Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

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
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

Two Pierce Place, Itasca, Illinois 60143-3141

(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)

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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of 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 and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, as of September 30, 2013 was 131,538,000.


Table of Contents

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, 2013 and 2012      3   
      Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings for the Three-month and Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012      4   
      Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012      5   
      Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012      6   
      Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine-month Period Ended September 30, 2013      7   
      Notes to September 30, 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements      8-27   
      Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm      28   
   Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      29-52   
   Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk      52-53   
   Item 4.    Controls and Procedures      53-54   

Part II.

   Other Information   
   Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      54   
   Item 6.    Exhibits      55   
   Signature      56   
   Exhibit Index      57   

 

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Table of Contents

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

(Unaudited - in millions, except per share data)

 

     Three-month period ended
September  30,
     Nine-month period ended
September  30,
 
     2013     2012      2013      2012  

Commissions

   $ 399.1      $ 346.0       $ 1,126.8       $ 962.7   

Fees

     270.0        248.2         778.6         706.0   

Supplemental commissions

     17.8        16.6         53.4         50.3   

Contingent commissions

     6.5        7.7         43.5         37.0   

Investment income

     2.6        2.7         5.5         8.0   

Net gains on books of business sales

     —          0.7         3.3         1.4   

Revenues from clean coal activities

     134.9        28.4         264.1         80.3   

Other net revenues

     4.9        0.1         14.2         1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

     835.8        650.4         2,289.4         1,847.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Compensation

     412.5        373.9         1,211.9         1,082.4   

Operating

     133.1        121.6         404.7         353.6   

Cost of revenues from clean coal activities

     146.9        27.7         281.6         74.4   

Interest

     13.1        10.7         36.2         32.1   

Depreciation

     14.3        10.7         38.2         30.6   

Amortization

     30.8        25.8         90.1         73.1   

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (0.4     3.7         1.5         1.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     750.3        574.1         2,064.2         1,647.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

     85.5        76.3         225.2         199.9   

Provision for income taxes

     10.9        14.6         16.6         38.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 74.6      $ 61.7       $ 208.6       $ 161.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic net earnings per share

   $ 0.57      $ 0.50       $ 1.63       $ 1.35   

Diluted net earnings per share

     0.57        0.50         1.61         1.33   

Dividends declared per common share

     0.35        0.34         1.05         1.02   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Earnings

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

     Three-month period ended
September  30,
     Nine-month period ended
September  30,
 
     2013      2012      2013     2012  

Net earnings

   $ 74.6       $ 61.7       $ 208.6      $ 161.5   

Change in pension liability, net of taxes

     0.2         1.0         0.4        2.0   

Foreign currency translation

     29.1         19.6         (9.9     17.4   

Change in fair value of derivative investments, net of taxes

     1.5         1.7         0.5        2.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive earnings

   $ 105.4       $ 84.0       $ 199.6      $ 182.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(In millions)

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 
     (Unaudited)        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 286.9      $ 302.1   

Restricted cash

     924.2        851.6   

Premiums and fees receivable

     1,075.1        1,096.1   

Other current assets

     260.5        179.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     2,546.7        2,429.5   

Fixed assets - net

     148.1        105.4   

Deferred income taxes

     283.6        251.8   

Other noncurrent assets

     302.3        283.3   

Goodwill - net

     1,771.5        1,472.7   

Amortizable intangible assets - net

     918.0        809.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 5,970.2      $ 5,352.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Premiums payable to insurance and reinsurance companies

   $ 1,875.9      $ 1,819.7   

Accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities

     361.3        306.7   

Unearned fees

     69.7        70.6   

Other current liabilities

     35.5        36.9   

Corporate related borrowings - current

     235.5        129.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,577.9        2,362.9   

Corporate related borrowings - noncurrent

     825.0        725.0   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     635.1        605.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,038.0        3,693.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock - issued and outstanding 131.5 shares in 2013 and 125.6 shares in 2012

     131.5        125.6   

Capital in excess of par value

     1,259.3        1,055.4   

Retained earnings

     583.2        510.4   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (41.8     (32.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,932.2        1,658.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,970.2      $ 5,352.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

     Nine-month period ended
September  30,
 
     2013     2012  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 208.6      $ 161.5   

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

    

Net gain on investments and other

     (17.6     (1.4

Depreciation and amortization

     128.3        103.7   

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     1.5        1.0   

Amortization of deferred compensation and restricted stock

     10.6        6.4   

Stock-based and other noncash compensation expense

     5.4        5.5   

Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

     —          0.9   

Net change in restricted cash

     (29.3     (65.7

Net change in premiums receivable

     62.3        75.1   

Net change in premiums payable

     (7.2     (55.5

Net change in other current assets

     (71.5     12.2   

Net change in accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities

     50.1        (42.6

Net change in fees receivable/unearned fees

     (11.3     (7.9

Net change in income taxes payable

     9.5        12.9   

Net change in deferred income taxes

     (36.6     3.3   

Net change in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

     (24.2     (30.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     278.6        179.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Net additions to fixed assets

     (69.8     (36.1

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (333.0     (137.9

Net proceeds from sales of operations/books of business

     3.3        8.9   

Net (funding) proceeds of investment transactions

     (31.0     10.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used by investing activities

     (430.5     (154.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     64.5        60.9   

Tax impact from issuance of common stock

     6.3        3.7   

Dividends paid

     (136.0     (119.7

Borrowings on line of credit facility

     445.5        162.0   

Repayments on line of credit facility

     (439.0     (172.0

Borrowings of corporate related long-term debt

     200.0        50.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

     141.3        (15.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     (4.6     4.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (15.2     14.0   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     302.1        291.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 286.9      $ 305.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 40.4      $ 38.0   

Income taxes paid

     37.1        24.5   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

     Common Stock     

Capital in

Excess of

    Retained    

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

       
     Shares      Amount      Par Value     Earnings     Loss     Total  

Balance at December 31, 2012

     125.6       $ 125.6       $ 1,055.4      $ 510.4      $ (32.8   $ 1,658.6   

Net earnings

     —           —           —          208.6        —          208.6   

Change in pension liability, net of taxes of $0.2 million

     —           —           —          —          0.4        0.4   

Foreign currency translation

     —           —           —          —          (9.9     (9.9

Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes of $0.3 million

     —           —           —          —          0.5        0.5   

Compensation expense related to stock option plan grants

     —           —           5.4        —          —          5.4   

Tax impact from issuance of common stock

     —           —           6.3        —          —          6.3   

Common stock issued in:

              

Four purchase transactions

     3.4         3.4         147.8        —          —          151.2   

Stock option plans

     2.1         2.1         54.4        —          —          56.5   

Employee stock purchase plan

     0.2         0.2         7.8        —          —          8.0   

Deferred compensation and restricted stock

     0.2         0.2         (17.8     —          —          (17.6

Cash dividends declared on common stock

     —           —           —          (135.8     —          (135.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

     131.5       $ 131.5       $ 1,259.3      $ 583.2      $ (41.8   $ 1,932.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to September 30, 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and its subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as we, our, us or the company, provide insurance brokerage and risk management services to a wide variety of commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental organizations through three reportable segments. Commission and fee revenue generated by the brokerage segment is primarily related to the negotiation and placement of insurance for our clients. Fee revenue generated by the risk management segment is primarily related to claims management, information management, risk control consulting (loss control) services and appraisals in the property/casualty market. Investment income and other revenue are generated from our investment portfolio, which includes invested cash and restricted funds, as well as clean energy and other investments. We are headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, have operations in 20 countries and offer client-service capabilities in more than 140 countries globally through a network of correspondent insurance brokers and consultants.

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. We believe the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. 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, 2012 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, 2012.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the amounts reported in the prior year’s unaudited consolidated financial statements in order to conform to the current year presentation.

In the preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2013, management evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued, for potential recognition or disclosure therein.

2. Effect of New Accounting Pronouncements

Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (which we refer to as the FASB) issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” which provides explicit guidance on the presentation of certain unrecognized tax benefits in the financial statements that did not previously exist. The ASU provides that a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit would be offset against a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In that case, the liability associated with the unrecognized tax benefit is presented in the financial statements as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset. In situations in which a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit will be presented in the financial statements as a liability and will not be combined with deferred tax assets. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating whether or not to early adopt and the impact of the new guidance upon adoption, but believes that the impact on the financial statements will not be material.

 

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Table of Contents

Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (which we refer to as AOCI) to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, to be reported to show the effect of the reclassifications on the respective line items of the statement where net income is presented. These reclassifications can be presented either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the financial statements. For items that are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, a cross reference to other disclosures currently required under U.S. GAAP is required in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The new guidance also requires companies to report changes in the accumulated balances of each component of AOCI. This new guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption affected the disclosures made in our unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, but did not have any impact on our results of operations or financial position.

3. Business Combinations

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we acquired substantially all of the net assets of the following firms in exchange for our common stock and/or cash. These acquisitions have been accounted for using the acquisition method for recording business combinations (in millions except share data):

 

Name and Effective

Date of Acquisition

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

Metzler Brothers Insurance February 1, 2013

     —         $ —         $ 3.4       $ —         $ 0.4       $ 0.7       $ 4.5       $ 1.4   

Advanced Benefit Advisors, Inc. (ABA) April 1, 2013

     —           —           10.9         —           0.1         1.8         12.8         7.0   

Property & Commercial Limited (PCL) April 1, 2013

     —           —           65.1         —           —           —           65.1         —     

Garza Long Group, LLC (GLG) May 1, 2013

     —           —           4.3         —           0.1         0.5         4.9         6.7   

Bollinger, Inc. (BOL) August 1, 2013

     3,177         140.0         155.1         —           22.0         —           317.1         —     

Dickinson & Associates, Inc. (DA) August 1, 2013

     —           —           10.9         —           0.1         0.5         11.5         4.8   

Belmont International (BEL) September 1, 2013

     —           —           21.7         —           2.5         2.8         27.0         3.2   

R.W. Scobie, Inc. (RWS) September 1, 2013

     223         9.5         4.4         —           —           2.4         16.3         5.0   

Jeffrey Haber & Michael Fischman (HF) September 20, 2013

     —           —           7.0         —           —           8.4         15.4         10.3   

Eight other acquisitions completed in 2013

     30         1.4         8.4         —           0.4         6.4         16.6         8.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,430       $ 150.9       $ 291.2       $ —         $ 25.6       $ 23.5       $ 491.2       $ 47.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

On September 4, 2013 we signed an agreement to acquire the Giles Group of Companies (which we refer to as Giles) headquartered in London, England. Under the agreement, we agreed to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Giles for net cash consideration of approximately £233 million, or approximately $370 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in early November 2013. Giles is the fifth largest independent retail insurance broker in the United Kingdom with over 1,100 employees operating out of 43 offices in England,

 

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Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we recognized an unrealized fair value pretax gain of $5.0 million related to three foreign currency derivative investment contracts that we executed in September 2013 in connection with the signing of the agreement to acquire Giles. This unrealized gain was included in other net revenues in the consolidated statement of earnings. The derivative investment contracts will expire by October 31, 2013.

Common shares issued in connection with acquisitions are valued at closing market prices as of the effective date of the applicable acquisition. We record escrow deposits that are returned to us as a result of adjustments to net assets acquired as reductions of goodwill when the escrows are settled. The maximum potential earnout payables disclosed in the foregoing table represent the maximum amount of additional consideration that could be paid pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement for the applicable acquisition. The amounts recorded as earnout payables, which are primarily based upon the estimated future operating results of the acquired entities over 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 for the applicable acquisition. 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. 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 2.0% to 10.0% for our 2013 acquisitions. We estimated future payments using the earnout formula and performance targets specified in each purchase agreement and these financial projections. We then discounted these payments to present value using a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration market-based rates of return that reflect the ability of the acquired entity to achieve the targets. These discount rates generally ranged from 8.0% to 8.5% for all of our 2013 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 each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $2.9 million and $2.4 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 each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $8.7 million and $7.0 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, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $3.3 million of income and $1.3 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 twenty and twelve acquisitions, respectively. In addition, during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $7.2 million and $6.0 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 fifty-three and thirty-one acquisitions, respectively. The aggregate amount of maximum earnout obligations related to acquisitions made in 2009 and subsequent years was $400.4 million as of September 30, 2013, of which $140.4 million was recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, based on the estimated fair value of the expected future payments to be made.

 

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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, 2013 (in millions):

 

     ABA      PCL      GLG      BOL      DA      BEL      RWS      HF      Nine
Other
Acquisitions
     Total  

Cash

   $ —         $ 2.4       $ —         $ 7.6       $ 0.6       $ 5.3       $ 0.2       $ —         $ 0.2       $ 16.3   

Other current assets

     —           32.9         —           39.4         —           19.1         8.2         —           0.2         99.8   

Fixed assets

     —           2.7         —           3.1         —           0.4         0.4         —           0.2         6.8   

Noncurrent assets

     —           0.4         —           2.2         —           —           —           —           —           2.6   

Goodwill

     7.6         44.6         2.4         197.0         4.0         15.3         12.8         8.4         7.9         300.0   

Expiration lists

     5.0         25.6         2.4         132.5         7.3         9.0         6.7         6.7         13.4         208.6   

Non-compete agreements

     0.2         —           0.1         0.4         0.2         0.2         —           0.3         0.4         1.8   

Trade names

     —           0.1         —           1.7         —           —           —           —           —           1.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

     12.8         108.7         4.9         383.9         12.1         49.3         28.3         15.4         22.3         637.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     —           35.5         —           50.9         0.6         20.5         9.4         —           0.7         117.6   

Noncurrent liabilities

     —           8.1         —           15.9         —           1.8         2.6         —           0.5         28.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

     —           43.6         —           66.8         0.6         22.3         12.0         —           1.2         146.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net assets acquired

   $ 12.8       $ 65.1       $ 4.9       $ 317.1       $ 11.5       $ 27.0       $ 16.3       $ 15.4       $ 21.1       $ 491.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Among other things, these acquisitions allow us to expand into desirable geographic locations, further extend our presence in the retail and wholesale insurance brokerage services and risk management industries and/or 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 $300.0 million, $208.6 million, $1.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively, within the brokerage segment.

Provisional estimates of fair value are established at the time of the acquisition and are subsequently reviewed within the first year of operations subsequent to the acquisition date to determine the necessity for adjustments. The fair value of the tangible assets and liabilities for each applicable acquisition at the acquisition date approximated their carrying values. The fair value of expiration lists was established using the excess earnings method, which is an income approach based on estimated financial projections developed by management for each acquired entity using market participant assumptions. Revenue growth and attrition rates generally ranged from 2.0% to 10.0% and 5.0% to 15.0%, respectively, for our 2012 and 2013 acquisitions, for which a valuation was performed in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. We estimate the fair value as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the subject customer list in excess of returns required on the investment in contributory assets necessary to realize those benefits. The rate used to discount the net benefits was based on a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration market-based rates of return and reflects the risk of the asset relative to the acquired business. These discount rates generally ranged from 10.5% to 14.0% for our 2012 and 2013 acquisitions, for which a valuation was performed in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. 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 (three to fifteen years for expiration lists, three to five years for non-compete agreements and five to ten years for trade names), while goodwill is not subject to amortization. We use the straight-line method to amortize these intangible assets because the pattern of their economic benefits cannot be reasonably determined with any certainty. We review all of our intangible assets for impairment periodically (at least annually) and whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. In reviewing intangible assets, if the fair value is 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. Based on the results of

 

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impairment reviews during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we wrote off $2.2 million of amortizable intangible assets related to the brokerage segment. Based on the results of impairment reviews during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, we wrote off $0.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of amortizable intangible assets related to the brokerage segment.

Of the $208.6 million of expiration lists, $1.8 million of non-compete agreements and $1.8 million of trade names related to our acquisitions made during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, $174.9 million, $0.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively, is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Accordingly, we recorded a deferred tax liability of $23.4 million, and a corresponding amount of goodwill, in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 related to nondeductible amortizable intangible assets.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, we issued 425,000 shares of our common stock and paid $3.4 million in cash related to earnout obligations of four acquisitions made prior to 2009 and recorded additional goodwill of $0.1 million.

Our consolidated financial statements for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 include the operations of the acquired entities from their respective acquisition dates. The following is a summary of the unaudited pro forma historical results, as if these entities had been acquired at January 1, 2012 (in millions, except per share data):

 

     Three-month period ended
September  30,
     Nine-month period ended
September  30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Total revenues

   $ 850.9       $ 693.7       $ 2,385.9       $ 1,981.0   

Net earnings

     75.2         63.5         216.2         168.7   

Basic net earnings per share

     0.57         0.50         1.66         1.37   

Diluted net earnings per share

     0.57         0.50         1.64         1.35   

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, 2012, nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating results. Annualized revenues of the businesses acquired during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 totaled approximately $176.4 million. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, 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, 2013 in the aggregate, were $41.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

4. Intangible Assets

The carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 allocated by domestic and foreign operations is as follows (in millions):

 

     Brokerage      Risk
Management
     Corporate      Total  

At September 30, 2013

           

United States

   $ 1,398.6       $ 19.3       $ —         $ 1,417.9   

Foreign, principally Australia, Canada and the U.K.

     351.6         2.0         —           353.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total goodwill - net

   $ 1,750.2       $ 21.3       $ —         $ 1,771.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2012

           

United States

   $ 1,158.1       $ 19.2       $ —         $ 1,177.3   

Foreign, principally Australia, Canada and the U.K.

     293.3         2.1         —           295.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total goodwill - net

   $ 1,451.4       $ 21.3       $ —         $ 1,472.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 are as follows (in millions):

 

           Risk                
     Brokerage     Management      Corporate      Total  

Balance as of December 31, 2012

   $ 1,451.4      $ 21.3       $ —         $ 1,472.7   

Goodwill acquired during the period

     300.0        —           —           300.0   

Goodwill adjustments due to appraisals and other acquisition adjustments

     3.3        —           —           3.3   

Foreign currency translation adjustments during the period

     (4.5     —           —           (4.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2013

   $ 1,750.2      $ 21.3       $ —         $ 1,771.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Major classes of amortizable intangible assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consist of the following (in millions):

 

     September 30,     December 31,  
     2013     2012  

Expiration lists

   $ 1,372.4      $ 1,175.0   

Accumulated amortization - expiration lists

     (477.1     (390.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     895.3        784.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-compete agreements

     31.8        30.9   

Accumulated amortization - non-compete agreements

     (25.0     (23.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     6.8        7.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trade names

     22.4        23.0   

Accumulated amortization - trade names

     (6.5     (5.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     15.9        17.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amortizable assets

   $ 918.0      $ 809.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

2013 (remaining three months)

   $ 32.6   

2014

     128.5   

2015

     123.4   

2016

     117.9   

2017

     109.8   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 512.2   
  

 

 

 

5. Credit and Other Debt Agreements

Note Purchase Agreement - We are a party to an amended and restated note purchase agreement dated December 19, 2007, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which we issued and sold $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.26% Senior Notes, Series A, due August 3, 2014 and $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.44% Senior Notes, Series B, due August 3, 2017, in a private placement. These notes require semi-annual payments of interest that are due in February and August of each year.

We are a party to a note purchase agreement dated November 30, 2009, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which we issued and sold $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.85% Senior Notes, Series C, due in three equal installments on November 30, 2016, November 30, 2018 and November 30, 2019, in a private placement. These notes require semi-annual payments of interest that are due in May and November of each year.

 

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We are a party to a note purchase agreement dated February 10, 2011, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which we issued and sold $75.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.18% Senior Notes, Series D, due February 10, 2021 and $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.49% Senior Notes, Series E, due February 10, 2023, in a private placement. These notes require semi-annual payments of interest that are due in February and August of each year.

We are a party to a note purchase agreement dated July 10, 2012, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which we issued and sold $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 3.99% Senior Notes, Series F, due July 10, 2020, in a private placement. These notes require semi-annual payments of interest that are due in January and July of each year.

We are a party to a note purchase agreement dated June 14, 2013, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which we issued and sold $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 3.69% Senior Notes, Series G, due June 14, 2022, in a private placement. These notes require semi-annual payments of interest that are due in June and December of each year.

Under the terms of the note purchase agreements, we may redeem the notes at any time, in whole or in part, at 100% of the principal amount of such notes being redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest and a “make-whole amount.” The “make-whole amount” is derived from a net present value computation of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest using a discount rate based on U.S. Treasury yields plus 0.5% and is designed to compensate the purchasers of the notes for their investment risk in the event prevailing interest rates at the time of prepayment are less favorable than the interest rates under the notes. We do not currently intend to prepay any of the notes.

The note purchase agreements contain customary provisions for transactions of this type, including representations and warranties regarding us and our subsidiaries and various financial covenants, including covenants that require us to maintain specified financial ratios. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2013. The note purchase agreements also provide customary events of default, generally with corresponding grace periods, including, without limitation, payment defaults with respect to the notes, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other agreements evidencing our or our subsidiaries’ indebtedness, certain judgments against us or our subsidiaries and events of bankruptcy involving us or our material subsidiaries.

The notes issued under the note purchase agreements are senior unsecured obligations of ours and rank equal in right of payment with our Credit Agreement discussed below.

Credit Agreement - On September 19, 2013, we entered into a $600.0 million unsecured multicurrency credit agreement (which we refer to as the Credit Agreement), which expires on September 19, 2018, with a group of fifteen financial institutions. The Credit Agreement replaced a $500.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (that was scheduled to expire on July 14, 2014), which was terminated upon the execution of the Credit Agreement. All indebtedness, liabilities and obligations outstanding under the previous facility were fully paid and satisfied, except for the letters of credit (which we refer to as LOCs) which became LOCs under the Credit Agreement. We incurred no early termination fees in connection with replacing the previous credit facility.

The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit commitment of up to $600.0 million, of which up to $75.0 million may be used for issuances of standby or commercial letters of credit and up to $50.0 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 up to a maximum aggregate revolving credit commitment of $850.0 million.

The Credit Agreement provides that we may elect that each borrowing in U.S. dollars be either base rate loans or Eurocurrency loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement. All loans denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars will be Eurocurrency loans. Interest rates on base rate loans and outstanding drawings on letters of credit in U.S. dollars under the Credit Agreement are based on the base rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement. Interest rates on Eurocurrency loans or outstanding drawings on letters of credit in currencies other than U.S. dollars are based on an adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (which we refer to as LIBOR), as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus a margin of 0.85%, 0.95%, 1.05%, 1.25% or 1.45%, depending on the financial leverage ratio we maintain. Interest rates on swing loans are based, at our election, on either the base rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, or such alternate rate as may be quoted by the lead lender. The annual facility fee related to the Credit Agreement is .15%, .175%, .20%, .25% or .30% of the used and unused portions of the revolving credit commitment, depending on the financial leverage ratio we maintain. In connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, we incurred approximately $2.1 million of debt acquisition costs that were capitalized and will be amortized on a pro rata basis over the term of the Credit Agreement.

 

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The terms of our Credit Agreement include various financial covenants, including covenants that require us to maintain specified levels of net worth and financial leverage ratios. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2013. The Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, with corresponding grace periods, including, without limitation, payment defaults, cross-defaults to other agreements evidencing indebtedness and bankruptcy-related defaults.

At September 30, 2013, $15.2 million of letters of credit (for which we had $8.7 million of liabilities recorded at September 30, 2013) were outstanding under the Credit Agreement. There were $135.5 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement at September 30, 2013. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2013, $449.3 million remained available for potential borrowings under the Credit Agreement, of which $59.8 million may be in the form of additional letters of credit.

See Note 12 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for additional discussion on our contractual obligations and commitments as of September 30, 2013.

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

 

     September 30,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  

Note Purchase Agreements:

     

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 6.26%, balloon due 2014

   $ 100.0       $ 100.0   

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

     300.0         300.0   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.85%, $50 million due in 2016, 2018 and 2019

     150.0         150.0   

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

     75.0         75.0   

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

     50.0         50.0   

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

     50.0         50.0   

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

     200.0         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Note Purchase Agreements

     925.0         725.0   

Credit Agreement:

     

Periodic payments of interest and principal, prime or LIBOR plus up to 1.45%, expires September 19, 2018

     135.5         129.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,060.5       $ 854.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair value of the $925.0 million in debt under the note purchase agreements at September 30, 2013 was $985.2 million due to the 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 discounted future cash flows, which is a Level 3 fair value measurement, using current interest rates available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. To estimate an all-in interest rate for discounting, we obtain market quotes for notes with the same terms as ours, which we have deemed to be the closest approximation of current market rates. We have not adjusted this rate for risk profile changes, covenant issues or credit ratings changes.

 

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6. Earnings Per Share

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

 

     Three-month period ended
September  30,
     Nine-month period ended
September  30,
 
     2013      2012      2013      2012  

Net earnings

   $ 74.6       $ 61.7       $ 208.6       $ 161.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     129.8         123.1         127.7         119.7   

Dilutive effect of stock options using the treasury stock method

     1.5         1.4         1.6         1.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding

     131.3         124.5         129.3         121.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic net earnings per share

   $ 0.57       $ 0.50       $ 1.63       $ 1.35   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

   $ 0.57       $ 0.50       $ 1.61       $ 1.33   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options to purchase 1.7 million and 1.4 million shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, but were not included in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock options for the three-month periods then ended. Options to purchase 1.2 million and 1.0 million shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, but were not included in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock options for the nine-month periods then ended. These stock options were excluded from the computation because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common shares during the respective period, and therefore would be anti-dilutive to earnings per share under the treasury stock method.

7. Stock Option Plans

Long-Term Incentive Plan

On May 10, 2011, our stockholders approved the Arthur J. Gallagher 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the LTIP), which replaced our previous stockholder-approved Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the 2009 LTIP). The LTIP term began May 10, 2011 and terminates on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders that occurs during 2018, 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 participants under the LTIP. The LTIP provides for non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units, any or all of which may be made contingent upon the achievement of performance criteria. A stock appreciation right entitles the holder to receive, upon exercise and subject to withholding taxes, cash or shares of our common stock (which may be restricted stock) with a value equal to the difference between the fair market value of our common stock on the exercise date and the base price of the stock appreciation right. Subject to the LTIP limits, the compensation committee has the discretionary authority to determine the size of an award.

Shares of our common stock available for issuance under the LTIP include authorized and unissued shares of common stock or authorized and issued shares of common stock reacquired and held as treasury shares or otherwise, or a combination thereof. The number of available shares will be reduced by the aggregate number of shares that become subject to outstanding awards granted under the LTIP. To the extent that shares subject to an outstanding award granted under either the LTIP or the 2009 LTIP 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. Shares that are subject to a stock appreciation right and were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such stock appreciation right, shares that are used to pay the exercise price of an option, delivered to or withheld by us to pay withholding taxes, and shares that are purchased on the open market with the proceeds of an option exercise, may not again be made available for issuance.

 

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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 0.5 million at September 30, 2013. To the extent necessary to be qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (which we refer to as the IRC): (i) the maximum number of shares with respect to which options or stock appreciation rights or a combination thereof that may be granted during any fiscal year to any person is 200,000; (ii) the maximum number of shares with respect to which performance-based restricted stock or restricted stock units that may be granted during any fiscal year to any person is 100,000; and (iii) the maximum amount that may be payable with respect to performance units granted during any fiscal year to any person is $3.0 million.

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.

On March 13, 2013, the compensation committee granted 1,665,000 options 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 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. On March 16, 2012, the compensation committee granted 1,355,000 options 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 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The 2013 and 2012 options expire seven years from the date of grant, or earlier in the event of certain terminations of employment. For certain of our executive officers age 55 or older, stock options awarded in 2013 are no longer subject to forfeiture upon such officers’ departure from the company after two years from the date of grant.

Other Information

All of our stock option plans provide for the immediate vesting of all outstanding stock option grants in the event of a change in control of our company, as defined in the applicable plan documents.

During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $2.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to our stock option grants. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $5.4 million and $5.2 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:

 

     2013     2012  

Expected dividend yield

     3.5     4.0

Expected risk-free interest rate

     1.2     1.2

Volatility

     29.6     26.7

Expected life (in years)

     6.0        5.0   

 

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Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Because our employee and director stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the selective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of our employee and non-employee director stock options. The weighted average fair value per option for all options granted during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, as determined on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, was $7.51 and $5.49, respectively.

The following is a summary of our stock option activity and related information for 2013 (in millions, except exercise price and year data):

 

     Nine-month period ended September 30, 2013  
                  Weighted         
                  Average         
           Weighted      Remaining         
     Shares     Average      Contractual      Aggregate  
     Under     Exercise      Term      Intrinsic  
     Option     Price      (in years)      Value  

Beginning balance

     9.0      $ 28.80         

Granted

     1.6        39.17         

Exercised

     (2.1     27.00         

Forfeited or canceled

     —          —           
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

Ending balance

     8.5      $ 31.29         3.83       $ 105.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable at end of period

     3.9      $ 27.67         2.38       $ 62.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending vested and expected to vest

     8.4      $ 31.20         3.80       $ 104.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options with respect to 8.0 million shares (less any shares of restricted stock issued under the LTIP—see Note 9 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements) were available for grant under the LTIP at September 30, 2013.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $28.8 million and $19.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, we had approximately $23.0 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested options. We expect to recognize that expense over a weighted average period of approximately four years.

Other information regarding stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2013 is summarized as follows (in millions, except exercise price and year data):

 

          Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Range of Exercise Prices

        Number
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

(in years)
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Number
Exercisable
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

$    10.58   -  $   27.25

        2.9         2.78       $ 25.87         2.1       $ 25.88   

      27.35   -        30.95

        2.4         2.56         29.73         1.7         29.44   

      31.24   -        35.71

        1.5         4.92         35.40         0.1         32.95   

      35.95   -        35.95

        —           5.84         35.95         —           —     

      39.17   -        39.17

        1.7         6.45         39.17         —           —     

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

$    10.58   -  $   39.17

        8.5         3.83       $ 31.29         3.9       $ 27.67   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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8. Deferred Compensation

We have a Deferred Equity Participation Plan, which is a non-qualified plan that generally provides for distributions to certain of our key executives when they reach age 62 (or the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant for participants over the age of 61 as of the grant date) or upon or after their actual retirement. Under the provisions of the plan, we typically contribute shares of our common stock or cash, in an amount approved by the compensation committee, to a rabbi trust on behalf of the executives participating in the plan. Alternatively, 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. Distributions under the plan 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. All contributions to the plan 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 Plan 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 or purchased, we record an unearned deferred compensation obligation as a reduction of capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, which is amortized to compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of the participants. Future changes in the fair market value of our common stock owed to the participants do not have any impact on the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of each of 2013 and 2012, the compensation committee approved $8.0 million and $7.3 million, respectively, of cash awards in the aggregate to certain key executives under the Deferred Equity Participation Plan that were contributed to the rabbi trust in second quarter 2013 and first quarter 2012, respectively. The fair value of the funded cash award assets at December 31, 2012 was $41.6 million and has been included in other noncurrent assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. In the second quarter of 2013, we instructed the trustee for the Plan to liquidate all investments held under the Plan, other than our common stock, and use the proceeds to purchase additional shares of our common stock on the open market. As a result, the Plan sold all of the funded cash award assets and purchased 1.2 million shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $52.4 million during the second quarter of 2013. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we charged $2.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we charged $5.3 million and $4.1 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards.

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we recorded $30.0 million (related to 2.0 million shares) and $5.6 million (related to 0.8 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, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $89.2 million and $21.1 million, respectively. During each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, cash and equity awards with an aggregate fair value of $0.7 million were vested and distributed to executives under this plan.

9. Restricted Stock and Cash Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

As discussed in Note 7 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements, on May 10, 2011, our stockholders approved the LTIP, which replaced our previous stockholder-approved 2009 LTIP. The LTIP provides for the grant of a stock award either as restricted stock or as restricted stock units. In either case, the compensation committee may determine that the award will be subject to the attainment of performance measures over an established performance period. Stock awards 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 compensation committee may grant unrestricted shares of common stock or units representing the right to receive shares of common stock to employees who have attained age 62.

 

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The agreements awarding restricted stock units will specify whether such award 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 1.2 million. At September 30, 2013, 0.5 million shares were available for grant under the LTIP for such awards.

In the first quarter of each of 2013 and 2012, we granted 345,000 and 332,000 restricted stock units, respectively, to employees under the LTIP, with an aggregate fair value of $13.5 million and $11.9 million, respectively, at the date of grant. These 2013 and 2012 awards of restricted stock units vest as follows: 345,000 units granted in first quarter 2013 and 332,000 units granted in first quarter 2012, vest in full based on continued employment through March 13, 2017 and March 16, 2016, respectively. In the second quarter of each of 2013 and 2012, we granted 17,500 and 20,000 restricted stock units, respectively, to non-employee Board of Directors under the LTIP, with an aggregate fair value of $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively, at the date of grant. These grants vest in full one year from the date of grant. For certain of our executive officers age 55 or older, restricted stock units awarded in 2013 are no longer 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 their fair market value at the date of grant. When restricted stock units are granted, no amounts are recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The grant date fair market value is amortized to compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of the participants with the offsetting amount recorded in capital in excess of par in the consolidated balance sheet. Future changes in the fair value of our common stock that is owed to the participants do not have any direct impact on the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we charged $2.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards granted in 2006 through 2013. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we charged $7.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards granted in 2006 through 2013. The total intrinsic value of unvested restricted stock units at September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $46.4 million and $33.8 million, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, equity awards (including accrued dividends) with an aggregate fair value of $8.4 million and $7.2 million were vested and distributed to employees under this plan.

Cash Awards

On March 13, 2013, pursuant to our Performance Unit Program (which we refer to as the Program), the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $10.5 million in the aggregate for future grant to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (269,000 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 two-year vesting period. At the discretion of the compensation committee and determined based on our performance, the eligible officer or key employee will be granted a percentage of the provisional cash award units that equates to the EBITAC growth achieved (as defined in the Program). At the end of the performance period, eligible participants will be granted a number of units based on achievement of the performance goal and subject to approval by the compensation committee. Granted units for the 2013 provisional award will fully vest based on continuous employment through January 1, 2016. For certain of our executive officers age 55 or older, awards granted under the Program in 2013 are no longer subject to forfeiture upon such officers’ departure from the company after two years from the date of grant. The ultimate award value will be equal to the trailing twelve-month stock price on December 31, 2015, 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 2016. 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, 2013 related to the 2013 provisional award under the Program.

On March 16, 2012, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $13.1 million in the aggregate for future grant to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (368,000 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 2012 provisional award were similar to the terms for the 2013 provisional award. Based on our performance for 2012, we granted 365,000 units under the Program in first quarter 2013 that will fully vest on January 1, 2015. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2013, we charged $2.0 million to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we charged $5.4 million to compensation expense related to the 2012 awards.

 

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On March 8, 2011, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $14.4 million in the aggregate for future grant to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (464,000 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 2011 provisional award were similar to the terms for the 2013 provisional award. Based on our performance for 2011, we granted 432,000 units under the Program in first quarter 2012 that will fully vest on January 1, 2014. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we charged $2.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we charged $6.9 million and $5.7 million, respectively, to compensation expense related to the 2011 awards.

On March 2, 2010, pursuant to the Program, the compensation committee approved provisional cash awards of $17.0 million in the aggregate for future grant to our officers and key employees that are denominated in units (706,000 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 2010 provisional award were similar to the terms for the 2013 provisional award. However, based on company performance for 2010, we did not grant any units in 2011 related to the 2010 provisional award under the Program. We did not recognize any compensation expense during 2013 or 2012 related to the 2010 provisional award.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, cash awards related to the 2009 provisional award with an aggregate fair value of $26.5 million (1.1 million units in the aggregate) were vested and distributed to employees under the Program.

10. Retirement Plans

We have a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that, prior to July 1, 2005, covered substantially all of our domestic employees who had attained a specified age and one year of employment. Benefits under the plan were based on years of service and salary history. In 2005, we amended our defined benefit pension plan to freeze the accrual of future benefits for all U.S. employees, effective on July 1, 2005. In the table below, the service cost component represents plan administration costs that are incurred directly by the plan.

The components of the net periodic pension benefit cost for the plan consists of the following (in millions):

 

     Three-month period ended
September  30,
    Nine-month period ended
September  30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Service cost

   $ 0.2      $ 0.1      $ 0.4      $ 0.3   

Interest cost on benefit obligation

     2.9        3.0        8.8        9.0   

Expected return on plan assets

     (4.2     (3.8     (12.8     (11.4

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     2.0        1.8        5.9        5.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 0.9      $ 1.1      $ 2.3      $ 3.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We are not required under the IRC to make any minimum contributions to the plan for the 2013 plan year. We were also not required under the IRC to make any minimum contributions for the 2012 plan year. This level of required funding is based on the plan being frozen and the aggregate amount of our historical funding. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we made discretionary contributions of $6.3 million and $5.4 million to the plan.

 

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11. Investments

The following is a summary of our investments and the related funding commitments (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2013      December 31,  
            Funding      2012  
     Assets      Commitments      Assets  

Chem-Mod LLC

   $ 4.0       $ —         $ 4.0   

Chem-Mod International LLC

     2.0         —           2.0   

C-Quest Technology LLC

     2.0         —           —     

Clean-coal investments

        

Non-controlling interest in four limited liability companies that own nine 2009 Era Clean Coal Plants

     8.2         1.8         2.8   

Controlling interest in two limited liability companies that own five 2009 Era Clean Coal Plants

     6.8         0.9         6.3   

Non-controlling interest in six limited liability companies that own five 2011 Era Clean Coal Plants

     12.1         —           13.2   

Controlling interest in five limited liability companies that own nine 2011 Era Clean Coal Plants

     41.4         2.2         9.2   

Controlling interest in a limited liability company that owns six 2011 Era Clean Coal Plants

     7.4         0.7         5.1   

Notes receivable and interest from co-investor related to the sales of three 2009 Era Plants

     —           —           8.5   

Other investments

     3.6         5.0         3.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 87.5       $ 10.6       $ 54.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Chem-Mod LLC - At September 30, 2013, we held a 46.54% controlling interest in Chem-Mod LLC. Chem-Mod LLC possesses the exclusive marketing rights, in the U.S. and Canada, for technologies used to reduce emissions created during the combustion of coal. The refined coal production plants discussed below, as well as those owned by other unrelated parties, license and use Chem-Mod’s proprietary technologies, The Chem-Mod™ Solution, in the production of refined coal. The Chem-Mod™ Solution uses a dual injection sorbent system to reduce mercury, sulfur dioxide and other emissions at coal-fired power plants.

We believe that the application of The Chem-Mod™ Solution qualifies for refined coal tax credits under IRC Section 45 when used with refined coal production plants placed in service by December 31, 2011 or 2009. Chem-Mod has been marketing its technologies principally to coal-fired power plants owned by utility companies, including those utilities that are operating with the IRC Section 45 refined coal production plants in which we hold an investment.

Chem-Mod is determined to be a variable interest entity (which we refer to as a VIE). We are the controlling manager of Chem-Mod and therefore consolidate its operations into our consolidated financial statements. At September 30, 2013, total assets and total liabilities of this VIE included in our consolidated balance sheet were $6.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, total revenues and expenses were $27.1 million and $15.2 million (including non-controlling interest of $13.7 million), respectively. We are under no obligation to fund Chem-Mod’s operations in the future.

Chem-Mod International LLC - At September 30, 2013, we held a 31.52% non- controlling interest in Chem-Mod International LLC. Chem-Mod International LLC has the rights to market The Chem-Mod™ Solution in countries other than the U.S. and Canada. Such marketing activity has been limited to date.

C-Quest Technology LLC - At September 30, 2013, we held a non-controlling 8% interest in C-Quest’s global operation. C-Quest possesses rights, information and technology for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions created by burning fossil fuels. Thus far, C-Quest’s operations have been limited to laboratory testing. C-Quest is determined to be a VIE, but due to our lack of control over the operation of C-Quest, we do not consolidate this investment into our consolidated financial statements. We also have options to acquire an additional 19% interest in C-Quest’s global operations for $9.5 million at any time on or prior to August 15, 2016. On August 1, 2013, we

 

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loaned the majority owner $2.0 million at a 2% interest rate, which matures on May 15, 2014. The loan can be paid in cash or by delivery of an additional 4% ownership interest in C-Quest’s global operations. If the loan is paid by delivery of the additional 4% ownership interest, our option would be reduced to 15% and the remaining purchase price would be reduced to $7.5 million.

Clean Coal Investments -

   

We have investments in limited liability companies that own 34 refined coal production plants which produce refined coal using propriety technologies owned by Chem-Mod. We believe the production and sale of refined coal at these plants is qualified to receive refined coal tax credits under IRC Section 45. The fourteen plants placed in service prior to December 31, 2009 (which we refer to as the 2009 Era Plants) can receive tax credits through 2019 and the twenty plants placed in service prior to December 31, 2011 (which we refer to as the 2011 Era Plants) can receive tax credits through 2021.

 

   

On March 1, 2013, we purchased an additional ownership interest in twelve of the 2009 Era Plants from one of the co-investors. For nine of the plants, our ownership increased from 24.5% to 49.5%. Our investment in these plants had been accounted for under the equity method of accounting and will continue to be accounted for under the equity method. For three of the plants, our ownership went from 25.0% to 60.0%. Our investment in these plants had been accounted for under the equity method of accounting. As of March 1, 2013, we consolidated the operations of the limited liability company that owns these three plants. Total revenues and expenses recorded in our unaudited consolidated statement of earnings for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 related to this acquisition were $68.4 million and $72.3 million, respectively.

 

   

Our purchase price for the additional ownership interests in these twelve plants was the assumption of the promissory note that we received as consideration for the co-investor’s purchase of ownership interests in three of the 2009 Era Plants on March 1, 2010, which had a carrying value, including accrued interest, of $8.0 million at March 1, 2013, plus the payment of cash and other consideration of $5.0 million. We recognized a gain of $9.6 million, which included the increase in fair value of our prior 25% equity interest in the limited liability company upon the acquisition of the additional 35% equity interest, and recorded $26.3 million of fixed and other amortizable intangible assets and $5.0 million of other assets in connection with this transaction. The carrying value of our prior non-controlling interest in the limited liability company was $4.8 million as of the acquisition date. The fair value of our prior non-controlling interest in the limited liability company was determined by allocating, on a pro rata basis, the fair value of the limited liability company as adjusted for our lack of control in our prior ownership position. We determined the fair value of the limited liability company based on provisional estimates of fair value using similar valuation techniques to those discussed in Note 3 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

   

On September 1, 2013, we purchased a 99% interest in a limited liability company that has ownership interests in four limited liability companies that own five 2011 Era Plants. The purchase price was $4.0 million in cash plus a $10.0 million note with 3% interest due in installments through December 19, 2021. Total revenues and expenses recorded in our unaudited consolidated statement of earnings, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 related to the acquisition, were $6.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

 

   

As of September 30, 2013:

 

   

Twenty-eight of the plants have long-term production contracts.

 

   

The remaining six plants are in various stages of seeking and negotiating long-term production contracts, permitting and construction of permanent deployment facilities.

 

   

We have a non-controlling, minority interest in fourteen plants. We also have agreements in principle with co-investors for the sale of majority ownership interests in six additional plants. We may sell ownership interests in some or all of the remaining plants to co-investors.

 

   

Nine of the 2009 Era Plants and five of the 2011 Era Plants are owned by limited liability companies, which we have determined to be VIEs, for which we are not the primary beneficiary. At September 30, 2013, total assets and total liabilities of these VIEs were $80.4 million and $37.8 million, respectively. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, total revenues and expenses of these VIEs were $255.7 million and $291.9 million, respectively.

 

   

In all limited liability companies where we are a non-controlling, minority investor, the membership agreements for the operations of each of these entities contain provisions that preclude an individual member from being able to make major decisions that would denote control. As of the date we became a non-controlling, minority investor, we deconsolidated these entities and subsequently accounted for the investments using equity method accounting.

 

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For all plants that are not under long-term production contracts, we estimate that we will invest, on average, an additional $5.0 million per plant to connect and house each of them. For those plants that will have majority ownership co-investors, the average additional investment will be $2.5 million. We plan to sell majority ownership interests in such plants to co-investors and relinquish control of the plants, thereby becoming a non-controlling, minority investor. We are currently committed to fund an additional $5.6 million under engineering and construction contracts related to moving, connecting and housing the refined coal plants that we plan to redeploy during the remainder of 2013. Subsequent to 2013, we estimate that we will invest an additional $30.0 million to $35.0 million to redeploy the remainder of the refined coal plants before co-investor contributions.

 

   

Each investor funds its portion of the on-going operations of the limited liability companies in proportion to its investment ownership percentage. Other than our portion of the on-going operational funding, there are no additional amounts that we are committed to related to funding these investments.

 

   

We are aware that some of the coal-fired power plants that purchase the refined coal are considering changing to burning natural gas or shutting down completely for economic reasons. We and our partners are prepared to move the refined coal productions plants to other, generally higher volume, coal-fired power plants. If these potential developments were to occur, we estimate those plants will not operate for 12 to 18 months during their movement and redeployment, which could have a material impact on the amount of tax credits that are generated by these plants.

 

   

Until March 1, 2013, we had a promissory note from a co-investor that was received as part of the consideration for the March 1, 2010 sale of ownership interests in three of the 2009 Era Plants. This note was assumed by us as part of our purchase of additional ownership interests in twelve of the 2009 Era Plants as described above.

Other Investments - At September 30, 2013, we owned a non-controlling, minority interest in five venture capital funds totaling $3.2 million, a 20% non-controlling interest in an investment management company totaling $0.5 million, twelve certified low-income housing developments with zero carrying value and two real estate entities with zero carrying value. The low-income housing developments and real estate entities have been determined to be VIEs, but are not required to be consolidated due to our lack of control over their respective operations. At September 30, 2013, total assets and total debt of these VIEs were approximately $60.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively.

12. Commitments, Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In connection with our investing and operating activities, we have entered into certain contractual obligations and commitments. See Notes 5 and 11 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of these obligations and commitments. Our future minimum cash payments, including interest, associated with our contractual obligations pursuant to the note purchase agreements and Credit Agreement, operating leases and purchase commitments at September 30, 2013 were as follows (in millions):

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations

   2013     2014     2015     2016     2017      Thereafter      Total  

Note purchase agreements

   $ —        $ 100.0      $ —        $ 50.0      $ 300.0       $ 475.0       $ 925.0   

Credit Agreement

     135.5        —          —          —          —           —           135.5   

Interest on debt

     8.1        50.4        44.1        44.1        41.2         76.6         264.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt obligations

     143.6        150.4        44.1        94.1        341.2         551.6         1,325.0   

Operating lease obligations

     18.8        69.4        61.8        50.6        40.2         109.3         350.1   

Less sublease arrangements

     (2.1     (1.8     (0.8     (0.1     —           —           (4.8

Outstanding purchase obligations

     4.1        9.4        7.0        1.3        0.3         —           22.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 164.4      $ 227.4      $ 112.1      $ 145.9      $ 381.7       $ 660.9       $ 1,692.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 and Credit Agreement - See Note 5 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the terms of the note purchase agreements and the Credit Agreement.

 

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Operating Lease Obligations - Our corporate segment’s executive offices and certain subsidiary and branch facilities of our brokerage and risk management segments are located at Two Pierce Place, Itasca, Illinois, where we lease approximately 306,000 square feet of space, or approximately 60% of the building. The lease commitment on this property expires February 28, 2018.

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 the 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 - As a service company, we typically do not have a material amount of outstanding purchase obligations at any point in time. The amount disclosed in the contractual obligations table above represents the aggregate amount of unrecorded purchase obligations that we had outstanding at September 30, 2013. These obligations represent agreements to purchase goods or services that were executed in the normal course of business.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments - Our total unrecorded commitments associated with outstanding letters of credit, financial guarantees and funding commitments as of September 30, 2013 were as follows (in millions):

 

                                               Total  
     Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period      Amounts  

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

   2013      2014      2015      2016      2017      Thereafter      Committed  

Letters of credit

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 15.2       $ 15.2   

Financial guarantees

     —           —           —           —           —           9.3         9.3   

Funding commitments

     7.0         0.7         —           —           —           2.9         10.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commitments

   $ 7.0       $ 0.7       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 27.4       $ 35.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Since commitments may expire unused, the amounts presented in the table above do not necessarily reflect our actual future cash funding requirements. See Note 11 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our funding commitments related to our corporate segment and the Off-Balance Sheet Debt section below for a discussion of our letters of credit. All of the letters of credit represent multiple year commitments that have annual, automatic renewing provisions and are classified by the latest commitment date.

Since January 1, 2002, we have acquired 265 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 2009 to 2013 that contain potential earnout obligations, such obligations are measured at fair value as of the acquisition date and are included on that basis in the recorded purchase price consideration for the respective acquisition. The amounts recorded as earnout payables are primarily based upon estimated future operating results of the acquired entities over a two- to three-year period subsequent to the acquisition date. The aggregate amount of the maximum earnout obligations related to these acquisitions was $400.4 million, of which $140.4 million was recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 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, 2013 or December 31, 2012 that was recourse to us.

At September 30, 2013, we had posted two letters of credit totaling $9.5 million, in the aggregate, related to our self-insurance deductibles, for which we had a recorded liability of $8.7 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, 2013, we had posted two letters of credit totaling $5.7 million to allow the rent-a-captive facility to meet minimum statutory surplus requirements and for additional collateral related to premium and claim funds held in a fiduciary capacity. These letters of credit have never been drawn upon.

 

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Litigation - We are the defendant in various legal actions related to employment matters and otherwise incidental to the nature of our business. We believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in all unresolved legal actions. In addition, we are the plaintiff in certain legal actions with and relating to former employees regarding alleged breaches of non-compete or other restrictive covenants, theft of trade secrets, breaches of fiduciary duties and related causes of action. Neither the outcomes of these legal actions nor their effect upon our business, financial condition or results of operations can be determined at this time.

Contingent Liabilities - We purchase insurance to provide protection from errors and omissions (which we refer to as E&O) claims that may arise during the ordinary course of business. We currently retain the first $5.0 million of each and every E&O claim. Our E&O insurance provides aggregate coverage for E&O losses up to $175.0 million in excess of our retained amounts. We have historically maintained self-insurance reserves for the portion of our E&O exposure that is not insured. We periodically determine a range of possible reserve levels using actuarial techniques that rely heavily on projecting historical claim data into the future. Our E&O reserve in the September 30, 2013 consolidated balance sheet is above the lower end of the most recently determined actuarial range by $1.7 million and below the upper end of the actuarial range by $4.9 million. We can make no assurances that the historical claim data used to project the current reserve levels will be indicative of future claim activity. Thus, the E&O reserve level and corresponding actuarial range could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could materially impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

Tax-advantaged Investments No Longer Held - Between 1996 and 2007, we developed and then sold portions of our ownership in various energy related investments, many of which qualified for tax credits under IRC Section 29. In connection with the sales to other investors, we provided various indemnities. At September 30, 2013, the maximum potential amount of future payments that we could be required to make under these indemnification totaled approximately $45.0 million, net of the applicable income tax benefit. In addition, we recorded tax benefits in connection with our ownership in these investments. At September 30, 2013, we had exposure on $130.0 million of previously earned tax credits. In 2004, 2007 and 2009, the IRS examined several of these investments and all examinations were closed without any changes being proposed by the IRS. However, any future adverse tax audits, administrative rulings or judicial decisions could disallow previously claimed tax credits or cause us to be subject to liability under our indemnification obligations. Because of the contingent nature of these exposures, no liabilities have been recorded in our September 30, 2013 consolidated balance sheet related to these indemnification obligations.

13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The after-tax components of our accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of the following:

 

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

Balance as of December 31, 2012

   $ (52.4   $ 20.5      $ (0.9   $ (32.8

Net change in period

     0.4        (9.9     0.5        (9.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2013

   $ (52.0   $ 10.6      $ (0.4   $ (41.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The foreign currency translation during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 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, Singapore, New Zealand and the U.K.

During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, $5.9 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 period ended September 30, 2013, $0.6 million of expense related to the fair value of derivative investments was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of earnings. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, $0.1 million of expense 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, 2013 and 2012, no amounts related to foreign currency translation were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the statement of earnings.

 

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14. Segment Information

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

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

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

The corporate segment manages our clean energy and other investments. This segment also holds all of our corporate debt.

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 as if those segments were preparing income tax provisions on a separate company basis. Reported operating results by segment would change if different methods were applied.

Financial information relating to our segments for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in millions):

 

     Three-month period     Nine-month period  
     ended September 30,     ended September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Brokerage

        

Total revenues

   $ 546.3      $ 479.7      $ 1,551.6      $ 1,338.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 97.3      $ 82.0      $ 250.5      $ 203.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2013 and 2012

       $ 4,661.9      $ 3,835.0   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Risk Management

        

Total revenues

   $ 149.7      $ 142.2      $ 459.5      $ 426.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 17.9      $ 18.2      $ 59.6      $ 54.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2013 and 2012

       $ 546.2      $ 547.9   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Corporate

        

Total revenues

   $ 139.8      $ 28.5      $ 278.3      $ 81.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

   $ (29.7   $ (23.9   $ (84.9   $ (58.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2013 and 2012

       $ 762.1      $ 626.4   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Review by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The interim consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2013 and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 have been reviewed by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and their report is included herein.

Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of September 30, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

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

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

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements in our report dated February 8, 2013. In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of December 31, 2012, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

October 30, 2013

 

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

The discussion and analysis that follows relates to our financial condition and results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. Readers should review this information in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this quarterly report 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, 2012.

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. They 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; 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 outcome of cost-saving or restructuring initiatives; the outcome of contingencies; dividend policy; pension obligations; cash flow and liquidity; capital structure and financial losses; future actions by regulators; the impact of changes in accounting rules; financial markets; interest rates; foreign exchange rates; matters relating to our operations; income taxes; and expectations regarding our investments, including our clean energy investments. 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:

 

   

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

 

   

An economic downturn, including one caused by the U.S. government shutdown and potential default, as well as uncertainty regarding the European debt crisis and market perceptions concerning the instability of the Euro;

 

   

Competitive pressures in each of our businesses;

 

   

Risks that could negatively affect the success of our acquisition strategy, including continuing consolidation in our industry, which could make it more difficult to identify targets and could make them more expensive, execution risks, integration risks, the risk of post-acquisition deterioration leading to intangible asset impairment charges, and the risk we could incur or assume unanticipated regulatory liabilities such as those relating to violations of anti-corruption and sanctions laws;

 

   

Failure to attract and retain experienced and qualified personnel;

 

   

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

 

   

Risks particular to our risk management segment;

 

   

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

 

   

Sustained increases in the cost of employee benefits;

 

   

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;

 

   

Inability to recover successfully should we experience a disaster, material cybersecurity attack or other significant disruption to business continuity;

 

   

Failure to comply with regulatory requirements, including those related to international sanctions, or a change in regulations that adversely affects our operations;

 

   

Violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act or other anti-corruption laws;

 

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Failure to adapt our services to changes resulting from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act;

 

   

Unfavorable determinations related to contingencies and legal proceedings;

 

   

Improper disclosure of personal data;

 

   

Significant changes in foreign exchange rates;

 

   

Changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions;

 

   

Risks related to our clean energy investments, including the risk of environmental and product liability claims and environmental compliance costs;

 

   

Disallowance of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (which we refer to as IRC) Section 29 or IRC Section 45 tax credits;

 

   

Risks related to losses on other investments held by our corporate segment;

 

   

Restrictions and limitations in the agreements and instruments governing our debt;

 

   

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

 

   

Volatility of the price of our common stock.

Any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate, and there are no guarantees about our performance. The factors identified above are not exhaustive. Gallagher and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks may emerge frequently. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statement that we may make from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Further information about factors that could materially affect Gallagher, including our results of operations and financial condition, is contained in the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

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) for the brokerage and risk management segments, adjusted revenues, adjusted compensation and operating expenses, adjusted compensation expense ratio, adjusted operating expense ratio and organic revenue measures for each operating segment. 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. Our industry peers may provide similar supplemental non-GAAP information related to organic revenues and EBITDAC, 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. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior-year amounts reported in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q in order to conform them to the current-year presentation.

Adjusted presentation - We believe that the adjusted presentations of the current and prior year information presented on the following pages, provides stockholders and other interested persons with useful information regarding certain of our financial metrics that will 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 revenues and expenses - We define these measures as revenues, compensation expense and operating expense, respectively, each adjusted to exclude net gains realized from sales of books of business, acquisition integration costs, New Zealand earthquake claims administration, South Australia ramp up fees/costs, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, acquisition related adjustments and the impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable. Integration costs include costs related to transactions 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.

 

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Adjusted ratios - Adjusted compensation expense ratio and operating expense ratio are defined as adjusted compensation expense and adjusted operating expense, respectively, each divided by adjusted revenues.

Earnings Measures - We believe that the presentation of EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC margin and diluted net earnings per share (as adjusted) for the brokerage and risk management segments, each as defined below, provides a meaningful representation of our operating performance. We consider EBITDAC and EBITDAC margin as a way to measure financial performance on an ongoing basis. Adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC margin and diluted net earnings per share (as adjusted) 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 - We define this measure as net earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables.

 

   

EBITDAC margin - We define this measure as EBITDAC divided by total revenues.

 

   

Adjusted EBITDAC - We define this measure as EBITDAC adjusted to exclude net gains realized from sales of books of business, acquisition integration costs, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, New Zealand earthquake claims administration, South Australia ramp up fees/costs, acquisition related adjustments, and the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable.

 

   

Adjusted EBITDAC margin - We define this measure as adjusted EBITDAC divided by total adjusted revenues (defined above).

 

   

Diluted net earnings per share (as adjusted) - We define this measure as net earnings adjusted to exclude the after-tax impact of net gains realized from sales of books of business, acquisition integration costs, New Zealand earthquake claims administration, South Australia ramp up fees/costs, the impact of foreign currency translation, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges and acquisition related adjustments, divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

Organic Revenues - For the brokerage segment, organic change in base commission and fee revenues excludes the first twelve months of net commission and fee revenues generated from acquisitions accounted for as purchases and the net commission and fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each year presented. These commissions and fees are excluded from organic revenues in order to help interested persons analyze the revenue growth associated with the operations that were a part of our business in both the current and prior year. In addition, change in organic revenues excludes the impact of supplemental and contingent commission revenues and the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation. The amounts excluded with respect to foreign currency translation are calculated by applying current year foreign exchange rates to the same prior year periods. For the risk management segment, organic change in fee revenues excludes the first twelve months of fee revenues generated from acquisitions accounted for as purchases and the fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each year presented. In addition, organic change in fees excludes the impact of South Australia ramp up fees, New Zealand earthquake claims administration and 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 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 measure allows readers of our financial statements to measure, analyze and compare the growth from our brokerage and risk management segments in a meaningful and consistent manner.

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

 

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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 as if those segments were computing income tax provisions on a separate company basis. 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 substantially expires in December 2019 for our fourteen 2009 Era Plants and in December 2021 for our twenty 2011 Era Plants. We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 37.0% to 39.0% in both our brokerage and risk management segments for the foreseeable future. Reported operating results by segment would change if different allocation methods were applied.

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 from continuing operations 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 2013 Highlights

We are engaged in providing insurance brokerage and third-party property/casualty claims settlement and administration services to entities in the U.S. and abroad. Throughout 2012 and into 2013, we have expanded and expect to continue to expand our international operations through both acquisitions and organic growth. We generate approximately 80% of our revenues domestically, with the remaining 20% derived internationally, primarily in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Singapore, New Zealand and the U.K. (based on third quarter 2013 reported revenues). We expect that our international revenue will continue to grow as a percentage of our total revenues in 2013 compared to 2012. We have three reportable segments: brokerage, risk management and corporate, which contributed approximately 68%, 20% and 12%, respectively, to revenues during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. Our major sources of operating revenues are commissions, fees and supplemental and contingent commissions from brokerage operations and fees from risk management operations. Investment income is generated from our investment portfolio, which includes invested cash and fiduciary funds, as well as clean energy and other investments.

We have generated positive organic growth in the last eleven quarterly periods in both the brokerage and risk management segments. Based on our experience with customers, we believe we are seeing further evidence of market firming and our customers are being cautiously optimistic about their business prospects. The first quarter 2013 Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (which we refer to as CIAB) survey indicated that rates were up, on average 5.2% across all sized accounts. The second quarter 2013 CIAB survey indicated that rates were up, on average 4.3% across all sized accounts. The third quarter 2013 CIAB survey indicated that rates were up, on average 3.4% across all sized accounts. Rates are continuing to rise as insurance carriers tighten their underwriting standards and press for higher pricing and deductibles on renewals in critical areas such as property and workers compensation. In addition, insurance carriers are still trying to reduce their exposure to property risks with catastrophic-loss exposure on the eastern coast of the U.S due to the on-going “Superstorm Sandy” impact. The survey also indicated that carriers have pulled back terms and conditions and lowered limits for exposures, such as storm surge, flood and off-site power, among others. However, the overall market hardening appears to have moderated in the second and third quarters. The CIAB represents the leading domestic and international insurance brokers, who write approximately 80% of the commercial property/casualty premiums in the U.S.

 

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Our operating results improved in third quarter 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 in both our brokerage and risk management segments:

 

   

In our brokerage segment, total revenues and adjusted total revenues were both up 14% and 15%, respectively, base organic commission and fee revenues were up 5.5%, net earnings were up 23%, adjusted EBITDAC was up 20% and adjusted EBITDAC margins were up 120 basis points. In addition, we completed eight acquisitions with annualized revenues totaling $135.5 million in third quarter 2013.

 

   

In our risk management segment, total revenues and adjusted total revenues were up 5% and 7%, respectively, organic fees were up 8.5%, net earnings were flat, adjusted EBITDAC was up 5% and adjusted EBITDAC margins decreased by 20 basis points.

 

   

In our combined brokerage and risk management segments, total revenues and adjusted total revenues were both up 12% and 13%, respectively, organic commissions and fee revenues were up 6.2%, net earnings were up 19%, adjusted EBITDAC was up 17% and improved adjusted EBITDAC margins by 96 basis points.

On August 12, 2013, we completed our acquisition of Bollinger, Inc., (which we refer to as Bollinger) headquartered in New Jersey. Bollinger was the 21st largest insurance broker in the U.S. with over 500 employees operating out of eight offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. In September, we announced the signing of an agreement to acquire the Giles Group of Companies (which we refer to as Giles) headquartered in London, England, which is the fifth largest independent retail insurance broker in the U.K. with over 1,100 employees operating out of 43 offices in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Together, these market-leading organizations could annually generate over $240.0 million in revenues.

In our corporate segment, third quarter 2013 earnings from our clean energy investments contributed $10.6 million to net earnings in the third quarter of 2013. We anticipate our clean energy investments to generate between $61.0 million and $63.0 million to net earnings for all of 2013. We expect to use these additional earnings to continue our mergers and acquisition strategy in our core brokerage and risk management operations.

The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing revenues, EBITDAC and diluted net earnings per share for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 with the same periods in 2012:

 

For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,                     Diluted Net Earnings  
    Revenues     EBITDAC     Per Share  

Segment

  2013     2012     Chg     2013     2012     Chg     2013     2012     Chg  
    (in millions)     (in millions)                    

Brokerage, as adjusted

  $ 546.3      $ 476.8        15   $ 145.6      $ 121.7        20   $ 0.50      $ 0.43        16

Net gains on book sales

    —          0.7          —          0.7          —          —       

Acquisition integration

    —          —            (9.3     (4.2       (0.04     (0.02  

Workforce & lease termination

    —          —            (0.9     (1.1       (0.01     (0.01  

Acquisition related adjustments

    —          —            —          —            0.02        —       

Levelized foreign currency translation

    —          2.2          —          0.3          —          —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Brokerage, as reported

    546.3        479.7          135.4        117.4          0.47        0.40     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Risk Management, as adjusted

    149.7        140.3        7     23.8        22.6        5     0.09        0.09        0

New Zealand earthquake claims administration

    —          1.9          —          0.3          —          —       

Workforce & lease termination

    —          —            (0.2     (0.1       —          —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Risk Management, as reported

    149.7        142.2          23.6        22.8          0.09        0.09     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Brokerage & Risk Management, as reported

    696.0        621.9          159.0        140.2          0.56        0.49     

Corporate, as reported

    139.8        28.5          (15.7     (13.0       0.01        0.01     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Company, as reported

  $ 835.8      $ 650.4        $ 143.3      $ 127.2        $ 0.57      $ 0.50     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Brokerage & Risk Management, as adjusted

  $ 696.0      $ 617.1        13   $ 169.4      $ 144.3        17   $ 0.59      $ 0.52        13
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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Table of Contents
For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30,                                       Diluted Net Earnings  
    Revenues     EBITDAC     Per Share  

Segment

  2013     2012     Chg     2013     2012     Chg     2013     2012     Chg  
    (in millions)     (in millions)                    

Brokerage, as adjusted

  $ 1,548.3      $ 1,330.7        16   $ 377.6      $ 310.5        22   $ 1.24      $ 1.07        16

Net gains on book sales

    3.3        1.4          3.3        1.4          0.01        0.01     

Acquisition integration costs

    —          —            (17.3     (12.3       (0.08     (0.06  

Workforce & lease termination

    —          —            (1.2     (4.7       —          (0.02  

Acquisition related adjustments

    —          —            —          —            0.02        0.03     

Levelized foreign currency translation

    —          6.4          —          (0.7       —          —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Brokerage, as reported

    1,551.6        1,338.5          362.4        294.2          1.19        1.03     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Risk Management, as adjusted

    458.0        419.3        9     74.5        67.3        11     0.28        0.27        4

New Zealand earthquake claims administration

    0.1        7.6          —          1.5          —          0.01     

South Australia ramp up

    1.4        —            1.3        —            0.01        —       

Workforce & lease termination

    —          —            (0.2     (0.1       —          —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Risk Management, as reported

    459.5        426.9          75.6        68.7          0.29        0.28     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Brokerage & Risk Management, as reported

    2,011.1        1,765.4          438.0        362.9          1.48        1.31     

Corporate, as reported

    278.3        81.7          (46.8     (26.2       0.13        0.02     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Company, as reported

  $ 2,289.4      $ 1,847.1        $ 391.2      $ 336.7        $ 1.61      $ 1.33     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Brokerage & Risk Management, as adjusted

  $ 2,006.3      $ 1,750.0        15   $ 452.1      $ 377.8        20   $ 1.52      $ 1.34        13
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Results of Operations

Brokerage

The brokerage segment accounted for 68% of our revenues during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. Our brokerage segment is primarily comprised of retail and wholesale brokerage operations. Our retail brokerage operations negotiate and place property/casualty, employer-provided health and welfare insurance and retirement solutions, principally for middle-market commercial, industrial, public entity, religious and not-for-profit entities. Many of our retail brokerage customers choose to place their insurance with insurance underwriters, while others choose to use alternative vehicles such as self-insurance pools, risk retention groups or captive insurance companies. Our wholesale brokerage operations assist our brokers and other unaffiliated brokers and agents in the placement of specialized, unique and hard-to-place insurance programs.

Our primary sources of compensation for our retail brokerage services are commissions paid by insurance companies, which are usually based upon a percentage of the premium paid by insureds, and brokerage and advisory fees paid directly by our clients. For wholesale brokerage services, we generally receive a share of the commission paid to the retail broker from the insurer. Commission rates are dependent on a number of factors, including the type of insurance, the particular insurance company underwriting the policy and whether we act as a retail or wholesale broker. Advisory fees are dependent on the extent and value of services we provide. In addition, under certain circumstances, both retail brokerage and wholesale brokerage services receive supplemental and contingent commissions. A supplemental commission is a commission paid by an insurance carrier that is above the base commissions paid, is determined by the insurance carrier and is established annually in advance of the contractual period based on historical performance criteria. A contingent commission is a commission paid by an insurance carrier based on the overall profit and/or volume of the business placed with that insurance carrier during a particular calendar year and is determined after the contractual period.

 

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Table of Contents

Financial information relating to our brokerage segment results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same periods in 2012, is as follows: (in millions, except per share, percentages and workforce data):

 

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

Statement of Earnings

   2013     2012     Change     2013     2012     Change  

Commissions

   $ 399.1      $ 346.0      $ 53.1      $ 1,126.8      $ 962.7      $ 164.1   

Fees

     120.5        106.8        13.7        320.5        281.4        39.1   

Supplemental commissions

     17.8        16.6        1.2        53.4        50.3        3.1   

Contingent commissions

     6.5        7.7        (1.2     43.5        37.0        6.5   

Investment income

     2.4        1.9        0.5        4.1        5.7        (1.6

Gains realized on books of business sales

     —          0.7        (0.7     3.3        1.4        1.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     546.3        479.7        66.6        1,551.6        1,338.5        213.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Compensation

     318.6        282.7        35.9        920.3        814.7        105.6   

Operating

     92.3        79.6        12.7        268.9        229.6        39.3   

Depreciation

     8.3        6.5        1.8        22.1        18.3        3.8   

Amortization

     30.1        25.2        4.9        88.2        71.1        17.1   

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (0.3     3.7        (4.0     1.6        1.0        0.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     449.0        397.7        51.3        1,301.1        1,134.7        166.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

     97.3        82.0        15.3        250.5        203.8        46.7   

Provision for income taxes

     36.1        32.4        3.7        96.2        79.5        16.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 61.2      $ 49.6      $ 11.6      $ 154.3      $ 124.3      $ 30.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

   $ 0.47      $ 0.40      $ 0.07      $ 1.19      $ 1.03      $ 0.16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Information

            

Change in diluted net earnings per share

     18     (2 %)        16     6  

Growth in revenues

     14     14       16     17  

Organic change in commissions and fees

     6     4       6     4  

Compensation expense ratio

     58     59       59     61  

Operating expense ratio

     17     17       17     17  

Effective income tax rate

     37     40       38     39  

Workforce at end of period (includes acquisitions)

           9,890        8,683     

Identifiable assets at September 30

         $ 4,661.9      $ 3,835.0     

EBITDAC

            

Net earnings

   $ 61.2      $ 49.6      $ 11.6      $ 154.3      $ 124.3      $ 30.0   

Provision for income taxes

     36.1        32.4        3.7        96.2        79.5        16.7   

Depreciation

     8.3        6.5        1.8        22.1        18.3        3.8   

Amortization

     30.1        25.2        4.9        88.2        71.1        17.1   

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (0.3     3.7        (4.0     1.6        1.0        0.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDAC

   $ 135.4      $ 117.4      $ 18.0      $ 362.4      $ 294.2      $ 68.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDAC margin

     25     24       23     22  

EBITDAC growth

     15     23       23     22  

 

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Table of Contents

The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing EBITDAC and adjusted EBITDAC for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 to the same periods in 2012 (in millions):

 

     Three-month period     Nine-month period  
     ended September 30,     ended September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Total EBITDAC - see computation above

   $ 135.4      $ 117.4      $ 362.4      $ 294.2   

Net gains from books of business sales

     —          (0.7     (3.3     (1.4

Acquisition integration

     9.3        4.2        17.3        12.3   

Workforce and lease termination related charges

     0.9        1.1        1.2        4.7   

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          (0.3     —          0.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC

   $ 145.6      $ 121.7      $ 377.6      $ 310.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC change

     19.6     20.4     21.6     22.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

     26.7     25.5     24.4     23.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition integration costs include costs related to our May 12, 2011 acquisition of HLG Holdings, Ltd. (which we refer to as Heath Lambert) and to our August 12, 2013 acquisition of Bollinger that are not expected to occur on an ongoing basis in the future once we fully assimilate these acquisitions. These costs relate to redundant workforce, extra lease space, duplicate services and external costs incurred to assimilate the acquired businesses with our IT related systems. The Heath Lambert integration costs in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 totaled $7.7 million and were primarily related to the consolidation of offices in London. The Bollinger integration costs in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 totaled $1.6 million and were primarily related to technology costs, the onboarding of over 500 employees and incentive compensation. The prior period integration costs relate to the Heath Lambert acquisition only. The full integration of the Heath Lambert operations into our existing operations was completed in the third quarter of 2013. Integration costs related to the Bollinger acquisition are expected to range between $2.0 million to $3.0 million per quarter through 2014.

Commissions and fees - The aggregate increase in commissions and fees for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, was principally due to revenues associated with acquisitions that were made in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013 ($46.8 million). Commissions and fees in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 included new business production and renewal rate increases of $59.1 million, which was partially offset by lost business of $39.1 million. Commissions increased 15% and fees increased 13% in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Organic growth in commissions and fee revenues for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 was 5.5% compared to 4.0% for the same period in 2012, principally due to net new business production and premium rate increases.

The aggregate increase in commissions and fees for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, was principally due to revenues associated with acquisitions that were made in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013 ($144.7 million). Commissions and fees in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 included new business production and renewal rate increases of $177.4 million, which was partially offset by lost business of $118.9 million. Commissions increased 17% and fees increased 14% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Organic growth in commissions and fee revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 was 5.5% compared to 4.1% for the same period in 2012, principally due to net new business production and premium rate increases.

 

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Table of Contents

Items excluded from organic revenue computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 include the following (in millions):

 

     2013 Organic Revenue     2012 Organic Revenue  

For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,

   2013     2012     2012     2011  

Base Commissions and Fees

        

Commission revenues as reported

   $ 399.1      $ 346.0      $ 346.0      $ 308.0   

Fee revenues as reported

     120.5        106.8        106.8        86.8   

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

     (46.8     —          (45.0     —     

Less disposed of operations

     —          (2.5     —          (1.5

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          (2.1     —          (1.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic base commission and fee revenues

   $ 472.8      $ 448.2      $ 407.8      $ 392.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic change in base commission and fee revenues

     5.5       4.0  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Supplemental Commissions

        

Supplemental commissions as reported

   $ 17.8      $ 16.6      $ 16.6      $ 14.5   

Less supplemental commissions from acquisitions

     (1.3     —          (2.8     —     

Less disposed of operations

     —          —          —          (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic supplemental commissions

   $ 16.5      $ 16.6      $ 13.8      $ 14.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic change in supplemental commissions

     (0.6 %)        (4.2 %)   
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Contingent Commissions

        

Contingent commissions as reported

   $ 6.5      $ 7.7      $ 7.7      $ 9.9   

Less contingent commissions from acquisitions

     (1.0     —          (1.3     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic contingent commissions

   $ 5.5      $ 7.7      $ 6.4      $ 9.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic change in contingent commissions

     (28.6 %)        (35.4 %)   
  

 

 

     

 

 

   
     2013 Organic Revenue     2012 Organic Revenue  

For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30,

   2013     2012     2012     2011  

Base Commissions and Fees

        

Commission revenues as reported

   $ 1,126.8      $ 962.7      $ 962.7      $ 829.7   

Fee revenues as reported

     320.5        281.4        281.4        227.7   

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

     (144.7     —          (153.7     —     

Less disposed of operations

     —          (3.0     —          (7.2

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          (5.8     —          (3.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic base commission and fee revenues

   $ 1,302.6      $ 1,235.3      $ 1,090.4      $ 1,047.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic change in base commission and fee revenues

     5.5       4.1  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Supplemental Commissions

        

Supplemental commissions as reported

   $ 53.4      $ 50.3      $ 50.3      $ 42.0   

Less supplemental commissions from acquisitions

     (3.3     —          (8.3     —     

Less disposed of operations

     —          —          —          (0.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic supplemental commissions

   $ 50.1      $ 50.3      $ 42.0      $ 41.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic change in supplemental commissions

     (0.4 %)        1.2  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Contingent Commissions

        

Contingent commissions as reported

   $ 43.5      $ 37.0      $ 37.0      $ 34.6   

Less contingent commissions from acquisitions

     (7.8     —          (4.7     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic contingent commissions

   $ 35.7      $ 37.0      $ 32.3      $ 34.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic change in contingent commissions

     (3.5 %)        (6.7 %)   
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

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Table of Contents

Supplemental and contingent commissions - Reported supplemental and contingent commission revenues recognized in 2013, 2012 and 2011 by quarter are as follows (in millions):

 

     First      Second      Third      Fourth         
     Quarter      Quarter      Quarter      Quarter      YTD  

2013

              

Reported supplemental commissions

   $ 17.3       $ 18.3       $ 17.8          $ 53.4   

Reported contingent commissions

     22.5         14.5         6.5            43.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reported supplemental and contingent commissions

   $ 39.8       $ 32.8       $ 24.3          $ 96.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2012

              

Reported supplemental commissions

   $ 17.1       $ 16.6       $ 16.6       $ 17.6       $ 67.9   

Reported contingent commissions

     19.0         10.3         7.7         5.9         42.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reported supplemental and contingent commissions

   $ 36.1       $ 26.9       $ 24.3       $ 23.5       $ 110.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2011

              

Reported supplemental commissions

   $ 13.5       $ 14.0       $ 14.5       $ 14.0       $ 56.0   

Reported contingent commissions

     16.8         7.9         9.9         3.5         38.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reported supplemental and contingent commissions

   $ 30.3       $ 21.9       $ 24.4       $ 17.5       $ 94.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment income and net gains realized on books of business sales - This primarily represents interest income earned on cash, cash equivalents and restricted funds and one-time gains related to sales of books of business, which were zero and $0.7 million, respectively, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and $3.3 million and $4.9 million, respectively, for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Offsetting the one-time gains related to sales of books of business for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, was a non-cash loss of $3.5 million we recognized related to our acquisition of an additional 41.5% equity interest in CGM Gallagher Group Limited (which we refer to as CGM), which increased our ownership in CGM to 80%. The loss represents the decrease in fair value of our initial 38.5% equity interest in CGM based on the purchase price paid to acquire the additional 41.5% equity interest in CGM. Investment income in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 decreased slightly compared to the same period in 2012.

Compensation expense - The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing compensation expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 with the same periods in 2012 (in millions):

 

     Three-month period     Nine-month period  
     ended September 30,     ended September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Reported amounts

   $ 318.6      $ 282.7      $ 920.3      $ 814.7   

Acquisition integration

     (2.9     (2.3     (6.4     (7.1

Workforce related charges

     (0.8     (1.1     (1.1     (4.7

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          (1.5     —          (5.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted amounts

   $ 314.9      $ 277.8      $ 912.8      $ 797.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 33 and 34

   $ 546.3      $ 476.8      $ 1,548.3      $ 1,330.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted ratios

     57.6     58.3     59.0     60.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The increase in compensation expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to increased headcount, salary increases, one-time compensation payments and increases in incentive compensation linked to our overall operating results ($29.1 million in the aggregate), increases in employee benefits ($3.8 million), deferred compensation ($2.2 million), temporary staffing ($0.5 million) and stock compensation expense ($0.5 million), offset by a decrease in severance related costs ($0.2 million). The increase in employee headcount primarily relates to employees associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.

The increase in compensation expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to increased headcount, salary increases, one-time compensation payments and increases in incentive compensation linked to our overall operating results ($89.4 million in the aggregate), increases in employee benefits ($12.1 million), deferred compensation ($5.6 million), stock compensation expense ($1.0 million) and temporary staffing ($1.0 million), offset by a decrease in severance related costs ($3.5 million). The increase in employee headcount primarily relates to employees associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.

Operating expenses - The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing operating expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 with the same periods in 2012 (in millions):

 

     Three-month period     Nine-month period  
     ended September 30,     ended September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Reported amounts

   $ 92.3      $ 79.6      $ 268.9      $ 229.6   

Acquisition integration

     (6.4     (1.9     (10.9     (5.2

Workforce and lease termination related charges

     (0.1     —          (0.1     —     

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          (0.4     —          (2.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted amounts

   $ 85.8      $ 77.3      $ 257.9      $ 222.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 33 and 34

   $ 546.3      $ 476.8      $ 1,548.3      $ 1,330.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted ratios

     15.7     16.2     16.7     16.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The increase in operating expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to increases in professional and banking fees ($4.6 million), technology expenses ($2.0 million), outside consulting fees ($1.8 million), licenses and fees ($1.8 million), real estate expenses ($1.5 million), meeting and client entertainment expense ($1.0 million), office supplies ($0.9 million), employee expense ($0.9 million), outside services expense ($0.6 million), bad debt expense ($0.5 million) and business insurance ($0.3 million), slightly offset by a decrease in other expense ($2.5 million). Also contributing to the increase in operating expenses in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 were increased expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.

The increase in operating expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to increases in professional and banking fees ($7.4 million), technology expenses ($9.3 million), meeting and client entertainment expense ($5.0 million), real estate expenses ($4.9 million), outside consulting fees ($4.7 million), licenses and fees ($3.6 million), office supplies ($2.5 million), employee expense ($2.4 million), business insurance ($2.3 million), outside services expense ($1.6 million) and bad debt expense ($1.4 million), slightly offset by a favorable foreign currency translation ($0.9 million) and a decrease in other expense ($4.0 million). Also contributing to the increase in operating expenses in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 were increased expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.

Depreciation - Depreciation expense in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 increased slightly compared to the same period in 2012 due to expenses associated with acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013.

Amortization - The increase in amortization expense in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 was due primarily to amortization expense of intangible assets associated with acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2013. Expiration

 

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lists, non-compete agreements and trade names are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (three to fifteen years for expiration lists, three to five years for non-compete agreements and five to ten years for trade names). Based on the results of impairment reviews during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we wrote off $2.2 million of amortizable intangible assets related to the brokerage segment. Based on the results of impairment reviews during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, we wrote off $0.3 million and $3.4 million of amortizable intangible assets related to the brokerage segment.

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables - The increase in expense from the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, was due primarily 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, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $2.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of expense related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations related to our acquisitions made in the period from 2009 to 2013. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $8.6 million and $7.0 million, respectively, of expense related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations related to our 2009 to 2013 acquisitions. In addition, during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $3.2 million of income and $1.3 million of expense, respectively, related to net adjustments in the estimated fair value of earnout obligations related to revised projections of future performance for nineteen and twelve acquisitions, respectively. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized $7.1 million and $6.0 million of income, respectively, related to net adjustments in the estimated fair value of earnout obligations related to revised projections of future performance for fifty-two and thirty-one acquisitions, respectively.

The amounts initially recorded as earnout payables for our 2009 to 2013 acquisitions are 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 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. We estimated 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, 2013 and 2012 were 37.1% and 39.5%, respectively. The brokerage segment’s effective income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were 38.4% and 39.0%, respectively. We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 37.0% to 39.0% in our brokerage segment for the foreseeable future.

 

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Risk Management

The risk management segment accounted for 20% of our revenue during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. The risk management segment provides contract claim settlement and administration services for enterprises that choose to self-insure some or all of their property/casualty coverages and for insurance companies that choose to outsource some or all of their property/casualty claims departments. In addition, this segment generates revenues from integrated disability management programs, information services, risk control consulting (loss control) services and appraisal services, either individually or in combination with arising claims. Revenues for risk management services are substantially in the form of fees that are generally negotiated in advance on a per-claim or per-service basis, depending upon the type and estimated volume of the services to be performed.

Financial information relating to our risk management segment results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same periods in 2012, is as follows: (in millions, except per share, percentages and workforce data):

 

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

Statement of Earnings

   2013     2012     Change     2013     2012     Change  

Fees

   $ 149.5      $ 141.4      $ 8.1      $ 458.1      $ 424.6      $ 33.5   

Investment income

     0.2        0.8        (0.6     1.4        2.3        (0.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     149.7        142.2        7.5        459.5        426.9        32.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Compensation

     90.6        86.0        4.6        273.5        256.3        17.2   

Operating

     35.5        33.4        2.1        110.4        101.9        8.5   

Depreciation

     5.1        4.0        1.1        14.2        11.8        2.4   

Amortization

     0.7        0.6        0.1        1.9        2.0        (0.1

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (0.1     —          (0.1     (0.1     —          (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     131.8        124.0        7.8        399.9        372.0        27.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

     17.9        18.2        (0.3     59.6        54.9        4.7   

Provision for income taxes

     6.8        7.1        (0.3     22.1        21.3        0.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 11.1      $ 11.1      $ (0.0   $ 37.5      $ 33.6      $ 3.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

   $ 0.09      $ 0.09      $ —        $ 0.29      $ 0.28      $ 0.01   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other information

            

Change in diluted net earnings per share

     0     29       4     48  

Growth in revenues

     5     2       8     6  

Organic change in fees

     9     5       10     8  

Compensation expense ratio

     61     60       60     60  

Operating expense ratio

     24     23       24     24  

Effective income tax rate

     38     39       37     39  

Workforce at end of period (includes acquisitions)

           4,672        4,316     

Identifiable assets at September 30

         $ 546.2      $ 547.9     

EBITDAC

            

Net earnings

   $ 11.1      $ 11.1      $ —        $ 37.5      $ 33.6      $ 3.9   

Provision for income taxes

     6.8        7.1        (0.3     22.1        21.3        0.8   

Depreciation

     5.1        4.0        1.1        14.2        11.8        2.4   

Amortization

     0.7        0.6        0.1        1.9        2.0        (0.1

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (0.1     —          (0.1     (0.1     —          (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDAC

   $ 23.6      $ 22.8      $ 0.8      $ 75.6      $ 68.7      $ 6.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDAC margin

     16     16       16     16  

EBITDAC growth

     4     29       10     46  

 

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The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing EBITDAC and adjusted EBITDAC for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 to the same periods in 2012 (in millions):

 

     Three-month period     Nine-month period  
     ended September 30,     ended September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Total EBITDAC - see computation above

   $ 23.6      $ 22.8      $ 75.6      $ 68.7   

New Zealand earthquake claims administration

     —          (0.3     —          (1.5

South Australia ramp up

     —          —          (1.3     —     

Workforce and lease termination related charges

     0.2        0.1        0.2        0.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC

   $ 23.8      $ 22.6      $ 74.5      $ 67.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC change

     5.3     5.6     10.7     12.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

     15.9     16.1     16.3     16.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fees - The increase in fees for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was due primarily to revenues associated with new business and the impact of increased claim counts (total of $11.5 million), which were partially offset by lost business of $3.4 million. Organic growth in fee revenues for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 was 9% compared to 5% for the same period in 2012.

The increase in fees for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was due primarily to revenues associated with new business and the impact of increased claim counts (total of $55.0 million), which were partially offset by lost business of $21.5 million. Organic growth in fee revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 was 10% compared to 8% for the same period in 2012.

Items excluded from organic fee computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 include the following (in millions):

 

     2013 Organic Revenue     2012 Organic Revenue  

For the Three-Month Periods Ended September 30

   2013     2012     2012     2011  

Fees

   $ 146.0      $ 138.0      $ 138.0      $ 135.3   

International performance bonus fees

     3.5        3.4        3.4        3.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fees as reported

     149.5        141.4        141.4        138.3   

Less fees from acquisitions

     (0.8     —          (0.3     —     

Less New Zealand earthquake claims administration

     —          (1.9     (1.9     (5.8

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          (2.5     —          (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic fees

   $ 148.7      $ 137.0      $ 139.2      $ 132.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic change in fees

     8.5       5.1  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

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     2013 Organic Revenue     2012 Organic Revenue  

For the Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30

   2013     2012     2012     2011  

Fees

   $ 441.4      $ 411.7      $ 411.7      $ 392.0   

International performance bonus fees

     16.7        12.9        12.9        9.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fees as reported

     458.1        424.6        424.6        401.1   

Less fees from acquisitions

     (2.7     —          (1.3     —     

Less South Australia ramp up fees

     (1.4     —          —          —     

Less New Zealand earthquake claims administration

     (0.1     (7.6     (7.6     (13.5

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          (4.1     —          (0.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic fees

   $ 453.9      $ 412.9      $ 415.7      $ 386.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Organic change in fees

     9.9       7.5  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Organic change in fees adjusted to exclude fees related to South Australia, a new international client in 2013, was 4.4% and 6.2% in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

Investment income - Investment income primarily represents interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents. Investment income in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 remained relatively unchanged compared to the same periods in 2012.

Compensation expense - The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing compensation expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 with the same periods in 2012 (in millions):

 

     Three-month period     Nine-month period  
     ended September 30,     ended September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Reported amounts

   $ 90.6      $ 86.0      $ 273.5      $ 256.3   

New Zealand earthquake claims administration

     —          (1.0     —          (4.7

Workforce related charges

     (0.2     (0.1     (0.2     (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted amounts

   $ 90.4      $ 84.9      $ 273.3      $ 251.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 33 and 34

   $ 149.7      $ 140.3      $ 458.0      $ 419.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted ratios

     60.4     60.5     59.7     60.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The increase in compensation expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to increased headcount, increases in salaries ($6.1 million), employee benefits expense ($1.1 million), deferred compensation ($0.3 million), severance related costs ($0.1 million) and stock compensation expense ($0.1 million), offset by a favorable foreign currency translation ($1.8 million) and decreases in New Zealand earthquake claims administration ($1.0 million) and temporary-staffing expense ($0.3 million).

The increase in compensation expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to increased headcount, increases in salaries ($22.5 million), employee benefits expense ($2.3 million), deferred compensation ($0.5 million), stock compensation expense ($0.2 million) and severance related costs ($0.1 million), offset by a favorable foreign currency translation ($2.7 million) and decreases in New Zealand earthquake claims administration ($4.7 million) and temporary-staffing expense ($1.0 million).

 

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Operating expenses - The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing operating expense for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 with the same periods in 2012 (in millions):

 

     Three-month period     Nine-month period  
     ended September 30,     ended September 30,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Reported amounts

   $ 35.5      $ 33.4      $ 110.4      $ 101.9   

New Zealand earthquake claims administration

     —          (0.6     (0.1     (1.4

South Australia ramp up costs

     —          —          (0.1     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted amounts

   $ 35.5      $ 32.8      $ 110.2      $ 100.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted revenues - see pages 33 and 34

   $ 149.7      $ 140.3      $ 458.0      $ 419.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted ratios

     23.7     23.4     24.1     24.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The increase in operating expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to increases in technology expenses ($1.1 million), outside consulting fees ($1.3 million), business insurance ($0.9 million), professional and banking fees ($0.6 million), meeting and client entertainment expense ($0.5 million), office supplies ($0.4 million), licenses and fees ($0.1 million) and bad debt expense ($0.1 million), offset by decreases in other expense ($1.3 million), real estate expenses ($1.0 million), New Zealand earthquake claims administration ($0.6 million) and outside services expense ($0.1 million). The increase in technology fees is primarily related to a new product introduced during third quarter 2012 that is primarily outsourced and the cost of which flows through operating expenses.

The increase in operating expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to increases in professional and banking fees ($3.8 million), outside consulting fees ($3.4 million), technology expenses ($1.9 million), meeting and client entertainment expense ($1.3 million), office supplies ($1.1 million), licenses and fees ($0.8 million) and business insurance ($0.2 million), offset by decreases in other expense ($1.3 million), New Zealand earthquake claims administration ($1.3 million), real estate expenses ($1.3 million), employee expense ($0.1 million) and outside services expense ($0.1 million). The increase in technology fees is primarily related to a new product introduced during third quarter 2012 that is primarily outsourced and the cost of which flows through operating expenses.

Depreciation - Depreciation expense increased slightly in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012 and reflects the impact of purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements related to office expansions and relocations, and expenditures related to upgrading computer systems.

Amortization - Amortization expense remained the same in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in 2012. Historically, the risk management segment has made few acquisitions. We made no acquisitions in this segment during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables - The increase in expense from the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, was due primarily to adjustments made to the estimated fair value of earnout obligations related to revised projections of future performance. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we recognized $0.1 million of income related to net adjustments in the estimated fair value of earnout obligations related to revised projections of future performance for one acquisition.

Provision for income taxes - The risk management segment’s effective income tax rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were 38.0% and 39.0%, respectively. The risk management segment’s effective income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were 37.1% and 38.8%, respectively. We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 37.0% to 39.0% in our risk management segment for the foreseeable future.

 

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Corporate

The corporate segment reports the financial information related to our clean energy and other investments, our debt, and certain corporate and acquisition-related activities. For a detailed discussion of the nature of these investments, see our consolidated financial statements included herein for a summary of our investments as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited) (Note 11) and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2012 (Note 12). For a detailed discussion of the nature of our debt, see our consolidated financial statements included herein as of September 30, 2013 (unaudited) (Note 5) and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2012 (Note 6).

Financial information relating to our corporate segment results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same periods in 2012 is as follows: (in millions, except per share and percentages):

 

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

Statement of Earnings

   2013     2012     Change     2013     2012     Change  

Revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants

   $ 129.7      $ 23.6      $ 106.1      $ 245.2      $ 65.3      $ 179.9   

Royalty income from clean coal licenses

     6.3        7.6        (1.3     23.2        19.1        4.1   

Loss from unconsolidated clean coal production plants

     (1.1     (2.8     1.7        (4.3     (4.1     (0.2

Other net revenues

     4.9        0.1        4.8        14.2        1.4        12.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     139.8        28.5        111.3        278.3        81.7        196.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants

     146.9        27.7        119.2        281.6        74.4        207.2   

Compensation

     3.3        5.2        (1.9     18.1        11.4        6.7   

Operating

     5.3        8.6        (3.3     25.4        22.1        3.3   

Interest

     13.1        10.7        2.4        36.2        32.1        4.1   

Depreciation

     0.9        0.2        0.7        1.9        0.5        1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     169.5        52.4        117.1        363.2        140.5        222.7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (29.7     (23.9     (5.8     (84.9     (58.8     (26.1

Benefit for income taxes

     (32.0     (24.9     (7.1     (101.7     (62.4     (39.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 2.3      $ 1.0      $ 1.3      $ 16.8      $ 3.6      $ 13.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

   $ 0.01      $ 0.01      $ —        $ 0.13      $ 0.02      $ 0.11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Identifiable assets at September 30

         $ 762.1      $ 626.4     

EBITDAC

            

Net earnings

   $ 2.3      $ 1.0      $ 1.3      $ 16.8      $ 3.6      $ 13.2   

Benefit for income taxes

     (32.0     (24.9     (7.1     (101.7     (62.4     (39.3

Interest

     13.1        10.7        2.4        36.2        32.1        4.1   

Depreciation

     0.9        0.2        0.7        1.9        0.5        1.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDAC

   $ (15.7   $ (13.0   $ (2.7   $ (46.8   $ (26.2   $ (20.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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 that we operate and control under lease arrangements, and the investments in which we have a majority ownership position and maintain control over the operations of the related plants, including those that are currently not operating. When we relinquish control in connection with the sale of majority ownership interests in our investments, we deconsolidate these operations.

The increase in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012, is due primarily to increased production.

 

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Royalty income from clean coal licenses represents revenues related to Chem-Mod LLC. As of September 30, 2013, we held a 46.54% controlling interest in Chem-Mod. As Chem-Mod’s manager, we are required to consolidate its operations.

The decrease in royalty income in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, was due primarily to the suspension of production of refined coal by one of Chem-Mod’s licensees due to the loss of the licensee’s investor. The increase in royalty income in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, was due to increases in the production of refined coal by Chem-Mod’s licensees including production at operations that were not producing refined coal in 2012.

Expenses related to royalty income of Chem-Mod in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were $4.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively, which include non-controlling interest of $4.2 million in each of the respective periods. Expenses related to royalty income of Chem-Mod in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were $15.2 million and $11.5 million, respectively, which include non-controlling interest of $13.7 million and $10.4 million, respectively.

 

 

Loss from unconsolidated clean coal production plants represents our equity portion of the pretax operating results from the unconsolidated clean coal production plants, partially offset by the production based income from majority investors. The production of refined coal generates pretax operating losses.

The decreased pretax loss in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, was due primarily to moderately lower production at three facilities. The increased pretax loss in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012, was due primarily to increased production.

 

 

Other net revenues primarily consist of our equity portion of the operations of our venture capital fund investments. In addition, in first quarter 2013, we recognized a gain of $9.6 million in connection with the acquisition of an additional ownership interest in twelve of the 2009 Era Plants from one of the co-investors. See Note 11 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of this acquisition transaction. We have consolidated the operations of the limited liability company that owns these plants effective March 1, 2013. In the three-month period ended September 30, 2013, other revenues also include an unrealized fair value pretax gain of $5.0 million related to three foreign currency derivative investment contracts that Gallagher executed in September 2013 in connection with the signing of an agreement to acquire The Giles Group of Companies, headquartered in London, England. These contracts are designed to hedge a portion of the GBP denominated purchase price consideration of this acquisition. The Giles transaction is expected to close in early November 2013, and the derivative investment contracts will expire by October 31, 2013.

Cost of revenues - Cost of revenues from consolidated clean coal production plants for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, consists of the expenses incurred by the clean coal production plants to generate the consolidated revenues discussed above, including the costs to run the leased facilities. The increase in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods in 2012, was due primarily to increased production including production at operations that were not producing refined coal in 2012.

Compensation expense - Compensation expense in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, includes salary and benefit expenses of $3.3 million and $3.8 million and incentive compensation of zero and $1.4 million, respectively. The decrease in salary and benefits expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 is due primarily to a decrease in benefits. The decrease in incentive compensation for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 is primarily due to having achieved compensation targets in the first six months of 2013.

Compensation expense in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, includes salary and benefit expenses of $8.8 million and $7.4 million and incentive compensation of $9.3 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The increase in salary and benefits expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 is due primarily to an increase in salaries. The increase in incentive compensation for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 is primarily due to the decrease in incentive compensation expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 resulting from a reduction in the level of effort devoted to corporate related activities, a change in estimate during first quarter 2012 of the prior year’s discretionary bonus accrual, the progress made in deploying IRC Section 45 plants in 2013 and the overall results of the IRC Section 45 operations in 2013.

 

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Operating expenses - Operating expense in the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 includes banking and related fees of $0.8 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to third quarter 2013 acquisitions of $1.4 million, operating expenses, professional fees and non-controlling interest related to royalty income of $2.6 million, and other corporate and clean energy related expenses of $0.5 million.

Operating expense in the three-month period ended September 30, 2012 includes banking and related fees of $0.8 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to 2012 acquisitions of $1.5 million, operating expenses, professional fees and non-controlling interest related to royalty income of $4.5 million and other corporate operating and clean energy related expenses of $1.8 million.

Operating expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 includes banking and related fees of $2.3 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to 2013 acquisitions of $4.0 million, operating expenses, professional fees and non-controlling interest related to royalty income of $11.1 million, other corporate and clean energy related expenses of $4.2 million and a biannual company-wide meeting ($3.8 million).

Operating expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 includes banking and related fees of $2.4 million, external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to 2012 acquisitions of $3.8 million, operating expenses, professional fees and non-controlling interest related to royalty income of $11.5 million and other corporate operating and clean energy related expenses of $4.4 million.

Interest expense - The increase in interest expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, is due to interest on the note purchase agreement entered into on June 14, 2013 ($1.9 million) and an increase of $0.5 million in interest on borrowings from our Credit Agreement.

The increase in interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012, is due to interest on the $50.0 million note purchase agreement entered into on July 10, 2012 ($1.1 million), the interest on the note purchase agreement entered into on June 14, 2013 ($2.2 million) and an increase of $0.8 million in interest on borrowings from our Credit Agreement.

Depreciation - Depreciation expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 increased significantly compared to the same period in 2012, and primarily relates to the assets of the additional ownership interests in the twelve 2009 Era Plants that we acquired from a co-investor in first quarter 2013.

Benefit for income taxes - Our consolidated effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013 was 12.7% compared to 19.1% for the same period in 2012. Our consolidated effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 was 7.4% compared to 19.2% for the same period in 2012. The effective tax rates for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were lower than the statutory rate primarily due to the amount of IRC Section 45 tax credits recognized during the respective periods. U.S. GAAP accounting requires us to estimate at each quarter end, an expected annual effective tax rate based on, among other factors, the estimated annual amount of tax credits we will generate in the current year, and recognize these estimated tax credits each quarter based on estimated company-wide quarterly earnings before income taxes. This accounting will cause a difference in the amount of tax credits recognized in the financial statements compared to the amount of tax credits actually generated. There were $68.6 million and $38.8 million of tax credits recognized in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. There were $65.4 million and $33.0 million of tax credits generated in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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, 2013 and 2012 for the corporate segment (in millions):

 

      2013     2012  

Three-Month Periods Ended September 30,

   Pretax
Earnings
(Loss)
    Income
Tax
Benefit
    Net
Earnings
(Loss)
    Pretax
Earnings
(Loss)
    Income
Tax
Benefit
     Net
Earnings
(Loss)
 

Interest and banking costs

   $ (13.8   $ 5.5      $ (8.3   $ (11.6   $ 4.6       $ (7.0

Clean energy investments

     (16.2     26.8        10.6        (6.2     17.2         11.0   

Acquisition costs

     3.5        (1.7     1.8        (1.5     0.1         (1.4

Corporate

     (3.2     1.4        (1.8     (4.6     3.0         (1.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (29.7   $ 32.0      $ 2.3      $ (23.9   $ 24.9       $ 1.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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      2013     2012  

Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30,

   Pretax
Earnings
(Loss)
    Income
Tax
Benefit
    Net
Earnings
(Loss)
    Pretax
Earnings
(Loss)
    Income
Tax
Benefit
     Net
Earnings
(Loss)
 

Interest and banking costs

   $ (38.5   $ 15.4      $ (23.1   $ (34.5   $ 13.7       $ (20.8

Clean energy investments

     (33.8     81.7        47.9        (11.6     43.2         31.6   

Acquisition costs

     0.6        (1.3     (0.7     (3.8     0.6         (3.2

Corporate

     (13.2     5.9        (7.3     (8.9     4.9         (4.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (84.9   $ 101.7      $ 16.8      $ (58.8   $ 62.4       $ 3.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest and banking primarily includes expenses related to our debt. Clean energy investments include the operating results related to our investments in clean coal production plants and Chem-Mod. Acquisition costs include professional fees, due diligence and other costs incurred related to our acquisitions. In third quarter 2013, acquisition costs also include an unrealized fair value pretax gain of $5.0 million on the derivative investment contract discussed above. Corporate consists of overhead allocations mostly related to corporate staff compensation and, in the first quarter of 2013, costs related to a biannual company-wide award, cross-selling and motivational meeting for our production staff and field management.

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. All 34 plants produce refined coal using propriety technologies owned by Chem-Mod. We believe that the production and sale of refined coal at these plants is qualified to receive refined coal tax credits under IRC Section 45. The fourteen plants which were placed in service prior to December 31, 2009 (which we refer to as the 2009 Era Plants) can receive tax credits through 2019 and the twenty plants which were placed in service prior to December 31, 2011 (which we refer to as the 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, 2013 (in millions):

 

            Our Portion of Estimated  

Investments that own 2009 Era Plants

   Our
Tax-Effected
Book Value  At
September 30, 2013
     Additional
Required

Tax-Effected
Capital
Investment
     Ultimate
Annual
After-tax
Earnings
 

10 Under long-term production contracts

   $ 8.0       $ 0.5       $ 22.0   

  2 Under long-term production contracts, estimated to resume production in early 2014

     0.3         1.1         1.5   

  2 In early stages of negotiations for long-term production contracts

     0.7         Not Estimable         Not Estimable   

Investments that own 2011 Era Plants

                    

14 Under long-term production contracts

     32.1         1.4         65.5   

  2 Under long-term production contracts, estimated to resume production in late 2013

     3.0         0.4         6.0   

  4 In early stages of negotiations for long-term production contracts

     1.4         Not Estimable         Not Estimable   

The information in the table above under the caption Our Portion of Estimated Ultimate Annual After-Tax Earnings reflects management’s current best estimate of the ultimate future annual after-tax earnings based on production estimates from the host utilities. However, host utilities do not consistently operate the refined coal plants at ultimate production levels due to seasonal electricity demand, as well as many operational, regulatory and environmental compliance reasons. Please refer to our filings with the SEC, including Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” on pages 14 and 15 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, for a more detailed discussion of these and other factors could impact the information above.

Our investment in Chem-Mod generates royalty income from the plants owned by those limited liability companies in which we invest as well as refined coal plants owned by other unrelated parties. Based on current production estimates provided by licensees, Chem-Mod could generate for us approximately $3.6 million of net after-tax earnings per quarter.

 

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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.

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Historically, we have depended on our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations to meet our cash requirements. We believe that our cash flows from operations and borrowings under our Credit Agreement will provide us with adequate resources to meet our liquidity needs in the foreseeable future. To fund acquisitions made during 2012 and the for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we relied to a large extent on proceeds from borrowings under our Credit Agreement and the $50.0 million and $200.0 million note purchase agreements we entered into in July 2012 and June 2013, respectively.

Cash provided by operating activities was $278.6 million and $179.4 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 was primarily due to favorable timing differences in the payment of accrued liabilities and favorable timing differences in the receipts and disbursements of fiduciary funds in 2013 compared to 2012. Our cash flows from operating activities are primarily derived from our earnings from operations, as adjusted for realized gains and losses, and 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 by the amount of IRC Section 45 tax credits recognized compared to the amount of tax credits actually used during the respective periods. Excess tax credits generated during the period result in an increase to our deferred tax assets, which is a net use of cash related to 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 $391.2 million and $336.7 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively. Consolidated net earnings were $208.6 million and $161.5 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 respectively. We believe that the 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 2013 plan year. We were not required to make any minimum contributions to the plan for the 2012 plan year. This level of required funding is 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. During each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we made discretionary contributions of $6.3 million and $5.4 million, respectively, to the plan. We are considering making additional discretionary contributions to the plan in 2013 and may be required to make significantly larger minimum contributions to the plan in future periods.

 

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Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures - Net capital expenditures were $69.8 million and $36.1 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In 2013, we expect total expenditures for capital improvements to be approximately $80.0 million, primarily related to office moves and expansions and updating computer systems and equipment.

Acquisitions - Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, were $333.0 million and $137.9 million in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we issued 3.4 million shares ($150.9 million) of our common stock as payment for a portion of the total consideration paid for 2013 acquisitions. In addition, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, we issued 5.6 million shares ($190.2 million) of our common stock as payment for a portion of the total consideration paid for 2012 acquisitions. We completed seventeen acquisitions and thirty-eight acquisitions in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Annualized revenues of businesses acquired in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 totaled approximately $176.4 million and $155.5 million, respectively. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we funded substantially all of our acquisitions activity using debt and cash from operations. We expect to continue this trend through the remainder of 2013, although we may still use our common stock on occasion (for example, to effect a tax-free exchange, or if our overall acquisition activity warrants it).

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, we issued 425,000 shares of our common stock and paid $3.4 million in cash related to earnout obligations for four acquisitions made prior to 2009 and recorded additional goodwill of $0.1 million.

Dispositions - During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we sold several small books of business and recognized one-time gains of $3.3 million and $4.9 million, respectively. We received cash proceeds of $3.3 million and $8.9 million related to the 2013 and 2012 transactions, respectively. Offsetting the one-time gains related to sales of books of business for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 was a non-cash loss of $3.5 million we recognized related to our acquisition of an additional 41.5% equity interest in CGM Gallagher Group Limited (which we refer to as CGM), which increased our ownership in CGM to 80%. The loss represented the decrease in fair value of our initial 38.5% equity interest in CGM based on the purchase price paid to acquire the additional 41.5% equity interest in CGM.

Clean Energy Investments - During the period 2009 through 2013, 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 2013 annual after-tax earnings that will be generated from production at the plants that operated in 2013 is $61.0 million to $63.0 million. The IRC Section 45 tax credits generate positive cash flow by reducing the amount of Federal income taxes we pay. During the period from 2009 through 2012, clean energy operations produced only modest positive net cash flow due to the capital expenditures we incurred during that period. In 2013, we have incurred and have committed to incur additional capital expenditures related to the redeployment, and in some cases the relocation of refined coal plants. We anticipate that the cash flow generated by the tax credits we can utilize in 2013 will be offset by the operational after-tax losses and capital expenditures in 2013. We anticipate positive cash flow related to IRC Section 45 activity in 2014. With the expected increased earnings from the IRC Section 45 investments in 2015 through 2021 and the anticipated minimal capital expenditures expected to occur during that same period, we anticipate that the annual positive net cash flow during such years will continue to increase. We anticipate that this favorable impact on the amount we will pay the IRS in 2013 and in future years from IRC Section 45 investments will allow us to use these positive cash flows to fund acquisitions. Please see “Clean energy investments” on page 48 for a more detailed description of these investments (including the reference therein to risks and uncertainties).

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

On September 19, 2013, we entered into an unsecured multicurrency credit agreement (which we refer to as the Credit Agreement), which expires on September 19, 2018, with a group of fifteen financial institutions. The Credit Agreement replaced a $500.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (that was scheduled to expire on July 14, 2014), which was terminated upon the execution of the Credit Agreement. All indebtedness, liabilities and obligations outstanding under the previous facility were fully paid and satisfied, except for outstanding letters of credit which became letters of credit under the Credit Agreement.

Our Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit commitment of up to $600.0 million, of which up to $75.0 million may be used for issuances of standby or commercial letters of credit and up to $50.0 million may be used for the making of swing loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement. We may from time to time request, subject

 

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to certain conditions, an increase in the revolving credit commitment up to a maximum aggregate revolving credit commitment of $850.0 million. At September 30, 2013, $135.5 million of borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Agreement. Due to borrowings and outstanding letters of credit, $449.3 million remained available for potential borrowings under the Credit Agreement at September 30, 2013.

We use the funds available to us under our Credit Agreement or the prior credit facility from time to time to borrow funds to supplement operating cash flows. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we borrowed $445.5 million and repaid $439.0 million under our Credit Agreement or the prior credit facility. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, we borrowed $162.0 million and repaid $172.0 million under or the prior credit facility. Principal uses of the 2013 and 2012 borrowings were to fund acquisitions, make earnout payments related to acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

On June 14, 2013, we borrowed an additional $200.0 million of private placement debt, which has a maturity of nine years and an interest rate of 3.69%, and was used to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. At September 30, 2013, we had $925.0 million of corporate-related borrowings outstanding under separate note purchase agreements entered into in the period from 2007 to 2013 and a cash and cash equivalent balance of $286.9 million. On August 3, 2014, $100.0 million of our private placement debt will mature and become due. See Note 5 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the terms of the note purchase agreements and the Credit Agreement.

The note purchase agreements and the Credit Agreement contain various financial covenants that require us to maintain specified levels of net worth and financial leverage ratios. We were in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2013.

Dividends - Our board of directors determines our dividend policy. Our board of directors declares dividends 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, 2013, we declared $135.8 million in cash dividends on our common stock, or $0.35 per common share, a 3% increase over the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. On October 23, 2013, we announced a quarterly dividend for fourth quarter 2013 of $0.35 per common share. It is anticipated that this dividend level will result in annualized net cash used by financing activities in 2013 of approximately $184.2 million (based on the number of outstanding shares as of September 30, 2013) or an anticipated decrease in cash used of approximately $20.2 million compared to 2012. This decrease in cash used is the result of five dividend payments being made in 2012 compared to four payments that will be made in 2013. We can make no assurances regarding the amount of any future dividend payments.

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, 2013 and 2012 were $64.5 million and $60.9 million, respectively. Prior to 2009, we issued stock options under four stock option-based employee compensation plans. The options were primarily granted at the fair value of the underlying shares at the date of grant and generally became exercisable at the rate of 10% per year beginning the calendar year after the date of grant. In May 2008, all of these plans expired. On May 10, 2011, our stockholders approved the 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the LTIP), which replaced our previous stockholder-approved 2009 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 8.0 million shares (less any shares of restricted stock units issued under the LTIP—0.5 million shares of our common stock were available for this purpose as of September 30, 2013) were available for grant under the LTIP at September 30, 2013. In addition, we have an employee stock purchase plan which 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, 2013 and 2012 and we believe this favorable trend will continue in the foreseeable future.

Outlook - We believe that we have sufficient capital to meet our short- and long-term cash flow needs. Except for 2008 and 2005, our earnings before income taxes, adjusted for non-cash items, have increased year over year since 1991. In 2008, earnings before income taxes were adversely impacted by charges related to real estate lease terminations, severance, litigation, impairments of intangible assets and the adverse impact of foreign currency translation. In 2005, earnings before income taxes were adversely impacted by charges incurred for litigation and

 

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retail contingent commission related matters and claims handling obligations. We expect the historically favorable trend in earnings before income taxes, adjusted for non-cash items, to continue in the foreseeable future because we intend to continue to expand our business through organic growth from existing operations and through acquisitions. Additionally, we anticipate a favorable impact on the amount we will pay the IRS in 2013 and in future years based on anticipated tax credits from IRC Section 45 investments. We also anticipate that we will continue to use cash flows from operations and, if needed, borrowings under the Credit Agreement and private placement debt (described above under “Cash Flows From Financing Activities”) and our common stock to fund acquisitions. In addition, we may from time to time consider other alternatives for longer-term funding sources. Such alternatives could include raising additional capital through public or private debt offerings, equity markets, or restructuring our operations in the event that cash flows from operations are reduced dramatically due to lost business or if our acquisition program continues at, or increases from the same level we have had to date in 2013.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

In connection with our investing and operating activities, we have entered into certain contractual obligations and commitments. See Note 12 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of these obligations and commitments. In addition, see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for additional discussion of these obligations and commitments.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

See Notes 5, 11 and 12 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, see Notes 6, 12 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 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, 2012.

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, 2013. We did not have any material dispositions during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure 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, 2013 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, 2013 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 the carrying values at September 30, 2013.

At September 30, 2013, we had $925.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our various note purchase agreements. The aggregate estimated fair value of these borrowings at September 30, 2013 was $985.2 million due to their long-term duration and fixed interest rates associated with these debt obligations. No active or observable

 

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market exists for our private placement long-term debt. Therefore, the estimated fair value of this debt is based on discounted future cash flows using current interest rates available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. To estimate an all-in interest rate for discounting, we obtained market quotes for notes with the same terms as ours, which we have deemed to be the closest approximation of current market rates. We have not adjusted this rate for risk profile changes, covenant issues or credit rating changes. 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 decrease in our weighted average borrowing rate at September 30, 2013 and the resulting fair values would have been $39.4 million higher than their carrying value (or $964.4 million).

As of September 30, 2013, we had $135.5 borrowings outstanding under our Credit Agreement. The fair value of these borrowings approximate their carrying value due to their short-term duration and variable interest rates associated with these debt obligations. Market risk is estimated as the potential increase in fair value resulting from a hypothetical one-percentage point decrease in our weighted average short-term borrowing rate at September 30, 2013, and the resulting fair value is not materially different from their carrying value.

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. In addition, we are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk from our Australian, Canadian, Indian, Singaporean, Jamaican and various other Caribbean 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, 2013 (a weakening of the U.S. dollar), earnings before income taxes would have decreased by approximately $2.3 million. Assuming a hypothetical favorable change of 10% in the average foreign currency exchange rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 (a strengthening of the U.S. dollar), earnings before income taxes would have increased by approximately $3.9 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. However, it is management’s opinion that this foreign currency exchange risk is not material to our consolidated operating results or financial position. 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. 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 the U.K., we have periodically purchased financial instruments when market opportunities arose to minimize our exposure to this risk. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, 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 (in 2013) and disbursements (in 2012) through various future payment dates. In addition, during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we had several monthly put/call options in place with an external financial institution that are designed to hedge a significant portion of our Indian currency disbursements through various future payment dates. These hedging strategies are designed to protect us against significant U.K. and India currency exchange rate movements, but we are still exposed to some foreign currency exchange rate risk for the portion of the payments and currency exchange rate that are unhedged. The impact of these hedging strategies was not material to our unaudited consolidated financial statements for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. 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, 2013. In the third quarter of 2013, we entered into three foreign currency derivative investment contracts in connection with the signing of an agreement to acquire The Giles Group of Companies headquartered in London, England. These contracts are designed to hedge a portion of the GBP denominated purchase price consideration of this acquisition. The Giles transaction is expected to close in early November 2013, and the term of the derivative investment contracts will expire by October 31, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, we recorded an unrealized fair value after-tax gain of $3.0 million related to these derivative investment contracts.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2013, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as amended). Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2013.

 

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There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II - Other Information

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table shows the purchases of our common stock made by or on behalf of Gallagher 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 three-month period ended September 30, 2013:

 

                   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, 2013

     37       $ 44.89         —           10,000,000   

August 1 through August 31, 2013

     8,953         41.36         —           10,000,000   

September 1 through September 30, 2013

     16,551         44.52         —           10,000,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

     25,541       $ 43.41         —        
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

(1) Amounts in this column represent shares of our common stock purchased by the trustees of rabbi trusts established under our Deferred Equity Participation Plan (which we refer to as the Age 62 Plan), 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. The Age 62 Plan 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. See Note 8 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements in this report for more information regarding the Age 62 Plan. The DCPP is an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain key employees, other than executive officers, that generally provides for distributions no sooner than five years from the date of awards. Under the terms of the Age 62 Plan 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 2013, we instructed the rabbi trustee for the Age 62 Plan and the DCPP to reinvest dividends paid into the plans in our common stock. The Supplemental Plan is an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan that allows certain highly compensated employees to defer amounts, including company match amounts, on a before-tax basis. Under the terms of the Supplemental Plan, all cash deferrals and company match amounts 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 deem his or her amounts under the Supplemental Plan invested in the fund representing our common stock, the trustee of the rabbi trust purchases the number of shares of our common stock equivalent to the amount deemed invested in the fund representing our common stock. We established the rabbi trusts for the Age 62 Plan, the DCPP and the Supplemental Plan to assist us in discharging our deferred compensation obligations under these plans. All assets of the rabbi 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. The terms of the Age 62 Plan, the DCPP and the Supplemental Plan do not provide for a specified limit on the number of shares of common stock that may be purchased by the respective trustees of the rabbi trusts.

 

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

 

(3) We have a common stock repurchase plan that the board of directors adopted on May 10, 1988 and has periodically amended since that date to authorize additional shares for repurchase (the last amendment was on January 24, 2008). We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock under the repurchase plan during the third quarter of 2013. The repurchase plan has no expiration date and we are under no commitment or obligation to repurchase any particular amount of our common stock under the plan. At our discretion, we may suspend the repurchase plan at any time.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

Filed with this Form 10-Q

 

  15.1    Letter of acknowledgement from Ernst & Young LLP concerning unaudited interim financial information.
  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    XBRL Instance Document.
  101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
  101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
  101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
  101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
  101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 

Incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of August 12, 2013, by and among Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Bollinger Holdings, Inc., Bollinger, Inc., JPGAC, LLC, Evercore Capital Partners II L.P., Evercore Partners Inc. and Management Group, LLC (incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number to the post-effective amendment No. 2 to our Form S-4 Registration Statement dated September 6, 2013, File No. 333-188651).
  2.2    Share Purchase Agreement, dated September 4, 2013, between Gallagher, Giles and the Seller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Form 8-K Current Report dated September 6, 2013, File No. 1-09761).
  4.1    Multicurrency Credit Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2013, among Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the other borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, BMO Capital Markets, as joint lead arranger and joint book runner, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citibank N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as joint lead arrangers, joint book runners and co-syndication agents and U.S. Bank National Association, as documentation agent (incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number to our Form 8-K Current Report dated September 19, 2013, File No. 1-09761).

 

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Signature

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

 

   

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

 

Date: October 30, 2013     By: /s/ Douglas K. Howell
   

Douglas K. Howell

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and duly authorized officer)

 

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For The Quarterly Period Ended September  30, 2013

Exhibit Index

 

15.1    Letter of acknowledgement from Ernst & Young LLP concerning unaudited interim financial information.
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    XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

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