Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Second Quarter 2011 Financial Results

ITASCA, Ill., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today reported its financial results for the quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2011.  A printer-friendly format and supplemental quarterly data is available at www.ajg.com. For a description of the measures used to report financial results in this earnings release, please see "Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures" beginning on page 6.

"I am extremely pleased with our second quarter.  Our financial results were strong; we posted another quarter of positive organic growth in both operating segments; our acquisition program is robust; our international presence is growing, especially with the acquisition of Heath Lambert; and we are doing a good job of controlling our expenses," said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., Chairman, President and CEO.  

• In our Brokerage segment during the second quarter, adjusted total revenues were up 16%, organic commissions and fee revenues up 2.1%, organic supplemental and contingent commissions up 7.7% and adjusted EBITDAC up 13%.  In addition, we completed nine acquisitions, which will add approximately $185 million of annualized revenues.
• In our Risk Management segment during the second quarter, adjusted total revenues were up 20%, organic fees up 5.9% and adjusted EBITDAC up 19%.  
• During the second quarter, our combined Brokerage and Risk Management segments posted 17% growth in adjusted total revenues, 3.7% organic growth in commissions, fees and supplemental commissions and 14% growth in adjusted EBITDAC.

"We're also beginning to see some spots of market firming and our customers' businesses seem more stable than a year ago.  Looking forward, we are on track to exceed $2.0 billion in revenues in 2011 with nearly 25% of our revenues now coming from our international operations.  Our global team is energized by our prospects for future growth and 2011 is shaping up to be an outstanding year."

The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing 2011 revenues, EBITDAC and diluted net earnings (loss) per share with the same quarter and sixmonth period in 2010:  

Brokerage Segment Second Quarter Highlights

• The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing certain components of 2011 organic revenues with the same periods in 2010 (in millions):  

Brokerage Segment Second Quarter Highlights (continued)

• The following is a summary of brokerage acquisition activity for 2011 and 2010:

• Adjusted second quarter compensation ratio shown on page 8 was 1.0 pts lower than the same period in 2010.  The ratio was primarily impacted by decreases in incentive compensation of 0.7 pts.
• Adjusted second quarter operating expense ratio shown on page 8 was 1.6 pts higher than the same period in 2010.  The ratio was primarily impacted by an increase in business insurance of 0.9 pts and the acquisition of Heath Lambert of 0.6 pts.
• Second quarter 2011 includes adjustments to earnouts comprised of (a) $4.4 million of income, reported in the change in estimated earnout payables line, relating to net downward adjustments for prior year acquisitions as a result of revised earnout projections, and (b) $5.8 million of compensation expense relating to an acquisition where the sellers reallocated a portion of the earnout to current employees.  Pursuant to ASC Subtopic 805-10-55, the portion of the reallocation is reported as compensation expense.
• The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing 2011 EBITDAC and 2011 Adjusted EBITDAC to the same periods in 2010 (in millions):

Risk Management Segment Second Quarter Highlights

• The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing 2011 organic fee revenues with the same periods in 2010 (in millions):

• Adjusted second quarter compensation ratio shown on page 8 was 0.5 pts higher than the same period in 2010.  The GAB Robins acquisition had the impact of decreasing the adjusted compensation ratio by 1.8 pts.  This was primarily due to certain services provided by GAB Robins that require related revenues and operating expenses to be reflected gross, rather than net, in the statement of earnings.  The adjusted compensation ratio was also impacted by increases in salaries of 1.6 pts and increased temporary labor of 0.8 pts.

Risk Management Segment Second Quarter Highlights (continued)

• Adjusted second quarter operating expense ratio shown on page 8 was 0.3 pts lower than the same period in 2010.  The GAB Robins acquisition had the impact of increasing the adjusted operating ratio by 0.9 pts.  This was primarily due to certain services provided by GAB Robins that require related revenues and operating expenses to be reflected gross, rather than net, in the statement of earnings.  The adjusted operating expense ratio was also impacted by decreased business insurance of 1.1 pts.
• The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing 2011 EBITDAC and 2011 Adjusted EBITDAC to the same periods in 2010 (in millions):

Acquisition of Heath Lambert

On May 12, 2011, Gallagher acquired Heath Lambert. The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when analyzing the impact of the Heath Lambert acquisition on Gallagher's second quarter 2011 results and the potential future results estimated at the time of the acquisition using an assumed exchange rate of $1.65 to 1.00 pounds Sterling.  Gallagher expects that it could take up to two years to fully integrate the Heath Lambert operations into its existing operations.  Actual results will differ from the amounts estimated below based on actual performance and exchange rates in those future periods.  Gallagher does not intend to update this information in the future.

Corporate Segment Second Quarter Highlights

The following provides non-GAAP information that management believes is helpful when comparing 2011 operating results for the Corporate Segment with the same periods in 2010 (in millions):

• Debt, interest and banking - Gallagher has $675.0 million of long-term borrowings outstanding under three private placement agreements, which are due and payable in various amounts in 2014 through 2023.  Gallagher also maintains an unsecured line of credit of $500.0 million that expires July 14, 2014.  There were $35.0 million of borrowings outstanding under Gallagher's line of credit facility at June 30, 2011.  
• Clean-energy ventures - Gallagher owns positions in eight commercial clean-coal operations ($20.1 million of net carrying value at June 30, 2011):
  • Gallagher owns approximately 25% of six of these operations.  As previously announced, all six operations curtailed production in fourth quarter 2010 to perform testing routines in connection with applying for permanent regulatory operating permits.  In January 2011, one operation received permanent regulatory permits, and in April 2011, two additional operations received permanent regulatory permits.  These three operations produced refined coal during second quarter 2011.  The three remaining operations are in the process of obtaining regulatory permits.  Gallagher cannot predict with certainty when these operations will receive permanent regulatory permits.  The three operations that have received permanent permits could together generate approximately $1.0 million of quarterly net earnings through 2019 at planned production levels.  The three operations that have not yet received permits could together generate approximately $3.0 to $5.0 million of quarterly net earnings through 2019 at planned production levels.  
  • In addition, Gallagher owns 90% of two other operations, which as planned, did not produce refined coal in first or second quarter 2011 while Gallagher was seeking operating sites and potential co-investors for these operations.  Gallagher is currently in negotiations for these two operations.  Although Gallagher expects to have them in production by the end of 2011, Gallagher cannot predict with certainty when the negotiations will be complete, when sites will be secured or when permanent regulatory operating permits will be issued.  If these two operations are running at planned levels, they together could generate up to $3.0 to $5.0 million of quarterly net earnings through 2019.
• Acquisition costs - Consists of professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions.  
• Corporate - Consists of overhead allocations mostly related to corporate staff compensation.  

Income Taxes

Gallagher allocates the provision for income taxes to its Brokerage and Risk Management segments as if those segments were computing income tax provisions on a separate company basis.  Gallagher historically has reported, and anticipates reporting for the foreseeable future, an effective tax rate of approximately 39% to 41% in both its Brokerage and Risk Management segments.  Gallagher's consolidated effective tax rate for second quarter was 36.7% in 2011 and 34.4% in 2010.  The increase in the second quarter 2011 effective tax rate compared to the same period in 2010 was primarily the result of the impact of IRC Section 45 tax credits that were generated in 2010.  

Webcast Conference Call

Gallagher will host a webcast conference call on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 9:15 A.M. ET/8:15 A.M. CT.  To listen to this call, please go to www.ajg.com. The call will be available for replay at such website for not less than 90 days.  

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, has operations in 16 countries and does business in more than 110 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  When used in this press release, the words "anticipates," "believes," "contemplates," "should," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans" and variations thereof and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future income and tax credits generated by Gallagher's clean-energy operations, our corporate income tax rate, the integration of the Heath Lambert and GAB Robins acquisitions, the future revenue and earnings impact of acquisitions (including Heath Lambert), drivers of organic growth in the brokerage and risk management segments and anticipated future results or performance of any segment or the Company as a whole.  

Gallagher's actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Readers are therefore cautioned against relying on any of the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the following:

• Changes in worldwide and national economic conditions, changes in premium rates and in insurance markets generally, changes in the insurance brokerage industry's competitive landscape, and the difficulties inherent in combining the cultures and systems of different companies could impact Gallagher's integration of the Heath Lambert and GAB Robins acquisitions, future revenue and earnings impact of its acquisitions (including Heath Lambert), drivers of organic growth in the brokerage and risk management segments and anticipated future results or performance of any segment or the Company as a whole and,
• Uncertainties related to Gallagher's IRC Section 45 investments, including uncertainties related to (i) receipt and maintenance of long-term permits to operate the facilities by Gallagher's utility partners, (ii) Gallagher's ability to find operating sites and co-investors for its non-operating clean-energy facilities, (iii) potential IRS challenges to Gallagher's ability to claim tax credits under IRC Section 45, (iv) utilities' future use of coal to generate electricity, (v) operational risks at Gallagher's IRC Section 45 operations, (vi) business risks relating to Gallagher's co-investors and partners, (vii) intellectual property risks, and (viii) environmental risks, could impact Gallagher's future income and tax credits generated by its clean-energy operations and its future corporate tax rate.

Please refer to Gallagher's filings with the SEC, including Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, for a more detailed discussion of these and other factors that could impact its forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by Gallagher in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made.  Except as required by applicable law, Gallagher does not undertake to update the information included herein or the corresponding earnings release posted on Gallagher's website.

Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, this press release provides information regarding EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, Adjusted EBITDAC, Adjusted EBITDAC margin, Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (As Adjusted) for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments, organic change in commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues, adjusted revenues, expenses and net earnings, adjusted compensation expense ratio and adjusted operating expense ratio.  These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, the GAAP information provided in this press release.  Gallagher's management believes that these presentations provide useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to Gallagher's results of operations and financial condition.  Gallagher's industry peers provide similar supplemental non-GAAP information, although they may not use the same or comparable terminology and may not make identical adjustments.  The non-GAAP information provided by Gallagher 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 the press release in order to conform them to the current year presentation.

Adjusted presentation - Gallagher believes that the adjusted presentation of 2011 and 2010 statements of earnings, presented on the following pages, provides stockholders and other interested persons with useful information regarding certain financial metrics of Gallagher that will assist such persons in analyzing Gallagher operating results as they develop a future earnings outlook for Gallagher.  The after tax amounts related to the adjustments were computed using the effective tax rate for each respective period.

• Adjusted revenues, expenses and net earnings - Gallagher defines these measures as revenues, expenses and earnings from continuing operations, respectively, each adjusted to exclude gains realized from sales of books of business, supplemental commission timing amounts, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, acquisition related integration costs and litigation settlements, as applicable.
• Adjusted ratios - 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 - Gallagher believes that each of EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, Adjusted EBITDAC, Adjusted EBITDAC margin, and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (As Adjusted) for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments, as defined below, provides a meaningful representation of its operating performance.  Gallagher considers 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 - Gallagher defines this measure as earnings from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables.
• EBITDAC margin - Gallagher defines this measure as EBITDAC divided by total revenues.
• Adjusted EBITDAC - Gallagher defines this measure as EBITDAC adjusted to exclude gains realized from sales of books of business, supplemental commission timing amounts, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, acquisition related integration costs and litigation settlements.
• Adjusted EBITDAC margin - Gallagher defines this measure as Adjusted EBITDAC divided by total revenues, as adjusted to exclude gains realized from sales of books of business and supplemental commission timing amounts.
• Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (As Adjusted) for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments - Gallagher defines this measure as net earnings adjusted to exclude the after-tax impact of gains realized from sales of books of business, supplemental commission timing amounts, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, acquisition related integration costs litigation settlements and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.

Organic Revenues - Organic change in commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues excludes the first twelve months of net commission, fee and supplemental commission 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 determine the revenue growth that is associated with the operations that were a part of Gallagher in both the current and prior year.  In addition, organic growth excludes the impact of 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 2011 foreign exchange rates to the same periods in 2010.  

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 will be continuing in 2011 and beyond.  Gallagher has historically viewed organic revenue growth as an important indicator when assessing and evaluating the performance of its Brokerage and Risk Management segments.  Gallagher also believes that using this measure allows financial statement users to measure, analyze and compare the growth from its Brokerage and Risk Management segments in a meaningful and consistent manner.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information Presented to GAAP Measures - This press release includes tabular reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures for adjusted revenues, expenses and net earnings, EBITDAC (on pages 8 and 9), for Adjusted EBITDAC and Adjusted EBITDAC margin (on pages 3 and 4, respectively, for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments), for Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (As Adjusted) for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments (on pages 1 and 2), and for organic change in commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues (on pages 2 and 3, respectively, for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments).