - current

   125.0   578.0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

   4,705.2   4,611.7 

Corporate related borrowings - noncurrent

   2,741.7   2,144.6 

Other noncurrent liabilities

   1,191.3   1,077.5 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   8,638.2   7,833.8 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

   

Common stock - issued and outstanding 180.8 shares in 2017 and 178.3 shares in 2016

   180.8   178.3 

Capital in excess of par value

   3,366.0   3,265.5 

Retained earnings

   1,062.1   916.4 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (498.9  (763.6
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity attributable to controlling interests

   4,110.0   3,596.6 

Stockholders’ equity attributable to noncontrolling interests

   62.2   59.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

   4,172.2   3,655.8 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $12,810.4  $11,489.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 5 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited - in millions)

   Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
   2017  2016 

Cash flows from operating activities:

   

Net earnings

  $386.0  $344.0 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Net gain on investments and other

   (1.8  (4.6

Depreciation and amortization

   289.2   261.5 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

   27.5   21.2 

Amortization of deferred compensation and restricted stock

   25.4   21.6 

Stock-based and other noncash compensation expense

   12.9   10.9 

Payments on acquisition earnouts in excess of original estimates

   (23.1  (19.5

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

   4.3   1.0 

Net change in restricted cash

   (134.1  (21.1

Net change in premiums receivable

   (261.6  (26.7

Net change in premiums payable

   198.7   88.4 

Net change in other current assets

   (25.0  (28.6

Net change in accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities

   (30.7  (72.1

Net change in fees receivable/unearned fees

   6.2   12.3 

Net change in income taxes payable

   (0.8  5.4 

Net change in deferred income taxes

   (133.2  (123.6

Net change in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

   (11.6  (53.8

Unrealized foreign currency remeasurement gain (loss)

   130.8   (47.4
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   459.1   368.9 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

   

Capital expenditures

   (93.8  (138.8

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

   (320.5  (147.0

Net proceeds from sales of operations/books of business

   2.9   7.3 

Net funding of investment transactions

   (8.6  (22.3
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash used by investing activities

   (420.0  (300.8
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

   

Payments on acquisition earnouts

   (30.3  (41.7

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

   50.2   36.8 

Tax impact from issuance of common stock

   —     4.8 

Repurchases of common stock

   —     (101.0

Payments to noncontrolling interests

   (26.2  (32.8

Dividends paid

   (211.6  (204.3

Net borrowings on premium financing debt facility

   18.0   (10.9

Borrowings on line of credit facility

   3,223.0   1,619.5 

Repayments on line of credit facility

   (3,426.0  (1,556.5

Net borrowings of corporate related long-term debt

   348.0   276.0 

Settlements on terminated interest rate swaps

   8.3   —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash used by financing activities

   (46.6  (10.1
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

   26.9   (6.6
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   19.4   51.4 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   545.5   480.4 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $564.9  $531.8 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

   

Interest paid

  $90.3  $82.5 

Income taxes paid

   49.0   52.2 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 6 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited - in millions)

         Accumulated       
           Capital in     Other       
   Common Stock   Excess of
Par Value
  Retained
Earnings
  Comprehensive
Earnings (Loss)
  Noncontrolling
Interests
  Total 
   Shares   Amount       

Balance at December 31, 2016

   178.3   $178.3   $3,265.5  $916.4  $(763.6 $59.2  $3,655.8 

Net earnings

   —      —      —     358.0   —     28.0   386.0 

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests

   —      —      —     —     —     (0.8  (0.8

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

   —      —      —     —     —     (24.6  (24.6

Change in pension liability, net of taxes of $2.5 million

   —      —      —     —     3.7   —     3.7 

Foreign currency translation

   —      —      —     —     249.3   0.4   249.7 

Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes of $2.3 million

   —      —      —     —     11.7   —     11.7 

Compensation expense related to stock option plan grants

   —      —      12.9   —     —     —     12.9 

Common stock issued in:

          

Ten purchase transactions

   0.7    0.7    42.5   —     —     —     43.2 

Stock option plans

   1.2    1.2    33.9   —     —     —     35.1 

Employee stock purchase plan

   0.3    0.3    14.8   —     —     —     15.1 

Deferred compensation and restricted stock

   0.3    0.3    (3.6  —     —     —     (3.3

Cash dividends declared on common stock

   —      —      —     (212.3  —     —     (212.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

   180.8   $180.8   $3,366.0  $1,062.1  $(498.9 $62.2  $4,172.2 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 7 -


Notes to September 30, 2017 Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and its subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as we, our, us or the company, provide insurance brokerage and risk management services to a wide variety of commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental organizations through three reportable segments. Commission and fee revenue generated by the brokerage segment is primarily related to the negotiation and placement of insurance for our clients. Fee revenue generated by the risk management segment is primarily related to claims management, information management, risk control consulting (loss control) services and appraisals in the property/casualty market. Investment income and other revenue are generated from our premium financing operations and our investment portfolio, which includes invested cash and restricted funds, as well as clean energy and other investments. We are headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, have operations in 34 countries and offer client-service capabilities in more than 150 countries globally through a network of correspondent insurance brokers and consultants.

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein are, in the opinion of management, prepared on a basis consistent with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, except as disclosed in Note 2, and include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information set forth. The quarterly results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be reported for subsequent quarters or the full year. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. In the preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2017, management evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued, for potential recognition or disclosure therein.

2.Effect of New Accounting Pronouncements

Hedge Accounting

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (which we refer to as the FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (which we refer to as ASU)No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The new guidance amends the hedge accounting model in the current guidance to enable entities to better portray the economics of their risk management activities in the financial statements and enhance the transparency and understandability of hedge results. The new guidance requires revised tabular disclosures that focus on the effect of hedge accounting by income statement line and the disclosure of the cumulative basis adjustments to the hedged assets and liabilities in fair value hedges. Certain additional disclosures are also required for hedge relationships designated under thelast-of-layer method. The current guidance that requires entities to disclose hedge ineffectiveness has been eliminated because this amount will no longer be separately measured. Under the new guidance, entities will apply the amendments to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships that exist on the date of adoption using a modified retrospective approach (i.e., with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the initial application date). The new guidance also provides transition relief to make it easier for entities to apply certain amendments to existing hedges (including fair value hedges) where the hedge documentation needs to be modified. The presentation and disclosure requirements will be applied prospectively. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period or annual year before the effective date. If the guidance is early adopted in an interim period, any adjustments would be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. We are currently assessing the impact that adopting this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASUNo. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The new guidance clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding information to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. Management does not anticipate that this new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

- 8 -


Intangibles - Goodwill and Other

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASUNo. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Instead, the updated guidance requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, and recognizing anon-cash impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value with the loss not exceeding the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The new guidance is effective beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied on a prospective basis. The new guidance currently has no impact on our consolidated financial statements; however, we will evaluate the impact of this updated guidance on future annual or interim goodwill impairment tests performed.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under this new accounting guidance, an entity is required to recognizeright-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. This new guidance offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This new guidance is effective for first quarter 2019, and requires a modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. Under the modified retrospective approach, lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. In addition, the modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset.

While we are continuing to assess all potential impacts of the new guidance, we anticipate this guidance will have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. We currently believe the most significant impact relates to our real estate operating leases and the related recognition ofright-of-use assets and lease liabilities in both noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet. See Note 13 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for details on our current lease arrangements.

Stock Compensation

In May 2017 the FASB issued ASU No.2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting (ASU2017-09). This new accounting guidance provides information about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU2017-09 is effective for financial statements issued for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Earlier application is permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as we historically have not made changes to the terms or conditions of an outstanding share-based payment award.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASUNo. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, (ASU2016-09). This new accounting guidance requires that companies recognize the income tax effects of awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, rather than recognizing the tax benefits in excess of compensation costs through stockholders’ equity. ASU2016-09 provides that this requirement be applied prospectively. As it relates to forfeitures, the guidance allows for companies to choose whether to continue to estimate forfeitures or account for forfeitures as they occur. This new guidance was effective in first quarter 2017 and has been applied by us. Due to the adoption of the new guidance, we recognized the income tax benefit of stock based awards that vested or were settled in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 of $1.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively, in our consolidated statement of earnings. The income tax benefit of stock based awards that vested or were settled in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 were $1.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively, that was recognized in our consolidated stockholders’ equity. Additionally, our consolidated statement of cash flows now presents excess tax benefits as an operating activity, rather than as a financing activity, applied prospectively. Finally, we elected to continue to estimate forfeitures based on historical data and recognize forfeitures over the vesting period of the award.

- 9 -


Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, (ASU2016-15). The amendments in ASU2016-15 address several specific cash flow issues and apply to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under ASC 230, Statement of Cash Flows. This new guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this guidance in first quarter 2017.

The adoption of this guidance resulted in a change to our classification whereby contingent payments on acquisitions that are up to the acquisition date fair value have been presented in financing activities and those payments in excess of the acquisition date fair value have been presented in operating activities. Historically these payments have all been included in investing activities. Accordingly, in our September 30, 2016 consolidated statement of cash flows, we reclassified $19.5 million and $41.7 million of payments from investing activities to operating activities and financing activities, respectively, to conform to the current year presentation. The modifications can be seen in our statement of cash flows.

Income Taxes

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. This new accounting guidance allows entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Current guidance does not allow recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party. This new guidance is effective beginning January 1, 2018 and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not anticipate that this new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

Restricted Cash

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This new accounting guidance addresses the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The adoption of this new guidance will change the presentation in our consolidated statement of cash flows as it will require us to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASUNo. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, ASC 606, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principal of the new accounting guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Amendments to ASC Topic 340, Other Assets and Deferred Costs, require the capitalization of costs to obtain and costs to fulfill customer contracts, which are currently expensed as incurred. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The new guidance is effective for us in first quarter 2018, and early adoption is permitted beginning in first quarter 2017. Two methods of transition are permitted upon adoption; full retrospective and modified retrospective. Under the full retrospective method, prior periods would be restated under the new revenue standard, providing a comparable view across all periods presented. Under the modified retrospective method, prior periods would not be restated. Rather, revenues and other disclosures forpre-2018 periods would be provided in the notes to the financial statements as previously reported under the current revenue standard. We will adopt this new guidance in first quarter 2018 and we currently anticipate adopting the new guidance using the full retrospective method to restate each prior reporting period presented.

A full assessment to determine the impacts of the new accounting standard has been performed. We are currently implementing new accounting and operational processes which are a result of the new guidance and are analyzing the impact of these changes. We anticipate this standard will have a material impact on individual lines in our consolidated financial statements, but we do not expect it will have as material an impact on our results of operations on an annual basis. The primary impacts of the new standard to our product and service lines are anticipated to be as follows:

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Brokerage segment

Revenue- We currently recognize revenue for certain of our brokerage activities, such as installments on agency bill, direct bill and contingent commission revenue, over a period of time either due to the transfer of value to our customers or as the remuneration becomes determinable. Under the new guidance, these revenues will be substantially recognized at a point in time on the effective date of the associated policies when control of the policy transfers to the customer. Conversely under the new guidance we may need to defer certain revenues to reflect delivery of services over the contract period. As a result, revenue from certain arrangements will be recognized in earlier periods under the new guidance in comparison to our current accounting policies, and others will be recognized in later periods. The net effect of all of these changes on the timing and amount of revenue recognized will be a net increase in revenue recognized for our annual reporting periods with a shift in the timing of revenue recognized in the interim periods to the first quarter from the other three quarters.

The primary reason for the increase in the amount of revenue recognized relates to our employee benefits business. Historically we have recognized this revenue throughout the contract period as underlying client exposure units became certain. Under the new guidance, the full year revenue under each of these contracts will be estimated at the effective date of the underlying policies resulting in acceleration of revenue recognized, with a reassessment at each reporting date. This also will cause a shift in the timing of revenue recognized in the interim periods as a majority of these annual contracts incept in the first quarter. Partially offsetting this interim impact will be the recognition of contingent commissions related to all of our brokerage business as these revenues will be estimated and accrued throughout the year as the underlying business is placed with the insurance carriers rather than our historical recognition where the majority of these were recognized in the first quarter, typically when we received cash or the related policy detail or other carrier specific information from the insurance carrier.

Expense - The assets recognized for the costs to obtain and/or fulfill a contract will be amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer of the services to which the asset relates. For the vast majority of our contracts, the renewal period is one year or less and renewal costs are commensurate with the initial contract, thus we plan to apply a practical expedient and recognize the costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred. We are quantifying and analyzing the impact of the costs to fulfill a contract. We do not expect the net impact on an annual basis of deferring and amortizing these costs to be material, but it will have an impact on the timing of expenses recognized in the interim periods.

Risk management segment

Revenue - Under the new guidance, when we have the obligation to adjust claims until closure and are compensated on a per claim basis, we will recognize the full amount of the claim revenue upon notification of the claim and defer certain revenues to reflect delivery of services over the claim handling period. When our obligation is to provide claims services throughout a contract period, we will recognize revenue ratably across that contract period. As such, we anticipate the net impact of the new guidance will require more initial revenue deferral and recognition over a longer period of time than under our current accounting policies.

Expense -The assets recognized for the costs to obtain and/or to fulfill a contract will be amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer of the services to which the asset relates. We do not believe we have material costs to obtain and we are quantifying the impact of our costs to fulfill. We do not expect the net impact of deferring and amortizing these costs to obtain or to fulfill to be material on our annual or interim reporting periods.

Corporate segment

We expect that the timing related to recognition of revenue in our corporate segment will remain substantially unchanged. We do not expect a material impact on our annual after tax earnings, but we do expect a material change in the emergence of our after tax earnings in the interim quarterly periods as income tax credits are recognized based on our quarterly consolidatedpre-tax earnings patterns.

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3.Business Combinations

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, we acquired substantially all of the net assets of the following firms in exchange for our common stock and/or cash. These acquisitions have been accounted for using the acquisition method for recording business combinations (in millions, except share data):

Name and Effective

Date of Acquisition

  Common
Shares
Issued
   Common
Share
Value
   Cash Paid   Accrued
Liability
   Escrow
Deposited
   Recorded
Earnout
Payable
   Total
Recorded
Purchase
Price
   Maximum
Potential
Earnout
Payable
 
   (000s)                             

Construction Risk Solutions, LLC (CRS) January 1, 2017

   —     $—     $27.9   $—     $3.1   $4.4   $35.4   $10.0 

Hill, Chesson & Woody (HCW) January 1, 2017

   —      —      34.8    —      0.7    15.9    51.4    24.4 

Presidio Group, Inc. (PG) January 1, 2017

   —      —      41.8    —      4.8    7.0    53.6    15.0 

Commercial Insurance Brokers (CIB) April 1, 2017

   —      —      17.7    —      2.0    0.8    20.5    3.6 

Williams - Mannny Insurance Group (WMI) May 1, 2017

   170    9.8    28.2    —      2.0    5.4    45.4    11.5 

GPL Assurance Inc. (GPL) August 1, 2017

   —      —      37.8    —      4.2    4.3    46.3    8.0 

Lutgert Insurance (LI) September 1, 2017

   —      —      25.2    —      1.3    4.4    30.9    10.2 

Twenty-three other acquisitions completed in 2017

   245    12.3    86.7    —      7.3    27.2    133.5    64.2 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   415   $22.1   $300.1   $—     $25.4   $69.4   $417.0   $146.9 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

On September 20, 2017, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of DiBrina Group headquartered in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, for approximately $42.8 million of cash consideration plus a maximum potential earnout of approximately $24.0 million. The transaction was subject to customary closing conditions and closed on October 4, 2017.

Common shares issued in connection with acquisitions are valued at closing market prices as of the effective date of the applicable acquisition. We record escrow deposits that are returned to us as a result of adjustments to net assets acquired as reductions of goodwill when the escrows are settled. The maximum potential earnout payables disclosed in the foregoing table represent the maximum amount of additional consideration that could be paid pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement for the applicable acquisition. The amounts recorded as earnout payables, which are primarily based upon the estimated future operating results of the acquired entities over atwo- to three-year period subsequent to the acquisition date, are measured at fair value as of the acquisition date and are included on that basis in the recorded purchase price consideration in the foregoing table. We will record subsequent changes in these estimated earnout obligations, including the accretion of discount, in our consolidated statement of earnings when incurred. The fair value of these earnout obligations is based on the present value of the expected future payments to be made to the sellers of the acquired entities in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective purchase agreements, which is a Level 3 fair value measurement. In determining fair value, we estimated the acquired entity’s future performance using financial projections developed by management for the acquired entity and market participant assumptions that were derived for revenue growth and/or profitability. Revenue growth rates generally ranged from 5.0% to 17.0% for our 2017 acquisitions. We estimated future payments using the earnout formula and performance targets specified in each purchase agreement and these financial projections. We then discounted these

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payments to present value using a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration market-based rates of return that reflect the ability of the acquired entity to achieve the targets. These discount rates generally ranged from 7.5% to 9.0% for all of our 2017 acquisitions. Changes in financial projections, market participant assumptions for revenue growth and/or profitability, or the risk-adjusted discount rate, would result in a change in the fair value of recorded earnout obligations.

During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $4.9 million and $4.3 million, respectively, of expense in our consolidated statement of earnings related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations in connection with our acquisitions. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $15.2 million and $12.5 million, respectively, of expense in our consolidated statement of earnings related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations in connection with our acquisitions. In addition, during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $5.7 million of expense and $0.2 million of income, respectively, related to net adjustments in the estimated fair value of earnout obligations in connection with revised projections of future performance for 31 and 27 acquisitions, respectively. In addition, during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $12.3 million and $8.7 million of expense, respectively, related to net adjustments in the estimated fair value of earnout obligations in connection with revised projections of future performance for 89 and 77 acquisitions, respectively. The aggregate amount of maximum earnout obligations related to acquisitions was $563.9 million as of September 30, 2017, of which $274.3 million was recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017, based on the estimated fair value of the expected future payments to be made.

The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired at the date of each acquisition made in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 (in millions):

   CRS   HCW   PG   CIB   WMI   GPL   LI   Twenty-three
Other
Acquisitions
   Total 

Cash

  $—     $—     $—     $0.1   $0.3   $0.4   $0.2   $5.4   $6.4 

Other current assets

   3.6    2.1    2.4    3.6    1.8    13.6    1.2    7.7    36.0 

Fixed assets

   —      —      0.5    0.1    0.2    1.0    0.6    1.2    3.6 

Noncurrent assets

   —      0.2    —      —      —      —      —      —      0.2 

Goodwill

   20.3    29.9    25.6    11.7    26.1    27.1    15.0    72.4    228.1 

Expiration lists

   14.6    19.2    27.9    9.0    18.5    21.1    14.8    63.8    188.9 

Non-compete agreements

   0.1    0.1    0.1    —      0.1    0.5    0.1    1.8    2.8 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

   38.6    51.5    56.5    24.5    47.0    63.7    31.9    152.3    466.0 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

   3.2    0.1    2.9    4.0    1.6    11.6    1.0    9.9    34.3 

Noncurrent liabilities

   —      —      —      —      —      5.8    —      8.9    14.7 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

   3.2    0.1    2.9    4.0    1.6    17.4    1.0    18.8    49.0 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net assets acquired

  $35.4   $51.4   $53.6   $20.5   $45.4   $46.3   $30.9   $133.5   $417.0 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Among other things, these acquisitions allow us to expand into desirable geographic locations, further extend our presence in the retail and wholesale insurance brokerage services and risk management industries and increase the volume of general services currently provided. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the tangible net assets acquired at the acquisition date was allocated to goodwill, expiration lists andnon-compete agreements in the amounts of $228.1 million, $188.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, within the brokerage and risk management segments.

Provisional estimates of fair value are established at the time of each acquisition and are subsequently reviewed within the first year of operations subsequent to the acquisition date to determine the necessity for adjustments. The fair value of the tangible assets and liabilities for each applicable acquisition at the acquisition date approximated their carrying values. The fair value of expiration lists was established using the excess earnings method, which is an income approach based on estimated financial projections developed by management for each acquired entity using market participant assumptions. Revenue growth and attrition rates generally ranged from 2.0% to 3.3% and 5.0% to 10.0%,

- 13 -


respectively, for our 2016 and 2017 acquisitions for which valuations were performed in 2017. We estimate the fair value as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the subject customer list in excess of returns required on the investment in contributory assets necessary to realize those benefits. The rate used to discount the net benefits was based on a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration market-based rates of return and reflects the risk of the asset relative to the acquired business. These discount rates generally ranged from 12.0% to 14.0% for our 2016 and 2017 acquisitions for which valuations were performed in 2017. The fair value ofnon-compete agreements was established using the profit differential method, which is an income approach based on estimated financial projections developed by management for the acquired company using market participant assumptions and variousnon-compete scenarios.

Expiration lists,non-compete agreements and trade names related to our acquisitions are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (three to fifteen years for expiration lists, three to five years fornon-compete agreements and three to five years for trade names), while goodwill is not subject to amortization. We use the straight-line method to amortize these intangible assets because the pattern of their economic benefits cannot be reasonably determined with any certainty. We review all of our intangible assets for impairment periodically (at least annually) and whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. In reviewing intangible assets, if the fair value were less than the carrying amount of the respective (or underlying) asset, an indicator of impairment would exist and further analysis would be required to determine whether or not a loss would need to be charged against current period earnings as a component of amortization expense. Based on the results of impairment reviews during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, we wrote off $4.5 million and $6.2 million, respectively, of amortizable intangible assets related to the brokerage segment. Based on the results of impairment reviews during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, we wrote off $1.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of amortizable intangible assets related to the brokerage segment.

Of the $188.9 million of expiration lists and $2.8 million ofnon-compete agreements related to our acquisitions made during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, $49.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively, is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Accordingly, we recorded a deferred tax liability of $13.7 million, and a corresponding amount of goodwill, in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, related to nondeductible amortizable intangible assets.

Our consolidated financial statements for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 include the operations of the acquired entities from their respective acquisition dates. The following is a summary of the unaudited pro forma historical results, as if these entities had been acquired at January 1, 2016 (in millions, except per share data):

   Three-month period ended
September 30,
   Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
   2017   2016   2017   2016 

Total revenues

  $1,589.3   $1,517.5   $4,600.0   $4,317.2 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

   130.1    123.4    359.8    320.4 

Basic net earnings per share

   0.72    0.69    2.00    1.80 

Diluted net earnings per share

   0.71    0.69    1.98    1.79 

The unaudited pro forma results above have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had these acquisitions occurred at January 1, 2016, nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating results. Annualized revenues of entities acquired during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 totaled approximately $143.0 million. For thenine-month period ended September 30, 2017, total revenues and net earnings recorded in our unaudited consolidated statement of earnings related to our acquisitions made during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 in the aggregate, were $69.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

- 14 -


4.Other Current Assets

Major classes of other current assets consist of the following (in millions):

   September 30,
2017
   December 31,
2016
 

Premium finance advances and loans

  $292.5   $241.2 

Accrued supplemental, direct bill and other receivables

   172.4    177.2 

Refined coal production related receivables

   125.7    136.9 

Prepaid expenses

   89.0    78.4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other current assets

  $679.6   $633.7 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The premium finance loans represent short-term loans which we make to many of our brokerage related clients and othernon-brokerage clients to finance their premiums paid to insurance carriers. These premium finance loans are primarily generated by three Australian and New Zealand premium finance subsidiaries. Financing receivables are carried at amortized cost. Given that these receivables carry a fairly rapid delinquency period of only seven days post payment date, and that contractually the majority of the underlying insurance policies will be cancelled within one month of the payment due date in normal course, there historically has been a minimal risk of not receiving payment, and therefore we do not maintain any significant allowance for losses against this balance.

5.Intangible Assets

The carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 allocated by domestic and foreign operations is as follows (in millions):

At September 30, 2017  Brokerage   Risk
Management
   Corporate   Total 

United States

  $2,285.5   $25.8   $—     $2,311.3 

United Kingdom

   738.3    7.3    —      745.6 

Canada

   345.9    —      —      345.9 

Australia

   427.8    —      —      427.8 

New Zealand

   216.8    9.9    —      226.7 

Other foreign

   100.2    —      2.9    103.1 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total goodwill - net

  $4,114.5   $43.0   $2.9   $4,160.4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
At December 31, 2016                

United States

  $2,115.0   $23.5   $—     $2,138.5 

United Kingdom

   662.2    4.3    —      666.5 

Canada

   292.2    —      —      292.2 

Australia

   382.7    —      —      382.7 

New Zealand

   205.0    0.3    —      205.3 

Other foreign

   79.8    —      2.8    82.6 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total goodwill - net

  $3,736.9   $28.1   $2.8   $3,767.8 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

- 15 -


The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 are as follows (in millions):

   Brokerage   Risk
Management
   Corporate   Total 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

  $3,736.9   $28.1   $2.8   $3,767.8 

Goodwill acquired during the period

   214.0    14.1    —      228.1 

Goodwill adjustments due to appraisals and other acquisition adjustments

   14.4    —      —      14.4 

Foreign currency translation adjustments during the period

   149.2    0.8    0.1    150.1 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2017

  $4,114.5   $43.0   $2.9   $4,160.4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Major classes of amortizable intangible assets at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consist of the following (in millions):

   September 30,  December 31, 
   2017  2016 

Expiration lists

  $3,025.8  $2,757.6 

Accumulated amortization - expiration lists

   (1,365.9  (1,143.0
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   1,659.9   1,614.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Non-compete agreements

   53.3   49.3 

Accumulated amortization -non-compete agreements

   (45.7  (42.1
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   7.6   7.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Trade names

   26.2   24.0 

Accumulated amortization - trade names

   (22.5  (18.5
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   3.7   5.5 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net amortizable assets

  $1,671.2  $1,627.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows:

 

  

2017 (remaining three months)

  $65.4 

2018

   253.8 

2019

   239.5 

2020

   222.8 

2021

   198.7 
  

 

 

 

Total

  $980.2 
  

 

 

 

- 16 -


6.Credit and Other Debt Agreements

The following is a summary of our corporate and other debt (in millions):

   September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2016
 

Note Purchase Agreements:

   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 6.44%, balloon due August 3, 2017

  $—    $300.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 2.80%, balloon due June 24, 2018

   50.0   50.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.85%, $50 million due November 30, 2018 and November 30, 2019

   100.0   100.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.20%, balloon due June 24, 2019

   50.0   50.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.48%, balloon due June 24, 2020

   50.0   50.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.99%, balloon due July 10, 2020

   50.0   50.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.18%, balloon due February 10, 2021

   75.0   75.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.69%, balloon due June 14, 2022

   200.0   200.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.49%, balloon due February 10, 2023

   50.0   50.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.13%, balloon due June 24, 2023

   200.0   200.0 

Quarterly payments of interest, floating rate of 90 day LIBOR plus 1.65%, balloon due
August 2, 2023

   50.0   —   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.58%, balloon due February 27, 2024

   325.0   325.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.31%, balloon due June 24, 2025

   200.0   200.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.73%, balloon due February 27, 2026

   175.0   175.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.40%, balloon due June 2, 2026

   175.0   175.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.36%, balloon due June 24, 2026

   150.0   150.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.09%, balloon due June 27, 2027

   125.0   —   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.09%, balloon due August 2, 2027

   125.0   —   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.14%, balloon due August 4, 2027

   98.0   —   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.46%, balloon due December 1, 2027

   100.0   100.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.55%, balloon due June 2, 2028

   75.0   75.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.98%, balloon due February 27, 2029

   100.0   100.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.19%, balloon due June 27, 2029

   50.0   —   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.19%, balloon due August 2, 2029

   50.0   —   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.70%, balloon due June 2, 2031

   25.0   25.0 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.34%, balloon due June 27, 2032

   75.0   —   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.34%, balloon due August 2, 2032

   75.0   —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Note Purchase Agreements

   2,798.0   2,450.0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Credit Agreement:

   

Periodic payments of interest and principal, prime or LIBOR plus up to 1.45%, expires April 8, 2021

   75.0   278.0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Premium Financing Debt Facility - expires May 18, 2019:

   

Periodic payments of interest and principal, Interbank rates plus 1.05% for Facility B; plus 0.55% for Facilities C and D

   

Facility B

   

AUD denominated tranche

   119.8   100.7 

NZD denominated tranche

   5.9   9.0 

Facility C and D

   

AUD denominated tranche

   19.8   5.6 

NZD denominated tranche

   10.9   10.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Premium Financing Debt Facility

   156.4   125.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total corporate and other debt

   3,029.4   2,853.6 

Less unamortized debt acquisition costs on Note Purchase Agreements

   (6.3  (5.4
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net corporate and other debt

  $3,023.1  $2,848.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

- 17 -


On June 13, 2017, we announced that we planned to close offerings of $648.0 million aggregate principal amount of private placement senior unsecured notes (both fixed and floating rate). We funded $250.0 million on June 27, 2017, $300.0 million on August 2, 2017 and $98.0 million on August 4, 2017, which was used in part to repay our $300.0 million August 3, 2017 debt maturity. The weighted average maturity of the $598.0 million of senior fixed rate notes is 11.6 years and their weighted average interest rate is 4.04% after giving effect to hedging gains. The interest rate on the $50.0 million of floating rate notes would be 3.02% using three-month LIBOR on October 24, 2017. In 2016 and 2017, we entered intopre-issuance interest rate hedging transactions related to the $300.0 million August 3, 2017 maturity private placement. We realized a cash gain of approximately $8.3 million on the hedging transaction that will be recognized on a pro rata basis as a reduction in our reported interest expense over the life of the debt.

7.Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share (in millions, except per share data):

   Three-month period ended
September 30,
   Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
   2017   2016   2017   2016 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

  $130.4   $122.8   $358.0   $319.3 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

   180.5    177.6    179.8    177.4 

Dilutive effect of stock options using the treasury stock method

   2.0    0.9    1.8    0.8 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding

   182.5    178.5    181.6    178.2 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net earnings per share

  $0.72   $0.69   $1.99   $1.80 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.71   $0.69   $1.97   $1.79 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options to purchase 1.7 million and 4.5 million shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, but were not included in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock options for thethree-month periods then ended. Options to purchase 1.2 million and 5.8 million shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, but were not included in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock options for thenine-month periods then ended. These stock options were excluded from the computation because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common shares during the respective period, and therefore, would be anti-dilutive to earnings per share under the treasury stock method.

8.Stock Option Plans

On May 16, 2017, our stockholders approved the Arthur J. Gallagher 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the LTIP), which replaced our previous stockholder-approved Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The LTIP term began May 16, 2017 and terminates on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders in 2027, unless terminated earlier by our board of directors. All of our officers, employees andnon-employee directors are eligible to receive awards under the LTIP. The compensation committee of our board of directors determines the participants under the LTIP. The LTIP provides fornon-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units, any or all of which may be made contingent upon the achievement of performance criteria. Subject to the LTIP limits, the compensation committee has the discretionary authority to determine the size of an award.

Shares of our common stock available for issuance under the LTIP include authorized and unissued shares of common stock or authorized and issued shares of common stock reacquired and held as treasury shares or otherwise, or a combination thereof. The number of available shares will be reduced by the aggregate number of shares that become subject to outstanding awards granted under the LTIP. To the extent that shares subject to an outstanding award granted under the LTIP or prior equity plans are not issued or delivered by reason of the expiration, termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such award or by reason of the settlement of such award in cash, then such shares will again be available for grant under the LTIP.

- 18 -


The maximum number of shares available under the LTIP for restricted stock, restricted stock unit awards and performance unit awards settled with stock (i.e., all awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights) is 4.0 million at September 30, 2017. To the extent necessary to be qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (which we refer to as the IRC): (i) the maximum number of shares with respect to which options or stock appreciation rights or a combination thereof that may be granted during any calendar year to any person is 200,000; (ii) the maximum number of shares with respect to which awards other than options or stock appreciate rights that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and are denominated in shares of common stock that may be earned pursuant to such awards granted during any calendar year to any person under the LTIP will be 200,000; and (iii) the maximum amount that may be payable with respect to all awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and are denominated in cash granted during any calendar year to any person under the LTIP is $5.0 million.

The LTIP provides for the grant of stock options, which may be eithertax-qualified incentive stock options ornon-qualified options and stock appreciation rights. The compensation committee determines the period for the exercise of anon-qualified stock option,tax-qualified incentive stock option or stock appreciation right, provided that no option can be exercised later than seven years after its date of grant. The exercise price of anon-qualified stock option ortax-qualified incentive stock option and the base price of a stock appreciation right cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant, provided that the base price of a stock appreciation right granted in tandem with an option will be the exercise price of the related option.

Upon exercise, the option exercise price may be paid in cash, by the delivery of previously owned shares of our common stock, through anet-exercise arrangement, or through a broker-assisted cashless exercise arrangement. The compensation committee determines all of the terms relating to the exercise, cancellation or other disposition of an option or stock appreciation right upon a termination of employment, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason. Stock option and stock appreciation right awards under the LTIP arenon-transferable.

On March 16, 2017, the compensation committee granted 1,650,400 options under the 2014 LTIP to our officers and key employees that become exercisable at the rate of 34%, 33% and 33% on the anniversary date of the grant in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. On March 17, 2016, the compensation committee granted 2,576,700 options under the 2014 LTIP to our officers and key employees that become exercisable at the rate of 34%, 33% and 33% on the anniversary date of the grant in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. The 2017 and 2016 options expire seven years from the date of grant, or earlier in the event of certain terminations of employment. For certain of our executive officers age 55 or older, stock options awarded in 2017 and 2016 are no longer subject to forfeiture upon such officers’ departure from the company after two years from the date of grant.

During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $4.4 million and $3.8 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to our stock option grants. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $12.9 million and $10.9 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to our stock option grants.

For purposes of expense recognition, the estimated fair values of the stock option grants are amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period. We estimated the fair value of stock options at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

   2017  2016 

Expected dividend yield

   2.8  3.0

Expected risk-free interest rate

   2.3  1.6

Volatility

   27.2  27.7

Expected life (in years)

   5.0   5.5 

Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Because our employee and director stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the selective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of our employee andnon-employee director stock options. The weighted average fair value per option for all options granted during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, as determined on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, was $11.42 and $8.45, respectively.

- 19 -


The following is a summary of our stock option activity and related information for 2017 (in millions, except exercise price and year data):

   Nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 
          Weighted     
          Average     
      Weighted   Remaining     
   Shares  Average   Contractual   Aggregate 
   Under  Exercise   Term   Intrinsic 
   Option  Price   (in years)   Value 

Beginning balance

   10.3  $41.40     

Granted

   1.6   56.85     

Exercised

   (1.2  32.58     

Forfeited or canceled

   —     —       
  

 

 

  

 

 

     

Ending balance

   10.7  $44.83    4.16   $179.4 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exercisable at end of period

   2.7  $37.76    1.98   $63.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending vested and expected to vest

   10.5  $44.75    4.13   $177.0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options with respect to 16.1 million shares (less any shares of restricted stock issued under the LTIP—see Note 10 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements) were available for grant under the LTIP at September 30, 2017.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $28.3 million and $14.9 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, we had approximately $47.4 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested options. We expect to recognize that cost over a weighted average period of approximately four years.

Other information regarding stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2017 is summarized as follows (in millions, except exercise price and year data):

        Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable 

Range of Exercise Prices

  Number
Outstanding
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

(in years)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Number
Exercisable
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
$23.76  - $39.17   2.7   1.77   $36.12    2.1   $35.44 
 43.71  -  46.17   4.5   5.02    44.77    —      —   
 46.87  -  55.94   1.9   3.49    46.94    0.6    46.87 
 56.86  -  56.86   1.6   6.46    56.86    —      —   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
$23.76  - $56.86   10.7   4.16   $44.83    2.7   $37.76 
   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

9.Deferred Compensation

We have a Deferred Equity Participation Plan (which we refer to as the DEPP), which is anon-qualified plan that generally provides for distributions to certain of our key executives when they reach age 62 (or theone-year anniversary of the date of the grant for participants over the age of 61 as of the grant date) or upon or after their actual retirement. Under the provisions of the DEPP, we typically contribute cash in an amount approved by the compensation committee to a rabbi trust on behalf of the executives participating in the DEPP, and instruct the trustee to acquire a specified number of shares of our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on participant elections. Distributions under the DEPP may not normally be made until the participant reaches age 62 (or theone-year anniversary of the date of the grant for participants over the age of 61 as of the grant date) and are subject to forfeiture in the event of voluntary termination of employment prior to then. DEPP awards are generally made annually in the first quarter. In the second quarter of 2016, we made awards undersub-plans of the DEPP for certain production staff, which generally provide for vesting and/or distributions no sooner than five years from the date of awards, although certain awards vest and/or distribute after the earlier of fifteen years or the participant reaching age 65. All contributions to the plan (includingsub-plans) deemed to be invested in shares of our common stock are distributed in the form of our common stock and all other distributions are paid in cash.

- 20 -


Our common stock that is issued to or purchased by the rabbi trust as a contribution under the DEPP is valued at historical cost, which equals its fair market value at the date of grant or date of purchase. When common stock is issued, we record an unearned deferred compensation obligation as a reduction of capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, which is amortized to compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of the participants. Future changes in the fair market value of our common stock owed to the participants do not have any impact on the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of each of 2017 and 2016, the compensation committee approved $14.0 million and $10.1 million, respectively, of awards in the aggregate to certain key executives under the DEPP that were contributed to the rabbi trust in first quarter 2017 and 2016, respectively. We contributed cash to the rabbi trust and instructed the trustee to acquire a specified number of shares of our common stock on the open market to fund these 2017 and 2016 awards. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we charged $2.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we charged $7.0 million and $5.5 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards.

In the first quarter of 2017 and in the second quarter of 2016, the compensation committee approved $4.0 million and $13.6 million, respectively, of awards under thesub-plans referred to above, which were contributed to the rabbi trust in first quarter 2017 and second quarter 2016, respectively. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we charged $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. During thenine-month period ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we charged $1.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. There were no distributions from thesub-plans during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017.

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we recorded $58.4 million (related to 2.7 million shares) and $46.8 million (related to 2.4 million shares), respectively, of unearned deferred compensation as a reduction of capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The total intrinsic value of our unvested equity based awards under the plan at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $169.0 million and $125.5 million, respectively. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, there were no distributions under the DEPP. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, cash and equity awards with an aggregate fair value of $7.0 million were vested and distributed to executives under the Age 62 Plan.

We have a Deferred Cash Participation Plan (which we refer to as the DCPP), which is anon-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain key employees, other than executive officers, that generally provides for vesting and/or distributions no sooner than five years from the date of awards. Under the provisions of the DCPP, we typically contribute cash in an amount approved by compensation committee to the rabbi trust on behalf of the executives participating in the DCPP, and instruct the trustee to acquire a specified number of shares of our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on participant elections. In the first quarter of each of 2017 and 2016, the compensation committee approved $5.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of awards in the aggregate to certain key executives under the DCPP that were contributed to the rabbi trust in second quarter 2017 and 2016, respectively. During thethree-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we charged $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. During thenine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we charged $1.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. There were no distributions from the DCPP during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

10.Restricted Stock, Performance Share and Cash Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

As discussed in Note 8 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements, on May 16, 2017, our stockholders approved the LTIP, which replaced our previous stockholder-approved 2014 LTIP. The LTIP provides for the grant of a stock award either as restricted stock or as restricted stock units. In either case, the compensation committee may determine that the award will be subject to the attainment of performance measures over an established performance period. Stock awards and the related dividend equivalents arenon-transferable and subject to forfeiture if the holder does not remain continuously employed with us during the applicable restriction period or, in the case of a performance-based award, if applicable performance measures are not attained. The compensation committee will determine all of the terms relating to the satisfaction of performance measures and the termination of a restriction period, or the forfeiture and cancellation of a restricted stock award upon a termination of employment, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason.

- 21 -


The agreements awarding restricted stock units under the LTIP will specify whether such awards may be settled in shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of shares and cash and whether the holder will be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, on a current or deferred basis, with respect to such award. Prior to the settlement of a restricted stock unit, the holder of a restricted stock unit will have no rights as a stockholder of the company. The maximum number of shares available under the LTIP for restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance unit awards settled with stock (i.e., all awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights) is 4.0 million. At September 30, 2017, 4.0 million shares were available for grant under the LTIP for such awards.

In the first quarter of each of 2017 and 2016, we granted 477,500 and 466,600 restricted stock units, respectively, to employees under the LTIP, with an aggregate fair value of $26.8 million and $20.4 million, respectively, at the date of grant. These 2017 and 2016 awards of restricted stock units vest as follows: 477,500 units granted in first quarter 2017 and 466,600 units granted in first quarter 2016, vest in full based on continued employment through March 16, 2021 and March 11, 2020, respectively. For certain of our executive officers age 55 or older, restricted stock units awarded in 2017 and 2016 are not subject to forfeiture upon such officers’ departure from the company after two years from the date of grant.

We account for restricted stock awards at historical cost, which equals its fair market value at the date of grant, which is amortized to compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of the participants. Future changes in the fair value of our common stock that is owed to the participants do not have any impact on the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $4.7 million and $4.2 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards granted in 2007 through 2017. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $15.2 million and $14.2 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards granted in 2007 through 2017. The total intrinsic value of unvested restricted stock units at September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $107.6 million and $79.7 million, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, equity awards (including accrued dividends) with an aggregate fair value of $23.3 million and $14.2 million was vested and distributed to employees under this plan.

Performance Share Awards

On March 16, 2017 and March 17, 2016, pursuant to the LTIP, the compensation committee approved 86,250 and 72,900, respectively of provisional performance unit awards, with an aggregate fair value of $4.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively, for future grants to our officers. Each performance unit award was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date such provisional award was approved. In 2016, these awards were subject to aone-year performance period based on our financial performance and atwo-year vesting period. The 2017 awards are subject to a three-year performance period that begins on January 1, 2017, and vest on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant (March 16, 2020). For the 2017 awards, at the discretion of the compensation committee and determined based on our performance, the eligible officer will be granted a percentage of the provisional performance unit award based on a new performance measure, growth in adjusted EBITDAC per share. Granted units for the 2017 provisional awards will fully vest based on continuous employment through March 16, 2020 and will be settled in shares of our common stock on aone-for-one basis as soon as practicable thereafter. For certain of our executive officers age 55 or older, awards granted in 2017 and 2016 are no longer subject to forfeiture upon such officers’ departure from the company after two years from the date of grant.

Cash Awards

On March 16, 2017, pursuant to our Performance Unit Program (which we refer to as the Program), the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $14.3 million in the aggregate for future grants to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (255,000 units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date the provisional award was approved. The Program consists of aone-year performance period based on our financial performance and atwo-year vesting period. At the discretion of the compensation committee and determined based on our performance, the eligible officer or key employee will be granted a percentage of the provisional cash award units that equates to the EBITAC growth achieved (as defined in the Program). At the end of the performance period, eligible participants will be granted a number of units based on achievement of the performance goal and subject to approval by the compensation committee. Granted units for the 2017 provisional award will fully vest based on continuous employment through January 1, 2020. The ultimate award value will be equal to the trailing twelve-month price of our common stock on December 31, 2019, multiplied by the number of units subject to the award, but limited to between 0.5 and 1.5 times the original value of the units determined as of the grant date. The fair value of the awarded units will be paid out in cash as soon as practicable in 2020. If an eligible employee leaves us prior to the vesting date, the entire award will be forfeited. We did not recognize any compensation expense during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 related to the 2017 provisional award under the Program.

- 22 -


On March 17, 2016, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $17.4 million in the aggregate for future grant to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (397,000 units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date the provisional awards were approved. Terms of the 2016 provisional awards were similar to the terms of the 2017 provisional awards. Based on our performance for 2016, we granted 383,000 units under the Program in first quarter 2017 that will fully vest on January 1, 2019. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, we recognized $2.6 million to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, we recognized $7.9 million to compensation expense related to these awards. We did not recognize any compensation expense during 2016 related to the 2016 awards.

On March 11, 2015, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $14.6 million in the aggregate for future grant to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (315,000 units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date the provisional awards were approved. Terms of the 2015 provisional awards were similar to the terms of the 2016 provisional awards. Based on our performance for 2015, we granted 294,000 units under the Program in first quarter 2016 that will fully vest on January 1, 2018. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. During thenine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $7.0 million and $4.9 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards.

On March 12, 2014, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $10.8 million in the aggregate for future grant to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (229,000 units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date the provisional awards were approved. Terms of the 2014 provisional awards were similar to the terms of the 2015 provisional awards. Based on our performance for 2014, we granted 220,000 units under the Program in first quarter 2015 that fully vested on January 1, 2017. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2016, we recognized $1.2 million, to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, we recognized $3.1 million, to compensation expense related to these awards.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, cash awards related to the 2014 provisional award with an aggregate fair value of $9.3 million (199,000 units in the aggregate) were vested and distributed to employees under the Program. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, cash awards related to the 2013 provisional award with an aggregate fair value of $11.2 million (245,500 units in the aggregate) were vested and distributed to employees under the Program.

11.Investments

The following is a summary of our investments, included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheet, and the related funding commitments (in millions):

   September 30, 2017   December 31, 
       Funding   2016 
   Assets   Commitments   Assets 

Chem-Mod LLC

  $4.0   $—     $4.0 

Chem-Mod International LLC

   2.0    —      2.0 

Clean-coal investments:

      

Controlling interest in six limited liability companies that own fourteen 2009 Era Clean Coal Plants

   11.5    —      14.3 

Non-controlling interest in one limited liability company that owns one 2011 Era Clean Coal Plant

   0.6    —      0.7 

Controlling interest in seventeen limited liability companies that own nineteen 2011 Era Clean Coal Plants

   62.2    —      69.0 

Other investments

   3.7    0.4    3.7 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

  $84.0   $0.4   $93.7 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

- 23 -


12.Derivatives and Hedging Activity

We are exposed to market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. To manage the risk related to these exposures, we enter into various derivative instruments that reduce these risks by creating offsetting exposures. We generally do not enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

We are exposed to foreign exchange risk when we earn revenues, pay expenses, or enter into monetary intercompany transfers denominated in a currency that differs from our functional currency, or other transactions that are denominated in a currency other than our functional currency. We use foreign exchange derivatives, typically forward contracts and options, to reduce our overall exposure to the effects of currency fluctuations on cash flows. These exposures are hedged, on average, for less than two years.

Interest Rate Risk Management

We enter into various long-term debt agreements. We use interest rate derivatives, typically swaps, to reduce our exposure to the effects of interest rate fluctuations on the forecasted interest rates for up to two years into the future.

We have not received or pledged any collateral related to derivative arrangements at September 30, 2017.

The notional and fair values of derivative instruments are as follows at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in millions):

   Notional Amount   Derivative Assets (1)   Derivative Liabilities (2) 
   Sept 30, 2017   Dec 31, 2016   Sept 30, 2017   Dec 31, 2016   Sept 30, 2017   Dec 31, 2016 

Derivatives accounted for as hedges:

            

Interest rate contracts

  $200.0   $200.0   $1.6   $11.4   $0.1   $—   

Foreign exchange contracts (3)

   6.8    4.1    6.3    2.1    10.3    17.5 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $206.8   $204.1   $7.9   $13.5   $10.4   $17.5 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Included within other current assets, $5.0 million and $12.5 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and other noncurrent assets, $2.9 million and $1.0 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
(2)Included within other current liabilities, $9.0 million and $11.8 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and other noncurrent liabilities, $1.5 million and $5.7 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
(3)Included within foreign exchange contracts at September 30, 2017 were $135.8 million of call options offset with $134.2 million of put options, and $54.9 million of buy forwards offset with $41.0 million of sell forwards. Included within foreign exchange contracts at December 31, 2016 were $78.3 million of call options offset with $78.3 million of put options, and $61.6 million of buy forwards offset with $57.5 million of sell forwards.

The amounts of derivative gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in millions):

   Commission  Compensation   Operating   Interest    
   Revenue  Expense   Expense   Expense  Total 

September 30, 2017

                  

Cash flow hedges:

        

Interest rate contracts

  $—    $—     $—     $(1.6 $(1.6

Foreign exchange contracts

   7.9   2.3    1.6    —     11.8 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

  $7.9  $2.3   $1.6   $(1.6 $10.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

September 30, 2016

                  

Cash flow hedges:

        

Interest rate contracts

  $—    $—     $—     $(3.3 $(3.3

Foreign exchange contracts

   (17.3  0.7    0.5    —     (16.1
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

  $(17.3 $0.7   $0.5   $(3.3 $(19.4
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

- 24 -


The amounts of derivative gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income (effective portion) for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in millions):

   Commission  Compensation   Operating   Interest     
   Revenue  Expense   Expense   Expense   Total 

September 30, 2017

                   

Cash flow hedges:

         

Interest rate contracts

  $—    $—     $—     $—     $—   

Foreign exchange contracts

   (7.6  1.1    0.8    —      (5.7
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $(7.6 $1.1   $0.8   $—     $(5.7
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

September 30, 2016

                   

Cash flow hedges:

         

Interest rate contracts

  $—    $—     $—     $—     $—   

Foreign exchange contracts

   (5.7  0.3    0.2    —      (5.2
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $(5.7 $0.3   $0.2   $—     $(5.2
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We estimate that approximately $0.1 million of pretax gain currently included within accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings in the next twelve months. The amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings on the ineffective portion of derivatives for nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

13.Commitments, Contingencies andOff-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In connection with our investing and operating activities, we have entered into certain contractual obligations and commitments. Our future minimum cash payments, including interest, associated with our contractual obligations pursuant to the note purchase agreements, Credit Agreement, Premium Financing Debt Facility, operating leases and purchase commitments at September 30, 2017 were as follows (in millions):

   Payments Due by Period 

Contractual Obligations

  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021   Thereafter   Total 

Note purchase agreements

  $—    $100.0  $100.0  $100.0  $75.0   $2,423.0   $2,798.0 

Credit Agreement

   75.0   —     —     —     —      —      75.0 

Premium Financing Debt Facility

   156.4   —     —     —     —      —      156.4 

Interest on debt

   34.3   119.8   115.1   110.7   105.7    468.7    954.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt obligations

   265.7   219.8   215.1   210.7   180.7    2,891.7    3,983.7 

Operating lease obligations

   28.9   101.4   85.7   70.5   58.6    141.3    486.4 

Less sublease arrangements

   (0.7  (0.4  (0.1  (0.1  —      —      (1.3

Outstanding purchase obligations

   19.2   35.9   19.2   7.7   2.2    —      84.2 

Funding related to acquistion of DiBrina Group (see Note 3)

   42.8   —     —     —     —      —      42.8 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

  $355.9  $356.7  $319.9  $288.8  $241.5   $3,033.0   $4,595.8 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amounts presented in the table above may not necessarily reflect our actual future cash funding requirements, because the actual timing of future payments may vary from the stated contractual obligation. Outstanding purchase commitments in the table above include $0.7 million related to expenditures on our new corporate headquarters.

Note Purchase Agreements, Credit Agreement and Premium Financing Debt Facility -See Note 6 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements for a summary of the amounts outstanding under the note purchase agreements, the Credit Agreement and Premium Financing Debt Facility.

Operating Lease Obligations - Our corporate segment’s executive offices and certain subsidiary and branch facilities of our brokerage and risk management segments are located at 2850 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, where we have approximately 360,000 square feet of space and will accommodate approximately 2,000 employees at peak capacity. Our prior headquarters was located at Two Pierce Place, Itasca, Illinois, where we lease approximately 306,000 square feet of space, or approximately 60% of the building. The lease commitment on the Itasca property expires February 28, 2018. Relating to the development of our new corporate headquarters, we expect to receive property tax related credits under atax-increment financing note from Rolling Meadows and an Illinois state Economic

- 25 -


Development for a Growing Economy (which we refer to as Edge) tax credit. Incentives from these two programs could total between $60.0 million and $80.0 million over a fifteen-year period.

We generally operate in leased premises at our other locations. Certain of these leases have options permitting renewals for additional periods. In addition to minimum fixed rentals, a number of leases contain annual escalation clauses which are generally related to increases in an inflation index.

We have leased certain office space to severalnon-affiliated tenants under operating sublease arrangements. In the normal course of business, we expect that certain of these leases will not be renewed or replaced. We adjust charges for real estate taxes and common area maintenance annually based on actual expenses, and we recognize the related revenues in the year in which the expenses are incurred. These amounts are not included in the minimum future rentals to be received in the contractual obligations table above.

Outstanding Purchase Obligations - We typically do not have a material amount of outstanding purchase obligations at any point in time. The amount disclosed in the contractual obligations table above represents the aggregate amount of unrecorded purchase obligations that we had outstanding at September 30, 2017. These obligations represent agreements to purchase goods or services that were executed in the normal course of business.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments-Our total unrecorded commitments associated with outstanding letters of credit, financial guarantees and funding commitments as of September 30, 2017 were as follows (in millions):

   Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period   Total
Amounts
 

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

  2017   2018   2019   2020   2021   Thereafter   Committed 

Letters of credit

  $—     $—     $—     $—     $—     $20.7   $20.7 

Financial guarantees

   —      0.2    0.2    0.2    0.2    1.3    2.1 

Funding commitments

   —      —      —      —      —      0.4    0.4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total commitments

  $—     $0.2   $0.2   $0.2   $0.2   $22.4   $23.2 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Since commitments may expire unused, the amounts presented in the table above do not necessarily reflect our actual future cash funding requirements. See theOff-Balance Sheet Debt section below for a discussion of our letters of credit. All of the letters of credit represent multiple year commitments that have annual, automatic renewing provisions and are classified by the latest commitment date.

Since January 1, 2002, we have acquired 450 companies, all of which were accounted for using the acquisition method for recording business combinations. Substantially all of the purchase agreements related to these acquisitions contain provisions for potential earnout obligations. For all of our acquisitions made in the period from 2014 to 2017 that contain potential earnout obligations, such obligations are measured at fair value as of the acquisition date and are included on that basis in the recorded purchase price consideration for the respective acquisition. The amounts recorded as earnout payables are primarily based upon estimated future operating results of the acquired entities over atwo- to three-year period subsequent to the acquisition date. The aggregate amount of the maximum earnout obligations related to these acquisitions was $563.9 million, of which $274.3 million was recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017 based on the estimated fair value of the expected future payments to be made.

Off-Balance Sheet Debt-Our unconsolidated investment portfolio includes investments in enterprises where our ownership interest is between 1% and 50%, in which management has determined that our level of influence and economic interest is not sufficient to require consolidation. As a result, these investments are accounted for under the equity method. None of these unconsolidated investments had any outstanding debt at September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016 that was recourse to us.

At September 30, 2017, we had posted two letters of credit totaling $9.7 million, in the aggregate, related to ourself-insurance deductibles, for which we had a recorded liability of $12.4 million. We have an equity investment in arent-a-captive facility, which we use as a placement facility for certain of our insurance brokerage operations. At September 30, 2017, we had posted seven letters of credit totaling $6.3 million to allow certain of our captive operations to meet minimum statutory surplus requirements and for additional collateral related to premium and claim funds held in a fiduciary capacity, one letter of credit totaling $4.2 million to support our potential obligation under a client’s insurance program and one letter of credit totaling $0.5 million as a security deposit for a 2015 acquisition’s lease. These letters of credit have never been drawn upon.

- 26 -


Litigation, Regulatory and Taxation Matters - We are a defendant in various legal actions incidental to the nature of our business including but not limited to matters related to employment practices, alleged breaches ofnon-compete or other restrictive covenants, theft of trade secrets, breaches of fiduciary duties and related causes of action. We are also periodically the subject of inquiries, investigations and reviews by regulatory and taxing authorities into various matters related to our business, including our operational, compliance and finance functions. Neither the outcomes of these matters nor their effect upon our business, financial condition or results of operations can be determined at this time.

In July 2014, we were named in a lawsuit that asserts that we and other defendants are liable for infringement of a patent held by Nalco Company. The complaint sought a judgment of infringement, damages, costs and attorneys’ fees, and injunctive relief. Along with other defendants, we disputed the allegation of infringement and have defended this matter vigorously. We filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on behalf of all defendants, alleging no infringement of Nalco’s intellectual property. This motion, and similar motions attacking amended complaints filed by Nalco, were granted. On April 20, 2016, the court dismissed Nalco’s complaints and disallowed any further opportunity to amend or refile. Nalco appealed this ruling to the Federal Circuit Court and we are expecting a ruling within the next few months. We continue to believe that the probability of a material loss is remote. However, litigation is inherently uncertain and it is not possible for us to predict the ultimate disposition of this proceeding.

Our micro-captive advisory services are under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Additionally, the IRS has initiated audits for the 2012 tax year of over 100 of the micro-captive insurance companies organized and/or managed by us. Among other matters, the IRS is investigating whether we have been acting as a tax shelter promoter in connection with these operations. While the IRS has not made specific allegations relating to our operations, if the IRS were to successfully assert that the micro-captives organized and/or managed by us do not meet the requirements of IRC Section 831(b), we could be held liable to pay monetary claims by the IRS and/or our micro-captive clients, and our future earnings from our micro-captive operations could be materially adversely affected, any of which events, could negatively impact the overall captive business and adversely affect our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. Due to the fact that the IRS has not made any allegation against us or completed its audits of our clients, we are not able to reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss in connection with this investigation.

Contingent Liabilities -We purchase insurance to provide protection from errors and omissions (which we refer to as E&O) claims that may arise during the ordinary course of business. We currently retain the first $5.0 million of each and every E&O claim. Our E&O insurance provides aggregate coverage for E&O losses up to $175.0 million in excess of our retained amounts. We have historically maintained self-insurance reserves for the portion of our E&O exposure that is not insured. We periodically determine a range of possible reserve levels using actuarial techniques that rely heavily on projecting historical claim data into the future. Our E&O reserve in the September 30, 2017 unaudited consolidated balance sheet is above the lower end of the most recently determined actuarial range by $1.5 million and below the upper end of the actuarial range by $7.2 million. We can make no assurances that the historical claim data used to project the current reserve levels will be indicative of future claim activity. Thus, the E&O reserve level and corresponding actuarial range could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could materially impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

Tax-advantaged Investments No Longer Held -Between 1996 and 2007, we developed and then sold portions of our ownership in various energy related investments, many of which qualified for tax credits under IRC Section 29. We recorded tax benefits in connection with our ownership in these investments. At September 30, 2017, we had exposure on $108.2 million of previously earned tax credits. In 2004, 2007 and 2009, the IRS examined several of these investments and all examinations were closed without any changes being proposed by the IRS. However, any future adverse tax audits, administrative rulings or judicial decisions could disallow previously claimed tax credits. Because of the contingent nature of this exposure and our related assessment of its likelihood, no reserve has been recorded in our September 30, 2017 consolidated balance sheet related to this exposure.

- 27 -


14.Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

Theafter-tax components of our accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to controlling interests consist of the following:

      Foreign  Fair Value of  Accumulated 
   Pension  Currency  Derivative  Comprehensive 
   Liability  Translation  Investments  Earnings (Loss) 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

  $(47.3 $(709.2 $(7.1 $(763.6

Net change in period

   3.7   249.3   11.7   264.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2017

  $(43.6 $(459.9 $4.6  $(498.9
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The foreign currency translation during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 primarily relates to the net impact of changes in the value of the local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar for our operations in Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, India, New Zealand and the U.K.

During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, $4.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of expense related to the pension liability was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) to compensation expense in the statement of earnings. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, $5.7 million and $5.2 million of expense, respectively, related to the fair value of derivative investments, was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) to the statement of earnings. During thenine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, no amounts related to foreign currency translation were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) to the statement of earnings.

15.Segment Information

We have three reportable segments: brokerage, risk management and corporate.

The brokerage segment is primarily comprised of our retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations. The brokerage segment generates revenues through commissions paid by insurance underwriters and through fees charged to our clients. Our brokers, agents and administrators act as intermediaries between insurers and their customers and we do not generally assume underwriting risks.

The risk management segment provides contract claim settlement and administration services for enterprises that choose to self-insure some or all of their property/casualty coverages and for insurance companies that choose to outsource some or all of their property/casualty claims departments. These operations also provide claims management, loss control consulting and insurance property appraisal services. Revenues are principally generated on a negotiatedper-claim orper-service fee basis.

The corporate segment manages our clean energy and other investments. In addition, the corporate segment reports the financial information related to our debt, and certain corporate and acquisition-related activities.

Allocations of investment income and certain expenses are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates primarily using revenue, headcount and other information. We allocate the provision for income taxes to the brokerage and risk management segments using the local country statutory rates. Reported operating results by segment would change if different methods were applied.

- 28 -


Financial information relating to our segments for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is as follows (in millions):

   Three-month period  Nine-month period 
   ended September 30,  ended September 30, 
   2017  2016  2017  2016 

Brokerage

     

Total revenues

  $953.7  $877.6  $2,830.3  $2,642.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

  $161.6  $149.1  $491.8  $427.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2017 and 2016

    $10,275.9  $8,972.7 
    

 

 

  

 

 

 

Risk Management

     

Total revenues

  $200.2  $176.7  $571.5  $532.5 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

  $27.8  $21.5  $73.6  $67.9 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2017 and 2016

    $733.0  $679.6 
    

 

 

  

 

 

 

Corporate

     

Total revenues

  $430.6  $428.0  $1,158.8  $1,035.1 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

  $(92.7 $(75.7 $(269.4 $(207.1
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2017 and 2016

    $1,801.5  $1,548.0 
    

 

 

  

 

 

 

- 29 -


Review by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The interim consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2017 and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 have been reviewed by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and their report is included herein.

Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of September 30, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements in our report dated February 10, 2017. In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of December 31, 2016, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

October 30, 2017

- 30 -


Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The discussion and analysis that follows relates to our financial condition and results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017. Readers should review this information in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this quarterly report onForm 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contained in our annual report onForm 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains certain statements related to future results, or states our intentions, beliefs and expectations or predictions for the future, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “contemplate,” “forecast,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” and other similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like “could,” “may,” “might,” “see,” “should,” “will” and “would.”  You can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as: market and industry conditions, including competitive and pricing trends; acquisition strategy;strategy including the expected size of our acquisition program; the expected impact of acquisitions and dispositions; the development and performance of our services and products; changes in the composition or level of our revenues or earnings; our cost structure and the size and outcome of cost-saving or restructuring initiatives; future capital expenditures; future debt levels and anticipated actions to be taken in connection with maturing debt; future debt to earnings ratios; the outcome of contingencies; dividend policy; pension obligations; cash flow and liquidity; capital structure and financial losses; future actions by regulators; the outcome of existing regulatory actions, investigations, reviews or litigation; the impact of changes in accounting rules; financial markets; interest rates; foreign exchange rates; matters relating to our operations; income taxes; expectations regarding our investments, including our clean energy investments; and integrating recent acquisitions.  These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from either historical or anticipated results depending on a variety of factors.

Potential factors that could impact results include:

The current or a future economic downturn or unstable economic conditions, whatever the cause, including the effects of the coronavirus pandemic (which we refer to as COVID-19), or other factors like Brexit, tariffs, trade wars or climate change and other long-term social, environmental and global health risks;

Volatility or declines in premiums or other adverse trends in the insurance industry;

Competitive pressures, including as a result of innovation, in each of our businesses;

Risks that could negatively affect the success of our acquisition strategy, including the impact of current economic uncertainty on our ability to source, review and price acquisitions, continuing consolidation in our industry and growing interest in acquiring insurance brokers on the part of private equity firms and newly public insurance brokers, which could make it more difficult to identify targets and could make them more expensive, the risk that we may not receive timely regulatory approval of desired transactions, execution risks, integration risks, the risk of post-acquisition deterioration leading to intangible asset impairment charges, and the risk we could incur or assume unanticipated liabilities such as cybersecurity issues or those relating to violations of anti-corruption and sanctions laws;

Failure to successfully and cost-effectively integrate recently acquired businesses and their operations or fully realize synergies from such acquisitions in the expected time frame;

Cyber attacks or other cybersecurity incidents; improper disclosure of confidential, personal or proprietary data; and changes to laws and regulations governing cybersecurity and data privacy;

Risks arising from changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws, including our ability to effectively account for the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (which we refer to as the Tax Act) and related regulations;

Uncertainty from the expected discontinuance of LIBOR and transition to any other interest rate benchmark;

Our failure to attract and retain experienced and qualified talent, including our senior management team, and the risk of our CEO or another senior executive contracting COVID-19;

Risks arising from our substantial international operations, including the risks posed by political and economic uncertainty in certain countries (such as the risks posed by Brexit), risks related to maintaining regulatory and legal compliance across multiple jurisdictions (such as those relating to violations of anti-corruption, sanctions and privacy laws), and risks arising from the complexity of managing businesses across different time zones, languages, geographies, cultures and legal regimes that conflict with one another at times;

Risks particular to our risk management segment, including any slowing of the trend toward outsourcing claims administration, and of the concentration of large amounts of revenue with certain clients;

The higher level of variability inherent in contingent and supplemental revenues versus standard commission revenues, particularly in light of the changed revenue recognition accounting standard;

Sustained increases in the cost of employee benefits;

- 2 -


 

Failure to successfully and cost-effectively integrate recently acquired businesses and their operations or fully realize synergies from such acquisitions in the expected time frame;

A disaster or other significant disruption to business continuity;

Volatility or declines in premiums or other adverse trends in the insurance industry;

Damage to our reputation;

An economic downturn;

Our failure to apply technology effectively in driving value for our clients through technology-based solutions, or failure to gain internal efficiencies and effective internal controls through the application of technology and related tools;

Competitive pressures in each of our businesses;

Our failure to comply with regulatory requirements, including those related to governance and control requirements in particular jurisdictions, international sanctions, or a change in regulations or enforcement policies that adversely affects our operations (for example, relating to insurance broker compensation methods or the failure of state and local governments to follow through on agreed-upon income tax credits or other tax related incentives, relating to our corporate headquarters);

Risks that could negatively affect the success of our acquisition strategy, including continuing consolidation in our industry and growing interest in acquiring insurance brokers on the part of private equity firms, which could make it more difficult to identify targets and could make them more expensive, the risk that we may not receive timely regulatory approval of desired transactions, execution risks, integration risks, the risk of post-acquisition deterioration leading to intangible asset impairment charges, and the risk we could incur or assume unanticipated regulatory liabilities such as those relating to violations of anti-corruption and sanctions laws;

Violations or alleged violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (which we refer to as FCPA), the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 or other anti-corruption laws, and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (which we refer to as FATCA);

Our failure to attract and retain experienced and qualified personnel;

The outcome of any existing or future investigation, review, regulatory action or litigation;

Risks arising from our international operations, including the risks posed by political and economic uncertainty in certain countries (such as the risks posed by Brexit), risks related to maintaining regulatory and legal compliance across multiple jurisdictions (such as those relating to violations of anti-corruption, sanctions and privacy laws), and risks arising from the complexity of managing businesses across different time zones, geographies, cultures and legal regimes;

Unfavorable determinations related to contingencies and legal proceedings;

Risks particular to our risk management segment, including any slowing of the trend toward outsourcing claims administration, and of the concentration of large amounts of revenue with certain clients;

Significant changes in foreign exchange rates;

The lower level of predictability inherent in contingent and supplemental commissions versus standard commissions;

Changes to our financial presentation from new accounting estimates and assumptions;

Sustained increases in the cost of employee benefits;

Changes in healthcare-related laws and regulations with the potential to negatively impact our employee benefits consulting business, including “Medicare-for-all” and other proposed laws expanding the role of public programs in healthcare;

- 31 -


Our failure to apply technology effectively in driving value for our clients through technology-based solutions, or failure to gain internal efficiencies and effective internal controls through the application of technology and related tools;

Our inability to recover successfully, including damage to our reputation and client relationships, should we experience a disaster, cybersecurity attack or other significant disruption to business continuity;

Damage to our reputation;

Our failure to comply with regulatory requirements, including those related to governance and control requirements in particular jurisdictions, international sanctions, or a change in regulations or enforcement policies that adversely affects our operations (for example, relating to insurance broker compensation methods or the failure of state and local governments to follow through on agreed-upon income tax credits or other tax related incentives, relating to our corporate headquarters);

Violations or alleged violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 or other anti-corruption laws and Foreign Account Tax Compliance provisions of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, (which we refer to as FATCA);

The outcome of any existing or future investigation, review, regulatory action or litigation;

Our failure to adapt our services to changes resulting from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act and any changes in such laws brought about by the current administration;

Unfavorable determinations related to contingencies and legal proceedings;

Improper disclosure of confidential, personal or proprietary data;

Significant changes in foreign exchange rates;

Changes to our financial presentation from new accounting estimates and assumptions (including as a result of the new lease and revenue recognition standards);

Risks related to our clean energy investments, including intellectual property claims, utilities switching from coal to natural gas or renewable energy sources, environmental and product liability claims, environmental compliance costs and the risk of disallowance by the Internal Revenue Service (which we refer to as the IRS) of previously claimed tax credits;

The risk that our outstanding debt adversely affects our financial flexibility and restrictions and limitations in the agreements and instruments governing our debt;

The risk we may not be able to receive dividends or other distributions from subsidiaries;

The risk of share ownership dilution when we issue common stock as consideration for acquisitions and for other reasons; and

Volatility of the price of our common stock.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.  They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risk of intellectual property claims, utilities switching from coalfactors referred to natural gas, environmentalabove, and product liability claims, and environmental compliance costs;

Disallowance of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (which we refer to as IRC) Section 29are currently, or IRC Section 45 tax credits for us or our partners;

The risk that our outstanding debt adversely affects our financial flexibility and restrictions and limitations in the agreementsfuture could be, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our future performance and instruments governing our debt;

The risk weactual results may not be able to receive dividends or other distributionsdiffer materially from subsidiaries;

The risk of share ownership dilution when we issue common stock as consideration for acquisitions and for other reasons; and

Volatility of the price of our common stock.

those expressed in forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of, and are based on information available to us on, the date of the applicable document.  Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.  WeForward-looking statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any such statements or release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risk factors referred to above. Our future performance and actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future or unexpected events or otherwise.otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

- 32 -


A detailed discussion of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our published expectations is contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2019, as well as Item 1A “Risk Factors” of Part II of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and any other reports we file with the SEC in the future.

- 3 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Index

Page No.

Part I.

Financial Information

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Three-month Periods Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

5

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings for the Three-month Periods Ended March 31, 2020
and 2019

6

Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019

7

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three-month Periods Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019

8

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three-month Periods Ended March 31, 2020
and 2019

9-10

Notes to March 31, 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements

11-32

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

33-58

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

58-60

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

60

Part II.

Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

61

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

61-62

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

62-63

Item 6.

Exhibits

64

Signature

65

- 4 -


Part I - Financial Information

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

(Unaudited - in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Three-month period ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Commissions

 

$

1,017.2

 

 

$

940.4

 

Fees

 

 

507.3

 

 

 

464.7

 

Supplemental revenues

 

 

59.0

 

 

 

56.7

 

Contingent revenues

 

 

45.1

 

 

 

48.0

 

Investment income

 

 

18.6

 

 

 

18.3

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

57.1

 

Revenues from clean coal activities

 

 

181.8

 

 

 

372.3

 

Revenues before reimbursements

 

 

1,829.2

 

 

 

1,957.5

 

Reimbursements

 

 

37.7

 

 

 

33.1

 

Total revenues

 

 

1,866.9

 

 

 

1,990.6

 

Compensation

 

 

896.2

 

 

 

837.1

 

Operating

 

 

257.7

 

 

 

262.5

 

Reimbursements

 

 

37.7

 

 

 

33.1

 

Cost of revenues from clean coal activities

 

 

185.4

 

 

 

382.5

 

Interest

 

 

50.5

 

 

 

40.2

 

Depreciation

 

 

36.8

 

 

 

34.0

 

Amortization

 

 

135.6

 

 

 

76.5

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

 

 

(89.0

)

 

 

2.9

 

Total expenses

 

 

1,510.9

 

 

 

1,668.8

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

356.0

 

 

 

321.8

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

(29.9

)

Net earnings

 

 

355.4

 

 

 

351.7

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

17.6

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

 

$

346.3

 

 

$

334.1

 

Basic net earnings per share

 

$

1.83

 

 

$

1.81

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

 

1.79

 

 

 

1.77

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

 

0.45

 

 

 

0.43

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 5 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

 

Three-month period ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net earnings

 

$

355.4

 

 

$

351.7

 

Change in pension liability, net of taxes

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

1.6

 

Foreign currency translation, net of taxes

 

 

(381.3

)

 

 

74.5

 

Change in fair value of derivative investments, net of taxes

 

 

(91.4

)

 

 

(11.8

)

Comprehensive (loss) earnings

 

 

(116.1

)

 

 

416.0

 

Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

18.2

 

Comprehensive (loss) earnings attributable to controlling interests

 

$

(126.4

)

 

$

397.8

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 6 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

 

March 31,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

352.8

 

 

$

604.8

 

Restricted cash

 

 

2,280.4

 

 

 

2,019.1

 

Premiums and fees receivable

 

 

7,094.3

 

 

 

5,419.2

 

Other current assets

 

 

799.7

 

 

 

1,074.4

 

Total current assets

 

 

10,527.2

 

 

 

9,117.5

 

Fixed assets - net

 

 

454.3

 

 

 

467.4

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,003.8

 

 

 

945.6

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

674.4

 

 

 

773.6

 

Right-of-use assets

 

 

374.8

 

 

 

393.5

 

Goodwill

 

 

5,555.2

 

 

 

5,618.5

 

Amortizable intangible assets - net

 

 

2,246.8

 

 

 

2,318.7

 

Total assets

 

$

20,836.5

 

 

$

19,634.8

 

Premiums payable to underwriting enterprises

 

$

7,778.7

 

 

$

6,348.5

 

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

 

1,058.2

 

 

 

1,347.8

 

Deferred revenue - current

 

 

423.3

 

 

 

434.1

 

Premium financing debt

 

 

122.6

 

 

 

170.6

 

Corporate related borrowings - current

 

 

455.0

 

 

 

620.0

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

9,837.8

 

 

 

8,921.0

 

Corporate related borrowings - noncurrent

 

 

4,315.1

 

 

 

3,816.1

 

Deferred revenue - noncurrent

 

 

68.2

 

 

 

69.7

 

Lease liabilities - noncurrent

 

 

319.4

 

 

 

340.9

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

1,225.9

 

 

 

1,271.6

 

Total liabilities

 

 

15,766.4

 

 

 

14,419.3

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock - issued and outstanding 189.6 shares in 2020 and 188.1 shares in 2019

 

 

189.6

 

 

 

188.1

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

 

3,909.6

 

 

 

3,825.7

 

Retained earnings

 

 

2,161.4

 

 

 

1,901.3

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(1,231.1

)

 

 

(759.6

)

Stockholders' equity attributable to controlling interests

 

 

5,029.5

 

 

 

5,155.5

 

Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

40.6

 

 

 

60.0

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

5,070.1

 

 

 

5,215.5

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

20,836.5

 

 

$

19,634.8

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 7 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

 

Three-month period ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

355.4

 

 

$

351.7

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (gain) on investments and other

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(57.2

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

172.4

 

 

 

110.5

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

 

 

(89.0

)

 

 

2.9

 

Amortization of deferred compensation and restricted stock

 

 

15.3

 

 

 

10.0

 

Stock-based and other noncash compensation expense

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

3.6

 

Payments on acquisition earnouts in excess of original estimates

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(7.1

)

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

 

 

(12.4

)

 

 

2.6

 

Net change in premiums and fees receivable

 

 

(2,055.8

)

 

 

(1,285.6

)

Net change in deferred revenue

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

18.6

 

Net change in premiums payable to underwriting enterprises

 

 

1,863.1

 

 

 

876.9

 

Net change in other current assets

 

 

206.4

 

 

 

133.4

 

Net change in accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

 

(307.0

)

 

 

(209.0

)

Net change in income taxes payable

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

35.5

 

Net change in deferred income taxes

 

 

(37.5

)

 

 

(67.8

)

Net change in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

 

 

(11.7

)

 

 

(15.2

)

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

 

108.6

 

 

 

(96.2

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(29.5

)

 

 

(39.3

)

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired

 

 

(76.2

)

 

 

(175.6

)

Net proceeds from sales of operations/books of business

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

74.0

 

Net funding of investment transactions

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Net cash used by investing activities

 

 

(105.0

)

 

 

(141.3

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on acquisition earnouts

 

 

(21.0

)

 

 

(8.2

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

23.9

 

 

 

32.8

 

Payments to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(74.8

)

 

 

(10.7

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(87.4

)

 

 

(79.6

)

Net borrowings on premium financing debt facility

 

 

(26.5

)

 

 

(20.5

)

Borrowings on line of credit facility

 

 

1,730.0

 

 

 

1,025.0

 

Repayments on line of credit facility

 

 

(1,970.0

)

 

 

(1,030.0

)

Net borrowings of corporate related long-term debt

 

 

575.0

 

 

 

600.0

 

Debt acquisition costs

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

Settlements on terminated interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

 

(1.2

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

147.9

 

 

 

507.4

 

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents and

   restricted cash

 

 

(142.2

)

 

 

34.1

 

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

304.0

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

2,623.9

 

 

 

2,236.8

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

2,633.2

 

 

$

2,540.8

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 8 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital in

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Excess of

 

 

Retained

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Par Value

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Loss

 

 

Interests

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

 

188.1

 

 

$

188.1

 

 

$

3,825.7

 

 

$

1,901.3

 

 

$

(759.6

)

 

$

60.0

 

 

$

5,215.5

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

346.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

355.4

 

Net purchase of subsidiary shares from

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.8

)

 

 

(10.8

)

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18.9

)

 

 

(18.9

)

Net change in pension asset/liability,

   net of taxes of $0.3 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(381.3

)

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

(380.1

)

Change in fair value of derivative

   instruments, net of taxes of $(28.9) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(91.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(91.4

)

Compensation expense related to stock

   option plan grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

Common stock issued in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three purchase transactions

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

72.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73.1

 

Stock option plans

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

17.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.9

 

Employee stock purchase plan

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.0

 

Deferred compensation and restricted

   stock

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(15.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15.0

)

Cash dividends declared on common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(86.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(86.2

)

Balance at March 31, 2020

 

 

189.6

 

 

$

189.6

 

 

$

3,909.6

 

 

$

2,161.4

 

 

$

(1,231.1

)

 

$

40.6

 

 

$

5,070.1

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 9 -


Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital in

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Excess of

 

 

Retained

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Par Value

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Loss

 

 

Interests

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

184.0

 

 

$

184.0

 

 

$

3,541.9

 

 

$

1,558.6

 

 

$

(785.6

)

 

$

70.8

 

 

$

4,569.7

 

Cumulative effects of adoptions of lease

   and hedging accounting standards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2.4

)

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

334.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.6

 

 

 

351.7

 

Net purchase of subsidiary shares from

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.3

)

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11.0

)

 

 

(11.0

)

Net change in pension asset/liability,

   net of taxes of $0.4 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.6

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

74.5

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

75.1

 

Change in fair value of derivative

   instruments, net of taxes of $(4.4) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

(11.8

)

Compensation expense related to stock

   option plan grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.6

 

Common stock issued in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two purchase transactions

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

36.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37.0

 

Stock option plans

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

27.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28.1

 

Employee stock purchase plan

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.7

 

Deferred compensation and restricted

   stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.5

)

Cash dividends declared on common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80.3

)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

 

185.3

 

 

$

185.3

 

 

$

3,606.3

 

 

$

1,810.2

 

 

$

(721.5

)

 

$

77.9

 

 

$

4,958.2

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 10 -


Notes to March 31, 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Terms Used in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

ASC - Accounting Standards Codification.

ASU - Accounting Standards Update.

FASB - The Financial Accounting Standards Board.

GAAP - U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  

IRC - Internal Revenue Code.

IRS - Internal Revenue Service.

Underwriting enterprises - Insurance companies, reinsurance companies and various other forms of risk-taking entities, including intermediaries of underwriting enterprises.  

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and its subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as we, our, us or the company, provide insurance brokerage, consulting and third party claims settlement and administration services to both domestic and international entities through 3 reportable operating segments.  Our brokers, agents and administrators act as intermediaries between underwriting enterprises and our clients.

Our brokerage segment operations provide brokerage and consulting services to companies and entities of all types, including commercial, not-for-profit, public entities, and, to a lesser extent, individuals, in the areas of insurance placement, risk of loss management, and management of employer sponsored benefit programs.  Our risk management segment operations provide contract claim settlement, claim administration, loss control services and risk management consulting for commercial, not-for-profit, captive and public entities, and various other organizations that choose to self-insure property/casualty coverages or choose to use a third-party claims management organization rather than the claim services provided by underwriting enterprises.  The corporate segment reports the financial information related to our debt and other corporate costs, clean energy investments, external acquisition-related expenses and the impact of foreign currency translation.  Clean energy investments consist of our investments in limited liability companies that own 34 commercial clean coal production facilities producing refined coal using Chem-Mod LLC’s proprietary technologies.  We believe these operations produce refined coal that qualifies for tax credits under IRC Section 45.  

We do not assume underwriting risk on a net basis, other than with respect to de minimis amounts necessary to provide minimum or regulatory capital to organize captives, pools, specialized underwriters or risk-retention groups.  Rather, capital for covering losses is provided by underwriting enterprises.

Investment income and other revenues are primarily generated from our premium financing operations, our invested cash and restricted cash we hold on behalf of our clients, as well as clean energy investments.  In addition, our share of the net earnings related to partially owned entities that are accounted for using the equity method is included in investment income.

We are headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, have operations in 49 countries and offer client-service capabilities in more than 150 countries globally through a network of correspondent insurance brokers and consultants.

- 11 -


We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein are, in the opinion of management, prepared on a basis consistent with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, except as disclosed in Note 2, and include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information set forth.  The quarterly results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be reported for subsequent quarters or the full year.  These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.  In the preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2020, management evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued, for potential recognition or disclosure therein.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  These accounting principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements.  We periodically evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those relating to the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, right-of-use assets, investments (including our IRC Section 45 investments), income taxes, revenue recognition, deferred costs, stock-based compensation, claims handling obligations, retirement plans, litigation and contingencies.  We base our estimates on historical experience and various assumptions that we believe to be reasonable based on specific circumstances.  Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

2.  Effect of New Accounting Pronouncements

Credit Impairment

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326):  Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.  Under the new guidance an entity is required to measure all credit losses on certain financial instruments, including trade receivables and various off-balance sheet credit exposures, using an expected credit loss model.  This model incorporates past experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts affecting collectability of these instruments.  An entity will apply the new guidance through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption.  The guidance was effective January 1, 2020.  We adopted this new guidance effective January 1, 2020 and applied the guidance to measure credit losses on our financial instruments, which included premiums and fees receivable, premium finance advances and reinsurance recoverables. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Disclosure Framework

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820):  Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.  This new guidance modifies various disclosure requirements for fair value measurements, including in certain part those related to Level 3 fair value measurements.  The new guidance was effective January 1, 2020.  Certain portions of the guidance needed to be adopted prospectively while other portions were required to be adopted retrospectively for all periods presented.  

In August 2018, the FASB also issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Topic 715-20):  Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.  This new guidance modifies various disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans.  The new guidance was effective January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted.  Retrospective adoption is required.  

We adopted both of the standards effective January 1, 2020. The adoption did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

- 12 -


Intangibles - Goodwill and Other

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350):  Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.  The new guidance eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test.  Instead, the updated guidance requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, and recognizing a non-cash impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value with the loss not exceeding the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.  The new guidance was effective beginning January 1, 2020.  We adopted this new guidance effective January 1, 2020. The adoption did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Internal-use Software

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40):  Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract.  This new accounting guidance requires deferral of certain implementation costs associated with a cloud computing arrangement, or hosting arrangement, thereby aligning deferral of such costs with implementation costs associated with developing internal-use software.  Accounting for the service component of a hosting arrangement remains unchanged.  An entity will defer these implementation costs over the term of the hosting arrangement, including optional renewal periods that are reasonably certain of exercise.  Amounts expensed would be presented through operating expense, rather than depreciation or amortization.  The new guidance was effective January 1, 2020.  An entity may adopt the guidance either prospectively for all cloud computing arrangement implementation costs incurred on or after the effective date, or retrospectively, including comparative periods.  We adopted this new guidance effective January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

3.  Business Combinations

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, we acquired substantially all of the net assets of the following firms in exchange for our common stock and/or cash.  These acquisitions have been accounted for using the acquisition method for recording business combinations (in millions, except share data):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Maximum

 

 

 

Common

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recorded

 

 

Recorded

 

 

Potential

 

Name and Effective

 

Shares

 

 

Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued

 

 

Escrow

 

 

Earnout

 

 

Purchase

 

 

Earnout

 

Date of Acquisition

 

Issued

 

 

Value

 

 

Cash Paid

 

 

Liability

 

 

Deposited

 

 

Payable

 

 

Price

 

 

Payable

 

 

 

(000s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2020 (CRB)

 

 

584

 

 

$

62.9

 

 

$

64.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

119.0

 

 

$

246.4

 

 

$

209.1

 

Hanover Excess & Surplus, Inc and Hanover Premium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance, Inc (HES)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

33.3

 

 

 

9.3

 

Six other acquisitions completed

   in 2020

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

48.4

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

68.0

 

 

 

24.2

 

 

 

 

604

 

 

$

62.9

 

 

$

143.0

 

 

$

1.8

 

 

$

7.4

 

 

$

132.6

 

 

$

347.7

 

 

$

242.6

 

Common shares issued in connection with acquisitions are valued at closing market prices as of the effective date of the applicable acquisition or on the days when the shares are issued, if purchase consideration is deferred.  We record escrow deposits that are returned to us as a result of adjustments to net assets acquired as reductions of goodwill when the escrows are settled.  The maximum potential earnout payables disclosed in the foregoing table represent the maximum amount of additional consideration that could be paid pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement for the applicable acquisition.  The amounts recorded as earnout payables, which are primarily based upon the estimated future operating results of the acquired entities over a two- to three-year period subsequent to the acquisition date, are measured at fair value as of the acquisition date and are included on that basis in the recorded purchase price consideration in the foregoing table.  We will record subsequent changes in these estimated earnout obligations, including the accretion of discount, in our consolidated statement of earnings when incurred.

The fair value of these earnout obligations is based on the present value of the expected future payments to be made to the sellers of the acquired entities in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective purchase agreements, which is a Level 3 fair value measurement. In determining fair value, we estimated the acquired entity’s future performance using financial projections developed by management for the acquired entity and market participant assumptions that were derived for revenue growth and/or profitability.

- 13 -


Revenue growth rates generally ranged from 2.5% to 13.8% for our 2020 acquisitions.  We estimated future payments using the earnout formula and performance targets specified in each purchase agreement and the financial projections just described. We then discounted these payments to present value using a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration market-based rates of return that reflect the ability of the acquired entity to achieve the targets. The discount rates generally were 9% for all of our 2020 acquisitions.  Changes in financial projections, market participant assumptions for revenue growth and/or profitability, or the risk-adjusted discount rate, would result in a change in the fair value of recorded earnout obligations.  

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $10.7 million and $5.6 million, respectively, of expense in our consolidated statement of earnings related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations in connection with our acquisitions. In addition, during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $99.6 million and $2.7 million of income, respectively, related to net adjustments in the estimated fair value of the liability for earnout obligations in connection with revised projections of future performance for 75 and 33 acquisitions, respectively.  The aggregate amount of maximum earnout obligations related to acquisitions was $1,130.6 million as of March 31, 2020, of which $530.2 million was recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020, based on the estimated fair value of the expected future payments to be made.  

The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired at the date of each acquisition made in the three‑month period ended March 31, 2020 (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRB

 

 

HES

 

 

 

Acquisitions

 

 

Total

 

Cash

 

$

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

$

2.6

 

Other current assets

 

 

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

 

20.3

 

 

 

24.3

 

Fixed assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

Noncurrent assets

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

10.2

 

Goodwill

 

 

119.0

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

 

27.1

 

 

 

159.2

 

Expiration lists

 

 

103.3

 

 

 

19.5

 

 

 

 

36.9

 

 

 

159.7

 

Non-compete agreements

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

4.1

 

Trade names

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.2

 

Total assets acquired

 

 

246.4

 

 

 

38.2

 

 

 

 

89.1

 

 

 

373.7

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

 

18.2

 

 

 

22.6

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

3.4

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

 

21.1

 

 

 

26.0

 

Total net assets acquired

 

$

246.4

 

 

$

33.3

 

 

 

$

68.0

 

 

$

347.7

 

Among other things, these acquisitions allow us to expand into desirable geographic locations, further extend our presence in the retail and wholesale insurance and reinsurance brokerage services markets and increase the volume of general services currently provided.  The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the tangible net assets acquired at the acquisition date was allocated to goodwill, expiration lists, non-compete agreements and trade names in the amounts of $159.2 million, $159.7 million, $4.1 million and $13.2 million, respectively, within the brokerage and risk management segment.

Provisional estimates of fair value are established at the time of each acquisition and are subsequently reviewed within the first year of operations subsequent to the acquisition date to determine the necessity for adjustments.  The fair value of the tangible assets and liabilities for each applicable acquisition at the acquisition date approximated their carrying values.  The fair value of expiration lists was established using the excess earnings method, which is an income approach based on estimated financial projections developed by management for each acquired entity using market participant assumptions.  Revenue growth and attrition rates generally ranged from 3.0% to 3.2% and 5.0% to 14.1%, respectively, for our 2019 acquisitions for which valuations were performed in 2020.  We estimate the fair value as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the subject expiration list in excess of returns required on the investment in contributory assets necessary to realize those benefits.  The rate used to discount the net benefits was based on a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration market-based rates of return and reflects the risk of the asset relative to the acquired business.  These discount rates generally ranged from 10.0% to 12.5% for our 2019 acquisitions for which valuations were performed in 2020.  The fair value of non-compete agreements was established using the profit differential method, which is an income approach based on estimated financial projections developed by management for the acquired company using market participant assumptions and various non-compete scenarios.

Expiration lists, non-compete agreements and trade names related to our acquisitions are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (two to fifteen years for expiration lists, three to five years for non-compete agreements and two to fifteen years for trade names), while goodwill is not subject to amortization.  We use the straight-line method to amortize these intangible

- 14 -


assets because the pattern of their economic benefits cannot be reasonably determined with any certainty.  We review all of our intangible assets for impairment periodically (at least annually) and whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable.  In reviewing intangible assets, if the fair value were less than the carrying amount of the respective (or underlying) asset, an indicator of impairment would exist and further analysis would be required to determine whether or not a loss would need to be charged against current period earnings as a component of amortization expense.  Based on the results of impairment reviews during the three month period ended March 31, 2020, we wrote off $45.8 million of amortizable assets related to the brokerage segment.  NaN such impairments were noted in the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

Of the $159.7 million of expiration lists, $4.1 million of non-compete agreements and $13.2 million of trade names related to our acquisitions made during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, $1.5 million, 0 and 0, respectively, is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.  Accordingly, we recorded a deferred tax liability of $0.5 million, and a corresponding amount of goodwill, in the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, related to the nondeductible amortizable intangible assets.  

Our consolidated financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 include the operations of the entities acquired in the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 from their respective acquisition dates.  The following is a summary of the unaudited pro forma historical results, as if these entities had been acquired at January 1, 2019 (in millions, except per share data):

 

 

Three-month period ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,868.7

 

 

$

1,997.8

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

 

 

346.2

 

 

 

339.4

 

Basic net earnings per share

 

 

1.83

 

 

 

1.83

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

 

1.79

 

 

 

1.80

 

The unaudited pro forma results above have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had these acquisitions occurred at January 1, 2019, nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating results.  Annualized revenues of entities acquired during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 totaled approximately $124.2 million.  For the three‑month period ended March 31, 2020, total revenues and net earnings recorded in our unaudited consolidated statement of earnings related to our acquisitions made during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 in the aggregate, were $6.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

4.  Contracts with Customers

Contract Assets and Liabilities/Contract Balances

Information about unbilled receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers is as follows (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

Unbilled receivables

 

$

797.7

 

 

$

556.4

 

Deferred contract costs

 

 

57.3

 

 

 

98.3

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

491.5

 

 

 

503.8

 

The unbilled receivables, which are included in premiums and fees receivable in our consolidated balance sheet, primarily relate to our rights to consideration for work completed but not billed at the reporting date.  These are transferred to the receivables when the client is billed.  The deferred contract costs represent the costs we incur to fulfill a new or renewal contract with our clients prior to the effective date of the contract.  These costs are expensed on the contract effective date.  The deferred revenue represents the remaining performance obligations under our contracts.

- 15 -


Significant changes in the deferred revenue balances, which include foreign currency translation adjustments, during the period are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Total

 

Deferred revenue at December 31, 2019

 

$

337.2

 

 

$

166.6

 

 

$

503.8

 

Incremental deferred revenue

 

 

166.2

 

 

 

42.4

 

 

 

208.6

 

Revenue recognized during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020

    included in deferred revenue at December 31, 2019

 

 

(154.9

)

 

 

(50.0

)

 

 

(204.9

)

Impact of change in foreign exchange rates

 

 

(17.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(17.1

)

Deferred revenue recognized from business acquisitions

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

Deferred revenue at March 31, 2020

 

$

332.5

 

 

$

159.0

 

 

$

491.5

 

Revenue recognized during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 in the table above included revenue from 2019 acquisitions that would not be reflected in prior periods.

Remaining Performance Obligations

Remaining performance obligations represent the portion of the contract price for which work has not been performed.  As of March 31, 2020, the aggregate amount of the contract price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $491.5 million.  The estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period is as follows (in millions):

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Risk

Management

 

 

Total

 

2020 (remaining nine months)

 

$

278.5

 

 

$

79.9

 

 

$

358.4

 

2021

 

 

46.1

 

 

 

35.2

 

 

 

81.3

 

2022

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

26.9

 

2023

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

10.3

 

2024

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

5.1

 

Thereafter

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

9.5

 

Total

 

$

332.5

 

 

$

159.0

 

 

$

491.5

 

Deferred Contract Costs

We capitalize costs incurred to fulfill contracts as deferred contract costs which are included in other current assets in our consolidated balance sheet.  Deferred contract costs were $57.3 million and $98.3 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.  Capitalized fulfillment costs are amortized on the contract effective date.  The amount of amortization of the deferred contract costs was $120.8 million and $113.4 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

We have applied the practical expedient to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less for our brokerage segment.  These costs are included in compensation and operating expenses in our consolidated statement of earnings.

5.  Other Financial Data

Other Current Assets

Major classes of other current assets consist of the following (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

Premium finance advances and loans

 

$

271.1

 

 

$

388.1

 

Accrued supplemental, direct bill and other receivables

 

 

317.8

 

 

 

369.1

 

Refined coal production related receivables

 

 

47.0

 

 

 

103.4

 

Deferred contract costs

 

 

57.3

 

 

 

98.3

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

106.5

 

 

 

115.5

 

Total other current assets

 

$

799.7

 

 

$

1,074.4

 

- 16 -


The premium finance advances and loans represent short-term loans which we make to many of our brokerage related clients and other non‑brokerage clients to finance their premiums paid to underwriting enterprises.  These premium finance advances and loans are primarily generated by three Australian and New Zealand premium finance subsidiaries.  Financing receivables are carried at amortized cost.  Given that these receivables carry a fairly rapid delinquency period of only seven days post payment date, and that contractually the majority of the underlying insurance policies will be cancelled within one month of the payment due date in normal course, there historically has been a minimal risk of not receiving payment, and therefore we do not maintain any significant allowance for losses against this balance.  

6.  Intangible Assets

The carrying amount of goodwill at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 allocated by domestic and foreign operations is as follows (in millions):

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Risk

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

At March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

3,219.4

 

 

$

33.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,252.5

 

United Kingdom

 

 

1,186.5

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,199.4

 

Canada

 

 

418.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

418.0

 

Australia

 

 

358.4

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

367.4

 

New Zealand

 

 

182.6

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

191.4

 

Other foreign

 

 

123.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

126.5

 

Total goodwill

 

$

5,488.6

 

 

$

63.8

 

 

$

2.8

 

 

$

5,555.2

 

At December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

3,163.8

 

 

$

33.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,196.9

 

United Kingdom

 

 

1,177.8

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,190.7

 

Canada

 

 

454.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

454.4

 

Australia

 

 

416.5

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

427.0

 

New Zealand

 

 

208.0

 

 

 

10.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

218.1

 

Other foreign

 

 

128.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

131.4

 

Total goodwill

 

$

5,548.9

 

 

$

66.6

 

 

$

3.0

 

 

$

5,618.5

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Risk

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

$

5,548.9

 

 

$

66.6

 

 

$

3.0

 

 

$

5,618.5

 

Goodwill acquired during the period

 

 

159.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

159.2

 

Goodwill adjustments due to appraisals and other acquisition adjustments

 

 

18.1

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.2

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments during the period

 

 

(237.6

)

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(241.7

)

Balance as of March 31, 2020

 

$

5,488.6

 

 

$

63.8

 

 

$

2.8

 

 

$

5,555.2

 

- 17 -


Major classes of amortizable intangible assets at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consist of the following (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Expiration lists

 

$

4,231.8

 

 

$

4,246.0

 

Accumulated amortization - expiration lists

 

 

(2,076.5

)

 

 

(2,004.3

)

 

 

 

2,155.3

 

 

 

2,241.7

 

Non-compete agreements

 

 

70.2

 

 

 

68.4

 

Accumulated amortization - non-compete agreements

 

 

(52.5

)

 

 

(52.5

)

 

 

 

17.7

 

 

 

15.9

 

Trade names

 

 

104.7

 

 

 

91.8

 

Accumulated amortization - trade names

 

 

(30.9

)

 

 

(30.7

)

 

 

 

73.8

 

 

 

61.1

 

Net amortizable assets

 

$

2,246.8

 

 

$

2,318.7

 

Estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:

2020 (remaining nine months)

 

$

263.8

 

2021

 

 

330.5

 

2022

 

 

305.2

 

2023

 

 

279.5

 

2024

 

 

246.2

 

Thereafter

 

 

821.6

 

Total

 

$

2,246.8

 

- 18 -


7.  Credit and Other Debt Agreements

The following is a summary of our corporate and other debt (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Note Purchase Agreements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.48%, balloon due June 24, 2020

 

$

50.0

 

 

$

50.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.99%, balloon due July 10, 2020

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.18%, balloon due February 10, 2021

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

75.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.69%, balloon due June 14, 2022

 

 

200.0

 

 

 

200.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.49%, balloon due February 10, 2023

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.13%, balloon due June 24, 2023

 

 

200.0

 

 

 

200.0

 

Quarterly payments of interest, floating rate of 90 day LIBOR plus 1.65%, balloon due August 2, 2023

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.72%, balloon due February 13, 2024

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.58%, balloon due February 27, 2024

 

 

325.0

 

 

 

325.0

 

Quarterly payments of interest, floating rate of 90 day LIBOR plus 1.40%, balloon due June 13, 2024

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.31%, balloon due June 24, 2025

 

 

200.0

 

 

 

200.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.85%, balloon due February 13, 2026

 

 

140.0

 

 

 

140.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.73%, balloon due February 27, 2026

 

 

175.0

 

 

 

175.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.40%, balloon due June 2, 2026

 

 

175.0

 

 

 

175.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.36%, balloon due June 24, 2026

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

150.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.75%, balloon due January 30, 2027

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.09%, balloon due June 27, 2027

 

 

125.0

 

 

 

125.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.09%, balloon due August 2, 2027

 

 

125.0

 

 

 

125.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.14%, balloon due August 4, 2027

 

 

98.0

 

 

 

98.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.46%, balloon due December 1, 2027

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.55%, balloon due June 2, 2028

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

75.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.34%, balloon due June 13, 2028

 

 

125.0

 

 

 

125.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.04%, balloon due February 13, 2029

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.98%, balloon due February 27, 2029

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.19%, balloon due June 27, 2029

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.19%, balloon due August 2, 2029

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.48%, balloon due December 2, 2029

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 3.99%, balloon due January 30, 2030

 

 

341.0

 

 

 

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.44%, balloon due June 13, 2030

 

 

125.0

 

 

 

125.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.14%, balloon due March 13, 2031

 

 

180.0

 

 

 

180.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.70%, balloon due June 2, 2031

 

 

25.0

 

 

 

25.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.09%, balloon due January 30, 2032

 

 

69.0

 

 

 

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.34%, balloon due June 27, 2032

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

75.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.34%, balloon due August 2, 2032

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

75.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.59%, balloon due June 13, 2033

 

 

125.0

 

 

 

125.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.29%, balloon due March 13, 2034

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

40.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.48%, balloon due June 12, 2034

 

 

175.0

 

 

 

175.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.24%, balloon due January 30, 2035

 

 

79.0

 

 

 

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.69%, balloon due June 13, 2038

 

 

75.0

 

 

 

75.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.45%, balloon due March 13, 2039

 

 

40.0

 

 

 

40.0

 

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 4.49%, balloon due January 30, 2040

 

 

56.0

 

 

 

 

Total Note Purchase Agreements

 

 

4,498.0

 

 

 

3,923.0

 

Credit Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Periodic payments of interest and principal, prime or LIBOR plus up to 1.45%, expires June 7, 2024

 

 

280.0

 

 

 

520.0

 

Premium Financing Debt Facility - expires July 18, 2021:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUD denominated tranche, interbank rates plus 1.100%

 

 

101.3

 

 

 

142.1

 

NZD denominated tranche, interbank rates plus 1.150%

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

 

Facility C and D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUD denominated tranche, interbank rates plus 0.575%

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

18.8

 

NZD denominated tranche, interbank rates plus 0.600%

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

9.7

 

Total Premium Financing Debt Facility

 

 

122.6

 

 

 

170.6

 

Total corporate and other debt

 

 

4,900.6

 

 

 

4,613.6

 

Less unamortized debt acquisition costs on Note Purchase Agreements

 

 

(7.9

)

 

 

(6.9

)

Net corporate and other debt

 

$

4,892.7

 

 

$

4,606.7

 

- 19 -


8.Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share (in millions, except per share data):

 

 

Three-month period ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

 

$

346.3

 

 

$

334.1

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

188.7

 

 

 

184.5

 

Dilutive effect of stock options using the treasury stock method

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

3.9

 

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding

 

 

193.2

 

 

 

188.4

 

Basic net earnings per share

 

$

1.83

 

 

$

1.81

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

1.79

 

 

$

1.77

 

Anti-dilutive stock-based awards of 0.3 and 1.4 million shares were outstanding at March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, but were excluded in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock-based awards for the three‑month periods then ended. These stock-based awards were excluded from the computation because the exercise prices on these stock-based awards were greater than the average market price of our common shares during the respective period, and therefore, would be anti-dilutive to earnings per share under the treasury stock method.

9.  Stock Option Plans

On May 16, 2017, our stockholders approved the Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the LTIP), which replaced our previous stockholder-approved Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the 2014 LTIP).  The LTIP term began May 16, 2017 and terminates on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders in 2027, unless terminated earlier by our board of directors. All of our officers, employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive awards under the LTIP.  The compensation committee of our board of directors determines the annual number of shares delivered under the LTIP.  The LTIP provides for non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, any or all of which may be made contingent upon the achievement of performance criteria.  

Shares of our common stock available for issuance under the LTIP include authorized and unissued shares of common stock or authorized and issued shares of common stock reacquired and held as treasury shares or otherwise, or a combination thereof.  The number of available shares will be reduced by the aggregate number of shares that become subject to outstanding awards granted under the LTIP. To the extent that shares subject to an outstanding award granted under either the LTIP or prior equity plans are not issued or delivered by reason of the expiration, termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such award or by reason of the settlement of such award in cash, then such shares will again be available for grant under the LTIP.

The maximum number of shares available under the LTIP for restricted stock, restricted stock unit awards and performance unit awards settled with stock (i.e., all awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights) is 2.2 million at March 31, 2020.  

The LTIP provides for the grant of stock options, which may be either tax-qualified incentive stock options or non-qualified options and stock appreciation rights.  The compensation committee determines the period for the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, tax-qualified incentive stock option or stock appreciation right, provided that no option can be exercised later than seven years after its date of grant.  The exercise price of a non-qualified stock option or tax-qualified incentive stock option and the base price of a stock appreciation right cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant, provided that the base price of a stock appreciation right granted in tandem with an option will be the exercise price of the related option.  

Upon exercise, the option exercise price may be paid in cash, by the delivery of previously owned shares of our common stock, through a net-exercise arrangement, or through a broker-assisted cashless exercise arrangement.  The compensation committee determines all of the terms relating to the exercise, cancellation or other disposition of an option or stock appreciation right upon a termination of employment, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason. Stock option and stock appreciation right awards under the LTIP are non-transferable.

- 20 -


On March 12, 2020, the compensation committee granted 1,590,740 options under the LTIP to our officers and key employees that become exercisable at the rate of 34%, 33% and 33% on the anniversary date of the grant in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.  On March 14, 2019, the compensation committee granted 1,283,300 options under the LTIP to our officers and key employees that become exercisable at the rate of 34%, 33% and 33% on the anniversary date of the grant in 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.  The 2020 and 2019 options expire seven years from the date of grant, or earlier in the event of certain terminations of employment.  For our executive officers age 55 or older, stock options are not subject to forfeiture upon such officers’ departure from the company after two years from the date of grant.

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $3.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to our stock option grants.

For purposes of expense recognition, the estimated fair values of the stock option grants are amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period.  We estimated the fair value of stock options at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Expected dividend yield

 

 

1.80

%

 

 

1.72

%

Expected risk-free interest rate

 

 

0.7

%

 

 

2.5

%

Volatility

 

 

17.3

%

 

 

15.6

%

Expected life (in years)

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

5.5

 

Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility.  The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable.  The weighted average fair value per option for all options granted during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, as determined on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, was $9.99 and $10.71, respectively.

The following is a summary of our stock option activity and related information for 2020 (in millions, except exercise price and year data):

 

 

Three-month period ended March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Remaining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Average

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Under

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Term

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Option

 

 

Price

 

 

(in years)

 

 

Value

 

Beginning balance

 

 

7.9

 

 

$

56.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

86.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

42.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or canceled

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

58.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance

 

 

9.0

 

 

$

62.32

 

 

 

4.23

 

 

$

180.6

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

 

3.3

 

 

$

47.00

 

 

 

2.37

 

 

$

114.3

 

Ending unvested and expected to vest

 

 

5.3

 

 

$

70.53

 

 

 

5.24

 

 

$

64.7

 

Options with respect to 11.2 million shares (less any shares of restricted stock issued under the LTIP - see Note 11 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements) were available for grant under the LTIP at March 31, 2020.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $25.9 million and $27.6 million, respectively.  As of March 31, 2020, we had approximately $40.2 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested options.  We expect to recognize that cost over a weighted average period of approximately four years.

- 21 -


Other information regarding stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2020 is summarized as follows (in millions, except exercise price and year data):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

 

Options Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

 

Term

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Number

 

 

Exercise

 

Range of Exercise Prices

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

(in years)

 

 

Price

 

 

Exercisable

 

 

Price

 

$

43.71

 

 

 

$

43.71

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

2.96

 

 

$

43.71

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

$

43.71

 

 

46.17

 

 

 

 

46.87

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

1.57

 

 

 

46.43

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

46.43

 

 

47.92

 

 

 

 

58.86

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

3.95

 

 

 

56.81

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

56.86

 

 

70.74

 

 

 

 

 

70.74

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

4.96

 

 

 

70.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79.59

 

 

 

 

79.59

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

5.96

 

 

 

79.59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

86.17

 

 

 

 

86.17

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

6.95

 

 

 

86.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

43.71

 

 

 

$

86.17

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

4.23

 

 

$

62.32

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

$

47.00

 

10.  Deferred Compensation

We have a Deferred Equity Participation Plan (which we refer to as the DEPP), which is a non-qualified plan that generally provides for distributions to certain of our key executives when they reach age 62 (or the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant for participants over the age of 61 as of the grant date) or upon or after their actual retirement.  Under the provisions of the DEPP, we typically contribute cash in an amount approved by the compensation committee to a rabbi trust on behalf of the executives participating in the DEPP, and instruct the trustee to acquire a specified number of shares of our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on participant elections.  Distributions under the DEPP may not normally be made until the participant reaches age 62 (or the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant for participants over the age of 61 as of the grant date) and are subject to forfeiture in the event of voluntary termination of employment prior to then.  DEPP awards are generally made annually in the first quarter.  In addition, we annually make awards under sub-plans of the DEPP for certain production staff, which generally provide for vesting and/or distributions no sooner than five years from the date of awards, although certain awards vest and/or distribute after the earlier of fifteen years or the participant reaching age 65.  All contributions to the plan (including sub-plans) deemed to be invested in shares of our common stock are distributed in the form of our common stock and all other distributions are paid in cash.

Our common stock that is issued to or purchased by the rabbi trust as a contribution under the DEPP is valued at historical cost, which equals its fair market value at the date of grant or date of purchase.  When common stock is issued, we record an unearned deferred compensation obligation as a reduction of capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, which is amortized to compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of the participants.  Future changes in the fair market value of our common stock owed to the participants do not have any impact on the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements.  

In the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, the compensation committee approved $14.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively, of awards in the aggregate to certain key executives under the DEPP that were contributed to the rabbi trust in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.  We contributed cash to the rabbi trust and instructed the trustee to acquire a specified number of shares of our common stock on the open market to fund these 2020 and 2019 awards.  During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we charged $2.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards.

In the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, the compensation committee approved $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of awards under the sub-plans referred to above, which were contributed to the rabbi trust in the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.  During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we charged $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. There were 0 distributions from the sub-plans during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.

- 22 -


At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we recorded $76.8 million (related to 2.9 million shares) and $64.5 million (related to 2.9 million shares), respectively, of unearned deferred compensation as a reduction of capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  The total intrinsic value of our unvested equity-based awards under the plan at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $235.8 million and $276.3 million, respectively.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, cash and equity awards with an aggregate fair value of $2.3 million was vested and distributed to executives under the DEPP. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, cash and equity awards with an aggregate fair value of $0.8 million was vested and distributed to executives under the DEPP.  

We have a Deferred Cash Participation Plan (which we refer to as the DCPP), which is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain key employees, other than executive officers, that generally provides for vesting and/or distributions no sooner than five years from the date of awards. Under the provisions of the DCPP, we typically contribute cash in an amount approved by the compensation committee to the rabbi trust on behalf of the executives participating in the DCPP, and instruct the trustee to acquire a specified number of shares of our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions based on participant elections.  In the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, the compensation committee approved $3.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of awards in the aggregate to certain key executives under the DCPP that were contributed to the rabbi trust in the second quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.  During the three‑month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we charged $1.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. There were 0 distributions from the DCPP during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.  There were 0 distributions from the DCPP during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

11.  Restricted Stock, Performance Share and Cash Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

As discussed in Note 9 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements, on May 16, 2017, our stockholders approved the LTIP, which replaced our previous stockholder-approved 2014 LTIP.  The LTIP provides for the grant of a stock award either as restricted stock or as restricted stock units to officers, employees and non-employee directors.  In either case, the compensation committee may determine that the award will be subject to the attainment of performance measures over an established performance period.  Stock awards and the related dividend equivalents are non-transferable and subject to forfeiture if the holder does not remain continuously employed with us during the applicable restriction period or, in the case of a performance-based award, if applicable performance measures are not attained. The compensation committee will determine all of the terms relating to the satisfaction of performance measures and the termination of a restriction period, or the forfeiture and cancellation of a restricted stock award upon a termination of employment, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason.  

The agreements awarding restricted stock units under the LTIP will specify whether such awards may be settled in shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of shares and cash and whether the holder will be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, on a current or deferred basis, with respect to such award. Prior to the settlement of a restricted stock unit, the holder of a restricted stock unit will have no rights as a stockholder of the company.  The maximum number of shares available under the LTIP for restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance unit awards settled with stock (i.e., all awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights) is 4.0 million.  At March 31, 2020, 2.2 million shares were available for grant under the LTIP for such awards.

In the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, we granted 405,900 and 399,900 restricted stock units, respectively, to employees under the LTIP, with an aggregate fair value of $34.9 million and $31.8 million, respectively, at the date of grant.  These 2020 and 2019 awards of restricted stock units vest as follows: 405,900 units granted in the first quarter of 2020 and 399,900 units granted in the first quarter of 2019, vest in full based on continued employment through March 12, 2025 and March 14, 2024, respectively. For our executive officers age 55 or older, restricted stock units are not subject to forfeiture upon such officers’ departure from the company after two years from the date of grant.  

We account for restricted stock awards at historical cost, which equals its fair market value at the date of grant, which is amortized to compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of the participants.  Future changes in the fair value of our common stock that is owed to the participants do not have any impact on the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements.  During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $10.6 million and $6.4 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards granted in 2012 through 2020. The total intrinsic value of unvested restricted stock units at March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $153.2 million and $142.2 million, respectively.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, equity awards (including accrued dividends) with an aggregate value of $29.8 million, were vested and distributed to employees under this plan.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 0 equity awards were vested and distributed to employees under this plan

- 23 -


Performance Share Awards

On March 12, 2020 and March 14, 2019, pursuant to the LTIP, the compensation committee approved 82,500 and 73,600, respectively, of provisional performance share awards, with an aggregate fair value of $7.1 million and $5.8 million, respectively, for future grants to our officers and key employees. Each performance share award was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date such provisional award was approved. At the end of the performance period, eligible participants will receive a number of earned shares based on the growth in adjusted EBITDAC per share (as defined in our 2020 Proxy Statement). Earned shares for the 2020 and 2019 provisional awards will fully vest based on continuous employment through March 12, 2023 and March 14, 2022, respectively, and will be settled in unrestricted shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis as soon as practicable thereafter.  The 2020 and 2019 awards are subject to a three-year performance period that began on January 1, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and vest on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant (March 12, 2023 and March 14, 2022). For certain of our executive officers age 55 or older, awards are no longer subject to forfeiture upon such officers’ departure from the company after two years from the date of grant.  During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, equity awards (including accrued dividends) with an aggregate fair value of $12.5 million and $5.7 million, were vested and distributed to employees under this plan.

Cash Awards

On March 12, 2020, pursuant to our Performance Unit Program (which we refer to as the Program), the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $18.4 million in the aggregate for future grants to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (213,000 units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date the provisional award was approved.  The Program consists of a one-year performance period based on our financial performance and a three-year vesting period measured from January 1 of the year of grant.  At the discretion of the compensation committee and determined based on our performance, the eligible officer or key employee will be granted a percentage of the provisional cash award units that equates to the EBITAC growth achieved (as defined in the Program).  At the end of the performance period, eligible participants will be granted a number of units based on achievement of the performance goal and subject to approval by the compensation committee.  Granted units for the 2020 provisional award will fully vest based on continuous employment through January 1, 2023.  The ultimate award value will be equal to the trailing twelve-month price of our common stock on December 31, 2022, multiplied by the number of units subject to the award, but limited to between 0.5 and 1.5 times the original value of the units determined as of the grant date.  The fair value of the awarded units will be paid out in cash as soon as practicable in 2023.  If an eligible employee leaves us prior to the vesting date, the entire award will be forfeited.  We did 0t recognize any compensation expense during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 related to the 2020 provisional award under the Program.  

On March 14, 2019, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $16.5 million in the aggregate for future grants to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (206,800 units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date the provisional award was approved.  Terms of the 2019 provisional awards were similar to the terms of the 2020 provisional awards.  Based on our performance for 2019, we granted 200,000 units under the Program in the first quarter of 2020 that will fully vest on January 1, 2022. ��During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, we recognized $2.2 million to compensation expense related to these awards.  We did 0t recognize any compensation expense during the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 related to the 2019 provisional award under the Program.  

On March 15, 2018, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $15.0 million in the aggregate for future grants to our officers and key employees denominated in units (219,000 units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date the provisional award was approved.  Terms of the 2018 provisional awards were similar to the terms of the 2019 provisional awards.  Based on our performance for 2018, we granted 190,000 units under the Program in the first quarter of 2019 that will fully vest on January 1, 2021.  During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $2.6 million and $1.9 million to compensation expense related to these 2018 awards, respectively.  

On March 16, 2017, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $14.3 million in the aggregate for future grant to our officers and key employees denominated in units (255,000 units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of our common stock on the date the provisional awards were approved.  Terms of the 2017 provisional awards were similar to the terms of the 2018 provisional awards.  Based on our performance for 2017, we granted 242,000 units under the Program in the first quarter of 2018 that fully vested on January 1, 2020.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, we recognized $2.4 million to compensation expense related to these 2017 awards.  

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, cash awards related to the 2017 provisional award with an aggregate fair value of $18.9 million (221,600 units in the aggregate) were vested and distributed to employees under the Program.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, cash awards related to the 2016 provisional award with an aggregate fair value of $22.4 million (341,000 units in the aggregate) were vested and distributed to employees under the Program.  

- 24 -


12.  Investments

The following is a summary of our investments included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheet and the related funding commitments (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

Commitments

 

 

Assets

 

Chem-Mod LLC

 

$

4.0

 

 

$

 

 

$

4.0

 

Chem-Mod International LLC

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

Clean-coal investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Controlling interest in six limited liability companies that own fourteen

   2009 Era Clean Coal Plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest in one limited liability company that owns one

   2011 Era Clean Coal Plant

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

Controlling interest in seventeen limited liability companies that own nineteen

   2011 Era Clean Coal Plants

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

29.2

 

Other investments

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

 

Total investments

 

$

33.4

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

40.0

 

13.  Derivatives and Hedging Activity

We are exposed to market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  To manage the risk related to these exposures, we enter into various derivative instruments that reduce these risks by creating offsetting exposures.  We generally do not enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

We are exposed to foreign exchange risk when we earn revenues, pay expenses, or enter into monetary intercompany transfers denominated in a currency that differs from our functional currency, or other transactions that are denominated in a currency other than our functional currency.  We use foreign exchange derivatives, typically forward contracts and options, to reduce our overall exposure to the effects of currency fluctuations on cash flows.  These exposures are hedged, on average, for less than three years.

Interest Rate Risk Management

We enter into various long-term debt agreements. We use interest rate derivatives, typically swaps, to reduce our exposure to the effects of interest rate fluctuations on the forecasted interest rates for up to three years into the future.

We have not received or pledged any collateral related to derivative arrangements at March 31, 2020.

- 25 -


The notional and fair values of derivatives designated as hedging instruments are as follows at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in millions):

 

 

Notional

 

 

Derivative Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Balance Sheet

 

Fair

 

 

Balance Sheet

 

Fair

 

Instrument

 

Amount

 

 

Classification

 

Value

 

 

Classification

 

Value

 

At March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

900.0

 

 

Other current assets

 

$

 

 

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

$

63.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

77.8

 

Foreign exchange contracts (1)

 

 

22.3

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

1.4

 

 

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

3.6

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

8.1

 

Total

 

$

922.3

 

 

 

 

$

5.0

 

 

 

 

$

156.4

 

At December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

800.0

 

 

Other current assets

 

$

2.8

 

 

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

$

25.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

5.4

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

23.0

 

Foreign exchange contracts (1)

 

 

31.7

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

4.5

 

 

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

8.5

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

2.6

 

Total

 

$

831.7

 

 

 

 

$

21.2

 

 

 

 

$

52.4

 

(1)

Included within foreign exchange contracts at March 31, 2020 were $303.4 million of call options offset with $303.4 million of put options, and $13.1 million of buy forwards offset with $35.4 million of sell forwards.  Included within foreign exchange contracts at December 31, 2019 were $342.0 million of call options offset with $342.0 million of put options, and $12.1 million of buy forwards offset with $43.8 million of sell forwards.

The effect of cash flow hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of

 

 

Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (Loss)

 

 

Recognized

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of

 

 

Reclassified

 

 

in Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (Loss)

 

 

from

 

 

Related to

 

 

 

 

 

Recognized in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Other

 

 

Excluded

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

from

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Loss into

 

 

Effectiveness

 

 

Statement of Earnings

Instrument

 

Loss (1)

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Testing

 

 

Classification

Three-month period ended March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

(102.0

)

 

$

(0.3

)

 

$

 

 

Interest expense

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

(19.3

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

Commission revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

Compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

Operating expense

Total

 

$

(121.3

)

 

$

(1.2

)

 

$

0.2

 

 

 

Three-month period ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

(20.9

)

 

$

(0.3

)

 

$

 

 

Interest expense

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

Commission revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

Compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

Operating expense

Total

 

$

(17.2

)

 

$

(0.7

)

 

$

0.4

 

 

 

(1)

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, the amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for our foreign exchange contracts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss was a loss of $0.3 million.  

- 26 -


We estimate that approximately $7.2 million of pretax loss currently included within accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings in the next twelve months.  

14.Commitments, Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In connection with our investing and operating activities, we have entered into certain contractual obligations and commitments.  Our future minimum cash payments, including interest, associated with our contractual obligations pursuant to the note purchase agreements, Credit Agreement, Premium Financing Debt Facility and purchase commitments at March 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

Note purchase agreements

 

$

100.0

 

 

$

75.0

 

 

$

200.0

 

 

$

300.0

 

 

$

475.0

 

 

$

3,348.0

 

 

$

4,498.0

 

Credit Agreement

 

 

280.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

280.0

 

Premium Financing Debt Facility

 

 

122.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122.6

 

Interest on debt

 

 

138.0

 

 

 

190.8

 

 

 

185.1

 

 

 

175.8

 

 

 

158.0

 

 

 

745.3

 

 

 

1,593.0

 

Total debt obligations

 

 

640.6

 

 

 

265.8

 

 

 

385.1

 

 

 

475.8

 

 

 

633.0

 

 

 

4,093.3

 

 

 

6,493.6

 

Operating lease obligations

 

 

77.2

 

 

 

101.8

 

 

 

79.9

 

 

 

62.8

 

 

 

44.1

 

 

 

85.0

 

 

 

450.8

 

Less sublease arrangements

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(2.3

)

Outstanding purchase obligations

 

 

40.7

 

 

 

37.3

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

17.4

 

 

 

132.9

 

Total contractual obligations

 

$

758.1

 

 

$

404.4

 

 

$

487.5

 

 

$

547.4

 

 

$

682.6

 

 

$

4,195.0

 

 

$

7,075.0

 

The amounts presented in the table above may not necessarily reflect our actual future cash funding requirements, because the actual timing of the future payments made may vary from the stated contractual obligation.

Note Purchase Agreements, Credit Agreement and Premium Financing Debt Facility - See Note 7 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for a summary of the amounts outstanding under the note purchase agreements, the Credit Agreement and Premium Financing Debt Facility.

Operating Lease Obligations -Our corporate segment’s executive offices and certain subsidiary and branch facilities of our brokerage and risk management segments are located in a building we own at 2850 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, where we have approximately 360,000 square feet of space and will accommodate approximately 2,000 employees at peak capacity.

We generally operate in leased premises at our other locations.  Certain of these leases have options permitting renewals for additional periods.  In addition to minimum fixed rentals, a number of leases contain annual escalation clauses which are generally related to increases in an inflation index.

We have leased certain office space to several non-affiliated tenants under operating sublease arrangements.  In the normal course of business, we expect that certain of these leases will not be renewed or replaced.  We adjust charges for real estate taxes and common area maintenance annually based on actual expenses, and we recognize the related revenues in the year in which the expenses are incurred.  These amounts are not included in the minimum future rentals to be received in the contractual obligations table above.

Outstanding Purchase Obligations - The amount disclosed in the contractual obligations table above represents the aggregate amount of unrecorded purchase obligations that we had outstanding at March 31, 2020. These obligations represent agreements to purchase goods or services that were executed in the normal course of business.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments-Our total unrecorded commitments associated with outstanding letters of credit, and financial guarantees as of March 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period

 

 

Amounts

 

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Committed

 

Letters of credit

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

18.3

 

 

$

18.3

 

Financial guarantees

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

1.2

 

Funding commitments

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

Total commitments

 

$

1.6

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

18.6

 

 

$

21.0

 

- 27 -


Since commitments may expire unused, the amounts presented in the table above do not necessarily reflect our actual future cash funding requirements.See the Off‑Balance Sheet Debt section below for a discussion of our letters of credit.  All of the letters of credit represent multiple year commitments that have annual, automatic renewing provisions and are classified by the latest commitment date.  

Since January 1, 2002, we have acquired 564 companies, all of which were accounted for using the acquisition method for recording business combinations.  Substantially all of the purchase agreements related to these acquisitions contain provisions for potential earnout obligations.  For all of our acquisitions made in the period from 2016 to 2020 that contain potential earnout obligations, such obligations are measured at fair value as of the acquisition date and are included on that basis in the recorded purchase price consideration for the respective acquisition.  The amounts recorded as earnout payables are primarily based upon estimated future potential operating results of the acquired entities over a two- to three-year period subsequent to the acquisition date.  The aggregate amount of the maximum earnout obligations related to these acquisitions was $1,130.6 million, of which $530.2 million was recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020 based on the estimated fair value of the expected future payments to be made.  

Off-Balance Sheet Debt- Our unconsolidated investment portfolio includes investments in enterprises where our ownership interest is between 1% and 50%, in which management has determined that our level of influence and economic interest is not sufficient to require consolidation.  As a result, these investments are accounted for under the equity method.  None of these unconsolidated investments had any outstanding debt at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019, that was recourse to us.

At March 31, 2020, we had posted 2 letters of credit totaling $9.5 million, in the aggregate, related to our self‑insurance deductibles, for which we had a recorded liability of $16.8 million.  We have an equity investment in a rent-a-captive facility, which we use as a placement facility for certain of our insurance brokerage operations.  At March 31, 2020, we had posted 7 letters of credit totaling $7.4 million to allow certain of our captive operations to meet minimum statutory surplus requirements plus additional collateral related to premium and claim funds held in a fiduciary capacity, 1 letter of credit totaling $0.9 million for collateral related to claim funds held in a fiduciary capacity by a recent acquisition, and 1 letter of credit totaling $0.5 million as a security deposit for a 2015 acquisition’s lease.  These letters of credit have never been drawn upon.

Litigation, Regulatory and Taxation Matters - We are a defendant in various legal actions incidental to the nature of our business including but not limited to matters related to employment practices, alleged breaches of non‑compete or other restrictive covenants, theft of trade secrets, breaches of fiduciary duties and related causes of action.  We are also periodically the subject of inquiries, investigations and reviews by regulatory and taxing authorities into various matters related to our business, including our operational, compliance and finance functions.  Neither the outcomes of these matters nor their effect upon our business, financial condition or results of operations can be determined at this time.

On July 17, 2019, Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. and MES Inc. (which we refer to together as Midwest Energy) filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against us, Chem‑Mod LLC and numerous other related and unrelated parties.  The complaint alleges that the named defendants infringe two patents held exclusively by Midwest Energy and seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief.  We dispute the allegations contained in the complaint and intend to defend this matter vigorously.  Litigation is inherently uncertain and it is not possible for us to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter and the financial impact to us.  We believe the probability of a material loss is remote.

A portion of our brokerage business includes the development and management of “micro-captives,” through operations we acquired in 2010 in our acquisition of the assets of Tribeca Strategic Advisors (which we refer to as Tribeca).  A “captive” is an underwriting enterprise that insures the risks of its owner, affiliates or a group of companies.  Micro-captives are captive underwriting enterprises that are subject to taxation only on net investment income under IRC Section 831(b).  Our micro-captive advisory services are under investigation by the IRS.  Additionally, the IRS has initiated audits for the 2012 tax year, and subsequent tax years, of over 100 of the micro-captive underwriting enterprises organized and/or managed by us.  Among other matters, the IRS is investigating whether we have been acting as a tax shelter promoter in connection with these operations.  While the IRS has not made specific allegations relating to our operations or the pre-acquisition activities of Tribeca, an adverse determination could subject us to penalties and negatively affect our defense of the class action lawsuit described below. We may also experience lost earnings due to the negative effect of an extended IRS investigation. In the period from 2017 to 2019, our micro-captive operations contributed less than $2.9 million of net earnings and less than $4.5 million in EBITDAC to our consolidated results in any one year.  Due to the fact that the IRS has not made any allegation against us or completed all of its audits of our clients, we are not able to reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss in connection with this investigation.

- 28 -


On December 7, 2018, a class action lawsuit was filed against us, our subsidiary Artex Risk Solutions, Inc. (which we refer to as Artex) and other defendants including Tribeca, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. The named plaintiffs are micro-captive clients of Artex or Tribeca and their related entities and owners who had IRS Section 831(b) tax benefits disallowed by the IRS. The complaint attempts to state various causes of action and alleges that the defendants defrauded the plaintiffs by marketing and managing micro-captives with the knowledge that the captives did not constitute bona fide insurance and thus would not qualify for tax benefits. The named plaintiffs are seeking to certify a class of all persons who were assessed back taxes, penalties or interest by the IRS as a result of their ownership of or involvement in an IRS Section 831(b) micro-captive formed or managed by Artex or Tribeca during the time period January 1, 2005 to the present. The complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought by the named plaintiffs or the putative class. On August 5, 2019, the trial court granted the defendants’ motion to compel arbitration and dismissed the class action lawsuit.  Plaintiffs are appealing this ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  We will continue to defend against the lawsuit vigorously. Litigation is inherently uncertain, however, and it is not possible for us to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter and the financial impact to us, nor are we able to reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss in connection with this lawsuit.

Contingent Liabilities - We purchase insurance to provide protection from errors and omissions (which we refer to as E&O) claims that may arise during the ordinary course of business.  We currently retain the first $10.0 million of every E&O claim.  Our E&O insurance provides aggregate coverage for E&O losses up to $350.0 million in excess of our retained amounts.  We have historically maintained self-insurance reserves for the portion of our E&O exposure that is not insured.  We periodically determine a range of possible reserve levels using actuarial techniques that rely heavily on projecting historical claim data into the future.  Our E&O reserve in the March 31, 2020 consolidated balance sheet is above the lower end of the most recently determined actuarial range by $3.5 million and below the upper end of the actuarial range by $3.1 million.  We can make no assurances that the historical claim data used to project the current reserve levels will be indicative of future claim activity.  Thus, the E&O reserve level and corresponding actuarial range could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could materially impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

Tax-advantaged Investments No Longer Held - Between 1996 and 2007, we developed and then sold portions of our ownership in various energy related investments, many of which qualified for tax credits under IRC Section 29.  We recorded tax benefits in connection with our ownership in these investments.  At March 31, 2020, we had exposure on $108.0 million of previously earned tax credits.  Under the Tax Act, a portion of these previously earned tax credits were refunded in 2019 for tax year 2018, according to a specific formula.  Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act), which was passed on March 27, 2020, we have accelerated the refund of all remaining credits on April 17, 2020.  The credits are anticipated to be refunded in second or third quarter of 2020.  In 2004, 2007 and 2009, the IRS examined several of these investments and all examinations were closed without any changes being proposed by the IRS.  However, any future adverse tax audits, administrative rulings or judicial decisions could disallow previously claimed tax credits.  

Due to the contingent nature of this exposure and our related assessment of its likelihood, no reserve has been recorded in our March 31, 2020 consolidated balance sheet related to this exposure.

15.Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

 

 

Three-month period ended March 31,

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information (in millions):

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Interest paid

 

$

45.5

 

 

$

29.5

 

Income taxes paid (recovered), net

 

 

29.9

 

 

 

(1.8

)

The following is a reconciliation of our end of period cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balances as presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in millions):

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

352.8

 

 

$

871.5

 

Restricted cash

 

 

2,280.4

 

 

 

1,669.3

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

2,633.2

 

 

$

2,540.8

 

- 29 -


16.Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The after-tax components of our accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to controlling interests consist of the following:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign

 

 

Fair Value of

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Pension

 

 

Currency

 

 

Derivative

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

Liability

 

 

Translation

 

 

Investments

 

 

Loss

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

$

(56.5

)

 

$

(674.8

)

 

$

(28.3

)

 

$

(759.6

)

Net change in period

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

(381.3

)

 

 

(91.4

)

 

 

(471.5

)

Balance as of March 31, 2020

 

$

(55.3

)

 

$

(1,056.1

)

 

$

(119.7

)

 

$

(1,231.1

)

The foreign currency translation during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 primarily relates to the net impact of changes in the value of the local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar for our operations in Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, India, New Zealand and the U.K.  

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, $1.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of expense related to the pension liability was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to compensation expense in the statement of earnings.  During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, $(1.2) million of expense and $(0.7) million of income, respectively, related to the fair value of derivative investments, was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of earnings.  During the three‑month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, 0 amounts related to foreign currency translation were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of earnings.  

17.Segment Information

We have 3 reportable operating segments: brokerage, risk management and corporate.  

The brokerage segment is primarily comprised of our retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations.  The brokerage segment generates revenues through commissions paid by underwriting enterprises and through fees charged to our clients.  Our brokers, agents and administrators act as intermediaries between underwriting enterprises and our clients and we do not assume net underwriting risks.

The risk management segment provides contract claim settlement and administration services for enterprises and public entities that choose to self-insure some or all of their property/casualty coverages and for underwriting enterprises that choose to outsource some or all of their property/casualty claims departments. These operations also provide claims management, loss control consulting and insurance property appraisal services.  Revenues are principally generated on a negotiated per-claim or per-service fee basis.  Our risk management segment also provides risk management consulting services that are recognized as the services are delivered.

The corporate segment managesour clean energy and other investments.  In addition, the corporate segment reports the financial information related to our debt and other corporate costs, external acquisition-related expenses and the impact of foreign currency translation.  

Allocations of investment income and certain expenses are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates primarily using revenue, headcount and other information.  We allocate the provision for income taxes to the brokerage and risk management segments using the local country statutory rates.  Reported operating results by segment would change if different methods were applied.

- 30 -


Financial information relating to our segments for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows (in millions):

 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Brokerage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,435.6

 

 

$

1,381.9

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

410.8

 

 

$

412.4

 

Identifiable assets at March 31, 2020 and 2019

 

$

18,115.1

 

 

$

15,981.8

 

Risk Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

249.5

 

 

$

236.4

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

25.6

 

 

$

22.0

 

Identifiable assets at March 31, 2020 and 2019

 

$

909.8

 

 

$

806.6

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

181.8

 

 

$

372.3

 

Loss before income taxes

 

$

(80.4

)

 

$

(112.6

)

Identifiable assets at March 31, 2020 and 2019

 

$

1,811.6

 

 

$

1,843.0

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,866.9

 

 

$

1,990.6

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

356.0

 

 

$

321.8

 

Identifiable assets at March 31, 2020 and 2019

 

$

20,836.5

 

 

$

18,631.4

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

We disaggregate our revenue from contracts with clients by type and geographic location for each of our segments, as we believe it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

Revenues by type and segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

1,017.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,017.2

 

Fees

 

 

295.8

 

 

 

211.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

507.3

 

Supplemental revenues

 

 

59.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59.0

 

Contingent revenues

 

 

45.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45.1

 

Investment income

 

 

18.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.6

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

Revenues from clean coal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

181.8

 

 

 

181.8

 

Revenues before reimbursements

 

 

1,435.6

 

 

 

211.8

 

 

 

181.8

 

 

 

1,829.2

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

37.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

37.7

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,435.6

 

 

$

249.5

 

 

$

181.8

 

 

$

1,866.9

 

- 31 -


Revenues by geographical location and segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

1,005.9

 

 

$

212.7

 

 

$

181.8

 

 

$

1,400.4

 

United Kingdom

 

 

254.5

 

 

 

11.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

265.9

 

Australia

 

 

43.1

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

64.7

 

Canada

 

 

56.2

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

57.2

 

New Zealand

 

 

28.0

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.8

 

Other foreign

 

 

47.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47.9

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,435.6

 

 

$

249.5

 

 

$

181.8

 

 

$

1,866.9

 

Revenues by type and segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

940.4

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

940.4

 

Fees

 

 

261.8

 

 

 

202.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

464.7

 

Supplemental revenues

 

 

56.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

56.7

 

Contingent revenues

 

 

48.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48.0

 

Investment income

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.3

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

57.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57.1

 

Revenues from clean coal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

372.3

 

 

 

372.3

 

Revenues before reimbursements

 

 

1,381.9

 

 

 

203.3

 

 

 

372.3

 

 

 

1,957.5

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.1

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,381.9

 

 

$

236.4

 

 

$

372.3

 

 

$

1,990.6

 

Revenues by geographical location and segment for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

1,006.5

 

 

$

198.5

 

 

$

372.3

 

 

$

1,577.3

 

United Kingdom

 

 

203.6

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

213.8

 

Australia

 

 

46.0

 

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

68.5

 

Canada

 

 

57.3

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

58.5

 

New Zealand

 

 

30.3

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

34.3

 

Other foreign

 

 

38.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38.2

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,381.9

 

 

$

236.4

 

 

$

372.3

 

 

$

1,990.6

 

- 32 -


Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The discussion and analysis that follows relates to our financial condition and results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020. Readers should review this information in conjunction with the March 31, 2020 unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10‑Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2019.

Information RegardingNon-GAAP Measures and Other

In the discussion and analysis of our results of operations that follows, in addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, we provide information regarding EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC margin, diluted net earnings per share, as adjusted (adjusted EPS) for the brokerage and risk management segments, ,adjusted revenues, adjusted compensation and operating expenses, adjusted compensation expense ratio, adjusted operating expense ratio and organic revenue measures for each operating segment.revenue. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, the GAAP information provided in this quarterly report onForm 10-Q.10‑Q. We believe that these presentations provide useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to our results of operations and financial condition.condition because they provide investors with measures that our chief operating decision maker uses when reviewing the company’s performance, and for the other reasons described below. Our industry peers may provide similar supplementalnon-GAAP information with respect to one or more of these measures, although they may not use the same or comparable terminology and may not make identical adjustments. Thenon-GAAP information we provide should be used in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the GAAP information provided. As disclosed in our most recent Proxy Statement, beginning in first quarter 2017, weWe make determinations regarding certain elements of executive officer incentive compensation, performance share awards and annual cash incentive awards, partly on the basis of measures related to adjusted EBITDAC.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior-year amounts reported in this quarterly report onForm 10-Q in order to conform them to the current-year presentation.

AdjustedNon-GAAP presentation- We believe that the adjustedNon-GAAP presentations non-GAAP presentation of the current and prior yearperiod information presented on the following pages provides stockholders and other interested persons with useful information regarding certain financial metrics that may assist such persons in analyzing our operating results as they develop a future earnings outlook for us.  Theafter-tax amounts related to the adjustments were computed using the normalized effective tax rate for each respective period.

Adjusted revenues and expenses -We define these measures as revenues, compensation expense and operating expense, respectively, each adjusted to exclude the following:

Net gains realized from sales of books of business, which are primarily net proceeds received related to sales of books of business and other divestiture transactions.

Acquisition integration costs, which include costs related to certain of our large acquisitions, outside the scope of our usualtuck-in strategy, not expected to occur on an ongoing basis in the future once we fully assimilate the applicable acquisition. These costs are typically associated with redundant workforce, extra lease space, duplicate services and external costs incurred to assimilate the acquisition with our IT related systems.

Workforce related charges, which primarily include severance costs related to employee terminations and other costs associated with redundant workforce.

Lease termination related charges, which primarily include costs related to terminations of real estate leases and abandonment of leased space.

Acquisition related adjustments, which include changes in estimated acquisition earnout payables adjustments, impacts of acquisition valuationtrue-ups, impairment charges and acquisition related compensation charges.

The impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable. The amounts excluded with respect to foreign currency translation are calculated by applying current year foreign exchange rates to the same periods in the prior year.

For the litigation settlement and home office lease termination/move adjustments for the corporate segment, see page 55 for a more detailed description of the nature of these adjustments.

Adjusted ratios-Adjusted compensation expense and operating expense, respectively, each divided by adjusted revenues.

 

Adjusted measures - We define these measures as revenues (for the brokerage segment), revenues before reimbursements (for the risk management segment), net earnings, compensation expense and operating expense, respectively, each adjusted to exclude the following, as applicable:

Net gains on divestitures, which are primarily net proceeds received related to sales of books of business and other divestiture transactions, such as the disposal of a business unit through sale or closure.

Costs related to divestitures, which include legal and other costs related to certain operations that are being exited by us.

Acquisition integration costs, which include costs related to certain of our large acquisitions, outside the scope of our usual tuck-in strategy, not expected to occur on an ongoing basis in the future once we fully assimilate the applicable acquisition.  These costs are typically associated with redundant workforce, extra lease space, duplicate services and external costs incurred to assimilate the acquisition with our IT related systems.

Workforce related charges, which primarily include severance costs (either accrued or paid) related to employee terminations and other costs associated with redundant workforce.

Lease termination related charges, which primarily include costs related to terminations of real estate leases and abandonment of leased space.

Acquisition related adjustments, which include change in estimated acquisition earnout payables adjustments, impairment charges and acquisition related compensation charges.  Prior to first quarter 2019, this adjustment also reflected impacts of acquisition valuation true-ups.  Historically, our non-GAAP adjustment for “Acquisition related adjustments” has included all amounts for changes in estimated earnout payable, and revaluations of acquired intangible assets, regardless of cause.  This quarter, we have excluded amounts caused by COVID-19:  Excludes net earnings of $69.4 million ($0.36 diluted net earnings per share) from changes in earnout payables, and excludes net losses of $34.4 million ($0.18 diluted net loss per share) related to intangible asset revaluations.  See page 39 for further details by segment.

- 33 -


The impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable.  The amounts excluded with respect to foreign currency translation are calculated by applying current year foreign exchange rates to the same period in the prior year.

Effective income tax rate impact, which represents the impact related to prior quarters in 2019 for the decrease in the effective income tax rate used to compute the provision for income taxes in fourth quarter 2019.

Adjusted ratios- Adjusted compensation expense and adjusted operating expense, respectively, each divided by adjusted revenues. 

Non-GAAP Earnings Measures

We believe that the presentation of EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC margin and adjusted EPS for the brokerage and risk management segment, each as defined below, provides a meaningful representation of our operating performance.  Adjusted EPS is a performance measure and should not be used as a measure of our liquidity.  We also consider EBITDAC and EBITDAC margin as ways to measure financial performance on an ongoing basis.  In addition, adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC marginand adjusted EPS for the brokerage and risk management segments are presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.

EBITDACand EBITDAC Margin- EBITDAC is net earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables and EBITDAC margin is EBITDAC divided by total revenues.

EBITDACand EBITDAC Margin- EBITDAC is net earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables and EBITDAC margin is EBITDAC divided by total revenues (for the brokerage segment) and revenues before reimbursements (for the risk management segment).  These measures for the brokerage and risk management segments provide a meaningful representation of our operating performance and, for the overall business and provide a meaningful way to measure its financial performance on an ongoing basis.

Adjusted EBITDAC and Adjusted EBITDAC Margin - Adjusted EBITDAC is EBITDAC adjusted to exclude net gains on divestitures, acquisition integration costs, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, acquisition related adjustments, and the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable, and Adjusted EBITDAC margin is Adjusted EBITDAC divided by total adjusted revenues (defined above).These measures for the brokerage and risk management segments provide a meaningful representation of our operating performance and, are also presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.

Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Net Earnings - Adjusted net earnings have been adjusted to exclude the after-tax impact of net gains on divestitures, acquisition integration costs, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges and acquisition related adjustments and the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation and effective income tax rate impact, as applicable. Adjusted EPS is Adjusted Net Earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.  This measure provides a meaningful representation of our operating performance (and as such should not be used as a measure of our liquidity), and for the overall business is also presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.

Adjusted EBITDAC and Adjusted EBITDAC Margin -Adjusted EBITDAC is EBITDAC adjusted to exclude gains realized from sales of books of business, acquisition integration costs, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, acquisition related adjustments, and the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable and Adjusted EBITDAC margin is Adjusted EBITDAC divided by total adjusted revenues (defined above).These measures for the brokerage and risk management segments provide a meaningful representation of our operating performance and, are also presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.

Adjusted EPS for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments -We define this measure as net earnings adjusted to exclude theafter-tax impact of gains realized from sales of books of business, acquisition integration costs, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges and acquisition related adjustments, the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable, divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding. This measure provides a meaningful representation of our operating performance (and as such should not be used as a measure of our liquidity), and is also presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.

Organic Revenues (anon-GAAP measure)- For the brokerage segment, organic change in base commission and fee revenues, supplemental revenues and contingent revenues excludes the first twelve months of net commission and feesuch revenues generated from acquisitions and the net commission and fee such revenues related to divested operations disposed of in each year presented.  These commissions and feesrevenues are excluded from organic revenues in order to help interested persons analyze the revenue growth associated with the operations that were a part of our business in both the current and prior year.period.  In addition, organic change in base commission and fee revenue organic growth excludesrevenues, supplemental revenues and contingent revenues exclude theperiod-over-period period‑over‑period impact of foreign currency translation.  For the risk management segment, organic change in fee revenues excludes the first twelve months of fee revenues generated from acquisitions and the fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each year presented.  In addition, change in organic growth excludes the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability or are due to the limited-time nature of these revenue sources.

These revenue items are excluded from organic revenues in order to determine a comparable, butnon-GAAP, measurement of revenue growth that is associated with the revenue sources that are expected to continue in the current year and beyond.  We have historically viewed organic revenue growth as an important indicator when assessing and evaluating the performance of our brokerage and risk management segments.  We also believe that using thisnon-GAAP non‑GAAP measure allows readers of our financial statements to measure, analyze and compare the growth from our brokerage and risk management segments in a meaningful and consistent manner.

Reconciliation ofNon-GAAP Information Presented to GAAP Measures- This quarterly report onForm 10-Q10‑Q includes tabular reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures for adjusted revenues, adjusted compensation expense and adjusted operating expense, EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC margin, adjusted EBITDAC (before acquisitions), diluted net earnings per share (as adjusted) and organic revenue measures.

- 34 -


Other Information- Allocations of investment income and certain expenses are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates primarily using revenue, headcount and other information.  We allocate the provision for income taxes to the brokerage and risk management segments using local statutory rates.  As a result, the provision for income taxes for the corporate segment reflects the entire benefit to us of the IRC Section 45 credits produced, because that is the segment which generated the credits.  The law that provides for IRC Section 45 credits substantially expiresexpired in December 2019 for our fourteen 2009 Era Plants and will expire in December 2021 for our twenty 2011 Era Plants.  We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 34.0%24.0% to 36.0%26.0% in the brokerage segment and 36.0%25.0% to 38.0%27.0% in the risk management segment for the foreseeable future.  Reported operating results by segment would change if different allocation methods were applied.  When the law governing IRC Section 45 credits expires, reported GAAP revenues and net earnings will decrease, yet our net cash flow will increase as a result of not having to pay expenses to operate the clean coal facilities and also from an increase in the use of credits against our U.S. federal income tax obligations.

In the discussion that follows regarding our results of operations, we also provide the following ratios with respect to our operating results: pretax profit margin, compensation expense ratio and operating expense ratio.  Pretax profit margin represents pretax earnings divided by total revenues.  The compensation expense ratio is compensation expense divided by total revenues.  The operating expense ratio is operating expense divided by total revenues.

Overview and ThirdFirst Quarter 20172020 Highlights

We are engaged in providing insurance brokerage and consulting services, and third-party property/casualty claims settlement and administration services to entities in the U.S. and abroad.  In the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we generated approximately 70%73% of our revenues for the combined brokerage and risk management segments domestically and 30%27% internationally, primarily in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, New Zealand and the U.K.  We have three reportable segments: brokerage, risk management and corporate, which contributed approximately 62%77%, 13% and 25%10%, respectively, to revenues during thenine-month three‑month period ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.  Our major sources of operating revenues are commissions, fees and supplemental and contingent commissionsrevenues from brokerage operations and fees from risk management operations.  Investment income is generated from invested cash and fiduciary funds, clean energy and other investments, and interest income from premium financing.

We typically cite the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (which we refer to as CIAB) insurance pricing quarterly survey at this time as an indicator of the current insurance rate environment, but the thirdenvironment.  The fourth quarter 20172019 CIAB survey indicated that commercial property/casualty rates increased by 7.5%, on average.  The first quarter 2020 survey had not been published as of the filing date of this report. We anticipate that the trends noted in the second quarter 2017 survey will likely be similar to what will be reported for third quarter 2017. The second quarter 2017 CIAB survey indicated that commercial property/casualty rates decreased by 2.8%, on average, across all lines. The first quarter 2017 CIAB survey indicated that commercial property/casualty rates decreased by 2.5%, on average, across all lines. In 2017, while we see retail property/casualty rates as a headwind, we do see property/casualty exposure growth offsetting this partially. We also see employment growth along with complexity and uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act as tailwinds for our employee benefit units. In addition, our history of strong new business generation, solid retentions and enhanced value-added services for our carrier partners should all result in further organic growth opportunities around the world. Internationally, we see a similar property/casualty market in U.K. retail and Canada, more softening in London Specialty, but an improving market in Australia and New Zealand. Overall, we believe a modestly-down rate environment can be partially mitigated through exposure unit growth in certain lines and by our professionals demonstrating our expertise and high quality value added capabilities by strengthening our clients’ insurance portfolio in these times. Based on our experience, insurance carriers appear to be making rational pricing decisions. In lines and accounts where rate increases or decreases are warranted, the underwriters are pricing accordingly. As carriers reach their profitability targets in lines, rates may start to flatten. In summary, in this environment, rate decreased at a moderate pace, clients can still obtain coverage, businesses continue to stay in standard-line markets and there is adequate capacity in the insurance market. It is not clear whether the rate retraction will continue due to uncertainty of the current economic environment.  The CIAB represents the leading domestic and international insurance brokers, who write approximately 85% of the commercial property/casualty premiums in the U.S.

Accounting Changes

Note 2We believe increases in property/casualty rates will continue for the remainder of 2020; however, loss trends could deteriorate over the next year, leading to a difficult rate and conditions environment in certain lines.  The economies of the U.S. and other countries around the world have rapidly contracted as a result of COVID-19.  The decreased level of economic activity is leading to, and is likely to continue to lead to, a decline in exposure units and rising unemployment.  However, we expect that our consolidated financial statements includedhistory of strong new business generation, solid retentions and enhanced value-added services for our carrier partners should help offset, to a degree, softer insurance, consulting and economic conditions around the world.  Overall, we believe that in this report contains information regarding the potential impact a new revenue recognition accounting standard could havepositive rate environment with declining exposure units, our professionals can demonstrate their expertise and high-quality, value-added capabilities by strengthening our clients’ insurance portfolios and delivering insurance and risk management solutions within our clients’ budget.  Based on our future financial presentation. This new standard will be effective for us in first quarter 2018. While we do not believe adoption of the new standard will have a material impact on the presentation of our consolidated results of operations on an annual basis,experience, there could be a material impact on the presentation of our results in certain quarters due to timing changesis adequate capacity in the recognition of certain revenueinsurance market, most insurance carriers appear to be making rational pricing decisions and expenses. As a result, we may experience a different “seasonality” in our quarterly results after adoption of the new standard, with a shift in the timing of revenue recognized from the second, third and fourth quarters to the first quarter.clients can broadly still obtain coverage.

 

- 35 -


Summary of Financial Results - Three-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019

See the reconciliations ofnon-GAAP measures on page 37.

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)  3rd Quarter 2017  3rd Quarter 2016  Change 
   Reported  Adjusted  Reported  Adjusted  Reported  Adjusted 

Brokerage Segment

  GAAP  Non-GAAP  GAAP  Non-GAAP  GAAP  Non-GAAP 

Revenues

  $953.7  $953.1  $877.6  $883.5   9  8

Organic revenues

   $900.0   $869.5    3.5

Net earnings

  $107.6   $97.7    10 

Net earnings margin

   11.3   11.1   +15 bpts  

Adjusted EBITDAC

   $266.2   $246.3    8

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

    27.9   27.9   +5 bpts 

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.59  $0.67  $0.55  $0.61   7  10

Risk Management Segment

                   

Revenues

  $200.2  $200.2  $176.7  $177.7   13  13

Organic revenues

   $195.5   $177.4    10.2

Net earnings

  $17.1   $13.2    30 

Net earnings margin

   8.5   7.5   +107 bpts  

Adjusted EBITDAC

   $35.8   $30.0    19

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

    17.9   16.9   +100 bpts 

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.09  $0.09  $0.07  $0.08   29  13

Corporate Segment

                   

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.03  $0.05  $0.07  $0.08   -57  -38

Total Company

                   

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.71  $0.81  $0.69  $0.77   3  5

Summary of Financial Results - Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

See the reconciliations ofnon-GAAP measures on page 38.

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

1st Quarter 2020

 

 

1st Quarter 2019

 

 

Change

 

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

Brokerage Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

1,435.6

 

 

$

1,435.4

 

 

$

1,381.9

 

 

$

1,310.7

 

 

 

4

%

 

 

10

%

Organic revenues

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,321.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,281.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

%

Net earnings

 

$

311.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

309.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

 

 

Net earnings margin

 

 

21.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

-71 bpts

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

$

495.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

468.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

%

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

34.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

35.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

-122 bpts

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

1.61

 

 

$

1.65

 

 

$

1.59

 

 

$

1.45

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

14

%

Risk Management Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues before reimbursements

 

$

211.8

 

 

$

211.8

 

 

$

203.3

 

 

$

200.7

 

 

 

4

%

 

 

6

%

Organic revenues

 

 

 

 

 

$

208.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

200.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

%

Net earnings

 

$

19.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

%

 

 

 

 

Net earnings margin (before reimbursements)

 

 

9.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

+105 bpts

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

$

35.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

34.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

%

Adjusted EBITDAC margin (before reimbursements)

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

-42 bpts

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

 

11

%

 

 

11

%

Corporate Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net loss per share

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

1.79

 

 

$

1.83

 

 

$

1.77

 

 

$

1.63

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

12

%

Total Brokerage and Risk Management Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

1.71

 

 

$

1.75

 

 

$

1.68

 

 

$

1.54

 

 

 

2

%

 

 

14

%

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)  Nine Months 2017  Nine Months 2016  Change 
   Reported  Adjusted  Reported  Adjusted  Reported  Adjusted 

Brokerage Segment

  GAAP  Non-GAAP  GAAP  Non-GAAP  GAAP  Non-GAAP 

Revenues

  $2,830.3  $2,827.2  $2,642.2  $2,609.2   7  8

Organic revenues

   $2,657.3   $2,567.3    3.5

Net earnings

  $325.2   $278.5    17 

Net earnings margin

   11.5   10.5   +95 bpts  

Adjusted EBITDAC

   $791.1   $715.1    11

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

    28.0   27.4   +57 bpts 

Diluted net earnings per share

  $1.75  $1.93  $1.54  $1.75   14  10

Risk Management Segment

                   

Revenues

  $571.5  $571.5  $532.5  $533.3   7  7

Organic revenues

   $563.4   $532.6    5.8

Net earnings

  $45.8   $42.1    9 

Net earnings margin

   8.0   7.9   +10 bpts  

Adjusted EBITDAC

   $99.1   $91.7    8

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

    17.3   17.2   +15 bpts 

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.25  $0.25  $0.23  $0.24   9  4

Corporate Segment

                   

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

  $(0.03 $0.06  $0.02  $0.08   -250  -25

Total Company

                   

Diluted net earnings per share

  $1.97  $2.24  $1.79  $2.07   10  8

- 36 -


In our corporate segment, netafter-tax earnings from our clean energy investments were $38.3$52.5 million and $88.2$61.5 million, as adjusted, in thethree-month andnine-month three‑month periods ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net after tax earnings from our clean energy investments were $39.3 million and $85.8 million in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016.  We anticipate our clean energy investments to generate between $123.0$70.0 million and $129.0$90.0 million in adjusted net earnings in 2017.2020.  We expect to use the additional cash flow generated by these earnings to continue our mergers and acquisition strategy in our core brokerage and risk management operations.

The following provides information that management believes is helpful when comparing revenues before reimbursements, net earnings, EBITDAC and diluted net earnings per share for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 with the same period in 2016.2019.  In addition, these tables providesprovide reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures for adjusted revenues, adjusted EBITDAC and adjusted diluted net earnings per share.  Reconciliations of EBITDAC for the brokerage and risk management segments are provided on pages 4042 and 47,48, respectively, of this filing.

- 36 -


For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,March 31 Reported GAAP to AdjustedNon-GAAP Reconciliatio Reconciliation:

 

              Diluted Net 

 

Revenues Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Net

 

  Revenues Net Earnings EBITDAC Earnings Per
Share
 

 

Reimbursements

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

EBITDAC

 

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Segment

  2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017   2016 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Chg

 

  (in millions) (in millions) (in millions)       

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

  $953.7  $877.6  $107.6  $97.7  $256.5  $229.9  $0.59   $0.55 

 

$

1,435.6

 

 

$

1,381.9

 

 

$

311.4

 

 

$

309.5

 

 

$

477.9

 

 

$

506.7

 

 

$

1.61

 

 

$

1.59

 

 

 

1

%

Gains on book sales

   (0.6 (1.1 (0.4 (0.8 (0.6 (1.1  —      —   

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(57.1

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(33.1

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(44.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.17

)

 

 

 

 

Acquisition integration

   —     —    2.3  6.7  3.5  9.4  0.01    0.04 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workforce & lease termination

   —     —    3.4  4.3  5.1  6.0  0.02    0.02 

Acquisition related adjustments

   —     —    8.3  1.3  1.7  0.6  0.05    —   

U.K. statutory income tax rate change

   —     —     —    (1.5  —     —     —      (0.01

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments **

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —    7.0   —    0.7   —    1.5   —      0.01 

 

 

 

 

 

(14.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as adjusted *

   953.1  883.5  121.2  108.4  266.2  246.3  0.67    0.61 

 

 

1,435.4

 

 

 

1,310.7

 

 

 

319.2

 

 

 

282.1

 

 

 

495.5

 

 

 

468.4

 

 

 

1.65

 

 

 

1.45

 

 

 

14

%

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Risk Management, as reported

   200.2  176.7  17.1  13.2  35.7  29.2  0.09    0.07 

 

 

211.8

 

 

 

203.3

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

34.1

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

11

%

Workforce & lease termination

   —     —     —    0.3  0.1  0.4   —      0.01 

Acquisition related adjustments

   —     —    (0.4  —     —     —     —      —   

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments **

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —    1.0   —    0.2   —    0.4   —      —   

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted *

   200.2  177.7  16.7  13.7  35.8  30.0  0.09    0.08 

 

 

211.8

 

 

 

200.7

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

16.6

 

 

 

35.3

 

 

 

34.3

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

11

%

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Corporate, as reported

   430.6  428.0  13.1  19.5  (53.4 (42.7 0.03    0.07 

 

 

181.8

 

 

 

372.3

 

 

 

24.9

 

 

 

26.0

 

 

 

(23.0

)

 

 

(65.4

)

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

Litigation settlement

   —     —     —    3.5   —    4.4   —      0.01 

Home office lease termination/move

   —     —    3.7   —    6.2   —    0.02    —   
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate, as adjusted *

   430.6  428.0  16.8  23.0  (47.2 (38.3 0.05    0.08 

 

 

181.8

 

 

 

372.3

 

 

 

24.9

 

 

 

25.0

 

 

 

(23.0

)

 

 

(65.4

)

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total Company, as reported

  $1,584.5  $1,482.3  $137.8  $130.4  $238.8  $216.4  $0.71   $0.69 

 

$

1,829.2

 

 

$

1,957.5

 

 

$

355.4

 

 

$

351.7

 

 

$

489.9

 

 

$

475.4

 

 

$

1.79

 

 

$

1.77

 

 

 

1

%

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total Company, as adjusted *

  $1,583.9  $1,489.2  $154.7  $145.1  $254.8  $238.0  $0.81   $0.77 

 

$

1,829.0

 

 

$

1,883.7

 

 

$

363.2

 

 

$

323.7

 

 

$

507.8

 

 

$

437.3

 

 

$

1.83

 

 

$

1.63

 

 

 

12

%

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total Brokerage & Risk

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management, as reported

  $1,153.9  $1,054.3  $124.7  $110.9  $292.2  $259.1  $0.68   $0.62 

 

$

1,647.4

 

 

$

1,585.2

 

 

$

330.5

 

 

$

325.7

 

 

$

512.9

 

 

$

540.8

 

 

$

1.71

 

 

$

1.68

 

 

 

2

%

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Total Brokerage & Risk

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management, as adjusted *

  $1,153.3  $1,061.2  $137.9  $122.1  $302.0  $276.3  $0.76   $0.69 

 

$

1,647.2

 

 

$

1,511.4

 

 

$

338.3

 

 

$

298.7

 

 

$

530.8

 

 

$

502.7

 

 

$

1.75

 

 

$

1.54

 

 

 

14

%

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

 

*

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the net pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $20.5 million, with a corresponding net adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $6.9 million relating to these items. The net pretax impact of the risk management segment adjustments totals ($0.5) million, with a corresponding adjustment to the benefit for income taxes of ($0.1) million relating to these items. The pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustment totals $6.2$10.2 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $2.5 million relating to that item.

*For the three-month period ended September 30, 2016, the net pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $17.2 million, with a corresponding net adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $6.5$2.4 million relating to these items.  The pretax impactA detailed reconciliation of the risk management segment adjustment totals $0.7 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the2020 provision for income taxes of $0.2 million relating to that item. The pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustment totals $4.4 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $0.9 million relating to that item.is shown on page 38.

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $(39.5) million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $(12.1) million relating to these items.  The pretax impact of the risk management segment adjustments totals $0.3 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $(0.1) million relating to these items.  A detailed reconciliation of the 2019 provision (benefit) for income taxes is shown on page 38.

** Historically, our non-GAAP adjustment for “Acquisition related adjustments” has included all amounts for changes in estimated earnouts payable, and revaluations of acquired intangible assets, regardless of cause.  This quarter, we have excluded amounts caused by COVID-19:  Excludes net earnings of $69.4 million ($0.36 diluted net earnings per share) from changes in earnouts payable, and excludes net losses of $34.4 million ($0.18 diluted net loss per share) related to intangible asset revaluations.  See page 39 for further details by segment.

 

- 37 -


For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, Reported GAAP to AdjustedNon-GAAP Reconciliation

 

   Revenues  Net Earnings  EBITDAC  Diluted Net
Earnings

Per Share
 

Segment

  2017  2016  2017  2016  2017  2016  2017  2016 
   (in millions)  (in millions)  (in millions)       

Brokerage, as reported

  $2,830.3  $2,642.2  $325.2  $278.5  $762.4  $674.4  $1.75  $1.54 

Gains on book sales

   (3.1  (4.7  (2.2  (3.3  (3.1  (4.7  (0.01  (0.02

Acquisition integration

   —     —     6.6   25.1   9.7   35.5   0.04   0.14 

Workforce & lease termination

   —     —     9.8   8.6   14.4   12.1   0.05   0.05 

Acquisition related adjustments

   —     —     18.2   9.6   7.7   3.2   0.10   0.06 

U.K. statutory income tax rate change

   —     —     —     (1.5  —     —     —     (0.01

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     (28.3  —     (2.1  —     (5.4  —     (0.01
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Brokerage, as adjusted *

   2,827.2   2,609.2   357.6   314.9   791.1   715.1   1.93   1.75 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Risk Management, as reported

   571.5   532.5   45.8   42.1   98.5   89.9   0.25   0.23 

Workforce & lease termination

   —     —     0.3   0.9   0.6   1.3   —     0.01 

Acquisition related adjustments

   —     —     (0.4  —     —     —     —     —   

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     0.8   —     0.2   —     0.5   —     —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted *

   571.5   533.3   45.7   43.2   99.1   91.7   0.25   0.24 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Corporate, as reported

   1,158.8   1,035.1   15.0   23.4   (155.3  (112.0  (0.03  0.02 

Litigation settlement

   —     —     8.8   11.6   11.1   14.6   0.05   0.06 

Home office lease termination/move

   —     —     7.9   —     13.2   —     0.04   —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Corporate, as adjusted *

   1,158.8   1,035.1   31.7   35.0   (131.0  (97.4  0.06   0.08 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Company, as reported

  $4,560.6  $4,209.8  $386.0  $344.0  $705.6  $652.3  $1.97  $1.79 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Company, as adjusted *

  $4,557.5  $4,177.6  $435.0  $393.1  $759.2  $709.4  $2.24  $2.07 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Brokerage & Risk

         

Management, as reported

  $3,401.8  $3,174.7  $371.0  $320.6  $860.9  $764.3  $2.00  $1.77 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Brokerage & Risk

         

Management, as adjusted *

  $3,398.7  $3,142.5  $403.3  $358.1  $890.2  $806.8  $2.18  $1.99 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Pre-tax Earnings and Diluted Net Earnings per Share

 

*For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, the net pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $47.8 million, with a corresponding net adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $15.4 million relating to these items. There was no net pretax impact of the risk management segment adjustments, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $0.1 million relating to these items. The pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustment totals $24.3 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $7.6 million relating to these items.

*For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, the net pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $53.6 million, with a corresponding net adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $17.2 million relating to these items. The pretax impact of the risk management segment adjustments totals $1.7 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $0.6 million relating to these items. The pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustment totals $14.6 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $3.0 million relating to that item.

(In millions except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Provision

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before

 

 

(Benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

Diluted Net

 

 

 

Income

 

 

for Income

 

 

Net

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

Controlling

 

 

Earnings

 

 

 

Taxes

 

 

Taxes

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Interests

 

 

Interests

 

 

per Share

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

 

$

410.8

 

 

$

99.4

 

 

$

311.4

 

 

$

0.7

 

 

$

310.7

 

 

$

1.61

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

Acquisition integration

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

0.03

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

0.02

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(0.01

)

Brokerage, as adjusted

 

$

421.0

 

 

$

101.8

 

 

$

319.2

 

 

$

0.7

 

 

$

318.5

 

 

$

1.65

 

Risk Management, as reported

 

$

25.6

 

 

$

6.5

 

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

0.10

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted

 

$

25.6

 

 

$

6.5

 

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

 

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

0.10

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

 

$

412.4

 

 

$

102.9

 

 

$

309.5

 

 

$

9.8

 

 

$

299.7

 

 

$

1.59

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(44.1

)

 

 

(11.0

)

 

 

(33.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(33.1

)

 

 

(0.17

)

Acquisition integration

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

0.03

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

(2.3

)

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

0.01

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(0.01

)

Brokerage, as adjusted

 

$

372.9

 

 

$

90.8

 

 

$

282.1

 

 

$

9.8

 

 

$

272.3

 

 

$

1.45

 

Risk Management, as reported

 

$

22.0

 

 

$

5.8

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

0.09

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted

 

$

22.3

 

 

$

5.7

 

 

$

16.6

 

 

$

 

 

$

16.6

 

 

$

0.09

 

Corporate, as reported

 

$

(112.6

)

 

$

(138.6

)

 

$

26.0

 

 

$

7.8

 

 

$

18.2

 

 

$

0.09

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

 

Corporate, as adjusted

 

$

(112.6

)

 

$

(137.6

)

 

$

25.0

 

 

$

7.8

 

 

$

17.2

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

- 38 -


COVID-19 Impact to Reported GAAP Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

Net

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

Expenses

 

 

Taxes

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Net EPS

 

 

EBITDAC

 

Impact on Brokerage Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increased estimated audits, cancellations,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and mid-term policy adjustments

 

$

(15.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in estimated covered lines

 

 

(17.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in volume and loss-ratio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sensitive contingent contracts

 

 

(8.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total impact on revenues

 

 

(41.1

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

(9.9

)

 

$

(31.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

$

(41.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reduced variable compensation and changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to deferred expense related to revenues

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.6

 

Increased bad debts and other operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(6.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.2

)

Impaired amortizable intangible expiration lists

 

 

 

 

 

45.3

 

 

 

(10.9

)

 

 

(34.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in estimated earnout payables

 

 

 

 

 

(87.3

)

 

 

21.0

 

 

 

66.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total impact on Brokerage Segment

 

 

(41.1

)

 

 

(36.4

)

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(3.5

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

 

(46.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact on Risk Management Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-term revenue adjustments

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.1

)

Decrease in estimated earnout payables

 

 

 

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total impact on Risk Management Segment

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact on Total Company

 

$

(42.2

)

 

$

(40.6

)

 

$

(0.4

)

 

$

(1.2

)

 

$

(0.01

)

 

$

(47.8

)

COVID-19 Impact on Financial Performance

The table above shows the impact on our first quarter financial results due to the COVID-19 crisis and related economic conditions, predominately driven by changes in our best accounting estimates related to our ultimate revenues on contracts with effective dates prior to April 1, 2020 in accordance with ASC 606, changes in estimates for bad debts in accordance with ASC 326, impairment review of intangible assets, and revised estimates of earn-out payables.  As we estimate future economic contraction as a result of the COVID‑19 global pandemic we considered the following

In our Brokerage operations, we did not see meaningful changes to new business, lost business or renewed business in the first quarter or second quarter to date, and we continued to see increases in premium rates.  However, we do expect to see declining client exposure units (i.e., insured values, payrolls, employees, miles driven, etc.), which will impact our ultimate revenues.  In the future, further premium rate increases may partially offset declines in exposure units.

In our Risk Management operations we have already seen a meaningful decline in new claims arising from retail, hospitality, restaurant and transportation clients during the last two weeks of March, which has persisted into April, and could continue into future quarters.

Our clean energy investments saw lower coal-generated electricity consumption in the U.S. due to reduced economic activity, as well as falling natural gas prices due to excess supply.  Both of these conditions, which began in mid‑to‑late March, have continued into April and could last for a prolonged period of time.

For all of these estimates, we also considered other factors, including but not limited to:  Gallagher’s client concentration by industry and size; the property casualty rate environment; 2020 quarterly economic forecasts of global GDP; global unemployment peaking during the third quarter of 2020; announced government programs and fiscal stimulus across a range of countries; our historical financial performance during 2002 and 2003 post-9-11, and 2008 and 2009 during the financial crisis; an analysis of Earnest Research’s consumer spending data trends; and a return to 2019 levels of organic revenue growth during 2021.

- 39 -


COVID-19 Impact on Operational Performance

We activated our business continuity plan in mid-March.  More than 99% of our staff is working remotely.  All of our office locations are closed, with the exception of very limited building maintenance and mailroom staff.  Of our more than 34,000 employees, we have fewer than 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19, all of whom contracted the virus outside of our office locations.

We believe our service levels are unchanged from pre-pandemic levels, having only experienced very limited minor temporary disruptions in our operations.  Given the deterioration in economic conditions, and depending on the severity and duration of the economic downturn, we are actively managing costs through eliminating discretionary spending, reducing travel and entertainment expenses, limiting use of temporary help and consultants, increasing utilization of our centers of excellence, and implementing a support-layer hiring and wage freeze.  In addition, we are planning on contracting and/or furloughing portions of our workforce where volumes have declined significantly and normal attrition is not sufficient; we expect these furlough, attrition and other actions to impact less than 4% of our global workforce.  Additional expense related to these workforce changes may total $30 million spread over the next three quarters.  While the impact of these measures was minimal in the first quarter, we believe these expense-base actions will save substantial costs, perhaps as much $50 million to $75 million per quarter.  We have approximately $1.1 billion of available liquidity at April 30, 2020.  While cash receipts have slowed slightly in April as carriers and regulators have extended terms to insureds, this would be mitigated by the expense reductions indicated above, the acceleration of payments under certain supplemental agreements with carriers, the reduction of non-client facing capital expenditures and continuing to improve working capital management.

For a discussion of risk and uncertainties relating to COVID‑19 for our business, results of operations and financial condition, see Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Results of Operations

Brokerage

The brokerage segment accounted for 62%77% of our revenues during the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020. Our brokerage segment is primarily comprised of retail and wholesale brokerage operations.  Our retail brokerage operations negotiate and place property/casualty,employer-provided health and welfare insurance and retirement solutions, principally for middle-market commercial, industrial, public entity, religious andnot-for-profit entities. Manysegment generates revenues by:

(i)

Identifying, negotiating and placing all forms of insurance or reinsurance coverage, as well as providing risk-shifting, risk-sharing and risk-mitigation consulting services, principally related to property/casualty, life, health, welfare and disability insurance.  We also provide these services through, or in conjunction with, other unrelated agents and brokers, consultants and management advisors.  

(ii)

Acting as an agent or broker for multiple underwriting enterprises by providing services such as sales, marketing, selecting, negotiating, underwriting, servicing and placing insurance coverage on their behalf.

(iii)

Providing consulting services related to health and welfare benefits, voluntary benefits, executive benefits, compensation, retirement planning, institutional investment and fiduciary, actuarial, compliance, private insurance exchange, human resource technology, communications and benefits administration.

(iv)

Providing management and administrative services to captives, pools, risk-retention groups, healthcare exchanges, small underwriting enterprises, such as accounting, claims and loss processing assistance, feasibility studies, actuarial studies, data analytics and other administrative services.  

- 40 -


The primary source of our retail brokerage customers choose to place their insurance with insurance underwriters, while others choose to use alternative vehicles such as self-insurance pools, risk retention groups or captive insurance companies. Our wholesale brokerage operations assist our brokers and other unaffiliated brokers and agents in the placement of specialized, unique andhard-to-place insurance programs.

Our primary sources of compensationrevenues for our retail brokerage services areis commissions paid by insurance companies, which are usuallyfrom underwriting enterprises, based uponon a percentage of the premiumpremiums paid by insureds,our clients, or fees received from clients based on an agreed level of service usually in lieu of commissions.  Commissions are fixed at the contract effective date and brokerage and advisory fees paid directly by our clients. For wholesale brokerage services, we generally receive a share of the commission paid to the retail broker from the insurer. Commission rates are dependentbased on a percentage of premiums for insurance coverage or employee headcount for employer sponsored benefit plans.  Commissions depend upon a large number of factors, including the type of insurance,risk being placed, the particular underwriting enterprise’s demand, the expected loss experience of the particular risk of coverage, and historical benchmarks surrounding the level of effort necessary for us to place and service the insurance company underwritingcontract.  Rather than being tied to the policy and whether we act as a retail or wholesale broker. Advisoryamount of premiums, fees are dependentmost often based on the extent and valuean expected level of services we provide.effort to provide our services.  In addition, under certain circumstances, both retail brokerage and wholesale brokerage services receive supplemental and contingent commissions. A supplemental commissionrevenues.  Supplemental revenue is a commissionrevenue paid by an insurance carrierunderwriting enterprise that is above the base commissionscommission paid, is determined by the insurance carrierunderwriting enterprise and is established annually in advance of the contractual period based on historical performance criteria.  A contingent commissionContingent revenue is a commissionrevenue paid by an insurance carrierunderwriting enterprise based on the overall profit and/or volume of the business placed with that insurance carrierunderwriting enterprise during a particular calendar year and is determined after the contractual period.

Litigation, Regulatory and RegulatoryTaxation Matters

IRS investigation -A portion of our brokerage business includes the development and management of “micro-captives,” through operations we acquired in 2010 in our acquisition of the assets of Tribeca Strategic Advisors (Tribeca)(which we refer to as Tribeca).  A “captive” is an insurance companyunderwriting enterprise that insures the risks of its owner, affiliates or a group of companies.  Micro-captives are captive insurance companiesunderwriting enterprises that are subject to taxation only on net investment income under IRC Section 831(b).  Our micro-captive advisory services are under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)(which we refer to as IRS).  Additionally, the IRS has initiated audits for the 2012 tax year, and subsequent tax years, of over 100 of the micro-captive insurance companiesunderwriting enterprises organized and/or managed by us.  Among other matters, the IRS is investigating whether we have been acting as a tax shelter promoter in connection with these operations.  While the IRS has not made specific allegations relating to our operations or thepre-acquisition activities of Tribeca, if the IRS werean adverse determination could subject us to successfully assert that the micro-captives organized and/or managed by us do not meet the requirements of IRC Section 831(b), we could be subject to monetary claims by the IRS and/or our micro-captive clients,penalties and our future earnings from our micro-captive operations could be materially adversely affected, any of which events could negatively impact the overall captive business and adversely affect our consolidated resultsdefense of operations and financial condition.the class action lawsuit described below.  We may also experience lost earnings due to the negative effect of an extended IRS investigation on our clients’ and potential clients’ businesses. Annual renewals for micro-captive clients generally occur during the fourth quarter. Therefore, any negative impact from this investigation would likely have a disproportionate impact on fourth-quarter results.investigation. In the period, from 20142017 to 2016,2019, our micro-captive operations contributed less than $3.5$2.9 million of net earnings and less than $5.0$4.5 million inof EBITDAC to our consolidated results in any one year.  Due to the fact that the IRS has not made any allegation against us, or completed all of its audits of our clients, we are not able to reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss in connection with this investigation.

Class action lawsuit - On December 7, 2018, a class action lawsuit was filed against us, our subsidiary Artex Risk Solutions, Inc. (which we refer to as Artex) and other defendants including Tribeca, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.  The named plaintiffs are micro-captive clients of Artex or Tribeca and their related entities and owners who had IRC Section 831(b) tax benefits disallowed by the IRS. The complaint attempts to state various causes of action and alleges that the defendants defrauded the plaintiffs by marketing and managing micro-captives with the knowledge that the captives did not constitute bona fide insurance and thus would not qualify for tax benefits. The named plaintiffs are seeking to certify a class of all persons who were assessed back taxes, penalties or interest by the IRS as a result of their ownership of or involvement in an IRS Section 831(b) micro-captive formed or managed by Artex or Tribeca during the time period January 1, 2005 to the present.  The complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought by the named plaintiffs or the putative class. On August 5, 2019, the trial court granted the defendants’ motion to compel arbitration and dismissed the class action lawsuit.  Plaintiffs are appealing this ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  We will continue to defend against the lawsuit vigorously.  Litigation is inherently uncertain, however, and it is not possible for us to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter and the financial impact to us, nor are we able to reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss in connection with this lawsuit.

- 41 -


 

- 39 -


Financial information relating to our brokerage segment results for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 as compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016,2019, is as follows (in millions, except per share, percentages and workforce data):

 

   Three-month period  Nine-month period 
   ended September 30,  ended September 30, 

Statement of Earnings

  2017  2016  Change  2017  2016  Change 

Commissions

  $662.6  $612.9  $49.7  $1,943.3  $1,842.3  $101.0 

Fees

   222.3   198.6   23.7   632.7   556.0   76.7 

Supplemental commissions

   39.9   35.3   4.6   115.9   106.8   9.1 

Contingent commissions

   13.5   16.4   (2.9  96.4   96.7   (0.3

Investment income

   14.8   13.3   1.5   38.9   35.7   3.2 

Gains realized on books of business sales

   0.6   1.1   (0.5  3.1   4.7   (1.6
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total revenues

   953.7   877.6   76.1   2,830.3   2,642.2   188.1 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Compensation

   548.4   504.0   44.4   1,621.7   1,515.1   106.6 

Operating

   148.8   143.7   5.1   446.2   452.7   (6.5

Depreciation

   14.9   14.2   0.7   45.9   42.6   3.3 

Amortization

   68.9   62.5   6.4   196.9   183.3   13.6 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

   11.1   4.1   7.0   27.8   21.2   6.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total expenses

   792.1   728.5   63.6   2,338.5   2,214.9   123.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

   161.6   149.1   12.5   491.8   427.3   64.5 

Provision for income taxes

   54.0   51.4   2.6   166.6   148.8   17.8 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net earnings

   107.6   97.7   9.9   325.2   278.5   46.7 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

   (0.3  (0.2  (0.1  7.1   4.1   3.0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

  $107.9  $97.9  $10.0  $318.1  $274.4  $43.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.59  $0.55  $0.04  $1.75  $1.54  $0.21 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other Information

       

Change in diluted net earnings per share

   7  25   14  24 

Growth in revenues

   9  5   7  7 

Organic change in commissions and fees

   4  2   3  3 

Compensation expense ratio

   58  57   57  57 

Operating expense ratio

   16  16   16  17 

Effective income tax rate

   33  34   34  35 

Workforce at end of period (includes acquisitions)

      19,715   18,539  

Identifiable assets at September 30

     $10,275.9  $8,972.7  

EBITDAC

       

Net earnings

  $107.6  $97.7  $9.9  $325.2  $278.5  $46.7 

Provision for income taxes

   54.0   51.4   2.6   166.6   148.8   17.8 

Depreciation

   14.9   14.2   0.7   45.9   42.6   3.3 

Amortization

   68.9   62.5   6.4   196.9   183.3   13.6 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

   11.1   4.1   7.0   27.8   21.2   6.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

EBITDAC

  $256.5  $229.9  $26.6  $762.4  $674.4  $88.0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

Statement of Earnings

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Commissions

 

$

1,017.2

 

 

$

940.4

 

 

$

76.8

 

Fees

 

 

295.8

 

 

 

261.8

 

 

 

34.0

 

Supplemental revenues

 

 

59.0

 

 

 

56.7

 

 

 

2.3

 

Contingent revenues

 

 

45.1

 

 

 

48.0

 

 

 

(2.9

)

Investment income

 

 

18.3

 

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

0.4

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

57.1

 

 

 

(56.9

)

Total revenues

 

 

1,435.6

 

 

 

1,381.9

 

 

 

53.7

 

Compensation

 

 

752.8

 

 

 

677.2

 

 

 

75.6

 

Operating

 

 

204.9

 

 

 

198.0

 

 

 

6.9

 

Depreciation

 

 

17.6

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

1.4

 

Amortization

 

 

134.2

 

 

 

75.5

 

 

 

58.7

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

 

 

(84.7

)

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

(87.3

)

Total expenses

 

 

1,024.8

 

 

 

969.5

 

 

 

55.3

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

410.8

 

 

 

412.4

 

 

 

(1.6

)

Provision for income taxes

 

 

99.4

 

 

 

102.9

 

 

 

(3.5

)

Net earnings

 

 

311.4

 

 

 

309.5

 

 

 

1.9

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

(9.1

)

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

 

$

310.7

 

 

$

299.7

 

 

$

11.0

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

1.61

 

 

$

1.59

 

 

$

0.02

 

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in diluted net earnings per share

 

 

1

%

 

 

26

%

 

 

 

 

Growth in revenues

 

 

4

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

 

 

Organic change in commissions and fees

 

 

4

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense ratio

 

 

52

%

 

 

49

%

 

 

 

 

Operating expense ratio

 

 

14

%

 

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

 

 

24

%

 

 

25

%

 

 

 

 

Workforce at end of period (includes acquisitions)

 

 

25,841

 

 

 

23,130

 

 

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at March 31

 

$

18,115.1

 

 

$

15,981.8

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

311.4

 

 

$

309.5

 

 

$

1.9

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

99.4

 

 

 

102.9

 

 

 

(3.5

)

Depreciation

 

 

17.6

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

1.4

 

Amortization

 

 

134.2

 

 

 

75.5

 

 

 

58.7

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

 

 

(84.7

)

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

(87.3

)

EBITDAC

 

$

477.9

 

 

$

506.7

 

 

$

(28.8

)

 

- 4042 -


The following provides information that management believes is helpful when comparing EBITDAC and adjusted EBITDAC for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 to the same periodsperiod in 20162019 (in millions):

 

  Three-month period
ended September 30,
 Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

  2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Net earnings, as reported

  $107.6  $97.7  10.1 $325.2  $278.5  16.8

 

$

311.4

 

 

$

309.5

 

 

 

0.6

%

Provision for income taxes

   54.0  51.4   166.6  148.8  

 

 

99.4

 

 

 

102.9

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

   14.9  14.2   45.9  42.6  

 

 

17.6

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

   68.9  62.5   196.9  183.3  

 

 

134.2

 

 

 

75.5

 

 

 

 

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

   11.1  4.1   27.8  21.2  

 

 

(84.7

)

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

EBITDAC

   256.5  229.9  11.6 762.4  674.4  13.1

 

 

477.9

 

 

 

506.7

 

 

 

(5.7

)%

Gains from books of business sales

   (0.6 (1.1  (3.1 (4.7 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(44.1

)

 

 

 

 

Acquisition integration

   3.5  9.4   9.7  35.5  

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments

   1.7  0.6   7.7  3.2  

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

Workforce and lease termination related charges

   5.1  6.0   14.4  12.1  

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —    1.5    —    (5.4 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

EBITDAC, as adjusted

  $266.2  $246.3  8.1 $791.1  $715.1  10.6

 

$

495.5

 

 

$

468.4

 

 

 

5.8

%

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Net earnings margin, as reported

   11.3 11.1 + 15 bpts  11.5 10.5 +95 bpts 

 

 

21.7

%

 

 

22.4

%

 

- 71 bpts

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

EBITDAC margin, as adjusted

   27.9 27.9 + 5 bpts  28.0 27.4 + 57 bpts 

 

 

34.5

%

 

 

35.7

%

 

- 122 bpts

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Reported revenues

  $953.7  $877.6   $2,830.3  $2,642.2  

 

$

1,435.6

 

 

$

1,381.9

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Adjusted revenues - see pages 37 and 38

  $953.1  $ 883.5   $2,827.2  $ 2,609.2  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Adjusted revenues - see page 37

 

$

1,435.4

 

 

$

1,310.7

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition integration costs include costs related to our July 2, 2014 acquisition of Noraxis Capital Corporation (which we refer to as Noraxis), our June 16, 2014 acquisition of the Crombie/OAMPS operations (which we refer to as Crombie/OAMPS), our April 1, 2014 acquisition of Oval Group of Companies (which we refer to as Oval), our November 14, 2013 acquisition of the Giles Group of Companies (which we refer to as Giles)

Net earnings margin was 21.7% in first quarter 2020 and our August 1, 2015 acquisition of William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers (which we refer to as WGA) that are not expected to occur on an ongoing22.4% in first quarter 2019.  First quarter 2020 net earnings margin was favorably impacted by 60 basis in the future once we fully assimilate these acquisitions. These costs relate to theon-boarding of employees, communication system conversion costs, related performance compensation, redundant workforce, extra lease space, duplicate services and external costs incurred to assimilate the acquired businesses with our IT related systems. The WGA integration costs in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 totaled $0.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and were primarily related to retention and incentive compensation. The Crombie/OAMPS integration costs in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 totaled $0.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and were primarily related to technology costs and incentive compensation. The Giles and Oval integration costs in thethree-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 totaled $2.8 million and $7.5 million, respectively, and were primarily relatedpoints due to the consolidationnet impact of officesCOVID-19 items detailed on page 39.  Adjusted EBITDAC margin was 34.5% in the U.K., technology costs, brandingfirst quarter 2020 and incentive compensation. The WGA integration costs35.7% in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 totaled $2.0 million and $4.4 million, respectively, and were primarily related to retention and incentive compensation. The Noraxis integration costs in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 totaled $0.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, and were primarily related to the consolidation of offices, technology costs and incentive compensation. The Crombie/OAMPS integration costs in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 totaled $0.9 million and $4.0 million, respectively, and were primarily related to technology costs and incentive compensation. The Giles and Oval integration costs in thethree-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 totaled $5.8 million and $25.6 million, and were primarily related to the consolidation of offices in the U.K., technology costs, branding and incentive compensation. The prior period integration costs relate to the WGA, Noraxis, Crombie/OAMPS, Oval and Giles acquisitions. Integration costs related to these acquisitions for the full year 2017 are estimated to be less than a third of what they were in 2016.

first quarter 2019. 

 

- 41 -


Commissions and fees-The aggregate increase in base commissions and fees for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2016,2019, was principally due to combination of revenues associated with acquisitions that were made in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 ($37.190.8 million), and to the organic growth.change in base commissions and fee revenues.  Commissions and fees in the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 included new business production and renewal rate increases of $99.0$100.7 million, which waswere partially offset by lost business and renewal rate decreases of $62.7$80.7 million.  Organic growthThe organic change in base commissions and fee revenues was 3.7%3.8% and 2.4%4.8% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.

The aggregate increase in base commissions and fees for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, was principally due to combination of revenues associated with acquisitions that were made in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2017 ($124.4 million) and to organic growth. Commissions and fees in thenine-month period ended September 30, 2017 included new business production of $273.5 million, which was offset by lost business and renewal rate decreases of $220.2 million. Organic growth in base commissions and fee revenues was 3.4% and 2.6% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.- 43 -


Items excluded from organic revenue computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for the three-month andnine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017 and 2016March 31, 2020 include the following (in millions):

 

   2017 Organic Revenue     2016 Organic Revenue    

For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,

  2017  2016  Change  2016  2015  Change 

Base Commissions and Fees

       

Commission and fees, as reported

  $884.9  $811.5   9.0 $811.5  $776.3   4.5

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

   (37.1  —      (38.4  —    

Less disposed of operations

   —     (0.1   —     (1.1 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     6.2    —     (20.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Organic base commission and fees

  $847.8  $817.6   3.7 $773.1  $754.9   2.4
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Supplemental Commissions

       

Supplemental commissions, as reported

  $39.9  $35.3   13.0 $35.3  $29.2   20.9

Less supplemental commissions from acquisitions

   (0.2  —      (0.1  —    

Less disposed of operations

   —     (0.1   —     (0.2 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     0.2    —     (1.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Organic supplemental commissions

  $39.7  $35.4   12.2 $35.2  $27.3   28.9
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Contingent Commissions

       

Contingent commissions, as reported

  $13.5  $16.4   -17.7 $16.4  $14.5   13.1

Less contingent commissions from acquisitions

   (1.0  —      (0.9  —    

Less disposed of operations

   —     —      —     (0.1 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     0.1    —     (0.1 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Organic contingent commissions

  $12.5  $16.5   -24.2 $15.5  $14.3   8.4
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total reported commissions, fees, supplemental
commissions and contingent commissions

  $938.3  $863.2   8.7 $863.2  $820.0   5.3

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

   (38.3  —      (39.4  —    

Less disposed of operations

   —     (0.2   —     (1.4 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     6.5    —     (22.1 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total organic commissions, fees, supplemental
commissions and contingent commissions

  $900.0  $869.5   3.5 $823.8  $796.5   3.4
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended

March 31,

 

Organic Revenues (Non-GAAP)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Base Commissions and Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission and fees, as reported

 

$

1,313.0

 

 

$

1,202.2

 

 

 

9.2

%

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

 

 

(90.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less divested operations and program repricing

 

 

 

 

 

(12.0

)

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(12.2

)

 

 

 

 

Organic base commission and fees

 

$

1,222.2

 

 

$

1,178.0

 

 

 

3.8

%

Supplemental revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental revenues, as reported

 

$

59.0

 

 

$

56.7

 

 

 

4.1

%

Less supplemental revenues from acquisitions

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

 

 

Organic supplemental revenues

 

$

56.5

 

 

$

56.1

 

 

 

0.7

%

Contingent revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent revenues, as reported

 

$

45.1

 

 

$

48.0

 

 

 

-6.0

%

Less contingent revenues from acquisitions

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

Organic contingent revenues

 

$

43.1

 

 

$

47.7

 

 

 

-9.6

%

Total reported commissions, fees, supplemental revenues

   and contingent revenues

 

$

1,417.1

 

 

$

1,306.9

 

 

 

8.4

%

Less commissions, fees, supplemental revenues and contingent revenues from acquisitions

 

 

(95.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less divested operations and program repricing

 

 

 

 

 

(12.0

)

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(13.1

)

 

 

 

 

Total organic commissions, fees, supplemental revenues

   and contingent revenues

 

$

1,321.8

 

 

$

1,281.8

 

 

 

 

 

Total organic revenues in first quarter 2020 were up $40.0 million or 3.1% over first quarter 2019 as detailed in the table above, includes a 3.2% negative impact of ($41.1 million) in COVID-19 related changes in estimated revenues related to policies and services provided under contracts dated prior to April 1, 2020.  Our services were substantially complete for those contracts during the first quarter, but future audits, cancellations, mid-term adjustments, decreases in estimated covered lives and decreases from volume and loss ratio sensitive contingent contracts, are estimated to reduce the amount of commissions and fees we ultimately earn.

 

- 42 -


   2017 Organic Revenue     2016 Organic Revenue    

For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30,

  2017  2016  Change  2016  2015  Change 

Base Commissions and Fees

       

Commission and fees, as reported

  $2,576.0  $2,398.3   7.4 $2,398.3  $2,254.4   6.4

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

   (124.4  —      (139.3  —    

Less disposed of operations

   —     (1.5   —     (1.9 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     (26.2   —     (51.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Organic base commission and fees

  $2,451.6  $2,370.6   3.4 $2,259.0  $2,201.2   2.6
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Supplemental Commissions

       

Supplemental commissions, as reported

  $115.9  $106.8   8.5 $106.8  $90.9   17.5

Less supplemental commissions from acquisitions

   (1.4  —      (1.4  —    

Less disposed of operations

   —     (0.5   —     (0.2 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     (2.7   —     (3.5 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Organic supplemental commissions

  $114.5  $103.6   10.5 $105.4  $87.2   20.9
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Contingent Commissions

       

Contingent commissions, as reported

  $96.4  $96.7   -0.3 $96.7  $81.8   18.2

Less contingent commissions from acquisitions

   (5.2  —      (7.6  —    

Less disposed of operations

   —     (2.9   —     (0.1 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     (0.7   —     (0.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Organic contingent commissions

  $91.2  $93.1   -2.0 $89.1  $81.1   9.9
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total reported commissions, fees, supplemental commissions and contingent commissions

  $2,788.3  $2,601.8   7.2 $2,601.8  $2,427.1   7.2

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

   (131.0  —      (148.3  —    

Less disposed of operations

   —     (4.9   —     (2.2 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     (29.6   —     (55.4 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total organic commissions, fees, supplemental commissions and contingent commissions

  $2,657.3  $2,567.3   3.5 $2,453.5  $2,369.5   3.6
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

The following is a summary of brokerage segment acquisition activity for 20172020 and 2016:2019:  

 

   Three-month period
ended September 30,
   Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 
   2017   2016   2017   2016 

Number of acquisitions closed

   6    7    27    28 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Estimated annualized revenues acquired (in millions)

  $36.9   $27.4   $129.7   $97.8 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Rollover revenues recognized in period from 2016 and Q1 and Q2 2017 acquisitions (in millions)

  $34.7     $127.4   

Portion of Q3 2017 acquisitions revenues recognized in period (in millions)

   3.6      3.6   
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total

  $38.3     $131.0   
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Number of acquisitions closed

 

 

8

 

 

 

11

 

Estimated annualized revenues acquired (in millions)

 

$

124.2

 

 

$

71.2

 

We issued 259,000 shares, 252,000694,000 shares and 257,000464,000 shares of our common stock forat the request of sellers and/or in connection with tax-free exchange mergersacquisitions in the first secondquarter of 2020 and third quarters of 2017,2019, respectively.

- 44 -


 

- 43 -


Supplemental and contingent commissionsrevenues - Reported supplemental and contingent commission revenues recognized in 2017, 20162020, 2019 and 20152018 by quarter are as follows (in millions):

 

   First
Quarter
   Second
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
   YTD 

2017

          

Reported supplemental commissions

  $34.5   $41.5   $39.9     $115.9 

Reported contingent commissions

   53.4    29.5    13.5      96.4 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reported supplemental and contingent commissions

  $87.9   $71.0   $53.4     $212.3 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2016

          

Reported supplemental commissions

  $32.9   $38.6   $35.3   $40.2   $147.0 

Reported contingent commissions

   55.2    25.1    16.4    10.5    107.2 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reported supplemental and contingent commissions

  $88.1   $63.7   $51.7   $50.7   $254.2 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2015

          

Reported supplemental commissions

  $26.9   $34.8   $29.2   $34.6   $125.5 

Reported contingent commissions

   44.5    22.8    14.5    11.9    93.7 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reported supplemental and contingent commissions

  $71.4   $57.6   $43.7   $46.5   $219.2 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

First

 

 

Second

 

 

Third

 

 

Fourth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

YTD

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported supplemental revenues

 

$

59.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

59.0

 

Reported contingent revenues

 

 

45.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45.1

 

Reported supplemental and contingent revenues

 

$

104.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

104.1

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported supplemental revenues

 

$

56.7

 

 

$

46.9

 

 

$

49.8

 

 

$

57.1

 

 

$

210.5

 

Reported contingent revenues

 

 

48.0

 

 

 

29.5

 

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

27.7

 

 

 

135.6

 

Reported supplemental and contingent revenues

 

$

104.7

 

 

$

76.4

 

 

$

80.2

 

 

$

84.8

 

 

$

346.1

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported supplemental revenues

 

$

52.0

 

 

$

48.1

 

 

$

43.9

 

 

$

45.9

 

 

$

189.9

 

Reported contingent revenues

 

 

34.9

 

 

 

21.8

 

 

 

25.7

 

 

 

15.6

 

 

 

98.0

 

Reported supplemental and contingent revenues

 

$

86.9

 

 

$

69.9

 

 

$

69.6

 

 

$

61.5

 

 

$

287.9

 

Investment income and net gains realized on books of business salesdivestitures-Investment incomeThis primarily represents (1) interest income earned on cash, cash equivalents and restricted funds and interest income from premium financing. Gainsfinancing and (2) net gains related to divestitures and sales of books of business, which were $0.6$0.2 million and $1.1$57.1 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, we recognized a one-time, net gain of $0.17 of diluted net earnings per share related to the divestiture of a travel insurance brokerage and $3.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.four other smaller brokerage operations.  Investment income in the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 increased slightly compared to the same period in 2016. The increase in investment income in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was2019, primarily due to increases in interest income from our premium financing business andU.S. operations due to increases in interest income earned on client held funds in Australia and New Zealand.funds.  

Compensation expense-The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing compensation expense for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 with the same periodsperiod in 20162019 (in millions):

 

   Three-month period
ended September 30,
  Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 
   2017  2016  2017  2016 

Compensation expense, as reported

  $548.4  $504.0  $1,621.7  $1,515.1 

Acquisition integration

   (3.0  (4.9  (6.7  (14.0

Workforce related charges

   (4.7  (5.5  (12.5  (9.3

Acquisition related adjustments

   (1.7  (0.6  (7.7  (3.2

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     2.6   —     (18.9
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Compensation expense, as adjusted

  $539.0  $495.6  $1,594.8  $1,469.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reported compensation expense ratios

   57.5  57.4  57.3  57.3
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted compensation expense ratios

   56.6  56.1  56.4  56.3
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reported revenues

  $953.7  $877.6  $2,830.3  $2,642.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 37 and 38

  $953.1  $883.5  $2,827.2  $2,609.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Compensation expense, as reported

 

$

752.8

 

 

$

677.2

 

Acquisition integration

 

 

(3.8

)

 

 

 

Workforce and lease termination related charges

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

(2.2

)

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

(2.6

)

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

Compensation expense, as adjusted

 

$

738.8

 

 

$

664.6

 

Reported compensation expense ratios

 

 

52.4

%

 

 

49.0

%

Adjusted compensation expense ratios

 

 

51.5

%

 

 

50.7

%

Reported revenues

 

$

1,435.6

 

 

$

1,381.9

 

Adjusted revenues - see page 37

 

$

1,435.4

 

 

$

1,310.7

 

 

- 44 -


The increase in compensation expense for thethree-month three‑month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 20162019, was primarily due to increased headcount, salary increases and increases in incentive compensation linked to operating results ($40.3- $47.2 million in the aggregate), aggregate, increases in employee benefits ($2.3 million)- $13.2 million, acquisition integration - $3.8 million, severance related costs - $3.4 million, deferred compensation ($1.8 million) and stock compensation expense ($1.4 million), offset by decreases in severance- $2.9 million, acquisition related costs ($0.8 million)$2.0 million, deferred compensation - $1.6 million and temporary staffing ($0.6 million).temporary-staffing expense - $1.5 million. The increase in employee headcount primarily relates to employees associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.  

The increase in compensation expense for thenine-month period ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to increased headcount, salary increases and increases in incentive compensation linked to operating results ($87.1 million in the aggregate), increases in employee benefits ($8.7 million), deferred compensation ($7.0 million), severance related costs ($3.2 million) and stock compensation expense ($2.0 million), offset by a decrease in temporary staffing ($1.4 million). The increase in employee headcount primarily relates to employees associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2017.- 45 -


Operating expense -The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing operating expense for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 with the same periodsperiod in 20162019 (in millions):

 

  Three-month period
ended September 30,
 Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

  2017 2016 2017 2016 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Operating expense, as reported

  $148.8  $143.7  $446.2  $452.7 

 

$

204.9

 

 

$

198.0

 

Acquisition integration

   (0.5 (4.5 (3.0 (21.5

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Workforce and lease termination related charges

   (0.4 (0.5 (1.9 (2.8

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(4.1

)

Costs related to divestitures

 

 

 

 

 

(13.0

)

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —    2.9   —    (4.0

 

 

 

 

 

(2.8

)

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Operating expense, as adjusted

  $147.9  $141.6  $441.3  $424.4 

 

$

201.1

 

 

$

177.7

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Reported operating expense ratios

   15.6 16.4 15.8 17.1

 

 

14.3

%

 

 

14.3

%

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Adjusted operating expense ratios

   15.5 16.0 15.6 16.3

 

 

14.0

%

 

 

13.6

%

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Reported revenues

  $953.7  $877.6  $2,830.3  $2,642.2 

 

$

1,435.6

 

 

$

1,381.9

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 37 and 38

  $953.1  $883.5  $2,827.2  $2,609.2 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 37

 

$

1,435.4

 

 

$

1,310.7

 

The increase in operating expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 20162019, was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency translation ($0.9 million) and increases in bad debt expense ($2.5 million), technology- $6.8 million, real estate expenses ($2.0 million), other expense ($1.2 million),- $5.1 million, professional and banking fees - $3.0 million, acquisition integration - $2.5 million, business insurance - $2.3 million, licenses and fees ($0.9 million),$2.4 million, technology expenses - $1.8 million, employee related expense ($0.8 million),- $0.8 million, outside services expense ($0.3 million), office supplies ($0.3 million),- $0.7 million, marketing expense - $0.6 million, outside consulting fees - $0.9 million, offset by a favorable foreign currency translation - $0.5 million and decreases in costs related to divestitures $13.0 million, lease termination charges - $3.2 million, meeting and client entertainment expense ($0.1 million)- $2.0 million, office supplies - $0.3 million, other expense - $0.3 million and premium financingfinance interest expense ($0.1 million), partially offset by decreases in real estate expenses ($1.1 million), outside consulting fees ($1.2 million), business insurance ($0.8 million), professional and banking fees ($0.4 million) and lease termination charges ($0.1 million).- $0.3 million. Also impacting operating expense in thethree-month three‑month period ended September 30, 2017 wasMarch 31, 2020, were expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in thetwelve-month twelve‑month period ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.  

The decreaseDepreciation- Depreciation expense increased in operating expense for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to decreases2019 by $1.4 million.  The increase in other expense ($7.1 million), real estate expenses ($5.1 million), office supplies ($2.0 million), business insurance ($1.6 million), lease termination charges ($0.9 million), licenses and fees ($0.1 million), and premium financing expense ($0.1 million), partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation ($1.3 million) and increases in bad debt expense ($2.9 million), employee related expense ($1.6 million), meeting and client entertainment expense ($1.5 million), technology expenses ($1.3 million), outside consulting fees ($1.1 million), outside services expense ($0.8 million) and professional and banking fees ($0.5 million). Also impacting operatingdepreciation expense in thenine-month period ended September 30, 2017 was expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in thetwelve-month period ended September 30, 2017.

Depreciation- Depreciation expense in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 increased slightly2020 compared to 2019 was due primarily to the same periodspurchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements related to office expansions and moves, and expenditures related to upgrading computer systems.  Also contributing to the increase in 2016 due todepreciation expense was the depreciation expenses associated with acquisitions completed in thetwelve-month twelve‑month period ended September 30, 2017.

March 31, 2020.

Amortization- 45 -


Amortization- The increase in amortization expense in thethree-month and nine-month periods three‑month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016 were 2019 was primarily due to write-off of amortizable intangible assets and amortization expense of intangible assets associated with acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2017. March 31, 2020.  Based on the results of impairment reviews during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, we wrote off $45.8 million of amortizable assets.  See COVID-19 discussion on page 39.  No such impairments were noted in the three‑month period ended March 31, 2019.

Expiration lists,non-compete agreements and trade names are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (three(two to fifteen years for expiration lists, three to five years fornon-compete agreements and fivetwo to tenfifteen years for trade names).  Based on the results of impairment reviews during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, we wrote off $4.5 million and $6.2 million, respectively, of amortizable intangible assets related to the brokerage segment. Based on the results of impairment reviews during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016, we wrote off $1.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of amortizable intangible assets related to the brokerage segment.

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables-The change in the expense from the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables in thethree-month and nine-month periods three‑month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016, 2019, was primarily due to adjustments made to the estimated fair value of earnout obligations related to revised projections of future performance.  During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, we recognized $4.8$10.5 million and $4.3$5.3 million, respectively, of expense related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations in connection with our acquisitions made in the period from 20142016 to 2017. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $14.9 million and $12.5 million, respectively, of expense related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations in connection with our acquisitions made in the period from 2014 to 2017.2020. In addition, during thethree-month three‑month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, we recognized $6.3$95.2 million of expense and $0.2$2.7 million of income, respectively, related to net adjustments in the estimated fair value of earnout obligations in connection with revised projections of future performance for 3071 and 2733 acquisitions, respectively.  In addition, during thenine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $12.9 million and $8.7 million of expense, respectively, related to net adjustments in the estimated fair valueSee COVID-19 discussion on page 39 information regarding revised estimate of earnout obligations in connection with revised projections of future performance for 88 and 77 acquisitions, respectively.payables.   

The amounts initially recorded as earnout payables for our 20142016 to 20172020 acquisitions were measured at fair value as of the acquisition date and are primarily based upon the estimated future operating results of the acquired entities over atwo- to three-year period subsequent to the acquisition date.  The fair value of these earnout obligations is based on the present value of the expected future payments to be made to the sellers of the acquired entities in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective purchase agreements.  In determining fair value, we estimate the acquired entity’s future performance using financial projections developed by

- 46 -


management for the acquired entity and market participant assumptions that were derived for revenue growth and/or profitability.  We estimatedestimate future earnout payments using the earnout formula and performance targets specified in each purchase agreement and these financial projections.  Subsequent changes in the underlying financial projections or assumptions will cause the estimated earnout obligations to change and such adjustments are recorded in our consolidated statement of earnings when incurred.  Increases in the earnout payable obligations will result in the recognition of expense and decreases in the earnout payable obligations will result in the recognition of income.

Provision for income taxes- The brokerage segment’s effective income tax rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019, were 33.4% (33.4% on a controlling interests basis)24.2% and 34.5% (34.4% on a controlling interests basis), respectively. The brokerage segment’s effective income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were 33.9% (34.4% on a controlling interests basis) and 34.8% (35.2% on a controlling interests basis)25.0%, respectively. We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 34.0%23.0% to 36.0% (on a controlling interests basis)25.0% in our brokerage segment for the foreseeable future.

Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests-The amounts reported in this line for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019, include noncontrolling interest (loss) earnings of ($0.3)$0.7 million and ($0.2)$9.8 million, respectively, and $7.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively,of which for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2019 primarily related to our investment in Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers LLP (which we refer to as Capsicum)Capsicum Re).  We arePrior to December 31, 2019, we were partners in this venture with Grahame Chilton, the former CEO of our International Brokerage Division.Division (he stepped down from that role effective July 1, 2018).  We arewere the controlling partner, participating in 33% of Capsicum’sCapsicum Re’s net operating results and Mr. Chilton ownsowned approximately 50% of Capsicum.Capsicum Re. In January 2020, we increased our ownership interest in Capsicum Re from 33% to 100%. Founded in December 2013 through a strategic partnership with Gallagher, Capsicum Re has since grown to become the world’s fifth largest reinsurance broker with offices in the U.K., U.S., Bermuda and South America.

- 46 -


Risk Management

The risk management segment accounted for 13% of our revenue during the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017. TheMarch 31, 2020.  Our risk management segment providesoperations provide contract claim settlement, claim administration, loss control services and administration servicesrisk management consulting for enterprisescommercial, not for profit, captive and public entities, and various other organizations that choose to self-insure some or all of their property/casualty coverages and for insurance companies thator choose to outsource some or all of their property/casualtyuse a third-party claims departments. In addition, this segment generates revenues from integrated disability management programs, informationorganization rather than the claim services risk control consulting (loss control) services and appraisal services, either individually or in combination with arising claims.provided by underwriting enterprises.  Revenues for our risk management segment are comprised of fees generally negotiated (i) on a per-claim or per-service basis, (ii) on a cost-plus basis, or (iii) as performance-based fees.  We also provide risk management consulting services that are recognized as the services are substantially in the form of fees that are generally negotiated in advance on aper-claim orper-service basis, depending upon the type and estimated volume of the services to be performed.delivered.

- 47 -


Financial information relating to our risk management segment results for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 as compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016,2019, is as follows (in millions, except per share, percentages and workforce data):

 

   Three-month period
ended September 30,
  Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 

Statement of Earnings

  2017  2016  Change  2017  2016  Change 

Fees

  $200.1  $176.4  $23.7  $571.1  $531.8  $39.3 

Investment income

   0.1   0.3   (0.2  0.4   0.7   (0.3
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total revenues

   200.2   176.7   23.5   571.5   532.5   39.0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Compensation

   115.4   106.8   8.6   333.6   316.3   17.3 

Operating

   49.1   40.7   8.4   139.4   126.3   13.1 

Depreciation

   7.7   7.0   0.7   23.1   20.2   2.9 

Amortization

   0.7   0.7   —     2.1   1.8   0.3 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

   (0.5  —     (0.5  (0.3  —     (0.3
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total expenses

   172.4   155.2   17.2   497.9   464.6   33.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

   27.8   21.5   6.3   73.6   67.9   5.7 

Provision for income taxes

   10.7   8.3   2.4   27.8   25.8   2.0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net earnings

   17.1   13.2   3.9   45.8   42.1   3.7 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

   —     —     —     —     —     —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

  $17.1  $13.2  $3.9  $45.8  $42.1  $3.7 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.09  $0.07  $0.02  $0.25  $0.23  $0.02 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other information

                   

Change in diluted net earnings per share

   29  (13%)    8  (14%)  

Growth in revenues

   13  (1%)    7  (2%)  

Organic change in fees

   10  1   6  1 

Compensation expense ratio

   58  60   58  59 

Operating expense ratio

   25  23   24  24 

Effective income tax rate

   38  39   38  38 

Workforce at end of period (includes acquisitions)

      5,749   5,451  

Identifiable assets at September 30

     $733.0  $679.6  

EBITDAC

       

Net earnings

  $17.1  $13.2  $3.9  $45.8  $42.1  $3.7 

Provision for income taxes

   10.7   8.3   2.4   27.8   25.8   2.0 

Depreciation

   7.7   7.0   0.7   23.1   20.2   2.9 

Amortization

   0.7   0.7   —     2.1   1.8   0.3 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

   (0.5  —     (0.5  (0.3  —     (0.3
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

EBITDAC

  $35.7  $29.2  $6.5  $98.5  $89.9  $8.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

Statement of Earnings

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Fees

 

$

211.5

 

 

$

202.9

 

 

$

8.6

 

Investment income

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Revenues before reimbursements

 

 

211.8

 

 

 

203.3

 

 

 

8.5

 

Reimbursements

 

 

37.7

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

 

4.6

 

Total revenues

 

 

249.5

 

 

 

236.4

 

 

 

13.1

 

Compensation

 

 

130.9

 

 

 

124.8

 

 

 

6.1

 

Operating

 

 

45.9

 

 

 

44.4

 

 

 

1.5

 

Reimbursements

 

 

37.7

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

 

4.6

 

Depreciation

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

1.5

 

Amortization

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

0.4

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

 

 

(4.3

)

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(4.6

)

Total expenses

 

 

223.9

 

 

 

214.4

 

 

 

9.5

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

 

25.6

 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

3.6

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

0.7

 

Net earnings

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

2.9

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

2.9

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.01

 

Other information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in diluted net earnings per share

 

 

11

%

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

Growth in revenues (before reimbursements)

 

 

4

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

 

 

Organic change in fees (before reimbursements)

 

 

4

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense ratio (before reimbursements)

 

 

62

%

 

 

61

%

 

 

 

 

Operating expense ratio (before reimbursements)

 

 

22

%

 

 

22

%

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

 

 

25

%

 

 

26

%

 

 

 

 

Workforce at end of period (includes acquisitions)

 

 

6,845

 

 

 

6,435

 

 

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at March 31

 

$

909.8

 

 

$

806.6

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

2.9

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

0.7

 

Depreciation

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

1.5

 

Amortization

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

0.4

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

 

 

(4.3

)

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(4.6

)

EBITDAC

 

$

35.0

 

 

$

34.1

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

- 4748 -


The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing EBITDAC and adjusted EBITDAC for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 to the same periodsperiod in 20162019 (in millions):

 

  Three-month period
ended September 30,
 Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

  2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Net earnings, as reported

  $17.1  $13.2  29.6 $45.8  $42.1  8.8

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

 

17.9

%

Provision for income taxes

   10.7  8.3   27.8  25.8  

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

   7.7  7.0   23.1  20.2  

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

   0.7  0.7   2.1  1.8  

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

   (0.5  —     (0.3  —    

 

 

(4.3

)

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Total EBITDAC

   35.7  29.2  22.3 98.5  89.9  9.6

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

34.1

 

 

 

2.6

%

Workforce and lease termination related charges

   0.1  0.4   0.6  1.3  

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —    0.4    —    0.5  

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

EBITDAC, as adjusted

  $35.8  $30.0  19.3 $99.1  $91.7  8.1

 

$

35.3

 

 

$

34.3

 

 

 

2.9

%

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Net earnings margin, as reported

   8.5 7.5 +107 bpts  8.0 7.9 +10 bpts 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

EBITDAC margin, as adjusted

   17.9 16.9 +100 bpts  17.3 17.2 +15 bpts 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Reported revenues

  $200.2  $176.7   $571.5  $532.5  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Adjusted revenues - see pages 37 and 38

  $200.2  $177.7   $571.5  $533.3  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

Net earnings margin (before reimbursements), as reported

 

 

9.0

%

 

 

8.0

%

 

+ 105 bpts

 

EBITDAC margin (before reimbursements), as adjusted

 

 

16.7

%

 

 

17.1

%

 

- 42 bpts

 

Reported revenues (before reimbursements)

 

$

211.8

 

 

$

203.3

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues (before reimbursements) - see page 37

 

$

211.8

 

 

$

200.7

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings margin was 9.0% in first quarter 2020 and 8.0% in first quarter 2019.  Adjusted EBITDAC margin was 16.7% in first quarter 2020 and 17.1% in first quarter 2019. 

Fees - The increase in fees for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 20162019 was due primarily to new business of $22.3 million and claim audit timing of approximately $4.0$11.7 million, which werewas partially offset by lost business of $6.3 million and lower international performance bonus fees.$3.7 million.  Organic change in fee revenues for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was 10.2%4.2% compared to 0.7%4.1% for the same period in 2016.

The increase in fees for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was due primarily to new business of $54.5 million and higher international performance bonus fees, which were partially offset by lost business of $22.9 million. Organic change in fee revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 was 5.8% compared to 0.7% for the same period in 2016.2019.

Items excluded from organic fee computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for thethree-month and nine-month periods three‑month period ended September 30, 2017 and 2016March 31, 2020 include the following (in millions):

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended

March 31, 2020

 

  2017 Organic Revenue     2016 Organic Revenue   

For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,

  2017 2016   Change 2016   2015 Change 

Organic Revenues (Non-GAAP)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Fees

  $200.1  $176.0    13.7 $176.0   $175.7  0.2

 

$

210.2

 

 

$

201.6

 

 

 

4.3

%

International performance bonus fees

   —    0.4    0.4    3.3  

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

    

 

   

 

  

Fees as reported

   200.1  176.4    13.4 176.4    179.0  -1.5

 

 

211.5

 

 

 

202.9

 

 

 

4.2

%

Less fees from acquisitions

   (4.6  —       —      —    

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less clientrun-off

   —     —       —      (4.0 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —    1.0     —      0.2  

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

    

 

   

 

  

Organic fees

  $195.5  $177.4    10.2 $176.4   $175.2  0.7

 

$

208.6

 

 

$

200.3

 

 

 

4.1

%

  

 

  

 

    

 

   

 

  

Total organic revenues in first quarter 2020 were up $8.3 million or 4.1% over first quarter 2019 as detailed in the table above, includes the negative impact of $1.1 million in COVID-19 related changes in estimated revenues related to services provided under contracts dated prior to April 1, 2020.  The impact of this change was to reduce total organic revenues by 0.6%.  Our services were substantially complete for those contracts during the first quarter, but future mid-term adjustments are estimated to reduce the amount of commissions and fees we ultimately earn. 

 

Reimbursements- 48 -Reimbursements represent amounts received from clients reimbursing us for certain third-party costs associated with providing our claims management services.  In certain service partner relationships, we are considered a principal because we direct the third party, control the specified service and combine the services provided into an integrated solution.  Given this principal relationship, we are required to recognize revenue on a gross basis and service partner vendor fees in the operating expense line in our consolidated statement of earnings.  


   2017 Organic Revenue      2016 Organic Revenue    

For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30,

  2017  2016   Change  2016  2015  Change 

Fees

  $567.6  $529.6    7.2 $529.6  $532.0   -0.5

International performance bonus fees

   3.5   2.2     2.2   13.4  
  

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

  

 

 

  

Fees as reported

   571.1   531.8    7.4  531.8   545.4   -2.5

Less fees from acquisitions

   (7.7  —       (3.1  —    

Less clientrun-off

   —     —       (0.1  (16.1 

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     0.8     —     (4.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

  

 

 

  

Organic fees

  $563.4  $532.6    5.8 $528.6  $525.0   0.7
  

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

  

 

 

  

Investment income- Investment income primarily represents interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents.  Investment income in thethree-month and nine-month periods three‑month period ended September 30, 2017 remained relatively unchangedMarch 31, 2020 increased compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016.2019 primarily due to increases in interest income from our U.S. operations.  

- 49 -


Compensation expense- The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing compensation expense for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 with the same periodsperiod in 20162019 (in millions):

 

   Three-month period
ended September 30,
  Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 
   2017  2016  2017  2016 

Compensation expense, as reported

  $115.4  $106.8  $333.6  $316.3 

Workforce related charges

   (0.1  (0.3  (0.6  (1.2

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     0.5   —     0.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Compensation expense, as adjusted

  $115.3  $107.0  $333.0  $315.4 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reported compensation expense ratios

   57.6  60.4  58.4  59.4
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted compensation expense ratios

   57.6  60.2  58.3  59.1
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reported revenues

  $200.2  $176.7  $571.5  $532.5 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 37 and 38

  $200.2  $177.7  $571.5  $533.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Compensation expense, as reported

 

$

130.9

 

 

$

124.8

 

Workforce and lease termination related charges

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(1.8

)

Compensation expense, as adjusted

 

$

130.6

 

 

$

122.6

 

Reported compensation expense ratios (before reimbursements)

 

 

61.8

%

 

 

61.4

%

Adjusted compensation expense ratios (before reimbursements)

 

 

61.7

%

 

 

61.1

%

Reported revenues (before reimbursements)

 

$

211.8

 

 

$

203.3

 

Adjusted revenues (before reimbursements) - see page 37

 

$

211.8

 

 

$

200.7

 

The increase in compensation expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 20162019, was primarily due to increased headcount, ana unfavorable foreign currency translation ($0.5 million)- $1.8 million and increased headcount and increases in salaries and incentive compensation ($7.5- $3.1 million in the aggregate), temporary-staffingaggregate, employee benefits expense ($0.8 million), deferred compensation ($0.3 million) and- $1.6 million, stock compensation expense ($0.2 million),- $0.7 million and deferred compensation - $0.3 million, partially offset by and decreases in employee benefitstemporary-staffing expense ($0.5 million)- $1.3 million and severance related costs ($0.2 million).

The increase in compensation expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to increased headcount, an unfavorable foreign currency translation ($0.3 million) and increases in salaries and incentive compensation ($14.2 million in the aggregate), deferred compensation ($1.2 million), temporary-staffing expense ($1.2 million), employee benefits expense ($0.6 million) and stock compensation expense ($0.4 million), offset by a decrease in severance related costs ($0.6 million).- $0.1 million. Contributing to the increase in employee headcount are employees associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2017.

March 31, 2020.

- 49 -


Operating expense-The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing operating expense for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 with the same periodsperiod in 20162019 (in millions):

 

   Three-month period
ended September 30,
  Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 
   2017  2016  2017  2016 

Operating expense, as reported

  $49.1  $40.7  $139.4  $126.3 

Workforce and lease termination related charges

   —     (0.1  —     (0.1

Levelized foreign currency translation

   —     0.1   —     —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating expense, as adjusted

  $49.1  $40.7  $139.4  $126.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reported operating expense ratios

   24.5  23.0  24.4  23.7
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted operating expense ratios

   24.5  22.9  24.4  23.7
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reported revenues

  $200.2  $176.7  $571.5  $532.5 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 37 and 38

  $200.2  $177.7  $571.5  $533.3 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Operating expense, as reported

 

$

45.9

 

 

$

44.4

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

Operating expense, as adjusted

 

$

45.9

 

 

$

43.8

 

Reported operating expense ratios (before reimbursements)

 

 

21.7

%

 

 

21.8

%

Adjusted operating expense ratios (before reimbursements)

 

 

21.7

%

 

 

21.8

%

Reported revenues (before reimbursements)

 

$

211.8

 

 

$

203.3

 

Adjusted revenues (before reimbursements) - see page 37

 

$

211.8

 

 

$

200.7

 

The increase in operating expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 20162019, was primarily due to increases in outside consulting fees - $1.1 million, technology expenses - $0.8 million, bad debt expense - $0.6 million and professional and banking fees ($2.9 million), business insurance ($1.8 million), other expense ($1.7 million), outside consulting fees ($0.6 million), employee expense ($0.5 million), technology expenses ($0.5 million), licenses and fees ($0.2 million), office supplies ($0.1 million) and outside services ($0.1 million),- $0.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in real estatemeeting and client entertainment expenses ($0.3 million).- $1.4 million.

The increaseDepreciation- Depreciation expense increased in operating expense for the nine-monththree‑month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to2019 by $1.5 million.  These increases in professional and banking fees ($6.1 million), outside consulting fees ($2.8 million), other expense ($2.5 million), employee expense ($1.3 million), business insurance ($0.7 million), office supplies ($0.3 million), licenses and fees ($0.3 million), outside services ($0.3 million) and meeting and client entertainment expense ($0.1 million), offset by decreases in real estate expenses ($0.9 million), technology expenses ($0.5 million) and bad debt expense ($0.3 million).

Depreciation-Depreciation expense increased slightly in thethree-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 and reflectsreflect the impact of purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements related to office expansions and relocations, and expenditures related to upgrading computer systems.

Amortization-Amortization increased slightly The increase in amortization expense in thethree-month and nine-month periods three‑month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016. Historically,2019 was primarily due to amortization expense of intangible assets associated with acquisitions completed in the risk management segment has made few acquisitions. We made three acquisitions in this segment during the nine-monthtwelve-month period ended September 30, 2017 with estimated annualized revenues acquired of $13.3 million. We made no acquisitions in this segment during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2020.  

- 50 -


Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables-The change in expense from the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables in thethree-month and nine-month periods three‑month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016,2019, was primarily due to acquisition activity in 2019.  During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of expense related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations in connection with three acquisitions made in thenine-month period ended September 30, 2017.our acquisitions.  In addition, during thethree-month and nine-month periods period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we recognized $0.6 $4.5million of income related to net adjustments in the estimated fair value of earnout obligations in connection with revised projections of future performance for one acquisition. Duringfour acquisitions.  See COVID-19 discussion on page 39 for information regarding revised estimates of earnout payables.  No such adjustments were made in the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, we made one acquisition in the risk management segment with estimated annualized revenues acquired of approximately $1.1 million.March 31, 2019.

Provision for income taxes- The risk management segment’s effective income tax rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019 were 38.5%25.4% and 38.6%, respectively. The risk management segment’s effective income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were 37.8% and 38.0%26.4%, respectively. We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate on adjusted results of approximately 36.0%24.0% to 38.0%26.0% in our risk management segment for the foreseeable future.

- 50 -


Corporate

The corporate segment reports the financial information related to our clean energy and other investments, our debt, and certain corporate and acquisition-related activities.activities and the impact of foreign currency translation.  For a detailed discussion of the nature of these investments, see Note 1112 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for a summary of our investments as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and in Note 1314 to our most recent Annual Report onForm 10-K10‑K as of December 31, 2016.2019.  For a detailed discussion of the nature of our debt, see Note 67 to our consolidated financial statements included herein as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and in Note 78 to our most recent Annual Report onForm 10-K10‑K as of December 31, 2016.2019.

Financial information relating to our corporate segment results for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 as compared to the same periodsperiod in 20162019 is as follows (in millions, except per share and percentages):

 

  Three-month period
ended September 30,
 Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

Statement of Earnings

  2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants

  $418.6  $417.1  $1.5  $1,125.2  $1,000.6  $124.6 

 

$

167.9

 

 

$

356.4

 

 

$

(188.5

)

Royalty income from clean coal licenses

   12.5  12.7  (0.2 34.7  36.6  (1.9

 

 

13.9

 

 

 

16.6

 

 

 

(2.7

)

Loss from unconsolidated clean coal production plants

   (0.5 (0.5  —    (1.1 (1.2 0.1 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

0.7

 

Other net losses

   —    (1.3 1.3   —    (0.9 0.9 
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total revenues

   430.6  428.0  2.6  1,158.8  1,035.1  123.7 

 

 

181.8

 

 

 

372.3

 

 

 

(190.5

)

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cost of revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants

   451.4  449.7  1.7  1,215.4  1,079.1  136.3 

 

 

185.4

 

 

 

382.5

 

 

 

(197.1

)

Compensation

   16.3  15.8  0.5  58.1  48.3  9.8 

 

 

12.5

 

 

 

35.1

 

 

 

(22.6

)

Operating

   16.3  5.2  11.1  40.6  19.7  20.9 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

20.1

 

 

 

(13.2

)

Interest

   31.4  28.5  2.9  92.9  81.5  11.4 

 

 

50.5

 

 

 

40.2

 

 

 

10.3

 

Depreciation

   7.9  4.5  3.4  21.2  13.6  7.6 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

(0.1

)

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total expenses

   523.3  503.7  19.6  1,428.2  1,242.2  186.0 

 

 

262.2

 

 

 

484.9

 

 

 

(222.7

)

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Loss before income taxes

   (92.7 (75.7 (17.0 (269.4 (207.1 (62.3

 

 

(80.4

)

 

 

(112.6

)

 

 

32.2

 

Benefit for income taxes

   (105.8 (95.2 (10.6 (284.4 (230.5 (53.9

 

 

(105.3

)

 

 

(138.6

)

 

 

33.3

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net earnings

   13.1  19.5  (6.4 15.0  23.4  (8.4

Net earnings (loss)

 

 

24.9

 

 

 

26.0

 

 

 

(1.1

)

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

   7.7  7.8  (0.1 20.9  20.6  0.3 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

0.6

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net earnings attributable controlling interests

  $5.4  $11.7  $(6.3 $(5.9 $2.8  $(8.7
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

  $0.03  $0.07  $(0.04 $(0.02 $0.02  $(0.04
  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30

     $1,801.5  $1,548.0  

Net earnings (loss) attributable to controlling interests

 

$

16.5

 

 

$

18.2

 

 

$

(1.7

)

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

(0.01

)

Identifiable assets at March 31

 

$

1,811.6

 

 

$

1,843.0

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

  $13.1  $19.5  $(6.4 $15.0  $23.4  $(8.4

Net earnings (loss)

 

$

24.9

 

 

$

26.0

 

 

$

(1.1

)

Benefit for income taxes

   (105.8 (95.2 (10.6 (284.4 (230.5 (53.9

 

 

(105.3

)

 

 

(138.6

)

 

 

33.3

 

Interest

   31.4  28.5  2.9  92.9  81.5  11.4 

 

 

50.5

 

 

 

40.2

 

 

 

10.3

 

Depreciation

   7.9  4.5  3.4  21.2  13.6  7.6 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

(0.1

)

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

EBITDAC

  $(53.4 $(42.7 $(10.7 $(155.3 $(112.0 $(43.3

 

$

(23.0

)

 

$

(65.4

)

 

$

42.4

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

- 51 -


Revenues-Revenues in the corporate segment consist of the following:

Revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants represents revenues from the consolidated IRC Section 45 facilities in which we have a majority ownership position and maintain control over the operations of the related plants, including those that are currently not operating. When we relinquish control in connection with the sale of majority ownership interests in our investments, we deconsolidate these operations.

Revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants represents revenues from the consolidated IRC Section 45 facilities in which we have a majority ownership position and maintain control over the operations at the related facilities.  

- 51 -


The increase in revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same periods in 2016, was due primarily to increased production.

Royalty income from clean coal licenses represents revenues related to Chem-Mod LLC. As of September 30, 2017, we held a 46.5% controlling interest in Chem-Mod. As Chem-Mod’s

The decrease in revenue from consolidated clean coal production plants for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was due primarily to decreased production of refined coal.

Royalty income from clean coal licenses represents revenues related to Chem-Mod LLC.  As of March 31, 2020, we hold a 46.5% controlling interest in Chem-Mod LLC. As Chem-Mod LLC’s manager, we are required to consolidate its operations.

The decrease in royalty income in the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was due to decreased production of refined coal by Chem-Mod LLC’s licensees.

Loss from unconsolidated clean coal production plants represents our equity portion of the pretax operating results from the unconsolidated IRC Section 45 facilities.  The production of the refined coal generates pretax operating losses.

The low level of losses in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is due to the vast majority of our operations being consolidated.  

The modest decreases in royalty income in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same periods in 2016, were due to small reductions in production of refined coal by Chem-Mod’s licensees.

Expenses related to royalty income of Chem-Mod in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, were $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Expenses related to royalty income of Chem-Mod in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, were $1.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

Loss from unconsolidated clean coal production plants represents our equity portion of the pretax operating results from the unconsolidated clean coal production plants. The production of refined coal generates pretax operating losses.

The losses in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were low because the vast majority of our operations are consolidated.

Other net revenues include the following: In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, we recorded a $0.2 million equity accounting loss related to one of our legacy investments, a $0.1 million gain related to the liquidation of legacy investments and a $0.1 million gain on the sale of shares in a partially owned entity. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, we recorded $0.8 million of rental income related to our new headquarters facility, a $1.3 million impairment loss related to two clean coal production plants, including engineering costs of $0.7 million incurred for two locations that will not be used, and a $0.4 million equity basis accounting loss related to three of our legacy investments.

Cost of revenues- Cost of revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants consists of the cost of coal, labor, equipment maintenance, chemicals, supplies, management fees and depreciation incurred by the clean coal production plants to generate the consolidated revenues discussed above, includingabove.  The decrease in the costs to run the leased facilities. The increases in thethree-month and nine-month periodsthree‑month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016, were2019, was primarily due primarily to increased production.decreased production of refined coal.

Compensation expense- Compensation expense in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016, respectively,2019, includes salary and benefit expenses of $7.1$8.8 million and $4.0$9.8 million, respectively and incentive compensation of $9.2$3.7 million and $11.8$25.3 million, respectively. The increasedecrease in salary and benefitsbenefit expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2016,2019 was due primarily to increased staffingheadcount controls and salary increases related to implementation of a new accounting standard for revenue recognition.estimated benefit expense savings on lower incentive compensation.  The decrease in incentive compensation for thethree-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 20162019, was primarily due primarily to the timing of achieving certain performance targets.

Compensation expense in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, includes salary and benefit expenses of $20.5 million and $13.0 million and incentive compensation of $37.6 million and $35.3 million, respectively. The increase in salary and benefits expenseclean energy results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, was due primarily to increased staffing and salary increases related to implementation of a new accounting standard for revenue recognition. The increase in incentive compensation for thenine-month period ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was due primarily to clean-energy and efforts related to the new headquarters.quarter.

Operating expensesexpense - Operating expense in the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 includes banking and related fees of $0.9$1.3 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions of $2.2$2.6 million, $1.9other corporate and clean energy related expenses of $12.3 million, $3.1 million of corporate related marketing costs, expenses of $0.9 million for systemsdata and consulting related to implementation of the new revenue recognition accounting rules, $7.4 million of expenses related to our new headquarters facilitybranding initiatives, and a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement lossgain of $3.0$12.4 million.

Operating expense in the three-month period ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2019 includes banking and related fees of $0.9$1.0 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions of $0.8$3.6 million, other corporate and clean energy related expenses of $0.4$7.5 million, $1.2 million for a biennial company-wide meeting and $1.9 million of corporate related marketing costs.

- 52 -


Operating expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 includes banking and related fees of $2.6 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions of $7.1 million, other corporate and clean energy related expenses of $6.1 million, $2.2 million for a biennial company-wide meeting, $4.0 million of corporate related marketing costs, expenses of $3.4 million for systems and consulting related to implementation of the new revenue recognition accounting rules, $12.2$5.9 million of expenses for corporate related to our new headquarters facilitydata and branding initiatives, and a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement loss of $3.0$2.1 million.

Operating expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 includes banking and related fees of $2.4 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions of $3.0 million, other corporate and clean energy related expenses of $4.3 million, $3.6 million for a biennial company-wide meeting, $5.7 million of corporate related marketing costs and $0.8 million related to the litigation settlement.

Interest expense- The increase in interest expense for the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2016,2019, was due to the following:

 

Change in interest expense related to:

  Three-month
period ended
September 30, 2017
  Nine-month
period ended
September 30, 2017
 

Interest on borrowings from our Credit Agreement

  $(0.3 $2.1 

Interest on the $275.0 million note funded on June 2, 2016

   —     5.1 

Interest on the $50.0 million 2016 maturity of the Series B Note that was paid off on November 30, 2016

   (0.7  (2.2

Interest on the $100.0 million note funded on December 1, 2016

   0.9   2.6 

Interest on the $250.0 million notes funded on June 27, 2017

   2.6   2.7 

Interest on the $250.0 million note funded on August 2 and 4, 2017

   2.5   2.5 

Amortization of the hedge gain related to the August 2017 fundings

   (0.2  (0.2

Interest on the $300.0 million 2017 maturity of the Series B Note that was paid off on August 3, 2017

   (3.3  (3.3

Capitalization of interest costs related to the purchase and development of our new headquarters building and other

   1.4   2.1 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net change in interest expense

  $2.9  $11.4 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Change in interest expense related to:

 

Three-month period ended

March 31, 2020

 

Interest on borrowings from our Credit Agreement

 

$

0.2

 

Interest on the maturity of the Series C notes

 

 

(0.7

)

Interest on the maturity of the Series K and L notes

 

 

(0.4

)

Interest on the $500.0 million notes funded on August 2 and 4, 2017

 

 

(0.1

)

Interest on the $500.0 million notes funded on June 13, 2018

 

 

(0.1

)

Interest on the $340.0 million notes funded on February 13, 2019

 

 

2.0

 

Interest on the $260.0 million notes funded on March 13, 2019

 

 

2.7

 

Interest on the $175.0 million notes funded on June 12, 2019

 

 

2.0

 

Interest on the $50.0 million notes funded on December 2, 2019

 

 

0.4

 

Interest on the $575.0 million notes funded on January 30, 2020

 

 

4.0

 

Amortization of hedge gains/losses

 

 

0.3

 

Net change in interest expense

 

$

10.3

 

The capitalization of interest costs related to the purchase and development of our new headquarters building was completed as of January 2017.

- 52 -


Depreciation- Depreciation expense in the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017 increasedMarch 31, 2020 was relatively flat compared to the same periodsperiod in 2016, and relates to new clean energy plants and the new corporate headquarters facility.2019.

Benefit for income taxes- We allocate the provision for income taxes to the brokerage and risk management segments using local statutory rates.  As a result, the provision for income taxes for the corporate segment reflects the entire benefit to us of the IRSIRC Section 45 credits generated, because that is the segment which produced the credits. The law that provides for IRC Section 45 credits substantially expiresexpired in December 2019 for our fourteen 2009 Era Plants and will expire in December 2021 for our twenty 2011 Era Plants.  Our consolidated effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was (42.5)%0.2% compared to (37.4)(9.3)% for the same period in 2016. Our consolidated effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 was (30.4)% compared to (19.4)% for the same period in 2016.2019. The tax rates for September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019 were lower than the statutory rate primarily due to the amount of IRC Section 45 tax credits recognized during the period.  There were $157.1$70.4 million and $144.7$101.1 million of Section 45 tax credits recognized in thenine-month three‑month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.  There were $174.3$31.2 million and $145.2$55.2 million of tax credits produced in thenine-month three‑month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.  Also, impacting the benefit

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests - The amounts reported in this line for the income taxes linethree-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 include non-controlling interest earnings of $7.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively related to our investment in Chem-Mod LLC.  As of March 31, 2020 and 2019, we hold a 46.5% controlling interest in Chem-Mod LLC.  Also included in net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests are offsetting amounts related to non-Gallagher owned interests in several clean energy investments.  

The following provides non-GAAP information that we believe is helpful when comparing our operating results for the adoptionthree‑month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 for the corporate segment (in millions):

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

 

Pretax

 

 

(Provision)

 

 

Controlling

 

 

Pretax

 

 

(Provision)

 

 

Controlling

 

Three-Month Periods Ended March 31,

 

Loss

 

 

Benefit

 

 

Interests

 

 

Loss

 

 

Benefit

 

 

Interests

 

Interest and banking costs

 

$

(51.8

)

 

$

13.0

 

 

$

(38.8

)

 

$

(41.1

)

 

$

10.7

 

 

$

(30.4

)

Clean energy related (1)

 

 

(23.9

)

 

 

76.4

 

 

 

52.5

 

 

 

(53.5

)

 

 

115.0

 

 

 

61.5

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

(3.3

)

Corporate (2)

 

 

(10.4

)

 

 

15.7

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

(21.9

)

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

(9.6

)

Reported three-month period

 

 

(88.8

)

 

 

105.3

 

 

 

16.5

 

 

 

(120.4

)

 

 

138.6

 

 

 

18.2

 

Effective income tax rate impact (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.0

)

Interest and banking costs

 

 

(51.8

)

 

 

13.0

 

 

 

(38.8

)

 

 

(41.1

)

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

(30.4

)

Clean energy related (1)

 

 

(23.9

)

 

 

76.4

 

 

 

52.5

 

 

 

(53.5

)

 

 

115.0

 

 

 

61.5

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

(3.3

)

Corporate (2)

 

 

(10.4

)

 

 

15.7

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

(21.9

)

 

 

11.3

 

 

 

(10.6

)

Adjusted three-month period

 

$

(88.8

)

 

$

105.3

 

 

$

16.5

 

 

$

(120.4

)

 

$

137.6

 

 

$

17.2

 

(1)

Pretax loss for the first quarter is presented net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of $8.4 million in 2020 and $7.8 million in 2019.

(2)

Corporate includes the impact on Q1 2019 for the decrease in the annual effective income tax rate used to compute the provision for income taxes for full year 2019 that occurred in Q4 2019.

Interest and banking costs - Interest and banking costs includes expenses related to our debt.  

Clean energy related - Includes the operating results related to our investments in clean coal production plants and Chem-Mod LLC.  

Acquisition costs - Consists of aprofessional fees, due diligence and other costs incurred related to our acquisitions.

- 53 -


Corporate - Consists of overhead allocations mostly related to corporate staff compensation and other corporate level activities, cross-selling and motivational meetings for our production staff and field management, expenses related to our new accounting pronouncement, whereby it requires thatcorporate headquarters and the income tax effectsimpact of awards be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, rather than recognizing the tax benefits in excess of compensation costs through stockholders’ equity. foreign currency translation.  The income tax benefit of stock based awards that vested or were settled in the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 was $11.9 million.

Potential U.S. Federal income tax law changes- The value of our tax credits could be impacted by changes in the tax code as a result of the recent presidential and congressional elections in the U.S. Congress could modify or repeal IRC Section 45 and remove the tax credits (either prospectively or through the elimination of the carryover of the credits),

- 53 -


which would adversely affect the value of our investment. Also, if Congress reduces tax rates, although we might pay less in taxes overall, it would reduce the tax benefit of operating costs associated with the production of refined coal. Although we are unable to predict how a reduction in tax rates during 2017 would affect our cash taxes paid in 2017, we estimate that if the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate had been reduced from 35% to 20% and if the Alternative Minimum Tax had been eliminated as of January 1, 2016, our cash taxes paid for fiscal 2016 would have been $39.1 million rather than $66.1 million.

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests - The amounts reported in this line for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016 includenon-controlling interest earnings of $9.22019 was $9.0 million and $9.1$6.0 million, respectively, related to our investment in Chem-Mod LLC. The amounts reported in this line for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 includenon-controlling interest earnings of $24.8 million for both years related to our investment in Chem-Mod LLC. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, we held a 46.5% controlling interest in Chem-Mod. Also, included in net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests are offsetting amounts related tonon-Gallagher owned interests in several clean energy investments.

The following provides information that we believe is helpful when comparing our operating results for thethree-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 for the corporate segment (in millions):

Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,

  2017  2016 
   Pretax
(Loss)
  Income
Tax
Benefit
  Net Earnings
(Loss)
Attributable to
Controlling
Interests
  Pretax
(Loss)
  Income
Tax
Benefit
  Net Earnings
(Loss)
Attributable to
Controlling
Interests
 

Interest and banking costs

  $(31.9 $12.8  $(19.1 $(29.3 $11.7  $(17.6

Clean energy related (1)

   (38.8  77.1   38.3   (39.8  79.1   39.3 

Acquisition costs

   (2.3  0.9   (1.4  (0.9  0.1   (0.8

Corporate

   (21.2  12.5   (8.7  (9.1  3.4   (5.7

Litigation settlement related expenses

   —     —     —     (4.4  0.9   (3.5

Home office lease termination/move

   (6.2  2.5   (3.7  —     —     —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reported second quarter

   (100.4  105.8   5.4   (83.5  95.2   11.7 

Litigation settlement related expenses

   —     —     —     4.4   (0.9  3.5 

Home office lease termination/move

   6.2   (2.5  3.7   —     —     —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted second quarter

  $(94.2 $ 103.3  $9.1  $(79.1 $94.3  $15.2 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
       

Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30,

                   

Interest and banking costs

  $(95.0 $38.1  $(56.9 $(83.6 $33.4  $(50.2

Clean energy related (1)

   (114.5  202.7   88.2   (98.1  183.9   85.8 

Acquisition costs

   (7.4  2.2   (5.2  (3.7  0.6   (3.1

Corporate

   (49.1  33.8   (15.3  (27.7  9.6   (18.1

Litigation settlement related expenses

   (11.1  2.3   (8.8  (14.6  3.0   (11.6

Home office lease termination/move

   (13.2  5.3   (7.9  —     —     —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reported second quarter

   (290.3  284.4   (5.9  (227.7  230.5   2.8 

Litigation settlement related expenses

   11.1   (2.3  8.8   14.6   (3.0  11.6 

Home office lease termination/move

   13.2   (5.3  7.9   —     —     —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted second quarter

  $(266.0 $276.8  $10.8  $(213.1 $227.5  $14.4 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)Pretax earnings (loss) for the third quarter are presented net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of $7.7 million in 2017 and $7.8 million in 2016. Pretax earnings (loss) for the nine-month periods are presented net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of $20.9 million in 2017 and $20.6 million in 2016.

Interest and banking costs includes expenses related to our debt. Clean energy related includes the operating results related to our investments in clean coal production plants and Chem-Mod. Acquisition costs include professional fees, due diligence and other costs incurred related to our acquisitions. Corporate consists of overhead allocations mostly related to corporate staff compensation and other corporate level activities, costs related to a biennial company-wide award, cross-selling and motivational meeting for our production staff and field management, expenses related to our new corporate headquarters, corporate related marketing costs and expenses for systems and consulting related to the implementation of the new revenue recognition accounting rules.

- 54 -


Corporate -During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, we incurred $8.4 million ofpre-tax costs related to implementing a new accounting standard related to how companies recognize revenue, which will be effective beginning in January 2018. We expect to incur costs related to implementing this new accounting standard in each of the next two quarters. These charges will be presented in the corporate segment. A new accounting pronouncement, ASUNo. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, was effective January 1, 2017. It requires that the income tax effects of awards be recognized in the income statement (in the Income Tax Benefit column above) when the awards vest or are settled, rather than recognizing the tax benefits in excess of compensation costs through stockholders’ equity. The income tax benefit of stock based awards that vested or were settled in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 was $11.9 million and is included in the table above in the Corporate line.  The income tax benefit of stock based awards that vested or were settled in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 were $4.8 million and are not included in the Income Tax Benefit column above.

Litigation Settlement - During the third quarter of 2015, we settled litigation against certain former U.K. executives and their advisors for a pretax gain of $31.0 million ($22.3 million net of costs and taxes). Incremental expenses that arose in connection with this matter resulted in quarterlyafter-tax charges being incurred through September 30, 2017 were $8.8 million.

Home Office Lease Termination/Move - During first quarter 2017, we relocated our corporate office headquarters to a nearby suburb of Chicago. Move-relatedafter-tax charges were $7.9 million in the first nine months of 2017.After-tax move related charges are expected to total approximately $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Clean energy investments - We have investments in limited liability companies that own 29 clean coal production plants developed by us and five clean coal production plants we purchased from a third party on September 1, 2013.  AllThe ability to generate tax credits on 14 of the 34 plants we own expired as of December 31, 2019.  The 20 remaining plants produce refined coalusingproprietycoal using propriety technologies owned by Chem-Mod.Chem-Mod LLC.  We believe that the production and sale of refined coal at these plants are qualified to receive refined coal tax credits under IRC Section 45.  The fourteen plants which were placed in service prior to December 31, 2009 (which we refer to as the14 2009 Era Plants) can receivePlants received tax credits through 2019 and the twenty plants which were placed in service prior to December 31, 2011 (which we refer to as the20 2011 Era Plants)Plants can receive tax credits through 2021.

The following table provides a summary of our clean coal plant investments as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 (in millions):

 

     Our
Tax-Effected
Book Value At
September 30, 2017
   Additional
Required
Tax-Effected
Capital
Investment
   Low Range 2017
After-tax
Earnings
   High Range 2017
After-tax
Earnings
 

Investments that own 2009 Era Plants

                

12

 

Under long-term production contracts

  $6.9   $—     $16.0   $18.0 

  2

 

Not currently active in negotiations for long-term production contracts

   —      Not Estimable    Not Estimable    Not Estimable

Investments that own 2011 Era Plants

                

19

 

Under long-term production contracts

   37.5    —      91.0    93.0 

  1

 

In early stages of negotiations for long-term production contract

   0.2    Not Estimable    Not Estimable    Not Estimable 

Chem-Mod royalty income, net of noncontrolling interests

   2.4    —      16.0    18.0 

 

 

Our Portion of Estimated

 

 

 

Low Range

 

 

High Range

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2020

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

After-tax

 

 

After-tax

 

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Earnings

 

Investments that own 2009 Era Plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14   2009 Not currently active

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Investments that own 2011 Era Plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20   2011 Under long-term production contracts

 

 

54.0

 

 

 

67.0

 

Chem-Mod royalty income, net of noncontrolling interests

 

16.0

 

 

 

23.0

 

The estimated earnings information in the table reflects management’s current best estimate of the 20172020 low and high ranges ofafter-tax earnings based on early production estimates from the host utilities, other operating assumptions, andincluding current U.S. Federalfederal income tax laws in place at September 30, 2017.laws. However, coal-fired power plants may not ultimately produce refined fuel at estimated levels due to seasonal electricity demand, production costs, natural gas prices, weather conditions, as well as many other operational, regulatory and environmental compliance reasons.  Future changes in EPA regulations or U.S. Federalfederal income tax laws might materially impact these estimates.  Please refer to our filings with the SEC, including Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” on pages 18, 19, 20 and 2021 of our Annual Report on Form10-K 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2019, for a more detailed discussion of these and other factors that could impact the information above.

- 55 -


Our investment in Chem-Mod LLC generates royalty income from refined coal production plants owned by those limited liability companies in which we invest as well as refined coal production plants owned by other unrelated parties. Future changes in EPA regulations or U.S. Federalfederal income tax laws might materially impact thesethe earnings estimates.

In our most recent Annual Report onForm 10-K, we disclosed that on February 10, 2017 one of the refined coal partnerships in which we are an investor received a notice from the IRS setting forth its view that certain of ourco-investors are unable to claim tax credits based on the structure of the partnership. On June 15, 2017, the IRS issued a final notice to the same refined coal partnership disallowing ourco-investors from claiming tax credits. The position taken by the IRS has the potential to affect, and the IRS has opened audits of, other partnerships in which theseco-investors are invested. However, the IRS notices do not challenge the validity of the tax credits themselves, or our ability to utilize tax credits. The partnership affected by the June 15, 2017 notice will defend its position in tax court. However, litigation is inherently uncertain and it is not possible to predict the ultimate disposition of this proceeding.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Liquidity describes the ability of a company to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of its business operations.  The insurance brokerage industry is not capital intensive.  Historically, our capital requirements have primarily included dividend payments on our common stock, repurchases of our common stock, funding of our investments, acquisitions of brokerage and risk management operations and capital expenditures.

In light of the economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19, we are preserving liquidity by reducing capital expenditures for the remainder of the year and making working capital process changes.  We have also slowed down our acquisition program.  We believe we have sufficient liquidity on hand to continue business operations during this volatile period.  If we experience a significant reduction in revenue, we have additional alternatives to maintain liquidity, including issuing common stock to fund future acquisitions.

- 54 -


Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Historically, we have depended on our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations to meet a substantial portion of our cash requirements.  We believe that our cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Credit Agreement (defined below) will provide us with adequate resources to meet our liquidity needs in the foreseeable future.  To fund acquisitions made during 20162019 and for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we relied on a combination of net cash flows from operations, and proceeds from borrowings under our Credit Agreement, proceeds from issuances of senior unsecured notes and note purchase agreements.issuances of our common stock.

Cash provided (used) by operating activities was $459.1$108.6 million and $368.9$(96.2) million for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.  The increase in cash provided by operating activities during thenine-month three‑month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 20162019 was partially due to the following items: reductions in payments on acquisition earnouts in excess of original estimates of $6.0 million and timing differences between periods in the collection of other receivables.  Net cash flow from operating activities is typically lower in the first quarter due to the timing of payments related to incentive compensation and employee benefits.

Cash provided by operating activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 was favorably impacted by timing differences in the receipts and disbursements of client fiduciary related balances in 20172020 compared to 2016. In addition, we had an unrealized foreign currency measurement gain in 2017 compared to an unrealized foreign currency measurement loss for the same period in 2016.2019.  The following table summarizes fourtwo lines from our consolidated statement of cash flows and provides information that management believes is helpful when comparing changes in client fiduciary related balances and unrealized foreign currency remeasurement activity in our consolidated statement of cash flows for thenine-month three‑month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 with the same period in 20162019 (in millions):

 

   Nine-month period
ended September 30,
 
   2017  2016 

Net change in restricted cash

  $(134.1 $(21.1

Net change in premiums receivable

   (261.6  (26.7

Net change in premiums payable

   198.7   88.4 

Unrealized foreign currency remeasurements gain (loss)

   130.8   (41.4
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net cash used by the above

  $(66.2 $(6.8
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Three-month period ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net change in premiums and fees receivable

 

$

(2,055.8

)

 

$

(1,285.6

)

Net change in premiums payable to underwriting enterprises

 

 

1,863.1

 

 

 

876.9

 

Net cash used by the above

 

$

(192.7

)

 

$

(408.7

)

In addition, cash provided by operating activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 was favorably impacted by timing differences in the payment of accrued liabilities compared to the same period in 2016.

Our cash flows from operating activities are primarily derived from our earnings from operations, as adjusted for realized gains and losses, and ournon-cash non‑cash expenses, which include depreciation, amortization, change in estimated acquisition earnout payables, deferred compensation, restricted stock andstock-based stock‑based and othernon-cash compensation expenses.  Cash provided by operating activities can be unfavorably impacted byif the amount of IRC Section 45 tax credits recognized compared togenerated (which is the amount we recognize for financial reporting purposes) is greater than the amount of tax credits actually used during the respective periods.utilized to reduce our tax cash obligations.  Excess tax credits produced during the period result in an increase to our deferred tax assets, which is a net use of cash related to operating activities.  Please see “Clean energy investments”Energy Investments” below for more information on their potential future impact on cash provided by operating activities.

- 56 -


When assessing our overall liquidity, we believe that the focus should be on net earnings as reported in our consolidated statement of earnings, adjusted fornon-cash non‑cash items (i.e., EBITDAC), and cash provided by operating activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.  Consolidated EBITDAC was $705.6$489.9 million and $652.3$475.4 million for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.  Net earnings attributable to controlling interestinterests were $358.0$346.3 million and $319.3$334.1 million for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.  We believe that EBITDAC items are indicators of trends in liquidity.  From a balance sheet perspective, we believe the focus should not be on premiums and fees receivable, premiums payable or restricted cash for trends in liquidity.  Net cash flows provided by operations will vary substantially from quarter to quarter and year to year because of the variability in the timing of premiums and fees receivable and premiums payable.  We believe that in order to consider these items in assessing our trends in liquidity, they should be looked at in a combined manner, because changes in these balances are interrelated and are based on the timing of premium payments, both to and from us.  In addition, funds legally restricted as to our use relating to premiums and clients’ claim funds held by us in a fiduciary capacity are presented in our consolidated balance sheet as “Restricted Cash”cash” and have not been included in determining our overall liquidity.

Our policy for funding our defined benefit pension plan is to contribute amounts at least sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements under the IRC.  The Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974, as amended (which we refer to as ERISA), could impose a minimum funding requirement for our plan.  We are not required to make any minimum contributions to the plan for the 20172020 plan year nor were we required to make any minimum contributions to the plan for the 20162019 plan year.  Funding requirements are based on the plan being frozen and the aggregate amount of our historical funding.  The plan’s actuaries determine contribution rates based on our funding practices and requirements.  Funding amounts may be influenced by future asset performance, the level of discount rates and other variables impacting the assets and/or liabilities of the plan.  In addition, amounts funded in the future, to the extent not due under regulatory requirements, may be affected by alternative uses of our cash flows, including dividends, acquisitions and common stock repurchases. We did not make any discretionary contributions to the plan during the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016.2019. We are not considering making additionalany discretionary contributions to the plan in 2017,2020, but may be required to make significantly larger minimum contributions to the plan in future periods.

- 55 -


Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures -Net capitalCapital expenditures were $93.8$29.5 million and $138.8$39.3 million for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.  In 2017,2020, we expect total expenditures for capital improvements to be approximately $135.0$80.0 million, part of which is related to expenditures on our new corporate headquarters building (approximately $30.0 million), office moves and expansions and updating computer systems and equipment.  Relating to the development of our new corporate headquarters, we expect to receive property tax related credits under atax-increment financing note from Rolling Meadows, Illinois and an Illinois state Edge tax credit. Incentives from these two programs could total between $60.0 million and $80.0 million over a fifteen-year period starting in late 2016 for the Edge tax credit and 2017 for thetax-increment financing note.

Acquisitions - Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired, were $320.5$76.2 million and $147.0$175.6 million in thenine-month three‑month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.  In addition, during the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we issued 0.7 million shares ($43.272.4 million) of our common stock as payment for a portion of the total consideration paid for 20172020 acquisitions and earnout payments made in 2017.2020.  During thenine-month three‑month period ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2019, we issued 1.90.5 million shares ($85.736.5 million) of our common stock as payment for consideration paid for 20162019 acquisitions and earnout payments made in 2016.2019.  We completed thirty8 acquisitions and twenty-eight11 acquisitions in thenine-month three‑month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.  Annualized revenues of businesses acquired in thenine-month three‑month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019 totaled approximately $143.0$124.2 million and $97.8$71.2 million, respectively.  WeIn 2020, we expect to use cash from operations, our Credit Agreement, new debt and debtour common stock, or a combination thereof to fund all or a portion of acquisitions we complete throughcomplete.

We have significantly reduced our acquisition activity because of the remainder of 2017.economic uncertainty brought on by COVID-19, and if liquidity concerns arise, may be more likely to issue common stock to fund acquisitions.

Dispositions-During the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, we sold several books of business and recognizedone-time net gains of $3.1$0.2 million and $4.7$57.1 million, respectively. We received net cash proceeds of $2.9$1.1 million and $7.3$74.0 million related to the 20172020 and 20162019 transactions, respectively.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, we recognized a one-time, net gain of $0.17 of diluted net earnings per share related to the divestiture of a travel insurance brokerage and four other smaller brokerage operations.  

Clean Energy Investments-During the period from 2009 through 2017,2020, we have made significant investments in clean energy operations capable of producing refined coal that we believe qualifies for tax credits under IRC Section 45.  Our current estimate of the 20172020 annual adjusted net after-tax earnings, including IRC Section 45 tax credits, which will be

- 57 -


produced from all of our clean energy investments in 2017,2020, is $123.0$70.0 million to $129.0$90.0 million.  The IRC Section 45 tax credits generate positive cash flow by reducing the amount of Federalfederal income taxes we pay, which is offset by the operating expenses of the plants, by capital expenditures related to the redeployment, and in some cases the relocation of refined coal plants.  We anticipate positive net cash flow related to IRC Section 45 activity in 2017.2020.  However, there are several variables that can impact net cash flow from clean energy investments in any given year. Therefore, accurately predicting positive or negative cash flow in particular future periods is not possible at this time.  Nonetheless, if current ownership interests remain the same, if capital expenditures related to redeployment and relocation of refined coal plants remainsremain as currently anticipated, and if we continue to generate sufficient taxable income to use the tax credits produced by our IRC Section 45 investments, we anticipate that these investments will continue to generate positive net cash flows for the period 2017 through at least 2021.2025.  While we cannot precisely forecast the cash flow impact in any particular period, we anticipate that the net cash flow impact of these investments will be positive overall.  Please see “Clean energy investments” on pages 55 and 56page 54 for a more detailed description of thethese investments and their risks and uncertainties.  Please see “Other Information” on page 35 for the cash flow impact of the expiration of laws governing tax credits.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

On April 8, 2016,June 7, 2019, we entered into an amendment and restatement to our multicurrency credit agreement dated September 19, 2013April 8, 2016 (which we refer to as the Credit Agreement) with a group of fifteen financial institutions.  The amendment and restatement, among other things, extended the expiration date of the Credit Agreement from September 19, 2018 to April 8, 2021 to June 7, 2024 and increased the revolving credit commitment from $600.0$800.0 million to $800.0$1,200.0 million, of which $75.0 million may be used for issuances of standby or commercial letters of credit and up to $75.0 million may be used for the making of swing loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  We may from time to time request, subject to certain conditions, an increase in the revolving credit commitment under the Credit Agreement up to a maximum aggregate revolving credit commitment of $1,100.0$1,700.0 million. At September 30, 2017, $75.0March 31, 2020, $280.0 million of borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Agreement.  Due to borrowingsthe outstanding loans and $20.7 million of outstanding letters of credit, $704.3$903.0 million remained available for potential borrowings under the Credit Agreement at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.  

We use the Credit Agreement to post letters of credit and to borrow funds to supplement our operating cash flows from time to time.  In the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we borrowed $3,223.0$1,730.0 million and repaid $3,426.0$1,970.0 million under our Credit Agreement.  In the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2019, we borrowed $1,619.5$1,025.0 million and repaid $1,556.5$1,030.0 million under theour Credit Agreement.  Principal uses of the 20172020 and 20162019 borrowings under the Credit Agreement were to fund acquisitions, make earnout payments related to acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

We have a secured- 56 -


On August 15, 2019, we entered into an amendment to our revolving loan facility (which we refer to as the Premium Financing Debt Facility), that provides funding for the three Australian (AU) and New Zealand (NZ) premium finance subsidiaries.  The amendment, among other things, extended the expiration date of the Premium Financing Debt Facility from May 18, 2020 to July 18, 2021, increased the Interbank fee rates and increased the total commitment for the AU$ denominated tranche from AU$185.0 million to AU$245.0 million. The Premium Financing Debt Facility is comprised of: (i) Facility B, which is separated into AU$160.0205.0 million and NZ$25.0 million tranches, (ii) Facility C, an AU$25.040.0 million equivalent multi-currency overdraft tranche and (iii) Facility D, a NZ$15.0 million equivalent multi-currency overdraft tranche. The Premium Financing Debt Facility expires May 18, 2019. At September 30, 2017, $156.4March 31, 2020, AU$170.0 million and NZ$15.0 million of borrowings were outstanding under Facility B, AU$7.5 million of borrowings outstanding under Facility C and NZ$13.9 million of borrowings were outstanding under Facility D, which in aggregate amount to US$122.6 million of borrowings outstanding under the Premium Financing Debt Facility.

On January 30, 2020, we closed and funded an offering of $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of fixed rate private placement unsecured senior notes. The weighted average maturity of these notes is 11.7 years and the weighted average interest rate is 4.23% per annum after giving effect to underwriting costs and the net hedge loss. In 2017 and 2018, we entered into pre-issuance interest rate hedging transactions related to this private placements.  We realized a net cash loss of approximately $8.9 million on the hedging transactions that will be recognized on a pro rata basis as an increase to our reported interest expense over ten years.

The notes consist of the following tranches:

$30.0 million of 3.75% senior notes due in 2027;

$341.0 million of 3.99% senior notes due in 2030;

$69.0 million of 4.09% senior notes due in 2032;

$79.0 million of 4.24% senior notes due in 2035; and

$56.0 million of 4.49% senior notes due in 2040

We plan to use these offerings to repay certain existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes, including to fund acquisitions.

At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had $2,798.0$4,498.0 million ofcorporate-related corporate‑related borrowings outstanding under separate note purchase agreements entered into during the period from 20072009 to 2017,2020, and our credit facility, and a cash and cash equivalent balance of $564.9$352.8 million.  See Note 67 to our March 31, 2020 unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the terms of the note purchase agreements, the Credit Agreement and the Premium Financing Debt Facility.

We completed a $275.0 million, private placement debt transaction in the second quarter of 2016, with a weighted average interest rate of 4.47%Facility.  In 2016, we entered into apre-issuance interest rate hedging transaction related to the $175.0 million, ten year tranche, of the $275.0 million private placement debt. We realized a cash gain of approximately $1.0 million on the hedging transaction that will be recognized on a pro rata basis as a reduction in our reported interest expense over the life of the debt.

On November 30, 2016, we funded the $50.0 million 2016 maturity of our Series C note.

We completed a $100.0 million, private placement debt transaction in the fourth quarter of 2016, with an interest rate of 3.46%. A portion of the proceeds was used to fund the $50.0 million of private placement debt that matured on November 30, 2016.

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On June 13, 2017, we announced that we planned to close offerings of $648.0 million aggregate principal amount of private placement senior unsecured notes (both fixed and floating rate). We funded $250.0 million on June 27, 2017, $300.0 million on August 2, 2017 and $98.0 million on August 4, 2017, which was used in part to repay our $300.0 million August 3, 2017 debt maturity. The weighted average maturity of the $598.0 million of senior fixed rate notes is 11.6 years and their weighted average interest rate is 4.04% after giving effect to hedging gains. The interest rate on the $50.0 million of floating rate notes would be 3.02% using three-month LIBOR on October 24, 2017. In 2016 and 2017, we entered intopre-issuance interest rate hedging transactions related to the $300.0 million August 3, 2017 maturity private placement. We realized a cash gain of approximately $8.3 million on the hedging transaction that will be recognized on a pro rata basis as a reduction in our reported interest expense over the life of the debt.

We used the proceeds of these offerings to repay certain existing indebtedness.

Consistent with past practice, as of March 31, 2020, we havehad entered intopre-issuance hedging transactiontransactions of $350.0 million for 2020, $350.0 million for 2021 and $200.0 million related to each of the 2018 and 2019, $100.0 million debt maturities.for 2022.

The note purchase agreements, the Credit Agreement and the Premium Financing Debt Facility contain various financial covenants that require us to maintain specified financial ratios.  We were in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.  

Dividends-Our board of directors determines our dividend policy.  Our board of directors determines dividends on our common stock on a quarterly basis after considering our available cash from earnings, our anticipated cash needs and current conditions in the economy and financial markets.

In the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we declared $212.3$86.2 million in cash dividends on our common stock, or $0.39$0.45 per common share, a 3%5% increase over the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019.  On October 25, 2017,April 29, 2020, we announced a quarterly dividend for fourthsecond quarter 20172020 of $0.39$0.45 per common share. This dividend level in 20172020 will result in annualized net cash used by financing activities in 20172020 of approximately $281.8$340.6 million (based on the number of outstanding shares as of September 30, 2017)March 31, 2020) or an anticipated increase in cash used of approximately $9.6$19.5 million compared to 2016.2019.  We make no assurances regarding the amount of any future dividend payments.

Shelf Registration Statement -On November 15, 2016,2019, we filed a shelf registration statement onForm S-3 with the SEC, registering the offer and sale from time to time, of an indeterminate amount of our common stock.  The availability of the potential liquidity under this shelf registration statement depends on investor demand, market conditions and other factors.  We make no assurances regarding when, or if, we will issue any shares under this registration statement.  On April 2, 2015,November 15, 2016, we also filed a shelf registration statement on FormS-4 with the SEC, registering 8.010.0 million shares of our common stock that we may offer and issue from time to time in connection with the future acquisitions of other businesses, assets or securities. At September 30, 2017, 0.3March 31, 2020, 6.6 million shares remained available for issuance under this registration statement. On November 15, 2016, we filed another shelf registration statement on FormS-4 with the SEC, registering an additional 10.0 million shares of our common stock, none of which had been issued as of September 30, 2017.

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Common Stock Repurchases-We have in place a common stock repurchase plan, last amended by our board of directors in 2008, for up to 10,000,000 shares. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, we did not repurchase any10.0 million shares under the plan (7.7(122.6 million shares remain available).  During the nine-month periodthree-month periods ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2020 and 2019, we repurchased 2.3 milliondid not repurchase shares of our common stock at a cost of $101.0 million.stock.  The plan authorizes the repurchase of our common stock at such times and prices as we may deem advantageous, in transactions on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  We are under no commitment or obligation to repurchase any particular number of shares, and the plan may be suspended at any time at our discretion.  Funding for share repurchases may come from a variety of sources, including cash from operations, short-term or long-term borrowings under our Credit Agreement or other sources.  See “Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” below for more information regarding shares repurchased during the quarter.

Common Stock Issuances- Another source of liquidity to us is the issuance of our common stock pursuant to our stock option and employee stock purchase plans.  Proceeds from the issuance of common stock under these plans for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, were $50.2$23.9 million and $36.8$32.8 million, respectively.  On May 16, 2017, our stockholders approved the 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the LTIP), which replaced our previous stockholder-approved 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan.  All of our officers, employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive awards under the LTIP.  Awards which may be granted under the LTIP includenon-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and performance units, any or all of which may be made contingent upon the achievement of performance criteria.  Stock options with respect to 16.111.2 million shares (less any shares of restricted stock issued under the LTIP – 4.02.2 million shares of our

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common stock were available for this purpose as of September 30, 2017)March 31, 2020) were available for grant under the LTIP at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.  Our employee stock purchase plan allows our employees to purchase our common stock at 95% of its fair market value.  Proceeds from the issuance of our common stock related to these plans have contributed favorably to net cash provided by financing activities in the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, and we believe this favorable trend will continue in the foreseeable future.

Outlook -We believe that we have sufficient capital and access to additional capital to meet our short- and long-term cash flow needs.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

In connection with our investing and operating activities, we have entered into certain contractual obligations and commitments.  See Note 1314 to ourthe March 31, 2020 unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of these obligations and commitments.  In addition, see Note 1517 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report onForm 10-K10‑K for the year ended December 31, 20162019 for additional discussion of these obligations and commitments.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

See Notes 6, 11 and 13Note 14 to the March 31, 2020 unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of ouroff-balance off‑balance sheet arrangements.arrangements.  In addition, seesee Notes 7, 138, 14 and 1517 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report onForm 10-K10‑K for the year ended December 31, 20162019 for additional discussion of theseoff-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no changes in our critical accounting policies, which include revenue recognition, income taxes and intangible assets/earnout obligations, as discussed in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019.

Business Combinations and Dispositions

See Note 3 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our business combinations during the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, we recognized a one-time, net gain of $0.17 of diluted net earnings per share related to the divestiture of a travel insurance brokerage and four other smaller brokerage operations. We did not have any material dispositions during the nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.March 31, 2020.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to various market risks in our day to day operations.  Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest and foreign currency exchange rates and equity prices.  The following analyses present the hypothetical loss in fair value of the financial instruments held by us at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 that are sensitive to changes in interest rates.  The range of changes in interest rates used in the analyses reflects our view of changes that are reasonably possible over aone-year one‑year period.  This discussion of market risks related to our consolidated balance sheet includes estimates of future economic environments caused by changes in market risks.  The effect of actual changes in these market risk factors may differ materially from our estimates.  

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In the ordinary course of business, we also face risks that are either nonfinancial or unquantifiable, including credit risk and legal risk.  These risks are not included in the following analyses.

Our invested assets are primarily held as cash and cash equivalents, which are subject to various market risk exposures such as interest rate risk.  The fair value of our portfolio of cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 approximated its carrying value due to its short-term duration.  We estimated market risk as the potential decrease in fair value resulting from a hypotheticalone-percentage one‑percentage point increase in interest rates for the instruments contained in the cash and cash equivalents investment portfolio.  The resulting fair values were not materially different from thetheir carrying values at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.

At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had $2,798.0$4,498.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our various note purchase agreements.  The aggregate estimated fair value of these borrowings at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was $2,922.4$4,623.4 million due to theirlong-term long‑term duration and fixed interest rates associated with these debt obligations.  No active or observable market exists for our private placement long-term debt.  Therefore, the estimated fair value of this debt is based on the income valuation approach, which is a valuation technique that converts future amounts (for example, cash flows or income and expenses) to a single current (that is, discounted) amount.  The fair value measurement is determined on the basis of the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. Because our debt issuances generate a measurable income stream for each lender, the income approach was deemed to be an appropriate methodology for valuing the private placement long-term debt. The methodology used calculated the original deal

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spread at the time of each debt issuance, which was equal to the difference between the yield of each issuance (the coupon rate) and the equivalent benchmark treasury yield at that time.  The market spread as of the valuation date was calculated, which is equal to the difference between an index for investment grade insurers and the equivalent benchmark treasury yield today.  An implied premium or discount to the par value of each debt issuance based on the difference between the origination deal spread and market as of the valuation date was then calculated.  The index we relied on to represent investment graded insurers was the Bloomberg Valuation Services (BVAL) U.S. Insurers BBB index. This index is comprised primarily of insurance brokerage firms and was representative of the industry in which we operate. For the purposespurpose of thisour analysis, the average BBB rate was assumed to be the appropriate borrowing rate for us based on our current estimated credit rating.us.  

We estimated market risk as the potential impact on the value of the debt recorded in our consolidated balance sheet resulting frombased on a hypotheticalone-percentage one‑percentage point decrease in our weighted average borrowing rate at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and the resulting fair values would have been $321.7$428.9 million higher than their carrying value (or $3,119.7$4,926.9 million).  We estimated market risk as the potential impact on the value of the debt recorded in our consolidated balance sheet resulting from a hypotheticalone-percentage one‑percentage point increase in our weighted average borrowing rate at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and the resulting fair values would have been $57.0$152.3 million lower than their carrying value (or $2,741.0$4,345.7 million).

At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had $75.0$280.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our Credit Agreement.  The fair value of these borrowings approximate their carrying value due to their short-term duration and variable interest rates associated with these debt obligations.  Market risk is estimated as the potential increase in fair value resulting from a hypotheticalone-percentage one‑percentage point decrease in our weighted average short-term borrowing rate at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, and the resulting fair value is not materially different from their carrying value.

At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had $156.4$122.6 million of borrowings outstanding under our Premium Financing Debt Facility.  The fair value of these borrowings approximate their carrying value due to their short-term duration and variable interest rates associated with these debt obligations.  Market risk is estimated as the potential increase in fair value resulting from a hypotheticalone-percentage one‑percentage point decrease in our weighted average short-term borrowing rate at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, and the resulting fair value is not materially different from their carrying value.

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We are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk primarily from one of our larger U.K. based brokerage subsidiaries that incurs expenses denominated primarily in British pounds while receiving a substantial portion of its revenues in U.S. dollars.  Please see Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for additional information regarding potential foreign exchange rate risks arising from Brexit.  In addition, we are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk from our Australian, Canadian, Indian, Jamaican, New Zealand, Norwegian, Singaporean and various Caribbean and SouthLatin American operations because we transact business in their local denominated currencies.  Foreign currency gains (losses) related to this market risk are recorded in earnings before income taxes as transactions occur. Assuming a hypothetical adverse change of 10% in the average foreign currency exchange rate for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 (a weakening of the U.S. dollar), earnings before income taxes would have increased by approximately $9.1$11.7 million.  Assuming a hypothetical favorable change of 10% in the average foreign currency exchange rate for the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 (a strengthening of the U.S. dollar), earnings before income taxes would have decreased by approximately $3.4$4.2 million.  We are also subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with the translation of local currencies of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars.  We manage the balance sheets of our foreign subsidiaries, where practical, such that foreign liabilities are matched with equal foreign assets, maintaining a “balanced book” which minimizes the effects of currency fluctuations. However, our consolidated financial position is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk related to intra-entity loans between our U.S. based subsidiaries and ournon-U.S. based subsidiaries that are denominated in the respective local foreign currency.  A transaction that is in a foreign currency is first remeasured at the entity’s functional (local) currency, where applicable, (which is an adjustment to consolidated earnings) and then translated to the reporting (U.S. dollar) currency (which is an adjustment to consolidated stockholders’ equity) for consolidated reporting purposes.  If the transaction is already denominated in the foreign entity’s functional currency, only the translation to U.S. dollar reporting is necessary.  The remeasurement process required by U.S. GAAP for such foreign currency loan transactions will give rise to a consolidated unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss, which could be material, that is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss).loss.

Historically, we have not entered into derivatives or other similar financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  However, with respect to managing foreign currency exchange rate risk in India, Norway and the U.K., we have periodically purchased financial instruments when market opportunities arose to minimize our exposure to this risk.  During the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, we had several monthly put/call options in place with an external financial institution that are designed to hedge a significant portion of our future U.K. currency

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revenues (in 2017) and disbursements (in 2016) through various future payment dates.  In addition, during thenine-month three‑month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, we had several monthly put/call options in place with an external financial institution that were designed to hedge a significant portion of our Indian currency disbursements through various future payment dates.  Although these hedging strategies were designed to protect us against significant U.K. and Indian currency exchange rate movements, we are still exposed to some foreign currency exchange rate risk for the portion of the payments and currency exchange rate that are unhedged.  All of these hedges are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, and periodically are tested for effectiveness in accordance with such guidance. In the scenario where such hedge does not pass the effectiveness test, the hedge will bere-measured at the stated point and the appropriate loss, if applicable, would be recognized. In the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 there has been no such effect on our financial presentation.  The impact of these hedging strategies was not material to our unaudited consolidated financial statements for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016.2019.  See Note 1413 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements for the changes in fair value of thethese derivative instruments reflected in comprehensive earnings at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation required by the Exchange Act, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule13a-15(e) of the 1934Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the 1934Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During the most recent fiscal quarter, there has not occurred any change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives as specified above. Management does not expect, however, that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent or detect all errorerrors and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

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Part II - Other Information

Item 1.

Please see the information set forth in Note 1314 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements, included herein, under “Litigation, Regulatory and Taxation Matters.”

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Item 1A.Risk Factors

The following represents a material change in our risk factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 should2019.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The global spread of COVID-19 has created significant volatility and uncertainty and economic disruption. The extent to which the pandemic impacts our business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors, many of which are not within our control and that we may not be considered alongsideable to accurately predict, including: its duration and scope; governmental, business and individuals’ actions that have been and continue to be taken in response to the information containpandemic; the impact of the pandemic on economic activity and actions taken in response; the effect on our clients and client demand for our services; our ability to sell and provide our services, including limitations on travel and difficulties of our clients and employees working from home and closure of their facilities; the ability of our clients to pay their insurance premiums which could impact our commission and fee revenues for our services; the nature and extent of possible claims that might impact the ability of underwriting enterprises to pay supplemental and contingent commissions; the decrease in new arising workers’ compensation and general liability claims; the long-term impact of closing our offices and our employees working from home; the impact on lost revenue on our employees’ variable and base compensation levels; the impact of reduced investments and postponements related to business modernization projects; the impact of furloughed or terminated employees; and the impact of reduced advertising and sponsorship investments.

Economy-related risks. The decline in economic activity caused by COVID-19 has already adversely affected, and in future periods, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Continued reductions in our clients’ exposure units (such as headcount, payroll, properties, the market values of their assets, and plant, equipment and other asset utilization levels, among other factors) will reduce the amount of insurance coverage and consulting and claims administration services they need.  In addition, with unprecedented levels of unemployment and business closures, the number of newly arising workers’ compensation and general liability claims, which directly impact our fee revenues in our risk management operation, have declined materially.  Certain of our industry niches, such as hospitality, transportation, manufacturing and construction, have already been significantly affected by the economic decline. The decline in economic activity due to COVID-19 has caused some of our clients to become financially less stable, and if this report.trend continues and clients enter bankruptcy, liquidate their operations or consolidate, our revenues and the collectability of our receivables will be adversely affected. Clients with losses due to COVID-19, in addition to suing underwriting enterprises for insurance coverage under business interruption and other policies, may also sue us for improperly failing to procure coverage. In addition, in our risk management operation, we inform claimants of insurance coverage and compensability determinations on behalf of our third-party claims administration clients (including, recently, with respect to numerous COVID-19 related claims) on the basis of client direction or written opinions from outside counsel. Claimants who have been denied coverage and sue our clients may also bring actions against us. While we do not believe any such actions against us would generally have merit, they could result in significant costs, damage our reputation, and/or harm our relationships with clients.

Regulatory risks.To mitigate the economic impact caused by COVID-19, certain governmental entities have declared or proposed a “grace period” on the collection of insurance premiums. It is unclear the impact this would have on our commission revenues, typically calculated as a percentage of premium.  It is possible that such grace periods could delay our receipt of revenues as we continue to incur compensation and operating expenses related to serving our clients. In addition, certain governmental entities have proposed requiring underwriting enterprises to pay business interruption and workers compensation claims for COVID-19 losses despite applicable policy exclusions. Retroactively expanding business interruption or other coverages could materially negatively affect underwriting enterprises, reduce the availability of insurance coverage, and negatively affect our ability to generate commission revenues from such policies as well as supplemental and contingent commissions from underwriting enterprises. Other legislation under consideration wouldrequire underwriting enterprises to return premiums to clients on certain lines of coverage. While it is unclear the impact such legislation would have on us, it is possible we could be asked to disgorge commission revenues related to such premiums.

Acquisition program risks. Our acquisition program has historically been an important part of the growth of our brokerage operations.  Acquisition activity has slowed significantly because of the economic uncertainty brought on by COVID-19. This will result in slower revenue growth in the short-term, and possibly in the long-term, than we have experienced in the past. The longer it takes us to resume our historical level of acquisition activity, the greater the impact on our revenue growth.

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- 62 -Operations-related risks.Social distancing and shelter-in-place requirements around the world have resulted in nearly all of our employees working from home.  While we have not experienced any significant operating difficulties since our work-from-home practices began, the inability to meet potential and existing clients face to face may negatively impact our ability to sell and provide our services in the future. Reputational damage from, and the financial impact of, employment-related actions taken in response to COVID-19 could lead employees to depart the company and could make it harder for us to recruit new employees in the future.  In addition, our increased reliance on work-from-home technologies and our employees’ more frequent use of personal devices and non-standard business processing may increase the risk of cybersecurity or data breaches from circumvention of security systems, denial-of-service attacks or other cyber-attacks, hacking, “phishing” attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, employee or insider error, malfeasance, social engineering, physical breaches or other actions.


Clean-energy investment related risks.  The decline in economic activity due to COVID-19 has already reduced use of coal-generated electricity in the U.S.  In addition, some utilities are also burning less coal in response to lower natural gas prices.  We expect that, in the short term, this lower utilization of coal will reduce our ability to generate net earnings associated with additional tax credits.  The trend may also continue in the long-term.

COVID-19 and the volatile regional and global economic conditions stemming from the pandemic, as well as reactions to future pandemics or resurgences of COVID-19, could also precipitate or aggravate the other risk factors that we identify in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations (including revenues and profitability) and/or stock price.  Further, COVID-19 may also affect our operating and financial results in a manner that is not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to present significant risks to our operations.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table shows the purchases of our common stock made by or on behalf of us or any “affiliated purchaser” (as such term is defined in Rule 10b - 18(a)10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Gallagher for each fiscal month in the three - monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017:March 31, 2020:

 

Period

  Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
   Average
Price Paid
per Share (2)
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (3)
   Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans

or Programs (3)
 

July 1 through July 31, 2017

   —      $—       —      7,735,489 

August 1 through August 31, 2017

   3,183    58.60    —      7,735,489 

September 1 through September 30, 2017

   20,783    60.19    —      7,735,489 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   23,966   $60.00    —     
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Number of

 

 

Maximum Number

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Purchased

 

 

of Shares that May

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Average

 

 

as Part of Publicly

 

 

Yet be Purchased

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Price Paid

 

 

Announced Plans

 

 

Under the Plans

 

Period

 

Purchased (1)

 

 

per Share (2)

 

 

or Programs (3)

 

 

or Programs (3)

 

January 1 through January 31, 2020

 

 

8,657

 

 

$

96.62

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,287,019

 

February 1 through February 29, 2020

 

 

3,537

 

 

 

103.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,287,019

 

March 1 through March 31, 2020

 

 

240,600

 

 

 

83.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,287,019

 

Total

 

 

252,794

 

 

$

84.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts in this column include shares of our common stock purchased by the trustees of rabbi trusts established under our Deferred Equity Participation Plan, including sub - planssub-plans (which we refer to as the DEPP), our Deferred Cash Participation Plan (which we refer to as the DCPP) and our Supplemental Savings and Thrift Plan (which we refer to as the Supplemental Plan), respectively. These plans are considered to be unfunded for purposes of federal tax law since the assets of these trusts are available to our creditors in the event of our financial insolvency. The DEPP is an unfunded, non - qualifiednon-qualified deferred compensation plan that generally provides for distributions to certain of our key executives when they reach age 62 or upon or after their actual retirement.  Under sub - planssub-plans of the DEPP for certain production staff, the plan generally provides for vesting and/or distributions no sooner than five years from the date of awards, although certain awards vest and/or distribute after the earlier of fifteen years or the participant reaching age 65.  See Note 910 to the March 31, 2020 unaudited consolidated financial statements in this report for more information regarding the DEPP.  The DCPP is an unfunded, non - qualifiednon-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain key employees, other than executive officers, that generally provides for vesting and/or distributions no sooner than five years from the date of awards.  Under the terms of the DEPP and the DCPP, we may contribute cash to the rabbi trust and instruct the trustee to acquire a specified number of shares of our common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  In the thirdfirst quarter of 2017,2020, we instructed the rabbi trustee for the DEPP and the DCPP to reinvest dividends paid into the plans inon shares of our common stock held by these trusts and to purchase our common stock using the cash that was funded into these planswe contributed to the DCPP related to the 20172020 awards under the DEPP sub - plans.DCPP.  The Supplemental Plan is an unfunded, non - qualifiednon-qualified deferred compensation plan that allows certain highly compensated employees to defer amounts,compensation, including company match amounts, on a before - taxbefore-tax basis or after - taxafter-tax basis.  Under the terms of the Supplemental Plan, all cash deferrals and company match amounts credited to an employee’s account may be deemed invested, at

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the employee’s election, in a number of investment options that include various mutual funds, an annuity product and a fund representing our common stock.  When an employee elects to deem hishave some or herall of the amounts credited to the employee’s account under the Supplemental Plan deemed to be invested in the fund representing our common stock, the trustee of the rabbi trust for the Supplemental Plan purchases shares of our common stock in a number sufficient to ensure that the trust holds a number of shares of our common stock with a value equal to all equivalent to the amountamounts deemed invested in the fund representing our common stock.  We want to ensure that at the time when an employee becomes entitled to a distribution under the terms of the Supplemental Plan, any amounts deemed to be invested in the fund representing our common stock are distributed in the form of shares of our common stock held by the trust.  We established the rabbi trusts for the DEPP, the DCPP and the Supplemental Plan to assist us in discharging our deferred compensation obligations under these plans.  All assets of the rabbithese trusts, including any shares of our common stock purchased by the trustees, remain, at all times, assets of the Company, subject to the claims of our creditors.creditors in the event of our financial insolvency.  The terms of the DEPP, the DCPP and the Supplemental Plan do not provide for a specified limit on the number of shares of common stock that may be purchased by the respective trustees of the rabbi trusts.

(2)

The average price paid per share is calculated on a settlement basis and does not include commissions.

(3)

We have a common stock repurchase plan that the board of directors adopted on May 10, 1988 and has periodically amended since that date to authorize additional shares for repurchase (the last amendment was on January 24, 2008 and approved the repurchase of 10,000,000 shares).  The repurchase plan has no expiration date and we are under no commitment or obligation to repurchase any particular amount of our common stock under the plan.  At our discretion, we may suspend the repurchase plan at any time.

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Item 5.6.

Other Information

Exhibits

Disclosure pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act

In third quarter 2017, our U.K. domiciled subsidiary, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, and our Norway domiciled subsidiary, Bergvall Marine AS, acted as insurance broker and advised clients in obtaining insurance coverage for activities related to Iran’s oil, gas and petroleum industries. These subsidiaries assisted clients in obtaining insurance, reinsurance and retrocession coverage for a variety of activities in Iran, including insurance coverage for:Filed with this Form 10‑Q

 

The supply and transport of oil, crude oil, heavy fuel oil and gas to and from Iran;

The docking and loading of oil shipments in Iran;

The operation of vessels providing support services to offshore oil platforms that supply oil to Iran; and

Other closely related activities pertaining to the supply and transportation of oil to and from Iran.

On January 16, 2016, the U.S. lifted the nuclear-related “secondary sanctions” imposed against Iran. In connection with this event, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License H, which authorizes U.S.-owned or U.S.-controlled foreign entities to engage in certain transactions involving Iran that would otherwise be prohibited by section 560.215 of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations.

The activities described above were conducted in full compliance with General License H. Our subsidiaries generated total gross revenue of approximately $11,478 (in actual dollars) and net profit of approximately $2,296 (in actual dollars) from these activities.

Our subsidiaries intend to continue acting as an insurance broker in connection with insurance coverages authorized by General License H.

In June 2014, we acquired a business in the U.K. that, beginning in 2011, had assisted its client, Bimeh Iran Insurance Company (UK) Limited (Bimeh), obtain certain insurance policies. In March 2014, the predecessor business placed a12-month employers liability policy for Bimeh, with a premium of £371. In March 2015, after the acquisition, one of our U.K. subsidiaries assisted Bimeh with the renewal of the policy for a further 12 months, at the same premium of £371 plus a £50 administrative fee (generating total gross revenue for our U.K. subsidiary of approximately $117 and net profit of approximately $23). The policy was not renewed when it expired in March 2016, and Bimeh is no longer a client of our U.K. subsidiary.

  3.1

 

Item 6.Exhibits

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Form 8-K Current Report dated January 31, 2020, File No. 1-09701).

Filed with thisForm 10-Q

*10.16

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Deferred Equity Participation Plan, amended and restated as of March 12, 2020.

        15.1

Letter of acknowledgement from Ernst & Young LLP concerning unaudited interim financial information.

  31.1

        31.1

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

  31.2

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

  32.1

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

  32.2

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document.Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

104

The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101).

* Such exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this form pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

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Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Date:  October 30, 2017

May 5, 2020

By:

/s/ Douglas K. Howell

Douglas K. Howell

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer and duly

authorized officer)

 

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