Policies and Practices

Compulsory Coverages

Tariffs and Tax Info

Reinsurance Restrictions

ISN's respected monthly journal covering developments in insurance markets around the world since 1966.

Insightful Market Commentary
Agent, Broker & Consultant News
Regulatory Updates
Company Results

Print page

Email page

Home . International Insurance News . Americas . Willis Group Reports Q4 and FY 2009 Results

Willis Group Reports Q4 and FY 2009 Results

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

New York, NY, February 3, 2010 — Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, today reported results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

“2009 was a momentous year.” said Joe Plumeri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Willis Group Holdings. “We began in the midst of integrating our transformational HRH acquisition, facing a difficult global economy and soft insurance market. We responded with 2 percent organic growth in commissions and fees, disciplined expense management, successful merger integration, completion of the Gras Savoye transaction and a much stronger balance sheet.”

Highlights of the quarter ended December 31, 2009 include:

Reported earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.47; adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.47
4 percent reported growth in commissions and fees compared with fourth quarter of 2008
2 percent organic growth in commissions and fees compared with fourth quarter of 2008
North America segment organic growth in commissions and fees of 1 percent, sequential improvement from third quarter of 2009
North America segment operating margin expansion of 670 basis points over year ago period; integration of HRH substantially completed
Completed the reorganization of the capital of Gras Savoye

Highlights of the year ended December 31, 2009 include:

Reported earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $2.58; adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $2.67
17 percent reported growth in commissions and fees compared with 2008
2 percent organic growth in commissions and fees compared with 2008
Reported operating margin of 21 percent; adjusted operating margin of 22 percent
North America segment operating margin expansion of 830 basis points over prior year
Delivered North America merger integration synergies and other cost savings of $205 million
Delivered Shaping our Future net benefits of approximately $60 million
Repaid remaining $750 million on bridge financing
Outlook raised to Stable by both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s
Issued $300 million of senior unsecured notes due 2019 at 7.0 percent; repurchased $160 million of 5.125 percent senior notes due July 2010
Total debt outstanding reduced to $2.4 billion

Fourth Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Reported net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $79 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, compared with $61 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago. Reported net income for the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008 was affected by certain items which are reviewed in detail in this release, including the acquisition of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company (HRH).

Excluding these items, adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $0.47 in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with $0.36 in the fourth quarter of 2008. Foreign currency movements had a negative $0.03 impact on earnings per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Total reported revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $824 million compared with $792 million for the same period of 2008, an increase of 4 percent. Foreign currency movements increased reported revenues by 3 percent compared with the year ago period.

Organic growth in commissions and fees was 2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. This growth reflected net new business won of 7 percent, partially offset by a negative 5 percent impact from declining premium rates and other market factors. Continued strong client retention levels and momentum from Shaping our Future growth initiatives, such as Global Placement and Client Profitability, also contributed to organic growth in commissions and fees.

The North America segment reported 1 percent growth in organic commissions and fees in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with the same period of 2008, and improved sequentially from the third quarter of 2009. With the integration of HRH substantially complete, a renewed focus on top line growth generated a significant increase in the amount of new business in the fourth quarter compared to a year ago. The segment results also continue to reflect headwinds from the soft insurance market conditions and ongoing weakness in the US economy. As a result of top line growth, merger synergies and other cost savings, operating margin expanded 670 basis points to 25.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the prior year period.

The International business segment recorded 3 percent organic growth in commissions and fees in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with the same period of 2008. This growth came from strong new business and continued traction from Shaping our Future growth initiatives, which more than offset the soft rate environment and weakness in the UK and Ireland retail market. Outside of the UK and Ireland, the International business segment organic growth was 7 percent, primarily driven by strong growth in the Latin America and Asia regions. Operating margin remained high at 31.3 percent, although lower than the fourth quarter of 2008 partially due to the impact of foreign exchange and the weakness in the UK and Ireland retail market. For the year ended December 31, 2009, operating margin remained strong at 26.5 percent.

The Global segment, which comprises the Global Specialties, Faber & Dumas and Reinsurance divisions, recorded 1 percent organic growth in commissions and fees in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. Growth was primarily driven by the Reinsurance and Global Specialties divisions, led by continued strong performance in North America reinsurance, marine, aerospace and financial and executive risks specialties. Operating margin was expanded 50 basis points to 12.2 percent in a seasonally light quarter, compared with the fourth quarter of 2008.

Reported operating margin was 21.0 percent for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with 17.0 percent for the same period of 2008. Excluding certain items, which are reviewed in detail in this release, adjusted operating margin was 21.1 percent for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with 16.8 percent for the prior year period. The improvement in the adjusted operating margin reflected solid organic growth in commissions and fees, merger integration and other expense savings and favorable year on year foreign currency movement.

Full Year 2009 Financial Results

Reported net income from continuing operations for 2009 was $436 million, or $2.58 per diluted share, compared with $302 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, in 2008. Reported net income for the 2009 and 2008 years was affected by certain items which are reviewed in detail in this release, including the acquisition of HRH and 2008 expense review charges for severance and other costs.

Excluding these items, adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $2.67 for 2009 compared with $2.55 in 2008, an increase of 5 percent. In addition, adjusted earnings from continuing operations for 2009 included a $27 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, tax credit resulting from changes to UK tax law on repatriation of unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries (described below). Excluding this item, adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in 2009 would have been $2.51. Foreign currency movements reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.17 in 2009.

Total reported revenues for 2009 were $3.3 billion compared with $2.8 billion for 2008, an increase of 15 percent. The increase was primarily due to the HRH acquisition, while the effect of foreign currency translation decreased reported revenues by 4 percent.

Organic growth in commissions and fees was 2 percent in 2009 compared with 2008. This growth reflected net new business won of 5 percent, offset by a negative 3 percent impact from declining premium rates and other market factors.

Reported operating margin was 21.3 percent for 2009 compared with 17.8 percent for 2008. Excluding certain items, which are reviewed in detail in this release, adjusted operating margin was 21.8 percent for 2009 compared with 21.2 percent for 2008. The improvement in the adjusted operating margin reflected solid organic growth in commissions and fees, expense savings and favorable year on year foreign currency movement, partially offset by lower investment income, higher pension expense and increased intangible amortization.

Tax

The reported income tax expense for 2009 was $96 million compared to $97 million for 2008. The 2009 tax expense included the release of a provision of $27 million which had been recorded for tax that would potentially be payable should the unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries be repatriated. Following a change in UK tax law effective in the third quarter of 2009, these earnings can now be repatriated without additional tax cost and, consequently, the provision has been released.

After adjusting the effective tax rate to exclude non-recurring items the effective underlying tax rate for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009 was approximately 26 percent, the same as the 2008 full-year rate.

Discontinued Operations

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2009, relating to disposals of Bliss & Glennon and Managing Agency Group, the Company’s US-based wholesale insurance operations. No net gain or loss was recognized relating to either transaction.

Capital

As of December 31, 2009, cash and cash equivalents totaled $191 million and total debt was $2.4 billion. Total debt was reduced by approximately $230 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, primarily due to proceeds received on the completion of the Gras Savoye transaction.

Total stockholders’ equity as at December 31, 2009 was $2.2 billion.

Gras Savoye

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company announced the completion of a leveraged transaction with the original family shareholders of Gras Savoye & Cie, and Astorg partners, a private equity fund, to reorganize the capital of Gras Savoye. With the closing of the transaction, Willis now owns a 31.8 percent stake in the new holding company and has 33.3 percent of the voting rights on the new holding company board.

Redomicile to Ireland

On December 31, 2009, the Willis Group completed the change of place of incorporation of its parent company from Bermuda to Ireland.

As a result of this move, common shares in Willis Group Holdings Limited were cancelled and ordinary shares in Willis Group Holdings plc were issued to all shareholders on a one-for-one basis. Willis Group Holdings plc began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on January 4, 2010. Willis will continue to be subject to United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting requirements, prepare its financial statements and pay dividends in US dollars, and be subject to US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Dividend

Subject to the Irish High Court approving a capital reduction procedure to create distributable reserves in the Company, a common procedure for corporate groups moving their holding companies to Ireland, the Board of Directors has authorized a quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s ordinary shares of $0.26 per share (an annual rate of $1.04 per share). It is intended that the dividend will be payable on April 16, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2010.

Conclusion

“We are proud of the results we delivered for 2009 and especially proud of our associates around the globe and thank them for their hard work in delivering these results,” said Joe Plumeri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Willis Group Holdings. “We will continue to run the company with discipline and foresight, managing our expense base and strengthening the balance sheet, while investing in areas that will drive current and future growth.”

Conference Call and Web Cast

A conference call to discuss the fourth quarter 2009 results will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 8:00 AM Eastern Time. To participate in the live teleconference, please dial (866) 803-2143 (domestic) or +1 (210) 795-1098 (international) with a pass code of “Willis”. The live audio web cast (which will be listen-only) may be accessed at www.willis.com. This call will be available by replay starting at approximately 10:00 AM Eastern Time, through March 6, 2010 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, by calling (877) 611-5293 (domestic) or +1 (203) 369-4862 (international) with no pass code, or by accessing the website.

Willis Group Holdings plc is a leading global insurance broker, developing and delivering professional insurance, reinsurance, risk management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial services to corporations, public entities and institutions around the world. Willis has more than 400 offices in nearly 120 countries, with a global team of approximately 20,000 Associates serving clients in approximately 190 countries. Additional information on Willis may be found at www.willis.com.

Your opinion matters!

Click here to leave comments about news and articles.

Willis Group Reports Q4 and FY 2009 Results

Your opinion matters!

Submit a Comment