Annual Statements Open main menu

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

 

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 ended September 30, 2020          

or

 

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

For the transition period from                           to                           

Commission File Number:  1-09761        

 

ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

36-2151613

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

2850 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008

(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

 

AJG

 

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes  No 

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

 

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

 

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 Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  No 

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, as of September 30, 2020 was approximately 192,322,000.

 

 

 


 

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 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, worsening international relations, tariffs, trade wars, the November 2020 elections in the U.S., 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 including the ransomware incident referred to elsewhere in this report; 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 reduced economic activity due to COVID-19 further reducing claim activity, any slowing of the trend toward outsourcing claims administration, and of the concentration of large amounts of revenue with certain clients;

- 2 -


 

 

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;

 

A disaster or other significant disruption to business continuity, including natural disasters and political unrest related to the November 2020 elections;

 

Damage to our reputation;

 

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 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 (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);

 

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

 

Unfavorable determinations related to contingencies and legal proceedings;

 

Significant changes in foreign exchange rates;

 

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

 

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;

 

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 factors referred to above, and are currently, or in the future could be, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our future performance and actual results may differ materially from 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.  Forward-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 new information, future or unexpected events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

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 on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as well as Item 1A “Risk Factors” of Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 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 and Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings for the Three-month and Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three-month and Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

9-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to September 30, 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements

 

13-37

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

38-67

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

67-68

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

Part II.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

69-70

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

71

 

- 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

 

 

Nine-month period ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Commissions

$

889.9

 

 

$

809.9

 

 

$

2,734.6

 

 

$

2,528.0

 

Fees

 

495.8

 

 

 

490.1

 

 

 

1,462.8

 

 

 

1,419.5

 

Supplemental revenues

 

54.7

 

 

 

49.8

 

 

 

164.0

 

 

 

153.4

 

Contingent revenues

 

34.5

 

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

117.0

 

 

 

107.9

 

Investment income

 

19.0

 

 

 

24.0

 

 

 

53.6

 

 

 

61.9

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

3.4

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

62.3

 

Revenues from clean coal activities

 

310.8

 

 

 

386.0

 

 

 

652.1

 

 

 

1,042.7

 

Other net losses

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(2.9

)

Revenues before reimbursements

 

1,807.5

 

 

 

1,790.5

 

 

 

5,188.3

 

 

 

5,372.8

 

Reimbursements

 

41.6

 

 

 

34.7

 

 

 

111.7

 

 

 

100.8

 

Total revenues

 

1,849.1

 

 

 

1,825.2

 

 

 

5,300.0

 

 

 

5,473.6

 

Compensation

 

873.5

 

 

 

838.7

 

 

 

2,585.3

 

 

 

2,482.1

 

Operating

 

203.2

 

 

 

268.0

 

 

 

675.7

 

 

 

788.2

 

Reimbursements

 

41.6

 

 

 

34.7

 

 

 

111.7

 

 

 

100.8

 

Cost of revenues from clean coal activities

 

319.2

 

 

 

397.4

 

 

 

665.8

 

 

 

1,071.9

 

Interest

 

48.1

 

 

 

46.6

 

 

 

148.6

 

 

 

131.7

 

Depreciation

 

36.5

 

 

 

35.1

 

 

 

107.7

 

 

 

104.4

 

Amortization

 

97.4

 

 

 

84.2

 

 

 

321.2

 

 

 

240.4

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

 

20.1

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

(53.2

)

 

 

12.0

 

Total expenses

 

1,639.6

 

 

 

1,710.4

 

 

 

4,562.8

 

 

 

4,931.5

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

209.5

 

 

 

114.8

 

 

 

737.2

 

 

 

542.1

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

 

21.7

 

 

 

(22.3

)

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

(68.1

)

Net earnings

 

187.8

 

 

 

137.1

 

 

 

705.0

 

 

 

610.2

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

11.2

 

 

 

11.0

 

 

 

28.4

 

 

 

39.9

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

$

176.6

 

 

$

126.1

 

 

$

676.6

 

 

$

570.3

 

Basic net earnings per share

$

0.92

 

 

$

0.68

 

 

$

3.55

 

 

$

3.07

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

0.90

 

 

 

0.66

 

 

 

3.48

 

 

 

3.01

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

0.45

 

 

 

0.43

 

 

 

1.35

 

 

 

1.29

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 5 -


 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

 

Three-month period ended

 

 

Nine-month period ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net earnings

$

187.8

 

 

$

137.1

 

 

$

705.0

 

 

$

610.2

 

Change in pension liability, net of taxes

 

0.4

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

3.4

 

Foreign currency translation, net of taxes

 

101.9

 

 

 

(98.7

)

 

 

(28.7

)

 

 

(84.9

)

Change in fair value of derivative investments,

   net of taxes

 

9.5

 

 

 

(24.9

)

 

 

(83.7

)

 

 

(57.8

)

Comprehensive earnings

 

299.6

 

 

 

14.5

 

 

 

594.2

 

 

 

470.9

 

Comprehensive earnings attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

11.7

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

29.3

 

 

 

37.2

 

Comprehensive earnings attributable to

   controlling interests

$

287.9

 

 

$

6.6

 

 

$

564.9

 

 

$

433.7

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 6 -


 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

 

 

September 30,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

629.9

 

 

$

604.8

 

Restricted cash

 

 

2,844.9

 

 

 

2,019.1

 

Premiums and fees receivable

 

 

6,702.5

 

 

 

5,419.2

 

Other current assets

 

 

1,023.0

 

 

 

1,074.4

 

Total current assets

 

 

11,200.3

 

 

 

9,117.5

 

Fixed assets - net

 

 

458.7

 

 

 

467.4

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,049.8

 

 

 

945.6

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

732.5

 

 

 

773.6

 

Right-of-use assets

 

 

346.4

 

 

 

393.5

 

Goodwill

 

 

5,832.2

 

 

 

5,618.5

 

Amortizable intangible assets - net

 

 

2,195.0

 

 

 

2,318.7

 

Total assets

 

$

21,814.9

 

 

$

19,634.8

 

Premiums payable to underwriting enterprises

 

$

7,952.9

 

 

$

6,348.5

 

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

 

1,380.5

 

 

 

1,347.8

 

Deferred revenue - current

 

 

465.8

 

 

 

434.1

 

Premium financing debt

 

 

193.0

 

 

 

170.6

 

Corporate related borrowings - current

 

 

125.0

 

 

 

620.0

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

10,117.2

 

 

 

8,921.0

 

Corporate related borrowings - noncurrent

 

 

4,265.7

 

 

 

3,816.1

 

Deferred revenue - noncurrent

 

 

65.6

 

 

 

69.7

 

Lease liabilities - noncurrent

 

 

292.5

 

 

 

340.9

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

1,255.7

 

 

 

1,271.6

 

Total liabilities

 

 

15,996.7

 

 

 

14,419.3

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock - issued and outstanding 192.3 shares in 2020 and 188.1 shares in 2019

 

 

192.3

 

 

 

188.1

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

 

4,132.5

 

 

 

3,825.7

 

Retained earnings

 

 

2,317.3

 

 

 

1,901.3

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(870.4

)

 

 

(759.6

)

Stockholders' equity attributable to controlling interests

 

 

5,771.7

 

 

 

5,155.5

 

Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

46.5

 

 

 

60.0

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

5,818.2

 

 

 

5,215.5

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

21,814.9

 

 

$

19,634.8

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 7 -


 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

 

 

Nine-month period ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

705.0

 

 

$

610.2

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain on investments and other

 

 

(4.1

)

 

 

(59.0

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

428.9

 

 

 

344.8

 

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

 

 

(53.2

)

 

 

12.0

 

Amortization of deferred compensation and restricted stock

 

 

45.1

 

 

 

34.8

 

Stock-based and other noncash compensation expense

 

 

10.1

 

 

 

10.5

 

Payments on acquisition earnouts in excess of original estimates

 

 

(14.5

)

 

 

(14.7

)

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

2.8

 

Net change in premiums and fees receivable

 

 

(1,297.9

)

 

 

(832.1

)

Net change in deferred revenue

 

 

24.9

 

 

 

17.1

 

Net change in premiums payable to underwriting enterprises

 

 

1,596.0

 

 

 

843.3

 

Net change in other current assets

 

 

(24.5

)

 

 

(6.8

)

Net change in accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

 

(6.4

)

 

 

(50.9

)

Net change in income taxes payable

 

 

61.8

 

 

 

5.2

 

Net change in deferred income taxes

 

 

(129.9

)

 

 

(138.0

)

Net change in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

 

 

49.3

 

 

 

(10.1

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

1,387.6

 

 

 

769.1

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(79.5

)

 

 

(107.7

)

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

 

 

(91.3

)

 

 

(951.1

)

Net proceeds from sales of operations/books of business

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

79.4

 

Net funding of investment transactions

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.0

)

Net cash used by investing activities

 

 

(162.8

)

 

 

(980.4

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on acquisition earnouts

 

 

(32.6

)

 

 

(37.4

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

 

83.6

 

 

 

83.1

 

Payments to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(76.4

)

 

 

(40.1

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(260.1

)

 

 

(239.8

)

Net borrowings on premium financing debt facility

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

23.2

 

Borrowings on line of credit facility

 

 

2,630.0

 

 

 

2,735.0

 

Repayments on line of credit facility

 

 

(3,150.0

)

 

 

(2,610.0

)

Net borrowings of corporate related long-term debt

 

 

474.6

 

 

 

725.0

 

Debt acquisition costs

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(3.9

)

Settlements on terminated interest rate swaps

 

 

(65.9

)

 

 

(6.4

)

Net cash (used) provided by financing activities

 

 

(381.2

)

 

 

628.7

 

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

   restricted cash

 

 

7.3

 

 

 

(46.9

)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

850.9

 

 

 

370.5

 

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

 

$

3,474.8

 

 

$

2,607.3

 

 

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

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

153.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

161.8

 

Net purchase of subsidiary shares

   from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

4.3

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.3

)

 

 

(6.3

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250.7

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

249.9

 

Change in fair value of derivative

   instruments, net of taxes of

   $0.0 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.8

)

Compensation expense related to

   stock option plan grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.3

 

Common stock issued in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty-six purchase transactions

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

109.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110.9

 

Stock option plans

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

21.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.9

 

Employee stock purchase plan

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.4

 

Deferred compensation and

   restricted stock

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5.2

)

Cash dividends declared on

   common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(86.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(86.8

)

Balance at June 30, 2020

 

 

191.5

 

 

$

191.5

 

 

$

4,051.0

 

 

$

2,228.3

 

 

$

(982.2

)

 

$

45.9

 

 

$

5,534.5

 

 

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 June 30, 2020

 

 

191.5

 

 

$

191.5

 

 

$

4,051.0

 

 

$

2,228.3

 

 

$

(982.2

)

 

$

45.9

 

 

$

5,534.5

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

176.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

187.8

 

Net purchase of subsidiary shares

   from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(0.8

)

Dividends paid to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10.3

)

 

 

(10.3

)

Net change in pension asset/

   liability, net of taxes of

   $0.1 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101.9

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

102.4

 

Change in fair value of derivative

   instruments, net of taxes of

   $1.6 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.5

 

Compensation expense related to

   stock option plan grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

Common stock issued in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifteen purchase transactions

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

38.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39.0

 

Stock option plans

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.2

 

Employee stock purchase plan

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.1

 

Deferred compensation and

   restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.6

 

Cash dividends declared on

   common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(87.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(87.6

)

Balance at September 30, 2020

 

 

192.3

 

 

$

192.3

 

 

$

4,132.5

 

 

$

2,317.3

 

 

$

(870.4

)

 

$

46.5

 

 

$

5,818.2

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

- 10 -


 

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

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.3

 

 

 

121.4

 

Net purchase of subsidiary shares

   from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.3

)

 

 

(7.3

)

Dividends paid to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.3

)

 

 

(13.3

)

Net change in pension asset/

   liability, net of taxes of

   $0.2 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(60.7

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(60.9

)

Change in fair value of derivative

   instruments, net of taxes of

   $(7.1) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(21.1

)

Compensation expense related to

   stock option plan grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.5

 

Common stock issued in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five purchase transactions

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.0

 

Stock option plans

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

21.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.8

 

Employee stock purchase plan

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

 

Deferred compensation and

   restricted stock

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

Cash dividends declared on

   common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(81.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(81.0

)

Balance at June 30, 2019

 

 

186.1

 

 

$

186.1

 

 

$

3,656.5

 

 

$

1,839.3

 

 

$

(802.5

)

 

$

68.4

 

 

$

4,947.8

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 11 -


 

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 June 30, 2019

 

 

186.1

 

 

$

186.1

 

 

$

3,656.5

 

 

$

1,839.3

 

 

$

(802.5

)

 

$

68.4

 

 

$

4,947.8

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

126.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.0

 

 

 

137.1

 

Net purchase of subsidiary shares

   from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.5

)

 

 

(8.5

)

Net change in pension asset/

   liability, net of taxes of

   $0.2 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(98.7

)

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

(101.8

)

Change in fair value of derivative

   instruments, net of taxes of

   $(8.2) million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

(24.9

)

Compensation expense related to

   stock option plan grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

Common stock issued in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four purchase transactions

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.0

 

Stock option plans

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.8

 

Employee stock purchase plan

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.2

 

Deferred compensation and

   restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.2

 

Cash dividends declared on

   common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(81.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(81.2

)

Balance at September 30, 2019

 

 

186.5

 

 

$

186.5

 

 

$

3,697.7

 

 

$

1,884.2

 

 

$

(925.1

)

 

$

68.7

 

 

$

4,912.0

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

- 12 -


 

Notes to September 30, 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. We have three reportable segments: brokerage, risk management and corporate.  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 35 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.

- 13 -


 

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 September 30, 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.

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

- 14 -


 

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 nine-month period ended September 30, 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

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

129.9

 

 

$

257.3

 

 

$

209.1

 

Hanover Excess & Surplus, Inc.

   and Hanover Premium Finance,

   Inc.  (HES)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

 

9.3

 

CRES Insurance Services, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 1, 2020 (CRES)

 

 

288

 

 

 

28.5

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

36.5

 

 

 

7.3

 

Fourteen other acquisitions

   completed in 2020

 

 

314

 

 

 

27.9

 

 

 

60.3

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

25.3

 

 

 

122.9

 

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

 

1,186

 

 

$

119.3

 

 

$

156.4

 

 

$

1.8

 

 

$

11.6

 

 

$

160.7

 

 

$

449.8

 

 

$

275.7

 

 

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. Revenue growth rates generally ranged from 2.5% to 15.0% 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

- 15 -


 

reflect the ability of the acquired entity to achieve the targets. The discount rates generally ranged from 6.0% to 9.0% 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 September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $5.9 million and $7.1 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, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $24.3 million and $18.5 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, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $14.2 million of expense and $1.4 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 55 and 29 acquisitions, respectively. In addition, during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $77.4 million and $6.5 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 126 and 86 acquisitions, respectively. The aggregate amount of maximum earnout obligations related to acquisitions was $1,026.1 million as of September 30, 2020, of which $502.5 million was recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 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 nine‑month period ended September 30, 2020 (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourteen Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CRB

 

 

HES

 

 

CRES

 

 

Acquisitions

 

 

Total

 

Cash

 

$

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

2.5

 

 

$

4.3

 

Other current assets

 

 

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

15.2

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

45.7

 

Fixed assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

Noncurrent assets

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

11.2

 

Goodwill

 

 

108.4

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

21.3

 

 

 

51.9

 

 

 

200.7

 

Expiration lists

 

 

133.7

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

13.9

 

 

 

67.9

 

 

 

229.2

 

Non-compete agreements

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

3.6

 

Trade names

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.0

 

Total assets acquired

 

 

257.3

 

 

 

38.0

 

 

 

52.2

 

 

 

152.7

 

 

 

500.2

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

15.7

 

 

 

23.5

 

 

 

43.6

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

6.8

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

15.7

 

 

 

29.8

 

 

 

50.4

 

Total net assets acquired

 

$

257.3

 

 

$

33.1

 

 

$

36.5

 

 

$

122.9

 

 

$

449.8

 

 

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 $200.7 million, $229.2 million, $3.6 million and $5.0 million, respectively, within the brokerage and risk management segments.

- 16 -


 

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 1.5% to 4.1% and 5.0% to 15.7%, 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 9.0% to 13.5% 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, two to six 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 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 undiscounted future cash flows 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 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, we wrote off $3.7 million and $49.7 million, respectively, of amortizable assets related to the brokerage and risk management segments.  No such impairments were noted in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019.

Of the $229.2 million of expiration lists, $3.6 million of non-compete agreements and $5.0 million of trade names related to our acquisitions made during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, $8.8 million, $0.1 million and zero, respectively, is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.  Accordingly, we recorded a deferred tax liability of $2.5 million, and a corresponding amount of goodwill, in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, related to the nondeductible amortizable intangible assets.  

Our consolidated financial statements for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 include the operations of the entities acquired in the nine-month period ended September 30, 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

 

 

Nine-month period ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Total revenues

$

1,850.6

 

 

$

1,839.2

 

 

$

5,315.7

 

 

$

5,515.9

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

 

176.6

 

 

 

126.0

 

 

 

677.6

 

 

 

575.9

 

Basic net earnings per share

 

0.92

 

 

 

0.67

 

 

 

3.55

 

 

 

3.08

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

0.90

 

 

 

0.66

 

 

 

3.47

 

 

 

3.02

 

 

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 nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 totaled approximately $151.2 million.  For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, 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, 2020 in the aggregate, were $30.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

- 17 -


 

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):

 

 

 

September 30,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

Unbilled receivables

 

$

739.7

 

 

$

556.4

 

Deferred contract costs

 

 

69.6

 

 

 

98.3

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

531.4

 

 

 

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 in the consolidated balance sheet includes amounts that represent the remaining performance obligations under our contracts and amounts collected related to advanced billings and deposits received from customers that may or may not ultimately be recognized as revenues in the future.  Deposits received from customers could be returned to the customers based on lesser actual transactional volume than originally billed volume.

 

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

 

 

244.5

 

 

 

68.0

 

 

 

312.5

 

Revenue recognized during the nine-month period ended

   September 30, 2020 included in deferred revenue at December 31, 2019

 

 

(237.1

)

 

 

(76.6

)

 

 

(313.7

)

Net change in collected billings/deposits received from customers

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

28.2

 

 

 

26.3

 

Impact of change in foreign exchange rates

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(1.9

)

Deferred revenue recognized from business acquisitions

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

Deferred revenue at September 30, 2020

 

$

345.4

 

 

$

186.0

 

 

$

531.4

 

 

Revenue recognized during the nine-month period ended September 30, 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 September 30, 2020, the aggregate amount of the contract price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $531.4 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 three months)

 

$

230.8

 

 

$

79.7

 

 

$

310.5

 

2021

 

 

95.6

 

 

 

51.5

 

 

 

147.1

 

2022

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

43.4

 

2023

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

13.0

 

2024

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

6.3

 

Thereafter

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

 

11.1

 

Total

 

$

345.4

 

 

$

186.0

 

 

$

531.4

 

 

- 18 -


 

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 $69.6 million and $98.3 million as of September 30, 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 $304.0 million and $277.2 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 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):

 

 

 

September 30,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

Premium finance advances and loans

 

$

422.0

 

 

$

388.1

 

Accrued supplemental, direct bill and other receivables

 

 

340.4

 

 

 

369.1

 

Refined coal production related receivables

 

 

96.8

 

 

 

103.4

 

Deferred contract costs

 

 

69.6

 

 

 

98.3

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

94.2

 

 

 

115.5

 

Total other current assets

 

$

1,023.0

 

 

$

1,074.4

 

 

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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 allocated by domestic and foreign operations is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Risk

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

At September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

3,267.0

 

 

$

33.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,300.2

 

United Kingdom

 

 

1,260.4

 

 

 

13.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,274.3

 

Canada

 

 

450.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

450.3

 

Australia

 

 

433.8

 

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

444.6

 

New Zealand

 

 

206.7

 

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

216.7

 

Other foreign

 

 

143.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

146.1

 

Total goodwill

 

$

5,761.4

 

 

$

67.9

 

 

$

2.9

 

 

$

5,832.2

 

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

 

 

- 19 -


 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine-month period ended September 30, 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

 

 

200.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200.7

 

Goodwill adjustments due to appraisals and other acquisition adjustments

 

 

29.2

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.5

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments during the period

 

 

(17.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(17.5

)

Balance as of September 30, 2020

 

$

5,761.4

 

 

$

67.9

 

 

$

2.9

 

 

$

5,832.2

 

 

Major classes of amortizable intangible assets at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consist of the following (in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Expiration lists

 

$

4,434.7

 

 

$

4,246.0

 

Accumulated amortization - expiration lists

 

 

(2,310.2

)

 

 

(2,004.3

)

 

 

 

2,124.5

 

 

 

2,241.7

 

Non-compete agreements

 

 

66.6

 

 

 

68.4

 

Accumulated amortization - non-compete agreements

 

 

(55.5

)

 

 

(52.5

)

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

15.9

 

Trade names

 

 

98.9

 

 

 

91.8

 

Accumulated amortization - trade names

 

 

(39.5

)

 

 

(30.7

)

 

 

 

59.4

 

 

 

61.1

 

Net amortizable assets

 

$

2,195.0

 

 

$

2,318.7

 

 

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

 

2020 (remaining three months)

 

$

90.9

 

2021

 

 

346.3

 

2022

 

 

320.6

 

2023

 

 

295.7

 

2024

 

 

260.6

 

Thereafter

 

 

880.9

 

Total

 

$

2,195.0

 

 

- 20 -


 

7.  Credit and Other Debt Agreements

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

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Note Purchase Agreements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

$

 

 

$

50.0

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

50.0

 

Quarterly payments of interest, floating rate of 90 day LIBOR plus 1.65%, balloon due November 3, 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

 

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

 

 

4,398.0

 

 

 

3,923.0

 

Credit Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

520.0

 

Premium Financing Debt Facility - expires September 15, 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUD denominated tranche, interbank rates plus 1.400%

 

 

174.7

 

 

 

142.1

 

NZD denominated tranche, interbank rates plus 1.750%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility C and D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUD denominated tranche, interbank rates plus 0.730%

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

18.8

 

NZD denominated tranche, interbank rates plus 0.940%

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

9.7

 

Total Premium Financing Debt Facility

 

 

193.0

 

 

 

170.6

 

Total corporate and other debt

 

 

4,591.0

 

 

 

4,613.6

 

Less unamortized debt acquisition costs on Note Purchase Agreements

 

 

(7.3

)

 

 

(6.9

)

Net corporate and other debt

 

$

4,583.7

 

 

$

4,606.7

 

 

- 21 -


 

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

 

 

Nine-month period ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests

$

176.6

 

 

$

126.1

 

 

$

676.6

 

 

$

570.3

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

191.9

 

 

 

186.3

 

 

 

190.4

 

 

 

185.5

 

Dilutive effect of stock options using the treasury

   stock method

 

4.4

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

Weighted average number of common and common

   equivalent shares outstanding

 

196.3

 

 

 

190.7

 

 

 

194.5

 

 

 

189.6

 

Basic net earnings per share

$

0.92

 

 

$

0.68

 

 

$

3.55

 

 

$

3.07

 

Diluted net earnings per share

$

0.90

 

 

$

0.66

 

 

$

3.48

 

 

$

3.01

 

 

There were no anti-dilutive stock-based awards outstanding at September 30, 2020 and 2019 that were excluded in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock-based awards for the three-months ended.  Anti-dilutive stock-based awards of 1.0 million and 0.9 million shares were outstanding at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, but were excluded in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock-based awards for the nine‑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 September 30, 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.

- 22 -


 

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 September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $3.4 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to our stock option grants. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $10.1 million and $10.5 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

 

 

2.1

%

 

 

2.2

%

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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 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):

 

 

 

Nine-month period ended September 30, 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

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

45.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited or canceled

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

65.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance

 

 

8.0

 

 

$

63.82

 

 

 

3.92

 

 

$

336.1

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

 

2.5

 

 

$

47.03

 

 

 

1.92

 

 

$

145.5

 

Ending unvested and expected to vest

 

 

5.2

 

 

$

70.72

 

 

 

4.76

 

 

$

182.5

 

 

Options with respect to 11.4 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 September 30, 2020.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $68.7 million and $60.9 million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2020, we had approximately $32.1 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.

- 23 -


 

Other information regarding stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 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

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

2.46

 

 

$

43.71

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

$

43.71

 

 

46.17

 

 

 

 

46.87

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

1.10

 

 

 

46.41

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

46.41

 

 

49.55

 

 

 

 

56.86

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

3.46

 

 

 

56.83

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

56.81

 

 

70.74

 

 

 

 

 

70.74

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

4.46

 

 

 

70.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

70.74

 

 

79.59

 

 

 

 

79.59

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

5.45

 

 

 

79.59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

86.17

 

 

 

 

86.17

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

6.45

 

 

 

86.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

43.71

 

 

 

$

86.17

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

3.92

 

 

$

63.82

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

$

47.03

 

 

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 if later.  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 September 30, 2020 and 2019, we charged $3.0 million and $2.6 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards.  During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we charged $9.0 million and $7.2 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 September 30, 2020 and 2019, we charged $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we charged $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards.  There were no distributions from the sub-plans during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

- 24 -


 

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we recorded $65.3 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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $308.0 million and $276.3 million, respectively.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, cash and equity awards with an aggregate fair value of $9.8 million was vested and distributed to executives under the DEPP. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, cash and equity awards with an aggregate fair value of $3.1 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 September 30, 2020 and 2019, we charged $1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, 2020 and 2019, we charged $5.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. There were $7.3 million of distributions from the DCPP during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.  There were $2.5 million of distributions from the DCPP during the nine-month period ended September 30, 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 September 30, 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 September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $8.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards granted in 2012 through 2020. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $29.0 million and $22.5 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 September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $246.4 million and $201.9 million, respectively.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, equity awards (including accrued dividends) with an aggregate value of $30.6 million, were vested and distributed to employees under this plan.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 equity awards with an aggregate fair value of $2.0 million, were vested and distributed to employees under this plan.

- 25 -


 

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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 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 not recognize any compensation expense during the nine-month period ended September 30, 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 periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $2.9 million to compensation expense related to these awards.  During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $7.2 million to compensation expense related to these awards.  We did not recognize any compensation expense during the nine-month period ended September 30, 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, 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 September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $2.7 million and $2.5 million to compensation expense related to these 2018 awards, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $6.8 million and $6.6 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards granted in 2012 through 2020.  

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 September 30, 2019, we recognized $2.7 million to compensation expense related to these 2017 awards.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, we recognized $7.7 million to compensation expense related to these 2017 awards.  

- 26 -


 

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 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 nine-month period ended September 30, 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.  

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):

 

 

 

September 30,

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 limited liability companies that own fourteen

   2009 Era Clean Coal Plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

   2011 Era Clean Coal Plant

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

Controlling interest in limited liability companies that own twenty

   2011 Era Clean Coal Plants

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

29.2

 

Other investments

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

 

Total investments

 

$

25.9

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

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 September 30, 2020.

- 27 -


 

The notional and fair values of derivatives designated as hedging instruments are as follows at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notional

 

 

Balance Sheet

 

Fair

 

 

Balance Sheet

 

Fair

 

Instrument

 

Amount

 

 

Classification

 

Value

 

 

Classification

 

Value

 

At September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

550.0

 

 

Other current assets

 

$

 

 

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

$

30.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

47.5

 

Foreign exchange contracts (1)

 

 

56.3

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

2.8

 

 

Accrued compensation and other current liabilities

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

3.9

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

2.6

 

Total

 

$

606.3

 

 

 

 

$

6.7

 

 

 

 

$

82.7

 

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 September 30, 2020 were $220.2 million of call options offset with $220.2 million of put options, and $10.4 million of buy forwards offset with $66.7 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.

- 28 -


 

The effect of cash flow hedge accounting on accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 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 September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

3.4

 

 

$

(0.3

)

 

$

 

 

Interest expense

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

Commission revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

Compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

Operating expense

Total

 

$

10.4

 

 

$

(1.4

)

 

$

0.7

 

 

 

Three-month period ended September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

(28.0

)

 

$

(0.3

)

 

$

 

 

Interest expense

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

(6.0

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

Commission revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

0.3

 

 

Compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

Operating expense

Total

 

$

(34.0

)

 

$

(1.1

)

 

$

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine-month period ended September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

(104.7

)

 

$

(0.9

)

 

$

 

 

Interest expense

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

(10.3

)

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

Commission revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

1.0

 

 

Compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

0.8

 

 

Operating expense

Total

 

$

(115.0

)

 

$

(3.9

)

 

$

1.4

 

 

 

Nine-month period ended September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

(74.7

)

 

$

(0.9

)

 

$

 

 

Interest expense

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

(5.9

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

Commission revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

1.0

 

 

Compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

0.7

 

 

Operating expense

Total

 

$

(80.6

)

 

$

(3.0

)

 

$

1.1

 

 

 

 

(1)

For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for our foreign exchange contracts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss was a loss of $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively.  

We estimate that approximately $5.5 million of pretax loss currently included within accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings in the next twelve months.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we settled approximately $66.0 million ($49.4 million net of tax) of interest rate contracts hedges with a notional value of $350.0 million that will be amortized into interest expense in future periods.

 


- 29 -


 

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 September 30, 2020 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

Note purchase agreements

 

$

50.0

 

 

$

75.0

 

 

$

200.0

 

 

$

250.0

 

 

$

475.0

 

 

$

3,348.0

 

 

$

4,398.0

 

Credit Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premium Financing Debt Facility

 

 

193.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

193.0

 

Interest on debt

 

 

40.8

 

 

 

189.3

 

 

 

183.6

 

 

 

174.7

 

 

 

158.0

 

 

 

745.3

 

 

 

1,491.7

 

Total debt obligations

 

 

283.8

 

 

 

264.3

 

 

 

383.6

 

 

 

424.7

 

 

 

633.0

 

 

 

4,093.3

 

 

 

6,082.7

 

Operating lease obligations

 

 

29.7

 

 

 

107.7

 

 

 

85.2

 

 

 

66.7

 

 

 

47.4

 

 

 

90.2

 

 

 

426.9

 

Less sublease arrangements

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(1.8

)

Outstanding purchase obligations

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

44.9

 

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

31.0

 

 

 

144.2

 

Total contractual obligations

 

$

328.9

 

 

$

416.6

 

 

$

498.9

 

 

$

504.9

 

 

$

688.9

 

 

$

4,213.8

 

 

$

6,652.0

 

 

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 pre-pandemic 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 September 30, 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 September 30, 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

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

18.4

 

 

$

18.4

 

Financial guarantees

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

1.2

 

Funding commitments

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

Total commitments

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

18.8

 

 

$

19.8

 

 

- 30 -


 

Since commitments may expire unused, the amounts presented in the table above do not necessarily reflect our actual future cash funding requirements.  See the OffBalance 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 573 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 $1,026.1 million, of which $502.5 million was recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 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 September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019, that was recourse to us.

At September 30, 2020, we had posted two letters of credit totaling $9.4 million, in the aggregate, related to our self‑insurance deductibles, for which we had a recorded liability of $17.3 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 September 30, 2020, we had posted seven letters of credit totaling $7.5 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, one letter of credit totaling $1.0 million for collateral related to claim funds held in a fiduciary capacity by a recent acquisition, 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.

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.  On July 15, 2020, the district court dismissed Midwest Energy’s complaint without prejudice.  On the same day Midwest Energy filed an amended complaint.  We filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint, and Midwest Energy subsequently filed a motion for leave to file a second amended complaint.  We continue 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.

As previously disclosed, our IRC 831(b) (or “micro-captive”) advisory services business has been under investigation by the IRS since 2013. Among other matters, the IRS is investigating whether we have been acting as a tax shelter promoter in connection with these operations.  Additionally, the IRS has initiated audits for the 2012 tax year, and subsequent years, or over 100 of the micro-captive underwriting enterprises organized and/or managed by us.

In May 2020 we learned that the Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation related to IRC 831(b) micro-captive underwriting enterprises. We have been advised that we are not currently a target of the investigation. In June 2020 our subsidiary Artex Risk Solutions, Inc. (which we refer to as Artex) received a grand jury subpoena requesting documents relating to its micro‑captive advisory business. We have produced documents in response to the subpoena.

We are fully cooperating with both the IRS investigation and the Department of Justice investigation. We are not able to reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss in connection with these investigations.

 

- 31 -


 

On December 7, 2018, a class action lawsuit was filed against us, Artex and other defendants, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. The named plaintiffs are micro-captives and related entities and owners who had IRC Section 831(b) tax benefits disallowed by the IRS. On August 5, 2019, the trial court granted the defendants’ motion to compel arbitration and dismissed the class action lawsuit.  Plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  On September 9, 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court affirmed the ruling of the trial court dismissing the class action lawsuit.  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 September 30, 2020 consolidated balance sheet is above the lower end of the most recently determined actuarial range by $3.7 million and below the upper end of the actuarial range by $5.1 million.  In addition to this E&O reserve, in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, we established provisions for potential unusual pandemic related claim defense and other costs.  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, 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 accelerated the refund of all remaining credits on April 17, 2020, and the remaining credits were refunded to us in the second 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 September 30, 2020 consolidated balance sheet related to this exposure.

15.  Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

Nine-month period ended September 30,

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information (in millions):

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Interest paid

 

$

144.8

 

 

$

119.5

 

Income taxes paid, net

 

 

65.6

 

 

 

49.8

 

 

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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

629.9

 

 

$

578.9

 

Restricted cash

 

 

2,844.9

 

 

 

2,028.4

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

3,474.8

 

 

$

2,607.3

 

 

We have a qualified contributory savings and thrift (401(k)) plan covering the majority of our domestic employees.  For eligible employees who have met the plan’s age and service requirements to receive matching contributions, we match 100% of pre-tax and Roth elective deferrals up to a maximum of 5.0% of eligible compensation, subject to federal limits on plan contributions and not in excess of the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes.  Employees must be employed and eligible for the plan on the last day of the plan year to receive a matching contribution, subject to certain exceptions enumerated in the plan document.  Matching contributions are subject to a five-year graduated vesting schedule and can be funded in cash or company stock.  We expensed (net of plan forfeitures) $45.9 million and $43.8 million related to the plan in the nine-month periods ended

- 32 -


 

September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Our board of directors has authorized use of common stock to fund our 2020 employer matching contributions to the 401(k) plan, which we plan to do in February 2021.

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

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

(28.7

)

 

 

(83.7

)

 

 

(110.8

)

Balance as of September 30, 2020

 

$

(54.9

)

 

$

(703.5

)

 

$

(112.0

)

 

$

(870.4

)

 

The foreign currency translation during the nine-month period ended September 30, 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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, $4.6 million and $5.4 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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, $3.9 million and $3.0 million of losses, respectively, related to the fair value of derivative investments, was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of earnings.  During the nine‑month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, no amounts related to foreign currency translation were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of earnings.  

17.  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 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 manages our 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.

- 33 -


 

Financial information relating to our segments for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 is as follows (in millions):

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Brokerage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$

1,294.6

 

 

$

1,195.9

 

 

$

3,931.3

 

 

$

3,709.0

 

Earnings before income taxes

$

276.4

 

 

$

199.9

 

 

$

935.0

 

 

$

794.6

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,641.2

 

 

$

16,261.6

 

Risk Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$

244.3

 

 

$

246.3

 

 

$

717.0

 

 

$

724.8

 

Earnings before income taxes

$

25.3

 

 

$

21.7

 

 

$

64.1

 

 

$

64.7

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

964.5

 

 

$

920.8

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$

310.2

 

 

$

383.0

 

 

$

651.7

 

 

$

1,039.8

 

Loss before income taxes

$

(92.2

)

 

$

(106.8

)

 

$

(261.9

)

 

$

(317.2

)

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,209.2

 

 

$

1,991.4

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$

1,849.1

 

 

$

1,825.2

 

 

$

5,300.0

 

 

$

5,473.6

 

Earnings before income taxes

$

209.5

 

 

$

114.8

 

 

$

737.2

 

 

$

542.1

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

21,814.9

 

 

$

19,173.8

 

 

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 periods ended September 30, 2020 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

889.9

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

889.9

 

Fees

 

 

293.2

 

 

 

202.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

495.8

 

Supplemental revenues

 

 

54.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54.7

 

Contingent revenues

 

 

34.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34.5

 

Investment income

 

 

18.9

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.0

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

Revenues from clean coal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

310.8

 

 

 

310.8

 

Other net losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.6

)

Revenues before reimbursements

 

 

1,294.6

 

 

 

202.7

 

 

 

310.2

 

 

 

1,807.5

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

41.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

41.6

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,294.6

 

 

$

244.3

 

 

$

310.2

 

 

$

1,849.1

 

 

 


- 34 -


 

Revenues by type and segment for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

2,734.6

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,734.6

 

Fees

 

 

858.1

 

 

 

604.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,462.8

 

Supplemental revenues

 

 

164.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

164.0

 

Contingent revenues

 

 

117.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

117.0

 

Investment income

 

 

53.0

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

53.6

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.6

 

Revenues from clean coal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

652.1

 

 

 

652.1

 

Other net losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Revenues before reimbursements

 

 

3,931.3

 

 

 

605.3

 

 

 

651.7

 

 

 

5,188.3

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

111.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

111.7

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,931.3

 

 

$

717.0

 

 

$

651.7

 

 

$

5,300.0

 

 

 

Revenues by geographical location and segment for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

866.6

 

 

$

203.9

 

 

$

310.2

 

 

$

1,380.7

 

United Kingdom

 

 

230.8

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

240.6

 

Australia

 

 

56.6

 

 

 

26.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

82.8

 

Canada

 

 

57.1

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

58.5

 

New Zealand

 

 

37.0

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

40.0

 

Other foreign

 

 

46.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46.5

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,294.6

 

 

$

244.3

 

 

$

310.2

 

 

$

1,849.1

 

 

 

Revenues by geographical location and segment for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

2,613.3

 

 

$

602.2

 

 

$

651.7

 

 

$

3,867.2

 

United Kingdom

 

 

746.2

 

 

 

29.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

775.6

 

Australia

 

 

156.6

 

 

 

72.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

229.1

 

Canada

 

 

171.5

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

175.4

 

New Zealand

 

 

103.0

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

112.0

 

Other foreign

 

 

140.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

140.7

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,931.3

 

 

$

717.0

 

 

$

651.7

 

 

$

5,300.0

 

 

- 35 -


 

Revenues by type and segment for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2019 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

809.9

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

809.9

 

Fees

 

 

278.9

 

 

 

211.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

490.1

 

Supplemental revenues

 

 

49.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49.8

 

Contingent revenues

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.4

 

Investment income

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.0

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.3

 

Revenues from clean coal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

386.0

 

 

 

386.0

 

Other net losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(3.0

)

Revenues before reimbursements

 

 

1,195.9

 

 

 

211.6

 

 

 

383.0

 

 

 

1,790.5

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

34.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

34.7

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,195.9

 

 

$

246.3

 

 

$

383.0

 

 

$

1,825.2

 

 

Revenues by type and segment for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

2,528.0

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,528.0

 

Fees

 

 

796.8

 

 

 

622.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,419.5

 

Supplemental revenues

 

 

153.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

153.4

 

Contingent revenues

 

 

107.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

107.9

 

Investment income

 

 

60.6

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

61.9

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

62.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

62.3

 

Revenues from clean coal activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,042.7

 

 

 

1,042.7

 

Other net losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(2.9

)

Revenues before reimbursements

 

 

3,709.0

 

 

 

624.0

 

 

 

1,039.8

 

 

 

5,372.8

 

Reimbursements

 

 

 

 

 

100.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

100.8

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,709.0

 

 

$

724.8

 

 

$

1,039.8

 

 

$

5,473.6

 

 

Revenues by geographical location and segment for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2019 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

795.9

 

 

$

208.6

 

 

$

383.0

 

 

$

1,387.5

 

United Kingdom

 

 

221.8

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

232.2

 

Australia

 

 

52.9

 

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

75.4

 

Canada

 

 

52.6

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

53.6

 

New Zealand

 

 

36.1

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

39.9

 

Other foreign

 

 

36.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36.6

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,195.9

 

 

$

246.3

 

 

$

383.0

 

 

$

1,825.2

 

 

- 36 -


 

Revenues by geographical location and segment for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage

 

 

Management

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

2,487.6

 

 

$

614.0

 

 

$

1,039.8

 

 

$

4,141.4

 

United Kingdom

 

 

674.2

 

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

704.8

 

Australia

 

 

157.7

 

 

 

65.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

222.7

 

Canada

 

 

168.2

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

171.5

 

New Zealand

 

 

107.7

 

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

119.6

 

Other foreign

 

 

113.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

113.6

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,709.0

 

 

$

724.8

 

 

$

1,039.8

 

 

$

5,473.6

 

 

- 37 -


 

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 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Readers should review this information in conjunction with the September 30, 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 Regarding Non-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), adjusted revenues, adjusted compensation and operating expenses, adjusted compensation expense ratio, adjusted operating expense ratio and organic revenue. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, the GAAP information provided in this quarterly report on Form 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 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 supplemental non-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. The non-GAAP information we provide should be used in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the GAAP information provided. We 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.  

Adjusted Non-GAAP presentation - We believe that the adjusted non-GAAP presentation of the current and prior period 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.  The after-tax amounts related to the adjustments were computed using the normalized effective tax rate for each respective period.

 

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.  

- 38 -


 

 

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 in third quarter 2020 of one-time taxes associated with the realignment of our operations to continue to conduct certain business in the European Union after Brexit and the change in the U.K. effective income tax rate from 17.5% to 19%.  In addition, it also includes the impact in third quarter 2019 related to prior quarters in 2019 for the decrease in the U.S. 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 margin and 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.

 

EBITDAC and 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 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.

Organic Revenues (a non-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 such revenues generated from acquisitions and such revenues related to divested operations in each year presented.  These revenues 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 period.  In addition, organic change in base commission and fee revenues, supplemental revenues and contingent revenues exclude the 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, but non-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 this 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.

- 39 -


 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information Presented to GAAP Measures - This quarterly report on Form 10Q 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.

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 expired in December 2019 for our fourteen 2009 Era Plants and will expire in December 2021 for our twenty-one 2011 Era Plants.  We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 23.0% to 25.0% in the brokerage segment and 24.0% to 26.0% 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 Third Quarter 2020 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-month period ended September 30, 2020, we generated approximately 69% of our revenues for the combined brokerage and risk management segments domestically and 31% 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 74%, 14% and 12%, respectively, to revenues during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.  Our major sources of operating revenues are commissions, fees and supplemental and contingent revenues 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.  The second quarter 2020 survey indicated that commercial property/casualty rates increased by 10.8% on average.  The third quarter 2020 survey had not been published as of the filing date of this report.  The CIAB represents the leading domestic and international insurance brokers, who write approximately 85% of the commercial property/casualty premiums in the U.S.

We 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 more 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 elevated unemployment.  However, we expect that our history of strong new business generation, solid retentions and enhanced value-added services for our carrier partners should help offset, to a degree, softer economic conditions around the world.  Overall, we believe that in a positive 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 experience, there is adequate capacity in the insurance market for most lines of coverage, terms and conditions are tightening, most insurance carriers appear to be making rational pricing decisions and clients can broadly still obtain coverage.  Please also refer to the section entitled “COVID-19 Impact” below see pages 45 and 46.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 40 -


 

Summary of Financial Results - Three-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

See the reconciliations of non-GAAP measures on page 42.

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

3rd Quarter 2020

 

 

3rd Quarter 2019

 

 

Change

 

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

Brokerage Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

1,294.6

 

 

$

1,291.2

 

 

$

1,195.9

 

 

$

1,203.8

 

 

 

8

%

 

 

7

%

Organic revenues

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,222.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,172.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

%

Net earnings

 

$

206.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

151.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

%

 

 

 

 

Net earnings margin

 

 

16.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

+ 334 bpts

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

$

431.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

326.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

%

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

27.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

+ 632 bpts

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

1.05

 

 

$

1.20

 

 

$

0.77

 

 

$

0.84

 

 

 

36

%

 

 

43

%

Risk Management Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues before reimbursements

 

$

202.7

 

 

$

202.7

 

 

$

211.6

 

 

$

213.4

 

 

 

(4

)%

 

 

(5

)%

Organic revenues

 

 

 

 

 

$

201.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

213.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5.3

)%

Net earnings

 

$

18.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

%

 

 

 

 

Net earnings margin (before reimbursements)

 

 

9.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

+ 161 bpts

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

$

39.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

38.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

%

Adjusted EBITDAC margin (before reimbursements)

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

+ 143 bpts

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

 

(—

)%

 

 

(—

)%

Corporate Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net loss per share

 

$

(0.24

)

 

$

(0.22

)

 

$

(0.20

)

 

$

(0.15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

0.90

 

 

$

1.08

 

 

$

0.66

 

 

$

0.79

 

 

 

36

%

 

 

37

%

Total Brokerage and Risk Management Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

1.14

 

 

$

1.30

 

 

$

0.86

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

33

%

 

 

38

%

 

Summary of Financial Results - Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

See the reconciliations of non-GAAP measures on page 43.

 

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

Nine Months 2020

 

 

Nine Months 2019

 

 

Change

 

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Reported

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

GAAP

 

 

Non-GAAP

 

Brokerage Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

3,931.3

 

 

$

3,926.7

 

 

$

3,709.0

 

 

$

3,628.3

 

 

 

6

%

 

 

8

%

Organic revenues

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,656.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,543.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

%

Net earnings

 

$

708.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

598.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

%

 

 

 

 

Net earnings margin

 

 

18.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

+ 188 bpts

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,318.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,087.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

%

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

+ 362 bpts

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

3.62

 

 

$

3.94

 

 

$

3.06

 

 

$

3.04

 

 

 

18

%

 

 

30

%

Risk Management Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues before reimbursements

 

$

605.3

 

 

$

605.3

 

 

$

624.0

 

 

$

621.4

 

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

(3

)%

Organic revenues

 

 

 

 

 

$

597.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

620.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.7

)%

Net earnings

 

$

47.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

47.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0

)%

 

 

 

 

Net earnings margin (before reimbursements)

 

 

7.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

+ 22 bpts

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

$

108.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

108.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)%

Adjusted EBITDAC margin (before reimbursements)

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

+ 35 bpts

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

0.25

 

 

$

0.27

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

$

0.28

 

 

 

(—

)%

 

 

(4

)%

Corporate Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net loss per share

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

(0.36

)

 

$

(0.30

)

 

$

(0.27

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

3.48

 

 

$

3.85

 

 

$

3.01

 

 

$

3.05

 

 

 

16

%

 

 

26

%

Total Brokerage and Risk Management Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

 

$

3.87

 

 

$

4.21

 

 

$

3.31

 

 

$

3.32

 

 

 

17

%

 

 

27

%

- 41 -


 

In our corporate segment, net after-tax earnings from our clean energy investments were $4.4 million and $17.8 million, as adjusted, in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  In our corporate segment, net after-tax earnings from our clean energy investments were $61.9 million and $87.5 million, as adjusted, in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  We anticipate our clean energy investments to generate between $65.0 million and $70.0 million in adjusted net earnings in 2020.  See COVID-19 Impact on pages 45 and 46.  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 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 with the same periods in 2019.  In addition, these tables provide 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 49 and 55, respectively, of this filing.

For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30 Reported GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Reconciliation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Net

 

 

 

Reimbursements

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

EBITDAC

 

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Segment

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Chg

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

 

$

1,294.6

 

 

$

1,195.9

 

 

$

206.7

 

 

$

151.1

 

 

$

411.2

 

 

$

304.6

 

 

$

1.05

 

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

36

%

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

Acquisition integration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.5

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency

   translation

 

 

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as adjusted *

 

 

1,291.2

 

 

 

1,203.8

 

 

 

236.4

 

 

 

164.2

 

 

 

431.6

 

 

 

326.4

 

 

 

1.20

 

 

 

0.84

 

 

 

43

%

Risk Management, as reported

 

 

202.7

 

 

 

211.6

 

 

 

18.8

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

38.2

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

(—

)%

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency

   translation

 

 

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted *

 

 

202.7

 

 

 

213.4

 

 

 

19.2

 

 

 

18.7

 

 

 

39.3

 

 

 

38.3

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

(—

)%

Corporate, as reported

 

 

310.2

 

 

 

383.0

 

 

 

(37.7

)

 

 

(30.2

)

 

 

(37.8

)

 

 

(53.2

)

 

 

(0.24

)

 

 

(0.20

)

 

 

 

 

Clean energy related adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax related impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate, as adjusted *

 

 

310.2

 

 

 

386.0

 

 

 

(32.2

)

 

 

(19.6

)

 

 

(37.8

)

 

 

(38.3

)

 

 

(0.22

)

 

 

(0.15

)

 

 

 

 

Total Company, as reported

 

$

1,807.5

 

 

$

1,790.5

 

 

$

187.8

 

 

$

137.1

 

 

$

411.6

 

 

$

286.4

 

 

$

0.90

 

 

$

0.66

 

 

 

36

%

Total Company, as adjusted *

 

$

1,804.1

 

 

$

1,803.2

 

 

$

223.4

 

 

$

163.3

 

 

$

433.1

 

 

$

326.4

 

 

$

1.08

 

 

$

0.79

 

 

 

37

%

Total Brokerage & Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management, as reported

 

$

1,497.3

 

 

$

1,407.5

 

 

$

225.5

 

 

$

167.3

 

 

$

449.4

 

 

$

339.6

 

 

$

1.14

 

 

$

0.86

 

 

 

33

%

Total Brokerage & Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management, as adjusted *

 

$

1,493.9

 

 

$

1,417.2

 

 

$

255.6

 

 

$

182.9

 

 

$

470.9

 

 

$

364.7

 

 

$

1.30

 

 

$

0.94

 

 

 

38

%

 

*

For three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, the pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $38.9 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $9.2 million relating to these items.  For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, the pretax impact of the risk management segment adjustments totals $0.5 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $0.1 million relating to these items.  There is no pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustments, but there is an adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $(5.5) million relating to the tax item noted on page 61 (see note 2).  A detailed reconciliation of the 2020 provision (benefit) for income taxes is shown on page 44.

*

For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $19.1 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $6.0 million relating to these items.  For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2019, the pretax impact of the risk management segment adjustments totals $3.3 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $0.8 million relating to these items.  The

- 42 -


 

pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustments totals $14.9 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $4.3 million relating to these items.  A detailed reconciliation of the 2019 provision for income taxes is shown on page 44.

 

For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30 Reported GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Reconciliation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Net

 

 

 

Reimbursements

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

EBITDAC

 

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Segment

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Chg

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

 

$

3,931.3

 

 

$

3,709.0

 

 

$

708.3

 

 

$

598.6

 

 

$

1,255.6

 

 

$

1,092.2

 

 

$

3.62

 

 

$

3.06

 

 

 

18

%

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

(62.3

)

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(37.2

)

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

(49.3

)

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 

(0.20

)

 

 

 

 

Acquisition integration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

19.5

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

 

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.7

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

33.5

 

 

 

29.2

 

 

 

0.13

 

 

 

0.12

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.7

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

0.13

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency

   translation

 

 

 

 

 

(18.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as adjusted *

 

 

3,926.7

 

 

 

3,628.3

 

 

 

769.9

 

 

 

595.2

 

 

 

1,318.4

 

 

 

1,087.2

 

 

 

3.94

 

 

 

3.04

 

 

 

30

%

Risk Management, as reported

 

 

605.3

 

 

 

624.0

 

 

 

47.8

 

 

 

47.9

 

 

 

101.7

 

 

 

102.9

 

 

 

0.25

 

 

 

0.25

 

 

 

(—

)%

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency

   translation

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted *

 

 

605.3

 

 

 

621.4

 

 

 

53.0

 

 

 

52.7

 

 

 

108.1

 

 

 

108.8

 

 

 

0.27

 

 

 

0.28

 

 

 

(4

)%

Corporate, as reported

 

 

651.7

 

 

 

1,039.8

 

 

 

(51.1

)

 

 

(36.3

)

 

 

(95.8

)

 

 

(164.5

)

 

 

(0.39

)

 

 

(0.30

)

 

 

 

 

Clean energy related adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax related impact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

Corporate, as adjusted *

 

 

651.7

 

 

 

1,042.8

 

 

 

(45.6

)

 

 

(27.7

)

 

 

(95.8

)

 

 

(149.6

)

 

 

(0.36

)

 

 

(0.27

)

 

 

 

 

Total Company, as reported

 

$

5,188.3

 

 

$

5,372.8

 

 

$

705.0

 

 

$

610.2

 

 

$

1,261.5

 

 

$

1,030.6

 

 

$

3.48

 

 

$

3.01

 

 

 

16

%

Total Company, as adjusted *

 

$

5,183.7

 

 

$

5,292.5

 

 

$

777.3

 

 

$

620.2

 

 

$

1,330.7

 

 

$

1,046.4

 

 

$

3.85

 

 

$

3.05

 

 

 

26

%

Total Brokerage & Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management, as reported

 

$

4,536.6

 

 

$

4,333.0

 

 

$

756.1

 

 

$

646.5

 

 

$

1,357.3

 

 

$

1,195.1

 

 

$

3.87

 

 

$

3.31

 

 

 

17

%

Total Brokerage & Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management, as adjusted *

 

$

4,532.0

 

 

$

4,249.7

 

 

$

822.9

 

 

$

647.9

 

 

$

1,426.5

 

 

$

1,196.0

 

 

$

4.21

 

 

$

3.32

 

 

 

27

%

 

*

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $80.6 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $19.0 million relating to these items.  For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the pretax impact of the risk management segment adjustments totals $7.0 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $1.8 million relating to these items.  There is no pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustments, but there is an adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $(5.5) million related to the tax item noted on page 61 (see note 2).  A detailed reconciliation of the 2020 provision (benefit) for income taxes is shown on page 45.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, the pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals $(9.6) million, with a corresponding adjustment to the benefit for income taxes of $(6.2) million relating to these items.  The pretax impact of the risk management segment adjustments totals $5.8 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $1.0 million relating to these items.  The pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustments totals $14.9 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $6.3 million relating to these items.  A detailed reconciliation of the 2019 provision (benefit) for income taxes is shown on page 45.  

- 43 -


 

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

 

(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 September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

 

$

276.4

 

 

$

69.7

 

 

$

206.7

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

$

205.8

 

 

$

1.05

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(0.01

)

Acquisition integration

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

0.02

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

0.05

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

24.2

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

18.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.5

 

 

 

0.09

 

Brokerage, as adjusted

 

$

315.3

 

 

$

78.9

 

 

$

236.4

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

$

235.5

 

 

$

1.20

 

Risk Management, as reported

 

$

25.3

 

 

$

6.5

 

 

$

18.8

 

 

$

 

 

$

18.8

 

 

$

0.09

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.01

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted

 

$

25.8

 

 

$

6.6

 

 

$

19.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

19.2

 

 

$

0.10

 

Corporate, as reported

 

$

(92.2

)

 

$

(54.5

)

 

$

(37.7

)

 

$

10.3

 

 

$

(48.0

)

 

$

(0.24

)

Income tax related impact

 

 

 

 

 

(5.5

)

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

0.02

 

Corporate, as adjusted

 

$

(92.2

)

 

$

(60.0

)

 

$

(32.2

)

 

$

10.3

 

 

$

(42.5

)

 

$

(0.22

)

Quarter Ended September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

 

$

199.9

 

 

$

48.8

 

 

$

151.1

 

 

$

3.4

 

 

$

147.7

 

 

$

0.77

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(0.01

)

Acquisition integration

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

0.03

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

0.06

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(0.01

)

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as adjusted

 

$

219.0

 

 

$

54.8

 

 

$

164.2

 

 

$

3.4

 

 

$

160.8

 

 

$

0.84

 

Risk Management, as reported

 

$

21.7

 

 

$

5.5

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

0.09

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

0.01

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted

 

$

25.0

 

 

$

6.3

 

 

$

18.7

 

 

$

 

 

$

18.7

 

 

$

0.10

 

Corporate, as reported

 

$

(106.8

)

 

$

(76.6

)

 

$

(30.2

)

 

$

7.6

 

 

$

(37.8

)

 

$

(0.20

)

Clean energy related adjustments

 

 

14.9

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

0.05

 

Income tax related impact

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

 

Corporate, as adjusted

 

$

(91.9

)

 

$

(72.3

)

 

$

(19.6

)

 

$

10.1

 

 

$

(29.7

)

 

$

(0.15

)

 

 


- 44 -


 

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

 

(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

 

Nine-Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

 

$

935.0

 

 

$

226.7

 

 

$

708.3

 

 

$

3.1

 

 

$

705.2

 

 

$

3.62

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(0.02

)

Acquisition integration

 

 

19.5

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

0.08

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

33.5

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

25.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.7

 

 

 

0.13

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

24.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.7

 

 

 

0.13

 

Brokerage, as adjusted

 

$

1,015.6

 

 

$

245.7

 

 

$

769.9

 

 

$

3.1

 

 

$

766.8

 

 

$

3.94

 

Risk Management, as reported

 

$

64.1

 

 

$

16.3

 

 

$

47.8

 

 

$

 

 

$

47.8

 

 

$

0.25

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

0.02

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted

 

$

71.1

 

 

$

18.1

 

 

$

53.0

 

 

$

 

 

$

53.0

 

 

$

0.27

 

Corporate, as reported

 

$

(261.9

)

 

$

(210.8

)

 

$

(51.1

)

 

$

25.3

 

 

$

(76.4

)

 

$

(0.39

)

Income tax related impact

 

 

 

 

 

(5.5

)

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

0.03

 

Corporate, as adjusted

 

$

(261.9

)

 

$

(216.3

)

 

$

(45.6

)

 

$

25.3

 

 

$

(70.9

)

 

$

(0.36

)

Nine-Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage, as reported

 

$

794.6

 

 

$

196.0

 

 

$

598.6

 

 

$

18.3

 

 

$

580.3

 

 

$

3.06

 

Net gains on divestitures

 

 

(49.3

)

 

 

(12.1

)

 

 

(37.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(37.2

)

 

 

(0.20

)

Acquisition integration

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

0.05

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

29.2

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

0.12

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

0.02

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

0.01

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(0.02

)

Brokerage, as adjusted

 

$

785.0

 

 

$

189.8

 

 

$

595.2

 

 

$

18.3

 

 

$

576.9

 

 

$

3.04

 

Risk Management, as reported

 

$

64.7

 

 

$

16.8

 

 

$

47.9

 

 

$

 

 

$

47.9

 

 

$

0.25

 

Workforce and lease termination

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

0.03

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate impact

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

Risk Management, as adjusted

 

$

70.5

 

 

$

17.8

 

 

$

52.7

 

 

$

 

 

$

52.7

 

 

$

0.28

 

Corporate, as reported

 

$

(317.2

)

 

$

(280.9

)

 

$

(36.3

)

 

$

21.6

 

 

$

(57.9

)

 

$

(0.30

)

Clean energy related adjustments

 

 

14.9

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

0.04

 

Income tax related impact

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

(0.01

)

Corporate, as adjusted

 

$

(302.3

)

 

$

(274.6

)

 

$

(27.7

)

 

$

24.1

 

 

$

(51.8

)

 

$

(0.27

)

 

 

COVID-19 Impact

In our property/casualty brokerage operations, during the third quarter 2020, our customer (a) retention and new business generation both remained at pre-pandemic levels, (b) non-recurring business was lower than pre-pandemic levels, (c) renewal exposure units (i.e., insured values, payrolls, employees, miles driven, etc.) showed some decline; however, premium rates across most geographies and lines of coverage have continued to increase, effectively mitigating the decline, and (d) net positive mid-term policy modifications were also lower.

Thus far in the fourth quarter, property/casualty customer exposure unit renewals showed improvement compared to lows seen in April and May and slightly improved over August and September, as our customers’ businesses continue to recover. Full policy cancellations have remained similar to pre-pandemic levels, and we continue to see property/casualty premium rates move higher overall which may partially, or fully, offset future declines in exposure units, if any.

In our employee benefits brokerage operations, during third quarter 2020, and thus far in the fourth quarter, we saw a decrease in new consulting and frequency of special project work (although we did sell a large life insurance pension funding product – see page 50 for

- 45 -


 

additional details) and a decrease in covered lives on renewal business, although not to the same extent as headline unemployment levels.  We believe the decline in covered lives and lower frequency of special project work could persist over the next few quarters, and even deteriorate further, if the economy is slow to recover.  

In our risk management operations, we began seeing a meaningful decline in new claims arising during the last two weeks of March, which persisted into April.  From May to September, and thus far in the fourth quarter, we are seeing an improving trend in new claims arising; yet the current level of weekly new claims are still well below pre-pandemic levels.  A slower recovery or reversal in the number of workers employed could cause fewer claims arising in future quarters.

When compared to the same periods in 2019, since mid-to-late March 2020, our clean energy investments experienced the impact of lower electricity consumption in the U.S. due to reduced economic activity (as well as, unrelated to COVID-19, milder temperatures, other than some brief periods of unusually warm weather, and falling natural gas prices).  We expect this reduced level of production for at least the remainder of 2020.

OF our nearly 1,000 office locations approximately 350 are open, but most at reduced capacity.  Accordingly the vast majority of our employees continue to work remotely some or all of their work week.  We believe our service levels are unchanged from pre-pandemic levels.  We have not had any office-wide outbreaks of COVID-19, and fewer than 200 confirmed cases amongst our 32,000 employees - all of which we believe contracted the virus outside of our office locations.  

Given the deterioration in economic conditions, we are actively managing costs by limiting discretionary spending such as travel, entertainment and advertising expenses, adjusting our real estate footprint, reducing capital expenditures, limiting use of outside labor and consultants, increasing utilization of our centers of excellence, and we have adjusted portions of our workforce where volumes have declined significantly and normal attrition is not sufficient.

The cost saving impact of these actions in the third quarter of 2020 was substantial; with estimated savings of approximately $70 million pretax compared to third quarter 2019, as adjusted for pro forma full-quarter costs related to acquisitions closed after June 30, 2019.  Offsetting these savings were severance and lease termination costs of approximately $12 million pretax related to these actions.  We believe savings in the fourth quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019 could total approximately $65 million to $70 million pretax after adjusting for pro forma full-quarter costs related to acquisitions.  Offsetting possible future savings would be additional implementation and execution costs, which we estimate could total approximately $5 million to $10 million pretax.  Future net savings may be lower if the economy recovers faster than we are forecasting or our costs to implement changes exceed our estimates.

We have not seen any meaningful decline in cash receipts from our clients to date and we have more than $1.6 billion of available liquidity.  A prolonged economic downturn may cause a deterioration of future cash collections but we believe our cost savings, reduced non-client facing capital expenditures and working capital improvements could mitigate a potential decline in our cash flows over the near‑term.

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 in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three-months March 31, 2020.

Update on Ransomware Incident

As previously disclosed, on September 26, 2020, we detected a ransomware incident impacting our internal systems. We implemented our incident response plan, took our global systems offline, isolated impacted systems, retained cyber security counsel and forensic experts and reported the event to the FBI. The incident has been contained, and all critical systems are back in service. 

While we are unaware of any actual or attempted misuse of information, our investigation into the incident is ongoing.  We are working to conclude our forensic investigation and determine the nature and extent of unauthorized access to information on our systems.  We intend to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.  Based on the results of the forensic investigation to date, we do not believe this incident will have a material adverse effect on our business, operations or financial condition.  

We maintain cyber liability insurance coverage, but disputes over the extent of insurance coverage for claims are not uncommon. Furthermore, while we have not been the subject of any legal proceedings involving this incident, it is possible we could be the subject of claims from persons alleging they suffered damages from the incident, or actions by governmental authorities.

 

- 46 -


 

Results of Operations

Brokerage

The brokerage segment accounted for 74% of our revenues during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. Our brokerage segment is primarily comprised of retail and wholesale brokerage operations.  Our brokerage segment 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.  

The primary source of revenues for our brokerage services is commissions from underwriting enterprises, based on a percentage of premiums paid by 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 generally are based 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 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 contract.  Rather than being tied to the amount of premiums, fees are most often based on an expected level of effort to provide our services.  In addition, under certain circumstances, both retail brokerage and wholesale brokerage services receive supplemental and contingent revenues.  Supplemental revenue is revenue paid by an underwriting enterprise that is above the base commission paid, is determined by the underwriting enterprise and is established annually in advance of the contractual period based on historical performance criteria.  Contingent revenue is revenue paid by an underwriting enterprise based on the overall profit and/or volume of the business placed with that underwriting enterprise during a particular calendar year and is determined after the contractual period.  

Litigation, Regulatory and Taxation Matters

IRS and DOJ investigations - As previously disclosed, our IRC 831(b) (or “micro-captive”) advisory services business has been under investigation by the IRS since 2013.  Among other matters, the IRS is investigating whether we have been acting as a tax shelter promoter in connection with these operations.  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. In May 2020 we learned that the Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation related to IRC 831(b) micro-captive underwriting enterprises.   We have been advised that we are not currently a target of the investigation. In June 2020 our subsidiary Artex Risk Solutions, Inc. (which we refer to as Artex) received a grand jury subpoena requesting documents relating to its micro-captive advisory business. We have produced documents in response to the subpoena.  We are fully cooperating with both the IRS investigation and the Department of Justice investigation. We are not able to reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss in connection with these investigations.

Class action lawsuit - On December 7, 2018, a class action lawsuit was filed against us, Artex and other defendants, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.  The named plaintiffs are micro-captives and their related entities and owners who had IRC Section 831(b) tax benefits disallowed by the IRS.  On August 5, 2019, the trial court granted the defendants’ motion to compel arbitration and dismissed the class action lawsuit.  Plaintiffs appealed this ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  On September 9, 2020, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the ruling of the trial court dismissing the class action lawsuit.  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.

- 47 -


 

Financial information relating to our brokerage segment results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same periods in 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

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Commissions

$

889.9

 

 

$

809.9

 

 

$

80.0

 

 

$

2,734.6

 

 

$

2,528.0

 

 

$

206.6

 

Fees

 

293.2

 

 

 

278.9

 

 

 

14.3

 

 

 

858.1

 

 

 

796.8

 

 

 

61.3

 

Supplemental revenues

 

54.7

 

 

 

49.8

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

164.0

 

 

 

153.4

 

 

 

10.6

 

Contingent revenues

 

34.5

 

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

117.0

 

 

 

107.9

 

 

 

9.1

 

Investment income

 

18.9

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

53.0

 

 

 

60.6

 

 

 

(7.6

)

Net gains on divestitures

 

3.4

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

62.3

 

 

 

(57.7

)

Total revenues

 

1,294.6

 

 

 

1,195.9

 

 

 

98.7

 

 

 

3,931.3

 

 

 

3,709.0

 

 

 

222.3

 

Compensation

 

729.5

 

 

 

694.1

 

 

 

35.4

 

 

 

2,154.7

 

 

 

2,030.6

 

 

 

124.1

 

Operating

 

153.9

 

 

 

197.2

 

 

 

(43.3

)

 

 

521.0

 

 

 

586.2

 

 

 

(65.2

)

Depreciation

 

18.3

 

 

 

16.4

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

53.7

 

 

 

49.0

 

 

 

4.7

 

Amortization

 

96.0

 

 

 

82.8

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

316.8

 

 

 

237.0

 

 

 

79.8

 

Change in estimated acquisition

   earnout payables

 

20.5

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

15.0

 

 

 

(49.9

)

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

(61.5

)

Total expenses

 

1,018.2

 

 

 

996.0

 

 

 

22.2

 

 

 

2,996.3

 

 

 

2,914.4

 

 

 

81.9

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

276.4

 

 

 

199.9

 

 

 

76.5

 

 

 

935.0

 

 

 

794.6

 

 

 

140.4

 

Provision for income taxes

 

69.7

 

 

 

48.8

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

 

226.7

 

 

 

196.0

 

 

 

30.7

 

Net earnings

 

206.7

 

 

 

151.1

 

 

 

55.6

 

 

 

708.3

 

 

 

598.6

 

 

 

109.7

 

Net earnings attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

0.9

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

18.3

 

 

 

(15.2

)

Net earnings attributable to

   controlling interests

$

205.8

 

 

$

147.7

 

 

$

58.1

 

 

$

705.2

 

 

$

580.3

 

 

$

124.9

 

Diluted net earnings per share

$

1.05

 

 

$

0.77

 

 

$

0.28

 

 

$

3.62

 

 

$

3.06

 

 

$

0.56

 

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in diluted net earnings

   per share

 

36

%

 

 

18

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

%

 

 

19

%

 

 

 

 

Growth in revenues

 

8

%

 

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

%

 

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

Organic change in commissions and

   fees

 

4

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense ratio

 

56

%

 

 

58

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

55

%

 

 

55

%

 

 

 

 

Operating expense ratio

 

12

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

 

25

%

 

 

24

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

%

 

 

25

%

 

 

 

 

Workforce at end of period (includes

   acquisitions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,384

 

 

 

24,722

 

 

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,641.2

 

 

$

16,261.6

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

$

206.7

 

 

$

151.1

 

 

$

55.6

 

 

$

708.3

 

 

$

598.6

 

 

$

109.7

 

Provision for income taxes

 

69.7

 

 

 

48.8

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

 

226.7

 

 

 

196.0

 

 

 

30.7

 

Depreciation

 

18.3

 

 

 

16.4

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

53.7

 

 

 

49.0

 

 

 

4.7

 

Amortization

 

96.0

 

 

 

82.8

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

316.8

 

 

 

237.0

 

 

 

79.8

 

Change in estimated acquisition

   earnout payables

 

20.5

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

15.0

 

 

 

(49.9

)

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

(61.5

)

EBITDAC

$

411.2

 

 

$

304.6

 

 

$

106.6

 

 

$

1,255.6

 

 

$

1,092.2

 

 

$

163.4

 

 

- 48 -


 

The following provides information that management believes is helpful when comparing EBITDAC and adjusted EBITDAC for the     three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 to the same periods in 2019 (in millions):

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Net earnings, as reported

$

206.7

 

 

$

151.1

 

 

 

37

%

 

$

708.3

 

 

$

598.6

 

 

 

18

%

Provision for income taxes

 

69.7

 

 

 

48.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

226.7

 

 

 

196.0

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

18.3

 

 

 

16.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

53.7

 

 

 

49.0

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

 

96.0

 

 

 

82.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

316.8

 

 

 

237.0

 

 

 

 

 

Change in estimated acquisition

   earnout payables

 

20.5

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(49.9

)

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC

 

411.2

 

 

 

304.6

 

 

 

35

%

 

 

1,255.6

 

 

 

1,092.2

 

 

 

15

%

Net gains on divestitures

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

(49.3

)

 

 

 

 

Acquisition integration

 

6.1

 

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.5

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related adjustments

 

5.7

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

 

 

Workforce and lease termination

   related charges

 

12.0

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.5

 

 

 

29.2

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC, as adjusted

$

431.6

 

 

$

326.4

 

 

 

32

%

 

$

1,318.4

 

 

$

1,087.2

 

 

 

21

%

Net earnings margin, as reported

 

16.0

%

 

 

12.6

%

 

+ 334 bpts

 

 

 

18.0

%

 

 

16.1

%

 

+ 188 bpts

 

EBITDAC margin, as adjusted

 

33.4

%

 

 

27.1

%

 

+ 632 bpts

 

 

 

33.6

%

 

 

30.0

%

 

+ 362 bpts

 

Reported revenues

$

1,294.6

 

 

$

1,195.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,931.3

 

 

$

3,709.0

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 42

   and 43

$

1,291.2

 

 

$

1,203.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,926.7

 

 

$

3,628.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions and fees - The aggregate increase in base commissions and fees for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was due to revenues associated with acquisitions that were made in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2020 ($48.2 million), and to the organic change in base commissions and fee revenues.  The organic change in base commissions and fee revenues was 3.9% and 5.7% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The aggregate increase in base commissions and fees for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was due to revenues associated with acquisitions that were made in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2020 ($209.9 million), and to the organic change in base commissions and fee revenues.  The organic change in base commissions and fee revenues was 3.0% and 5.5% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

In our property/casualty brokerage operations, during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, relative to same period in 2019, our customer (a) retention and new business generation both remained at pre-pandemic levels, (b) non-recurring business was lower than pre-pandemic levels, (c) renewal exposure units (i.e., insured values, payrolls, employees, miles driven, etc.) showed some decline; however, premium rates across most geographies and lines of coverage have continued to increase, effectively mitigating exposure unit decline, and (d) net positive mid-term policy modifications were also lower.  Thus far in the fourth quarter, property/casualty renewal customer exposure units and showed improvement compared to lows seen in April and May as our customers’ businesses continue to recover. Full policy cancellations have remained similar to pre-pandemic levels, and we continue to see property/casualty premium rates move higher overall which may partially, or fully, offset future declines in exposure units, if any.  In our employee benefits brokerage operations, during the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 relative to same period in 2019, and  thus far in the fourth quarter, we saw a decrease in new consulting and frequency of special project work (although we did sell a large life insurance pension funding product - see page 4 for additional details) and a decrease in covered lives on renewal business, although not to the same extent as headline unemployment levels.  We believe the decline in covered lives and lower frequency of special project work could persist over the next few quarters, and even deteriorate further, if the economy is slow to recover.

 

 

 

- 49 -


 

Items excluded from organic revenue computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 include the following (in millions):

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-Month Period Ended

September 30,

 

Organic Revenues (Non-GAAP)

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Base Commissions and Fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commission and fees, as reported

$

1,183.1

 

 

$

1,088.8

 

 

 

8.7

%

 

$

3,592.7

 

 

$

3,324.8

 

 

 

8.1

%

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

 

(48.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(209.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less divested operations and program repricing

 

 

 

 

(6.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25.2

)

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16.2

)

 

 

 

 

Organic base commission and fees

$

1,134.9

 

 

$

1,091.9

 

 

 

3.9

%

 

$

3,382.8

 

 

$

3,283.4

 

 

 

3.0

%

Supplemental revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental revenues, as reported

$

54.7

 

 

$

49.8

 

 

 

9.8

%

 

$

164.0

 

 

$

153.4

 

 

 

6.9

%

Less supplemental revenues from acquisitions

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

 

 

Organic supplemental revenues

$

54.4

 

 

$

50.4

 

 

 

7.9

%

 

$

160.7

 

 

$

152.8

 

 

 

5.2

%

Contingent revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent revenues, as reported

$

34.5

 

 

$

30.4

 

 

 

13.5

%

 

$

117.0

 

 

$

107.9

 

 

 

8.4

%

Less contingent revenues from acquisitions

 

(1.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

Organic contingent revenues

$

32.7

 

 

$

30.6

 

 

 

6.9

%

 

$

112.6

 

 

$

107.6

 

 

 

4.6

%

Total reported commissions, fees, supplemental

   revenues and contingent revenues

$

1,272.3

 

 

$

1,169.0

 

 

 

8.8

%

 

$

3,873.7

 

 

$

3,586.1

 

 

 

8.0

%

Less commissions, fees, supplemental revenues and

   contingent revenues from acquisitions

 

(50.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(217.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less divested operations and program repricing

 

 

 

 

(6.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25.2

)

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17.1

)

 

 

 

 

Total organic commissions, fees, supplemental

   revenues and contingent revenues

$

1,222.0

 

 

$

1,172.9

 

*

 

4.2

%

 

$

3,656.1

 

 

$

3,543.8

 

 

 

3.2

%

 

*  The third quarter 2020 total organic change was favorably impacted by the sale of a large life insurance pension funding product.

    Without this particular sale, total organic change would have been nearly 3%.

 

 

The following is a summary of brokerage segment acquisition activity for 2020 and 2019:  

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Number of acquisitions closed

 

5

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

35

 

Estimated annualized revenues acquired (in millions)

$

13.1

 

 

$

69.2

 

 

$

151.2

 

 

$

334.9

 

 

We issued 225,000 shares and 100,000 shares of our common stock at the request of sellers and/or in connection with tax-free exchange acquisitions in the third quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. We issued 1,199,000 shares and 696,000 shares of our common stock at the request of sellers and/or in connection with tax-free exchange acquisitions in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

- 50 -


 

Supplemental and contingent revenues - Reported supplemental and contingent revenues recognized in 2020, 2019 and 2018 by quarter are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

First

 

 

Second

 

 

Third

 

 

Fourth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

YTD

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported supplemental revenues

 

$

59.0

 

 

$

50.3

 

 

$

54.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

164.0

 

Reported contingent revenues

 

 

45.1

 

 

 

37.4

 

 

 

34.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

117.0

 

Reported supplemental and contingent revenues

 

$

104.1

 

 

$

87.7

 

 

$

89.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

281.0

 

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 on divestitures - This primarily represents (1) interest income earned on cash, cash equivalents and restricted funds and interest income from premium financing and (2) net gains related to divestitures and sales of books of business, which were $3.4 million and $3.3 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $4.6 million and $62.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 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.  Investment income in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 decreased compared to the same periods in 2019, primarily due to decreases in interest income from our U.S. operations due to decreases in interest rates earned on client held funds.  

Compensation expense - The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing compensation expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 with the same periods in 2019 (in millions):

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Compensation expense, as reported

$

729.5

 

 

$

694.1

 

 

$

2,154.7

 

 

$

2,030.6

 

Acquisition integration

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(11.3

)

 

 

(5.8

)

Workforce and lease termination related charges

 

(10.7

)

 

 

(11.2

)

 

 

(29.6

)

 

 

(21.9

)

Acquisition related adjustments

 

(5.7

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(14.4

)

 

 

(11.2

)

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9.9

)

Compensation expense, as adjusted

$

709.4

 

 

$

683.0

 

 

$

2,099.4

 

 

$

1,981.8

 

Reported compensation expense ratios

 

56.4

%

 

 

58.0

%

 

 

54.8

%

 

 

54.8

%

Adjusted compensation expense ratios

 

54.9

%

 

 

56.7

%

 

 

53.5

%

 

 

54.6

%

Reported revenues

$

1,294.6

 

 

$

1,195.9

 

 

$

3,931.3

 

 

$

3,709.0

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 42 and 43

$

1,291.2

 

 

$

1,203.8

 

 

$

3,926.7

 

 

$

3,628.3

 

 

The increase in compensation expense for the three‑month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to compensation associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve month period ended September 30, 2020.  In total, compensation expense was impacted by increases in salaries, employee benefits, producer compensation and other incentive compensation linked to operating results ‑ $33.4 million in the aggregate, acquisition related earnout compensation - $3.2 million and stock and other deferred compensation expense - $1.2 million, partially offset by decreases in temporary-staffing expense - $1.9 million and severance related costs - $0.5 million.

The increase in compensation expense for the nine‑month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to compensation associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve month period ended September 30, 2020. In total, compensation expense was impacted by increases in salaries, employee benefits, producer compensation and other incentive compensation linked to operating results ‑ $103.7 million in the aggregate, severance related costs - $7.7 million, acquisition

- 51 -


 

integration - $5.5 million, stock and other deferred compensation expense - $6.0 million and acquisition related earnout compensation $3.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in temporary-staffing expense - $2.0 million.  

Operating expense - The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing operating expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 with the same periods in 2019 (in millions):

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Operating expense, as reported

$

153.9

 

 

$

197.2

 

 

$

521.0

 

 

$

586.2

 

Acquisition integration

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(8.2

)

 

 

(5.1

)

Workforce and lease termination related charges

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(7.3

)

Costs related to divestitures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.0

)

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.5

)

Operating expense, as adjusted

$

150.2

 

 

$

194.4

 

 

$

508.9

 

 

$

559.3

 

Reported operating expense ratios

 

11.9

%

 

 

16.5

%

 

 

13.3

%

 

 

15.8

%

Adjusted operating expense ratios

 

11.6

%

 

 

16.2

%

 

 

13.0

%

 

 

15.4

%

Reported revenues

$

1,294.6

 

 

$

1,195.9

 

 

$

3,931.3

 

 

$

3,709.0

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 42 and 43

$

1,291.2

 

 

$

1,203.8

 

 

$

3,926.7

 

 

$

3,628.3

 

 

The decrease in operating expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to decreases in meeting and client entertainment expense - $26.6 million, employee related expense - $9.0 million, office supplies - $4.0 million, professional and banking fees - $2.5 million, real estate expenses - $1.6 million, marketing expense ‑ $1.3 million, outside consulting fees - $1.0 million, acquisition integration - $1.0 million, bad debt expense - $1.0 million, lease termination charges - $0.9 million, other expense $0.4 million and premium finance interest expense - $0.2 million, partially offset by an unfavorable foreign currency translation - $0.7 million and increases in business insurance - $3.0 million, licenses and fees $1.2 million and outside services expense - $0.2 million. Also impacting operating expense in the three‑month period ended September 30, 2020, were expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve‑month period ended September 30, 2020.  

The decrease in operating expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to decreases in meeting and client entertainment expense - $52.4 million, employee related expense - $17.9 million, costs related to divestitures $13.0 million, office supplies - $8.5 million, outside consulting fees - $4.5 million, other expense ‑ $3.4 million, lease termination charges - $3.4 million, marketing expense - $1.5 million, professional and banking fees ‑ $1.4 million, premium finance interest expense - $0.8 million, partially offset by an unfavorable foreign currency translation ‑ $1.0 million and increases in business insurance - $17.6 million, licenses and fees $6.7 million, bad debt expense ‑ $6.2 million, real estate expenses - $4.0 million, acquisition integration - $3.1 million, outside services expense ‑ $1.6 million and technology expenses - $1.3 million.  Also impacting operating expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, were expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve‑month period ended September 30, 2020.  

Depreciation - Depreciation expense increased in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 by $1.9 million and $4.7 million, respectively.  The increase in depreciation expense in 2020 compared to 2019 was due primarily to the purchases 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 depreciation expense was the depreciation expenses associated with acquisitions completed in the twelve‑month period ended September 30, 2020.

 

Amortization - The increase in amortization expense in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 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, 2020.  Based on the results of impairment reviews during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, we wrote off $49.4 million of amortizable assets.  No such impairments were noted in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.  We review all of our intangible assets for impairment periodically (at least annually for goodwill) and whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable.  We perform such impairment reviews at the division (i.e., reporting unit) level with respect to goodwill and at the business unit level for amortizable intangible assets.  In reviewing intangible assets, if the undiscounted future cash flows 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.  In consideration of the potential impacts of COVID-19 on our reporting units, we performed a

- 52 -


 

qualitative impairment review on carrying value of our goodwill for all of our reporting units as of September 30, 2020 and no indicators of impairment were noted.

Expiration lists, non-compete agreements and trade names are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (two to fifteen years for expiration lists, two to six years for non-compete agreements and two to fifteen years for trade names).  

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables - The change in the expense from the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables in the three‑month period ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same period in 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, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $5.7 million and $7.0 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 2016 to 2020. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $23.9 million and $17.9 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 2016 to 2020.  In addition, during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $14.8 million of expense and $1.5 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 53 and 28 acquisitions, respectively. In addition, during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $73.8 million and $6.3 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 122 and 85 acquisitions, respectively.     

The amounts initially recorded as earnout payables for our 2016 to 2020 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 a two- 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 management for the acquired entity and market participant assumptions that were derived for revenue growth and/or profitability.  We estimate 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, 2020 and 2019, were 25.2% and 24.4%, respectively. The brokerage segment’s effective income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, were 24.2% and 24.7%, respectively. We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 23.0% to 25.0% in our brokerage segment for the foreseeable future.  

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests - The amounts reported in this line for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, include noncontrolling interest earnings of $0.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, and $3.1 million and $18.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, of which for 2019 primarily related to our investment in Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers LLP (which we refer to as Capsicum Re).  Prior to December 31, 2019, we were partners in this venture with Grahame Chilton, the former CEO of our International Brokerage Division (who stepped down from the role effective July 1, 2018).  We were the controlling partner, participating in 33% of Capsicum Re’s net operating results and Mr. Chilton owned approximately 50% of 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.

Risk Management

The risk management segment accounted for 14% of our revenue during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.  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.  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 delivered.

- 53 -


 

Financial information relating to our risk management segment results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same periods in 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

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Fees

$

202.6

 

 

$

211.2

 

 

$

(8.6

)

 

$

604.7

 

 

$

622.7

 

 

$

(18.0

)

Investment income

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

(0.7

)

Revenues before reimbursements

 

202.7

 

 

 

211.6

 

 

 

(8.9

)

 

 

605.3

 

 

 

624.0

 

 

 

(18.7

)

Reimbursements

 

41.6

 

 

 

34.7

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

111.7

 

 

 

100.8

 

 

 

10.9

 

Total revenues

 

244.3

 

 

 

246.3

 

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

717.0

 

 

 

724.8

 

 

 

(7.8

)

Compensation

 

128.6

 

 

 

129.1

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

385.6

 

 

 

382.7

 

 

 

2.9

 

Operating

 

35.9

 

 

 

47.5

 

 

 

(11.6

)

 

 

118.0

 

 

 

138.4

 

 

 

(20.4

)

Reimbursements

 

41.6

 

 

 

34.7

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

111.7

 

 

 

100.8

 

 

 

10.9

 

Depreciation

 

11.9

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

36.5

 

 

 

34.4

 

 

 

2.1

 

Amortization

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

1.0

 

Change in estimated acquisition

   earnout payables

 

(0.4

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(3.7

)

Total expenses

 

219.0

 

 

 

224.6

 

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

652.9

 

 

 

660.1

 

 

 

(7.2

)

Earnings before income taxes

 

25.3

 

 

 

21.7

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

64.1

 

 

 

64.7

 

 

 

(0.6

)

Provision for income taxes

 

6.5

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

(0.5

)

Net earnings

 

18.8

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

47.8

 

 

 

47.9

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Net earnings attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to

   controlling interests

$

18.8

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

2.6

 

 

$

47.8

 

 

$

47.9

 

 

$

(0.1

)

Diluted net earnings per share

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

$

0.25

 

 

$

 

Other information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in diluted net earnings per share

 

0

%

 

 

0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

-7

%

 

 

 

 

Growth in revenues (before

   reimbursements)

 

-4

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

-3

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

Organic change in fees (before

   reimbursements)

 

-5

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

-4

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense ratio (before

   reimbursements)

 

63

%

 

 

61

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

64

%

 

 

61

%

 

 

 

 

Operating expense ratio (before

   reimbursements)

 

18

%

 

 

22

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

%

 

 

22

%

 

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

 

26

%

 

 

25

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

%

 

 

26

%

 

 

 

 

Workforce at end of period (includes

   acquisitions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,308

 

 

 

6,616

 

 

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

964.5

 

 

$

920.8

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

$

18.8

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

$

2.6

 

 

$

47.8

 

 

$

47.9

 

 

$

(0.1

)

Provision for income taxes

 

6.5

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

(0.5

)

Depreciation

 

11.9

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

36.5

 

 

 

34.4

 

 

 

2.1

 

Amortization

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

1.0

 

Change in estimated acquisition

   earnout payables

 

(0.4

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(3.7

)

EBITDAC

$

38.2

 

 

$

35.0

 

 

$

3.2

 

 

$

101.7

 

 

$

102.9

 

 

$

(1.2

)

 

- 54 -


 

The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing EBITDAC and adjusted EBITDAC for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 to the same periods in 2019 (in millions):

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Net earnings, as reported

$

18.8

 

 

$

16.2

 

 

 

16.0

%

 

$

47.8

 

 

$

47.9

 

 

 

(0.2

)%

Provision for income taxes

 

6.5

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

11.9

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36.5

 

 

 

34.4

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

 

 

Change in estimated acquisition

   earnout payables

 

(0.4

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

Total EBITDAC

 

38.2

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

9.1

%

 

 

101.7

 

 

 

102.9

 

 

 

(1.2

)%

Workforce and lease termination

   related charges

 

1.1

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC, as adjusted

$

39.3

 

 

$

38.3

 

 

 

2.6

%

 

$

108.1

 

 

$

108.8

 

 

 

(0.6

)%

Net earnings margin (before

   reimbursements), as reported

 

9.3

%

 

 

7.7

%

 

+ 161 bpts

 

 

 

7.9

%

 

 

7.7

%

 

+ 22 bpts

 

EBITDAC margin (before

   reimbursements), as adjusted

 

19.4

%

 

 

18.0

%

 

+ 143 bpts

 

 

 

17.9

%

 

 

17.5

%

 

+ 35 bpts

 

Reported revenues (before

   reimbursements)

$

202.7

 

 

$

211.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

605.3

 

 

$

624.0

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues (before

   reimbursements) - see pages 42

   and 43

$

202.7

 

 

$

213.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

605.3

 

 

$

621.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees - The decrease in fees for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 was due primarily to the impact of COVID-19.  In our risk management operations, we began seeing a meaningful decline in new claims arising during the last two weeks of March 2020, which persisted into April.  From May to September, and thus far in the fourth quarter, we are seeing an improving trend in new claims arising; yet the current level of weekly new claims are still well below pre-pandemic levels.  A slower recovery or reversal in the number of workers employed could cause fewer claims to arise in future quarters.  Organic change in fee revenues for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 was -5.3% compared to 5.7% for the same period in 2019.  Organic change in fee revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 was -3.7% compared to 4.3% for the same period in 2019.

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

 

 

Three-Month Period Ended

September 30, 2020

 

 

Nine-Month Period Ended

September 30, 2020

 

Organic Revenues (Non-GAAP)

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Fees

$

200.8

 

 

$

209.9

 

 

 

-4.3

%

 

$

600.5

 

 

$

619.7

 

 

 

-3.1

%

International performance bonus fees

 

1.8

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

Fees as reported

 

202.6

 

 

 

211.2

 

 

 

-4.1

%

 

 

604.7

 

 

 

622.7

 

 

 

-2.9

%

Less fees from acquisitions

 

(0.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

Organic fees

$

201.7

 

 

$

213.0

 

 

 

-5.3

%

 

$

597.3

 

 

$

620.1

 

 

 

-3.7

%

 

Reimbursements - 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.  

- 55 -


 

Investment income - Investment income primarily represents interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents.  Investment income in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 decreased compared to the same periods in 2019 primarily due to decreases in interest income from our U.S. operations due to decreases in interest rates earned on our funds.  

Compensation expense - The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing compensation expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 with the same periods in 2019 (in millions):

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Compensation expense, as reported

$

128.6

 

 

$

129.1

 

 

$

385.6

 

 

$

382.7

 

Workforce and lease termination related charges

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(6.2

)

 

 

(4.3

)

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.7

)

Compensation expense, as adjusted

$

127.6

 

 

$

129.2

 

 

$

379.4

 

 

$

376.7

 

Reported compensation expense ratios (before

   reimbursements)

 

63.4

%

 

 

61.0

%

 

 

63.7

%

 

 

61.3

%

Adjusted compensation expense ratios (before

   reimbursements)

 

63.0

%

 

 

60.5

%

 

 

62.7

%

 

 

60.6

%

Reported revenues (before reimbursements)

$

202.7

 

 

$

211.6

 

 

$

605.3

 

 

$

624.0

 

Adjusted revenues (before reimbursements) -

   see pages 42 and 43

$

202.7

 

 

$

213.4

 

 

$

605.3

 

 

$

621.4

 

 

The decrease in compensation expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to a favorable foreign currency translation - $1.2 million and decreased headcount and decreases in temporary‑staffing expense - $1.9 million, employee benefits expense - $0.6 million and severance related costs - $0.1 million, partially offset by increases in salaries and incentive compensation - $2.5 million in the aggregate, stock compensation expense ‑ $0.5 million and deferred compensation - $0.3 million. Contributing to the decrease in employee headcount is terminated and/or furloughed employees, partially offset by headcount associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2020.

The increase in compensation expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to a unfavorable foreign currency translation - $1.7 million and increased headcount and increases in salaries and incentive compensation - $3.0 million in the aggregate, severance related costs - $1.9 million, stock compensation expense ‑ $1.4 million and deferred compensation - $0.6 million, partially offset by decreases in temporary-staffing expense ‑ $4.6 million and employee benefits expense - $1.1 million.  Contributing to the decrease in employee headcount is terminated and/or furloughed employees, partially offset by headcount associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2020.

Operating expense - The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing operating expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 with the same periods in 2019 (in millions):

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Operating expense, as reported

$

35.9

 

 

$

47.5

 

 

$

118.0

 

 

$

138.4

 

Workforce and lease termination related charges

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(1.9

)

Levelized foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

Operating expense, as adjusted

$

35.8

 

 

$

45.9

 

 

$

117.8

 

 

$

135.9

 

Reported operating expense ratios (before

   reimbursements)

 

17.7

%

 

 

22.5

%

 

 

19.5

%

 

 

22.2

%

Adjusted operating expense ratios (before

   reimbursements)

 

17.7

%

 

 

21.5

%

 

 

19.5

%

 

 

21.9

%

Reported revenues (before reimbursements)

$

202.7

 

 

$

211.6

 

 

$

605.3

 

 

$

624.0

 

Adjusted revenues (before reimbursements) -

   see pages 42 and 43

$

202.7

 

 

$

213.4

 

 

$

605.3

 

 

$

621.4

 

 

- 56 -


 

The decrease in operating expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to decreases in meeting and client entertainment expenses - $3.3 million, lease termination charges - $1.8 million, business insurance - $1.7 million, office supplies - $1.0 million, outside consulting fees - $0.7 million, employee related expense $0.5 million, bad debt expense - $0.5 million, licenses and fees $0.5 million, marketing expense - $0.5 million, technology expenses - $0.5 million, other expense - $0.4 million and professional and banking fees - $0.3 million.

The decrease in operating expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to decreases in meeting and client entertainment expenses - $8.4 million, outside consulting fees - $2.6 million, business insurance - $2.2 million, lease termination charges - $1.7 million, employee related expense - $1.4 million, office supplies ‑ $1.3 million, professional and banking fees ‑ $0.8 million, real estate expense - $0.5 million, marketing expense - $0.5 million and licenses and fees - $0.4 million, partially offset by an increase in technology expenses - $1.4 million and bad debt expense - $0.2 million.

Depreciation - Depreciation expense increased in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 by $0.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.  These increases reflect the impact of purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements related to office expansions and relocations, and expenditures related to upgrading computer systems.

Amortization - The increase in amortization expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily due to amortization expense of intangible assets associated with acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2020.  Based on the results of impairment reviews during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, we wrote off $0.2 million of amortizable assets

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables - The change in expense from the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables in the three‑month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, was primarily due to acquisition activity in 2019.  During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of expense related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations in connection with our acquisitions.  During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of expense 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, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $0.6 million of income and $0.1 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 two and one acquisitions, respectively. In addition, during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $3.7 million 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 four and one acquisitions, respectively.

Provision for income taxes - The risk management segment’s effective income tax rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were 25.7% and 25.3%, respectively. The risk management segment’s effective income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were 25.4% and 26.0%, respectively. We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate on adjusted results of approximately 24.0% to 26.0% in our risk management segment for the foreseeable future.

Corporate

The corporate segment reports the financial information related to our clean energy and other investments, our debt, certain corporate and acquisition-related activities and the impact of foreign currency translation.  For a detailed discussion of the nature of these investments, see Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for a summary of our investments as of September 30, 2020 and in Note 14 to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K as of December 31, 2019.  For a detailed discussion of the nature of our debt, see Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included herein as of September 30, 2020 and in Note 8 to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K as of December 31, 2019.

- 57 -


 

Financial information relating to our corporate segment results for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 is as follows (in millions, except per share and percentages):

 

 

Three-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

Statement of Earnings

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

Revenues from consolidated clean coal

   production plants

$

292.5

 

 

$

368.2

 

 

$

(75.7

)

 

$

607.1

 

 

$

994.6

 

 

$

(387.5

)

Royalty income from clean coal licenses

 

18.7

 

 

 

18.3

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

45.6

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

(4.6

)

Loss from unconsolidated clean coal

   production plants

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

1.5

 

Other net losses

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

2.5

 

Total revenues

 

310.2

 

 

 

383.0

 

 

 

(72.8

)

 

 

651.7

 

 

 

1,039.8

 

 

 

(388.1

)

Cost of revenues from consolidated clean

   coal production plants

 

319.2

 

 

 

397.4

 

 

 

(78.2

)

 

 

665.8

 

 

 

1,071.9

 

 

 

(406.1

)

Compensation

 

15.4

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

45.0

 

 

 

68.8

 

 

 

(23.8

)

Operating

 

13.4

 

 

 

23.3

 

 

 

(9.9

)

 

 

36.7

 

 

 

63.6

 

 

 

(26.9

)

Interest

 

48.1

 

 

 

46.6

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

148.6

 

 

 

131.7

 

 

 

16.9

 

Depreciation

 

6.3

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

17.5

 

 

 

21.0

 

 

 

(3.5

)

Total expenses

 

402.4

 

 

 

489.8

 

 

 

(87.4

)

 

 

913.6

 

 

 

1,357.0

 

 

 

(443.4

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(92.2

)

 

 

(106.8

)

 

 

14.6

 

 

 

(261.9

)

 

 

(317.2

)

 

 

55.3

 

Benefit for income taxes

 

(54.5

)

 

 

(76.6

)

 

 

22.1

 

 

 

(210.8

)

 

 

(280.9

)

 

 

70.1

 

Net loss

 

(37.7

)

 

 

(30.2

)

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

(51.1

)

 

 

(36.3

)

 

 

(14.8

)

Net earnings attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

10.3

 

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

25.3

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

3.7

 

Net loss attributable to

   controlling interests

$

(48.0

)

 

$

(37.8

)

 

$

(10.2

)

 

$

(76.4

)

 

$

(57.9

)

 

$

(18.5

)

Diluted net loss per share

$

(0.24

)

 

$

(0.20

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

(0.30

)

 

$

(0.09

)

Identifiable assets at September 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,209.2

 

 

$

1,991.4

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(37.7

)

 

$

(30.2

)

 

$

(7.5

)

 

$

(51.1

)

 

$

(36.3

)

 

$

(14.8

)

Benefit for income taxes

 

(54.5

)

 

 

(76.6

)

 

 

22.1

 

 

 

(210.8

)

 

 

(280.9

)

 

 

70.1

 

Interest

 

48.1

 

 

 

46.6

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

148.6

 

 

 

131.7

 

 

 

16.9

 

Depreciation

 

6.3

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

17.5

 

 

 

21.0

 

 

 

(3.5

)

EBITDAC

$

(37.8

)

 

$

(53.2

)

 

$

15.4

 

 

$

(95.8

)

 

$

(164.5

)

 

$

68.7

 

 

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 at the related facilities.  

 

The decrease in revenue from consolidated clean coal production plants for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same periods 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 September 30, 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 increase in royalty income in the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, was due to increased production of refined coal by Chem-Mod LLC’s licensees.  The decrease in royalty income in the nine-month period ended September 30, 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 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 is due to the vast majority of our operations being consolidated.  

- 58 -


 

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.  The decrease in the threemonth and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same periods in 2019, was primarily due to decreased production of refined coal.

Compensation expense - Compensation expense in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $15.4 million and $15.5 million, respectively. All items were consistent in both three-month periods.   Compensation expense in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $45.0 million and $68.8 million, respectively.  The decrease in compensation expense for the nine‑month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 was due primarily to headcount controls, benefit expense savings and a decrease in incentive compensation due to the clean energy results in 2020.

Operating expense - Operating expense in the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 includes banking and related fees of $1.1 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions of $2.0 million, other corporate and clean energy related expenses, including legal fees, and costs related to corporate data and branding initiatives, of $7.7 million, and a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement loss of $2.6 million.

Operating expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 includes banking and related fees of $3.9 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions of $5.9 million, other corporate and clean energy related expenses, including legal fees, and costs related to corporate data and branding initiatives, of $31.6 million, and a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement gain of $4.7 million.

Operating expense in the three-month period ended September 30, 2019 includes banking and related fees of $1.2 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions of $3.4 million, other corporate and clean energy related expenses, including legal fees, and costs related to corporate data and branding initiatives, of $8.4 million, $11.9 million of clean energy related costs as discussed on page 61 (see note 4) and unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement gain of $1.6 million.

Operating expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 includes banking and related fees of $3.5 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions of $11.5 million, other corporate and clean energy related expenses, including legal fees, and costs related to corporate data and branding initiatives, of $34.7 million, $11.9 million of clean energy related costs as discussed on page 61 (see note 4) and a net realized loss related to foreign exchange hedge contracts of $3.3 million and unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement gain of $1.3 million.

Interest expense - The increase in interest expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, compared to the same periods in 2019, was due to the following:

 

Change in interest expense related to:

Three-month period ended

September 30, 2020

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30, 2020

 

Interest on borrowings from our Credit Agreement

$

(3.2

)

 

$

(4.4

)

Interest on the maturity of the Series C notes

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(2.3

)

Interest on the maturity of the Series K and L notes

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(1.2

)

Interest on the $398.0 million notes funded on August 2 and 4, 2017

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.6

)

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

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.6

)

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

 

 

 

 

3.5

 

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

 

0.5

 

 

 

1.3

 

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

 

5.8

 

 

 

15.7

 

Amortization of hedge gains/losses

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.8

 

Net change in interest expense

$

1.5

 

 

$

16.9

 

 

- 59 -


 

Depreciation - Depreciation expense in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 decreased compared to the same period in 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 IRC Section 45 credits generated, because that is the segment which produced the credits. The law that provides for IRC Section 45 credits expired in December 2019 for our fourteen 2009 Era Plants and will expire in December 2021 for our twenty-one 2011 Era Plants.  Our consolidated effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 was 10.4% compared to (19.4)% for the same period in 2019. Our consolidated effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 was 4.4% compared to (12.6)% for the same period in 2019.  The tax rates for September 30, 2020 and 2019 were lower than the statutory rate primarily due to the amount of IRC Section 45 tax credits recognized during the period.  There were $123.4 million and $176.0 million of Section 45 tax credits recognized in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  There were $114.7 million and $159.2 million of tax credits produced in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  In the three‑month period September 30, 2020, we increased our U.K. effective income tax rate from 17.5% to 19% and incurred one-time taxes associated with realignment of our operations to continue to conduct certain business in the European Union after Brexit.  In the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, we lowered our effective income tax rate from 26% to 25%.    

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests - The amounts reported in this line for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 include non-controlling interest earnings of $10.6 million and $8.8 million, respectively related to our investment in Chem-Mod LLC.  The amounts reported in this line for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 include noncontrolling interest earnings of $24.6 million and $25.5 million, respectively related to our investment in Chem-Mod LLC.  As of September 30, 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 three‑month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 for the corporate segment (in millions):

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

Pretax

 

 

Tax

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

 

Pretax

 

 

Tax

 

 

Controlling

 

 

Earnings

 

 

(Provision)

 

 

Controlling

 

Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,

 

Loss

 

 

Benefit

 

 

Interests

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Benefit

 

 

Interests

 

Components of Corporate Segment,

   as reported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and banking costs

 

$

(49.2

)

 

$

12.3

 

 

$

(36.9

)

 

$

(47.8

)

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

(35.4

)

Clean energy related (1)

 

 

(35.1

)

 

 

39.5

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

(42.0

)

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

8.6

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(3.1

)

Corporate (2) (3)

 

 

(16.1

)

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

(21.1

)

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

(7.9

)

Reported Three Months

 

 

(102.5

)

 

 

54.5

 

 

 

(48.0

)

 

 

(114.4

)

 

 

76.6

 

 

 

(37.8

)

Adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean energy related (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

9.2

 

Income tax related (2)

 

 

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(1.1

)

Components of Corporate Segment,

   as adjusted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and banking costs

 

 

(49.2

)

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

(36.9

)

 

 

(47.8

)

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

(35.4

)

Clean energy related (1)

 

 

(35.1

)

 

 

39.5

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

(29.6

)

 

 

47.4

 

 

 

17.8

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(3.1

)

Corporate (2) (3)

 

 

(16.1

)

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

(8.1

)

 

 

(21.1

)

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

(9.0

)

Adjusted Three Months

 

$

(102.5

)

 

$

60.0

 

 

$

(42.5

)

 

$

(102.0

)

 

$

72.3

 

 

$

(29.7

)

 

 

- 60 -


 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax

 

 

Attributable to

 

 

 

Pretax

 

 

(Provision)

 

 

Controlling

 

 

Pretax

 

 

(Provision)

 

 

Controlling

 

Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30,

 

Loss

 

 

Benefit

 

 

Interests

 

 

Loss

 

 

Benefit

 

 

Interests

 

Components of Corporate Segment,

   as reported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and banking costs

 

$

(152.5

)

 

$

38.2

 

 

$

(114.3

)

 

$

(134.9

)

 

$

35.1

 

 

$

(99.8

)

Clean energy related (1)

 

 

(81.9

)

 

 

143.8

 

 

 

61.9

 

 

 

(132.1

)

 

 

210.4

 

 

 

78.3

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

(6.2

)

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

(15.2

)

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

(12.9

)

Corporate (2) (3)

 

 

(46.6

)

 

 

28.2

 

 

 

(18.4

)

 

 

(56.6

)

 

 

33.1

 

 

 

(23.5

)

Reported Nine Months

 

 

(287.2

)

 

 

210.8

 

 

 

(76.4

)

 

 

(338.8

)

 

 

280.9

 

 

 

(57.9

)

Adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean energy related (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

9.2

 

Income tax related (2)

 

 

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

(3.1

)

Components of Corporate Segment,

   as adjusted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and banking costs

 

 

(152.5

)

 

 

38.2

 

 

 

(114.3

)

 

 

(134.9

)

 

 

35.1

 

 

 

(99.8

)

Clean energy related (1)

 

 

(81.9

)

 

 

143.8

 

 

 

61.9

 

 

 

(119.7

)

 

 

207.2

 

 

 

87.5

 

Acquisition costs

 

 

(6.2

)

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

(15.2

)

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

(12.9

)

Corporate (2) (3)

 

 

(46.6

)

 

 

33.7

 

 

 

(12.9

)

 

 

(56.6

)

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

(26.6

)

Adjusted Nine Months

 

$

(287.2

)

 

$

216.3

 

 

$

(70.9

)

 

$

(326.4

)

 

$

274.6

 

 

$

(51.8

)

 

 

(1)

Pretax loss for the third quarter is presented net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of $10.3 million in 2020 and $7.6 million in 2019. Pretax loss for the nine-month periods are presented net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of $25.3 million in 2020 and $21.6 million in 2019.

(2)

Corporate includes the impact in third quarter 2020 of one-time taxes associated with realignment of our operations to continue to conduct certain business in the European Union after Brexit.  The third quarter 2019 impact relates to the prior period tax impact for the decrease in the annual U.S. effective income tax rate used to compute the provision for income taxes for full year 2019 from 26% to 25% that occurred in fourth quarter 2019.

(3)

Corporate pretax loss includes a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement loss of $2.6 million in third quarter 2020 and a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement gain of $1.6 million in third quarter 2019.  Corporate pretax loss includes a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement gain of $4.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and a net realized loss related to foreign exchange hedge contracts pf $3.3 million, partially offset by a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement gain of $1.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

(4)

During third quarter of 2019, we and/or our 46.5% owned affiliate, Chem-Mod LLC, incurred costs related to (a) settling certain patent infringement litigation, (b) prevailing in a tax court matter, (c) defending a new patent matter, and (d) moving three 2011 Era plants into different locations that could generate more after-tax earnings in 2020 than in 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 external 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, cross-selling and motivational meetings for our production staff and field management, expenses related to our new corporate headquarters and the impact of foreign currency translation.  The income tax benefit of stock based awards that vested or were settled in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $20.6 million and $13.2 million, respectively, and is included in the table above in the Corporate line.  

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 and one that we purchased from a third party on May 28, 2020.  The ability to generate tax credits on 14 of the 35 plants we own expired as of December 31, 2019.  The

- 61 -


 

21 remaining plants produce refined coal using propriety technologies owned by 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 14 2009 Era Plants received tax credits through 2019 and the 21 2011 Era Plants can receive tax credits through 2021.

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

 

 

 

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 in active production during 2020

 

$

 

 

$

 

Investments that own 2011 Era Plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17   2011 Under long-term production contracts

 

 

34.0

 

 

 

37.0

 

  4   2011 Restarted under long-term contracts Q4 2019 and Q3 2020

 

 

11.0

 

 

 

12.0

 

Chem-Mod royalty income, net of noncontrolling interests

 

20.0

 

 

 

21.0

 

 

The estimated earnings information in the table reflects management’s current best estimate of the 2020 low and high ranges of after-tax earnings based on early production estimates from the host utilities, other operating assumptions, including current U.S. federal income tax 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. federal income tax laws might materially impact these estimates.  Please refer to our filings with the SEC, including Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” on pages 19, 20 and 21 of our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, for a more detailed discussion of these and other factors that could impact the information above.

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. federal income tax laws might materially impact the earnings estimates.

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 such as moving more cash into the U.S. from our international operations, pursuing collections on receivables from our customers and partners and renegotiating longer payment terms on vendor payables.  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.

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 2019 and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, we relied on a combination of net cash flows from operations, proceeds from borrowings under our Credit Agreement, proceeds from issuances of senior unsecured notes and issuances of our common stock.

Cash provided by operating activities was $1,387.6 million and $769.1 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  The increase in cash provided by operating activities during the nine‑month period ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily due to timing differences between periods in the collection of other current receivables and payments on current liabilities.  During the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, we managed our working capital in terms of receivables and payables as a cautionary step to protect liquidity during this uncertain period.  In addition, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the company filed a refund claim under a CARES Act provision that accelerates the

- 62 -


 

ability of companies to recover Alternative Minimum Tax (which we refer to as AMT) credits and we received a $28.5 million refund related to our AMT credit carryovers, which was the remaining amount owed to us.  Under the CARES Act we also elected to defer the payment of $33.2 million of employer payroll tax obligations incurred in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 into 2021 and 2022.  This also defers our income tax deduction related to these employer payroll taxes, which results in an unfavorable temporary income tax adjustment of $8.3 million that will reverse in the year that the payroll taxes are paid.  We also deferred $18.0 million of estimated federal income tax payments from second quarter 2020 that were made to third quarter 2020.

Cash provided by operating activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 was favorably impacted by timing differences in the receipts and disbursements of client fiduciary related balances in 2020 compared to 2019.  The following table summarizes two lines from our consolidated statement of cash flows and provides information that management believes is helpful when comparing changes in client fiduciary related balances for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 with the same period in 2019 (in millions):

 

 

 

Nine-month period ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net change in premiums and fees receivable

 

$

(1,297.9

)

 

$

(832.1

)

Net change in premiums payable to underwriting enterprises

 

 

1,596.0

 

 

 

843.3

 

Net cash provided by the above

 

$

298.1

 

 

$

11.2

 

 

Our cash flows from operating activities are primarily derived from our earnings from operations, as adjusted for our non‑cash expenses, which include depreciation, amortization, change in estimated acquisition earnout payables, deferred compensation, restricted stock and stock‑based and other non-cash compensation expenses.  Cash provided by operating activities can be unfavorably impacted if the amount of IRC Section 45 tax credits generated (which is the amount we recognize for financial reporting purposes) is greater than the amount of tax credits 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” below for more information on their potential future impact on cash provided by operating activities.

When assessing our overall liquidity, we believe that the focus should be on net earnings as reported in our consolidated statement of earnings, adjusted for non‑cash items (i.e., EBITDAC), and cash provided by operating activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.  Consolidated EBITDAC was $1261.5 million and $1,030.6 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Net earnings attributable to controlling interests were $676.6 million and $570.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 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” 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 2020 plan year, nor were we required to make any minimum contributions to the plan for the 2019 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-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. We are not considering making any discretionary contributions to the plan in 2020, but may be required to make significantly larger minimum contributions to the plan in future periods.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures - Capital expenditures were $79.5 million and $107.7 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  In 2020, we expect total expenditures for capital improvements to be approximately $100.0 million, part of which is related to expenditures on office moves and updating computer systems and equipment.  

- 63 -


 

Acquisitions - Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired, were $91.3 million and $951.1 million in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  In addition, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, we issued 2.3 million shares ($220.7 million) of our common stock as payment for a portion of the total consideration paid for 2020 acquisitions and earnout payments made in 2020.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, we issued 0.7 million shares ($56.3 million) of our common stock as payment for consideration paid for 2019 acquisitions and earnout payments made in 2019.  We completed 17 acquisitions and 38 acquisitions in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Annualized revenues of businesses acquired in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 totaled approximately $151.2 million and $350.8 million, respectively.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, the company made the decision to fund the majority of the consideration paid for acquisitions and earnout payments made in the quarter using company stock to preserve cash.  For the remainder of 2020, we expect to use cash from operations, our Credit Agreement, new debt and our common stock, or a combination thereof to fund all of the acquisitions we complete.

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

Dispositions - During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we sold several books of business and recognized net gains of $4.6 million and $62.3 million, respectively. We received net cash proceeds of $9.0 million and $79.4 million related to the 2020 and 2019 transactions, respectively.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 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 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 2020 annual adjusted net after-tax earnings, including IRC Section 45 tax credits, which will be produced from all of our clean energy investments in 2020, is $65.0 million to $70.0 million.  The IRC Section 45 tax credits generate positive cash flow by reducing the amount of federal 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 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 remain 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 through at least 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 page 62 for a more detailed description of these investments and their risks and uncertainties.  Please see “Other Information” on page 40 for the cash flow impact of the expiration of laws governing tax credits.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

On June 7, 2019, we entered into an amendment and restatement to our multicurrency credit agreement dated April 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 April 8, 2021 to June 7, 2024 and increased the revolving credit commitment from $800.0 million to $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 $1,700.0 million. On August 27, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement providing that the obligations of each subsidiary of Gallagher that was a borrower, guarantor and/or obligor under the Credit Agreement, ceased to apply and that each such subsidiary was released from all of its obligations under the Credit Agreement. The amendment also replaced the minimum asset covenant with a priority indebtedness covenant, substantially similar to other priority indebtedness covenants applicable to Gallagher under its private placement note purchase agreements.

At September 30, 2020, no borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Agreement.  Due to the outstanding loans and letters of credit, $1,182.6 million remained available for potential borrowings under the Credit Agreement at September 30, 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-month period ended September 30, 2020, we borrowed $2,630.0 million and repaid $3,150.0 million under our Credit Agreement.  In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, we borrowed $2,735.0 million and repaid $2,610.0 million under our Credit Agreement.  Principal uses of the 2020 and 2019 borrowings under the Credit Agreement were to fund acquisitions, earnout payments related to acquisitions and general corporate purposes.  

- 64 -


 

On September 16, 2020, 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 July 18, 2021 to September 15, 2022, added six-months variable limits to Facility B NZ$ beginning in 2021 and increased the total commitment for the AU$ denominated tranche from AU$245.0 million to AU$310.0 million. The Premium Financing Debt Facility is comprised of: (i) Facility B, which is separated into AU$260.0 million and NZ$25.0 million tranches, (ii) Facility C, an AU$50.0 million equivalent multi-currency overdraft tranche and (iii) Facility D, a NZ$15.0 million equivalent multi-currency overdraft tranche. At September 30, 2020, AU$245.0 million and NZ$0.0 million of borrowings were outstanding under Facility B, AU$11.8 million of borrowings outstanding under Facility C and NZ$14.9 million of borrowings were outstanding under Facility D, which in aggregate amount to US$193.0 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 these 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 a ten year period.

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

At September 30, 2020, we had $4,398.0 million of corporate‑related borrowings outstanding under separate note purchase agreements entered into during the period from 2009 to 2020, and our credit facility, and a cash and cash equivalent balance of $629.9 million.  See Note 7 to our September 30, 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.  

Consistent with past practice, as of September 30, 2020, we had entered into pre-issuance hedging transactions of $350.0 million for 2020, $350.0 million for 2021 and $200.0 million for 2022.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, we settled approximately $66.0 million ($49.4 million net of tax) of interest rate contract hedges with a notional value of $350.0 million that will be amortized into interest expense in future periods.

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, 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-month period ended September 30, 2020, we declared $260.6 million in cash dividends on our common stock, or $1.35 per common share, a 5% increase over the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.  On October 29, 2020, we announced a quarterly dividend for fourth quarter 2020 of $0.45 per common share. This dividend level in 2020 will result in annualized net cash used by financing activities in 2020 of approximately $321.1 million (based on the number of outstanding shares as of September 30, 2020) or an anticipated increase in cash used of approximately $24.7 million compared to 2019.  We make no assurances regarding the amount of any future dividend payments.

Shelf Registration Statement - On November 15, 2019, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form 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 November 15, 2016, we also filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, registering 10.0 million shares of our common stock that we may offer and issue

- 65 -


 

from time to time in connection with the future acquisitions of other businesses, assets or securities. At September 30, 2020, 5.0 million shares remained available for issuance under this registration statement.

Common Stock Repurchases - We have in place a common stock repurchase plan, last amended by our board of directors in 2008, for up to 10.0 million shares (7.3 shares remain available).  During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we did not repurchase shares of our common 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-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, were $83.5 million and $83.1 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 include non-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 11.3 million shares (less any shares of restricted stock issued under the LTIP – 2.2 million shares of our common stock were available for this purpose as of September 30, 2020) were available for grant under the LTIP at September 30, 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-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, and we believe this favorable trend will continue in the foreseeable future.  

We have a qualified contributory savings and thrift (401(k)) plan covering the majority of our domestic employees.  For eligible employees who have met the plan’s age and service requirements to receive matching contributions, we match 100% of pre-tax and Roth elective deferrals up to a maximum of 5.0% of eligible compensation, subject to federal limits on plan contributions and not in excess of the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes.  Employees must be employed and eligible for the plan on the last day of the plan year to receive a matching contribution, subject to certain exceptions enumerated in the plan document. Matching contributions are subject to a five-year graduated vesting schedule and can be funded in cash or company stock. We expensed (net of plan forfeitures) $45.9 million and $43.8 million related to the plan in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Our board of directors has authorized the use of common stock to fund our 2020 employer matching contributions to the 401(k) plan, which we plan to do in February 2021.

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 14 to the September 30, 2020 unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of these obligations and commitments.  In addition, see Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for additional discussion of these obligations and commitments.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

See Note 14 to the September 30, 2020 unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our off‑balance sheet arrangements.  In addition, see Notes 8, 14 and 17 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for additional discussion of these off-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 on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Business Combinations and Dispositions

See Note 3 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our business combinations during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019, we recognized a one-time, net gain of

- 66 -


 

$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 period ended September 30, 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, 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 a 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.  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, 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 hypothetical 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 their carrying values at September 30, 2020.

At September 30, 2020, we had $4,398.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our various note purchase agreements.  The aggregate estimated fair value of these borrowings at September 30, 2020 was $4,991.4 million due to their 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 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 purpose of our analysis, the average BBB rate was assumed to be the appropriate borrowing rate for us.  

We estimated market risk as the potential impact on the value of the debt recorded in our consolidated balance sheet based on a hypothetical one‑percentage point decrease in our weighted average borrowing rate at September 30, 2020 and the resulting fair values would have been $922.2 million higher than their carrying value (or $5,320.2 million).  We estimated market risk as the potential impact on the value of the debt recorded in our consolidated balance sheet resulting from a hypothetical one‑percentage point increase in our weighted average borrowing rate at September 30, 2020 and the resulting fair values would have been $293.1 million higher than their carrying value (or $4,691.1 million).

At September 30, 2020, we had $193.0 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 hypothetical one‑percentage point decrease in our weighted average short-term borrowing rate at September 30, 2020, and the resulting fair value is not materially different from their carrying value.

- 67 -


 

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,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 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 Latin 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-month period ended September 30, 2020 (a weakening of the U.S. dollar), earnings before income taxes would have increased by approximately $20.1 million.  Assuming a hypothetical favorable change of 10% in the average foreign currency exchange rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 (a strengthening of the U.S. dollar), earnings before income taxes would have decreased by approximately $17.8 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 our non-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 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 to minimize our exposure to this risk.  During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 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 revenues through various future payment dates.  In addition, during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 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 be re-measured at the stated point and the appropriate loss, if applicable, would be recognized. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 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-month period ended September 30, 2020.  See Note 13 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements for the changes in fair value of these derivative instruments reflected in comprehensive earnings at September 30, 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 Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange 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 Exchange 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 errors 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 our Company have been detected.

- 68 -


 

Part II - Other Information

Item 1.

Please see the information set forth in Note 14 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements, included herein, under “Litigation, Regulatory and Taxation Matters.”

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risk factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 (which we incorporate by reference in this report) should be considered alongside the information contained in this report.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

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)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Gallagher for each fiscal month in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

 

July 1 through July 31, 2020

 

 

2,124

 

 

$

102.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,287,019

 

August 1 through August 31, 2020

 

 

688

 

 

 

105.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,287,019

 

September 1 through September 30, 2020

 

 

17,465

 

 

 

105.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,287,019

 

Total

 

 

20,277

 

 

$

104.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts in this column include shares of our common stock purchased by the trustees of trusts established under our Deferred Equity Participation Plan, including sub-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-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-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 10 to the September 30, 2020 unaudited consolidated financial statements in this report for more information regarding the DEPP.  The DCPP is an unfunded, 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 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 third quarter of 2020, we instructed the trustee for the DEPP and the DCPP to reinvest dividends on shares of our common stock held by these trusts and to purchase our common stock using cash that we contributed to the DCPP related to 2020 awards under the DCPP.  The Supplemental Plan is an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan that allows certain highly compensated employees to defer compensation, including company match amounts, on a before-tax basis or after‑tax basis.  Under the terms of the Supplemental Plan, all amounts credited to an employee’s account may be deemed invested, at 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 have some or all 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 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 amounts 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 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 these 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 in the event of our financial insolvency.  The terms of the DEPP, the DCPP and

- 69 -


 

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 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.

Item 5.

Other Information

On October 28, 2020, our Board of Directors approved an amendment and restatement of our by-laws (the Amended By-Laws), effective as of such date. The Amended By-Laws amend the existing forum selection provisions set forth in Article X to provide that the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall be the federal district courts of the United States of America. The Amended By-Laws also reflect certain other conforming or clarifying updates to the exclusive forum provisions in Article X.

 

The foregoing description of the Amended By-Laws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended By-Laws, a complete copy of which is attached to this report as Exhibit 3.2 and is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

Filed with this Form 10‑Q

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Amendment No. 1, dated August 27, 2020, to the Second Amended and Restated Multicurrency Credit Agreement dated June 7, 2019, between Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and the other lenders signatory thereto.

 

 

 

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. 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

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101).

 

 

- 70 -


 

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, 2020

By:

/s/ Douglas K. Howell

 

 

Douglas K. Howell

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer and duly authorized officer)

 

- 71 -