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Watchlist
Account
Willis Towers Watson
WTW
#935
Rank
$26.81 B
Marketcap
๐ฌ๐ง
United Kingdom
Country
$280.09
Share price
-3.34%
Change (1 day)
-11.75%
Change (1 year)
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Annual Reports (10-K)
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Willis Towers Watson
Quarterly Reports (10-Q)
Financial Year FY2015 Q1
Willis Towers Watson - 10-Q quarterly report FY2015 Q1
Text size:
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number: 001-16503
_______________________________
WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS PUBLIC
LIMITED COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ireland
(Jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
98-0352587
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
c/o Willis Group Limited
51 Lime Street, London, EC3M 7DQ, England
(Address of principal executive offices)
(011) 44-20-3124-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_______________________________
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
þ
No
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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
þ
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
þ
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
þ
As of
May 1, 2015
there were outstanding
179,316,364
ordinary shares, nominal value $0.000115 per share, of the Registrant.
Table Of Contents
Page
Forward-Looking Statements
4
PART I — Financial Information
Item 1
— Financial Statements
6
Item 2
— Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
71
Item 3
— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
91
Item 4
— Controls and Procedures
91
PART II — Other Information
Item 1
— Legal Proceedings
92
Item 1A
— Risk Factors
92
Item 2
— Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
92
Item 3
— Defaults Upon Senior Securities
93
Item 4
— Mine Safety Disclosures
93
Item 5
— Other Information
93
Item 6
— Exhibits
94
Signatures
95
2
Certain Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this quarterly report unless the context requires otherwise:
‘We’, ‘Us’, ‘Company’, ‘Group’, ‘Willis’, or ‘Our’
Willis Group Holdings and its subsidiaries.
‘Willis Group Holdings’ or ‘Willis Group Holdings plc’
Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company, a company organized under the laws of Ireland.
‘shares’
The ordinary shares of Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company, nominal value $0.000115 per share.
3
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have included in this document 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as our outlook, future capital expenditures, growth in commissions and fees, business strategies and planned acquisitions, competitive strengths, goals, the benefits of new initiatives, growth of our business and operations, plans and references to future successes, are forward-looking statements. Also, when we use the words such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend', 'plan', 'probably', or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.
There are important uncertainties, events and factors that could cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained in this document, including the following:
•
the impact of any regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market, environmental or regulatory conditions on our global business operations;
•
the impact of current global economic conditions on our results of operations and financial condition, including as a result of those associated with the Eurozone, any insolvencies of or other difficulties experienced by our clients, insurance companies or financial institutions;
•
our ability to implement and fully realize anticipated benefits of our new growth strategy and revenue generating initiatives;
•
our ability to implement and realize anticipated benefits of any cost-savings or operational improvement initiative, including our ability to achieve expected savings and other benefits from the multi-year Operational Improvement Program as a result of unexpected costs or delays and demand on managerial, operational and administrative resources and/or macroeconomic factors affecting the program as well as the impact of the program on business processes and competitive dynamics;
•
the rejection of our Gras Savoye offer or failure to obtain regulatory approval;
•
our ability to consummate acquisitions, including Miller Insurance Services and Gras Savoye , or achieve the expected benefits;
•
our ability to effectively integrate any acquisition into our business;
•
volatility or declines in insurance markets and premiums on which our commissions are based, but which we do not control;
•
our ability to compete in our industry;
•
material changes in commercial property and casualty markets generally or the availability of insurance products or changes in premiums resulting from a catastrophic event, such as a hurricane;
•
our ability to retain key employees and clients and attract new business, including at a time when the Company is pursuing various strategic initiatives;
•
our ability to develop new products and services;
•
the practical challenges and costs of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and regulations and any related changes, given the global scope of our operations and those of any acquired business and the associated risks of non-compliance and regulatory enforcement action;
•
our ability to develop and implement technology solutions and invest in innovative product offerings in an efficient
and effective manner;
•
fluctuations in our earnings as a result of potential changes to our valuation allowance(s) on our deferred tax assets;
•
changes in the tax or accounting treatment of our operations and fluctuations in our tax rate;
•
our ability to achieve anticipated benefit of any acquisition or other transactions in which we may engage, including any revenue growth of operational efficiencies;
•
our inability to exercise full management control over our associates;
•
our ability to continue to manage our significant indebtedness;
•
the timing or ability to carry out share repurchases and redemptions which is based on many factors, including market conditions, the Company's financial position, earnings, share price, capital requirements, and other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions and related financings);
•
the timing or ability to carry out refinancing or take other steps to manage our capital and the limitations in our long-term debt agreements that may restrict our ability to take these actions;
•
any material fluctuations in exchange and interest rates that could adversely affect expenses and revenue;
4
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
•
a significant decline in the value of investments that fund our pension plans or changes in our pension plan liabilities
or funding obligations;
•
rating agency actions, including a downgrade to our credit rating, that could inhibit our ability to borrow funds or the pricing thereof and in certain circumstances cause us to offer to buy back some of our debt;
•
our ability to receive dividends or other distributions in needed amounts from our subsidiaries;
•
our involvement in and the results of any regulatory investigations, legal proceedings and other contingencies;
•
our exposure to potential liabilities arising from errors and omissions and other potential claims against us;
•
underwriting, advisory or reputational risks associated with our business;
•
the interruption or loss of our information processing systems, data security breaches or failure to maintain secure
information systems; and
•
impairment of the goodwill in one of our reporting units, in which case we may be required to record significant charges to earnings.
The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and new factors may emerge from time to time that could also affect
actual performance and results. For more information see the section entitled 'Risk Factors' included in Willis' Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange commission. Copies are available online at http://www.sec.gov or www.willis.com.
Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and therefore also the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this document, our inclusion of this information is not a representation or guarantee by us that our objectives and plans will be achieved.
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and we will not update these forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this document may not occur, and we caution you against unduly relying on these forward-looking statements.
5
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 — Financial Statements
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three months ended March 31,
Note
2015
2014
(millions, except per share data)
REVENUES
Commissions and fees
$
1,081
$
1,090
Investment income
3
4
Other income
3
3
Total revenues
1,087
1,097
EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
(567
)
(570
)
Other operating expenses
(160
)
(165
)
Depreciation expense
(22
)
(23
)
Amortization of intangible assets
12
(14
)
(13
)
Restructuring costs
3
(31
)
—
Total expenses
(794
)
(771
)
OPERATING INCOME
293
326
Other (expense) income, net
4
(6
)
—
Interest expense
(33
)
(32
)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
254
294
Income taxes
5
(56
)
(63
)
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
198
231
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
16
19
NET INCOME
214
250
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(4
)
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
210
$
246
EARNINGS PER SHARE — BASIC AND DILUTED
— Basic earnings per share
6
$
1.17
$
1.37
— Diluted earnings per share
6
$
1.15
$
1.35
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE
$
0.31
$
0.30
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
Table of Contents
Financial statements
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three months ended March 31,
Note
2015
2014
(millions)
Net income
$
214
$
250
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(112
)
3
Pension funding adjustment
230
6
Derivative instruments
(11
)
(1
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
16
107
8
Comprehensive income
321
258
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
3
(4
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Willis Group Holdings
$
324
$
254
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Note
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
(millions, except share data)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
503
$
635
Accounts receivable, net
1,150
1,044
Fiduciary assets
9,444
8,948
Deferred tax assets
13
12
Other current assets
13
218
214
Total current assets
11,328
10,853
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Fixed assets, net
462
483
Goodwill
11
2,889
2,937
Other intangible assets, net
12
418
450
Investments in associates
167
169
Deferred tax assets
6
9
Pension benefits asset
606
314
Other non-current assets
13
229
220
Total non-current assets
4,777
4,582
TOTAL ASSETS
$
16,105
$
15,435
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Fiduciary liabilities
$
9,444
$
8,948
Deferred revenue and accrued expenses
408
619
Income taxes payable
49
33
Current portion of long-term debt
15
168
167
Deferred tax liabilities
18
21
Other current liabilities
14
461
444
Total current liabilities
10,548
10,232
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Long-term debt
15
2,137
2,142
Liability for pension benefits
277
284
Deferred tax liabilities
185
128
Provisions for liabilities
188
194
Other non-current liabilities
14
398
389
Total non-current liabilities
3,185
3,137
Total liabilities
13,733
13,369
(Continued on next page)
8
Table of Contents
Financial statements
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
Note
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
(millions, except share data)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
8
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
51
59
EQUITY
Ordinary shares, $0.000115 nominal value; Authorized: 4,000,000,000; Issued 179,586,740 shares in 2015 and 178,701,479 shares in 2014
—
—
Ordinary shares, €1 nominal value; Authorized: 40,000; Issued 40,000 shares in 2015 and 2014
—
—
Preference shares, $0.000115 nominal value; Authorized: 1,000,000,000; Issued nil shares in 2015 and 2014
—
—
Additional paid-in capital
1,584
1,524
Retained earnings
1,669
1,530
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
16
(952
)
(1,066
)
Treasury shares, at cost, 46,408 shares, $0.000115 nominal value, in 2015 and 2014 and 40,000 shares, €1 nominal value, in 2015 and 2014
(3
)
(3
)
Total Willis Group Holdings stockholders’ equity
2,298
1,985
Noncontrolling interests
23
22
Total equity
2,321
2,007
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
16,105
$
15,435
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
9
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three months ended March 31,
Note
2015
2014
(millions)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income
$
214
$
250
Adjustments to reconcile net income to total net cash provided by operating activities:
Net (gain) loss on disposal of operations and fixed and intangible assets
(7
)
2
Depreciation expense
22
23
Amortization of intangible assets
12
14
13
Amortization of cash retention awards
3
2
Net periodic income of defined benefit pension plans
7
(13
)
(4
)
Provision for doubtful debts
—
1
Provision for deferred income taxes
12
13
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
(3
)
(1
)
Share-based compensation
18
14
Loss (gain) on derivative instruments
1
(3
)
Undistributed earnings of associates
(16
)
(19
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on net income
41
1
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase of subsidiaries:
Accounts receivable
(152
)
(140
)
Fiduciary assets
(749
)
(871
)
Fiduciary liabilities
749
871
Cash incentives paid
(306
)
(315
)
Funding of defined benefit pension plans
(44
)
(28
)
Other assets
(4
)
—
Other liabilities
157
192
Movement on provisions
(1
)
4
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(64
)
5
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds on disposal of fixed and intangible assets
4
1
Additions to fixed assets
(16
)
(22
)
Additions to intangible assets
(1
)
(1
)
Acquisitions of operations, net of cash acquired
(8
)
—
Payments to acquire other investments, net of distributions received
—
(4
)
Proceeds on sale of operations, net of cash disposed
13
5
Net cash used in investing activities
(8
)
(21
)
(Continued on next page)
10
Table of Contents
Financial statements
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
Three months ended March 31,
Note
2015
2014
(millions)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt issuance costs
(1
)
(2
)
Repayments of debt
15
(4
)
(4
)
Repurchase of shares
(15
)
(35
)
Proceeds from issue of shares
35
43
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
3
1
Dividends paid
(54
)
(50
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
(3
)
(2
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(39
)
(49
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(111
)
(65
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(21
)
3
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
635
796
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
503
$
734
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
11
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
Shares outstanding
Ordinary shares and APIC (i)
Retained Earnings
Treasury Stock
AOCL (ii)
Total WGH shareholders' equity
Noncontrolling Interests
Total Equity
Redeemable Noncontrolling interests (iii)
Total
(thousands)
(millions)
Balance at January 1,2015
178,701
$
1,524
$
1,530
$
(3
)
$
(1,066
)
$
1,985
$
22
$
2,007
$
59
Shares repurchased
(289
)
—
(15
)
—
—
(15
)
—
(15
)
—
Net income
—
—
210
—
—
210
3
213
1
$
214
Dividends
—
—
(56
)
—
—
(56
)
(1
)
(57
)
(3
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
—
—
—
—
114
114
(1
)
113
(6
)
$
107
Issue of shares under employee stock compensation plans and related tax benefits
1,175
37
—
—
—
37
—
37
—
Share-based compensation
—
18
—
—
—
18
—
18
—
Foreign currency translation
—
5
—
—
—
5
—
5
—
Balance at March 31, 2015
179,587
$
1,584
$
1,669
$
(3
)
$
(952
)
$
2,298
$
23
$
2,321
$
51
(i)
APIC means Additional Paid-In Capital
(ii)
AOCL means Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax
(iii)
In accordance with the requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 480-10-S99-3A we have determined that the noncontrolling interest in Max Matthiessen Holding AB should be disclosed as a redeemable noncontrolling interest and presented within mezzanine or temporary equity
12
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Willis provides a broad range of insurance and reinsurance broking and risk management consulting services to its clients worldwide, both directly and indirectly through its associates. The Company provides both specialized risk management advisory and consulting services on a global basis to clients engaged in specific industrial and commercial activities, and services to small, medium and large corporations through its retail operations.
In its capacity as an advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker, the Company acts as an intermediary between clients and insurance carriers by advising clients on risk management requirements, helping clients determine the best means of managing risk, and negotiating and placing insurance risk with insurance carriers through the Company’s global distribution network.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements (‘Interim Financial Statements’) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (‘US GAAP’).
The Interim Financial Statements are unaudited but include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which the Company’s management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position as of such dates and the operating results and cash flows for those periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The results of operations for the
three months ended March 31, 2015
may not necessarily be indicative of the operating results for the entire fiscal year.
These Interim Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2015.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future Periods
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, 'Revenue From Contracts With Customers'. The new standard supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance and eliminates industry-specific guidance. The ASU is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfil a contract. The ASU was originally scheduled to become effective for the Company at the beginning of its 2017 fiscal year; early adoption was not initially permitted. However, in April 2015, the FASB tentatively decided to defer the effective date but permit early adoption at the original effective date. Consequently, the guidance may now become mandatorily effective for the Company at the beginning of its 2018 fiscal year. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for stock compensation where share-based payment awards granted to employees required specific performance targets to be achieved in order for employees to become eligible to vest in the awards and such performance targets could be achieved after an employee completes the requisite service period. The amendment in this update requires a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period to be treated as a performance condition. The guidance is applicable to the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, although earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No.
2015-03, 'Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs' which requires that debt issuance costs related to a note shall be reported in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of that note and that amortization of debt issuance costs shall be reported as interest expense. The ASU becomes effective for the
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Willis Group Holdings plc
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Company at the beginning of its 2016 fiscal year; early adoption is permitted. The Company is required to apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
3. RESTRUCTURING COSTS
In April 2014, the Company announced a multi-year operational improvement program designed to strengthen the Company's client service capabilities and to deliver future cost savings (hereinafter referred to as the Operational Improvement Program).
The main elements of the program, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, include the following:
•
movement of more than
3,500
support roles from higher cost locations to Willis facilities in lower cost locations, bringing the ratio of employees in higher cost versus lower cost near-shore and off-shore centers from approximately 80:20 to approximately 60:40;
•
net workforce reductions in support positions;
•
lease consolidation in real estate and reductions in ratios of seats per employee and square footage of floor space per employee; and
•
information technology systems simplification and rationalization.
The Company recognized restructuring costs of
$31 million
in the
three months ended March 31,
2015
related to its Operational Improvement Program (
three months ended March 31, 2014
:
$nil
).
An analysis of the cost for restructuring recognized in the statement of operations by reportable segment in the
three months ended March 31,
2015
is as follows:
Willis North America
Willis International
Willis GB
Willis Capital, Wholesale & Reinsurance
Corporate & other
Total
(millions)
Termination benefits
$
2
$
2
$
—
$
6
$
—
$
10
Professional services and other
5
1
4
—
11
21
Total
$
7
$
3
$
4
$
6
$
11
$
31
14
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
3. RESTRUCTURING COSTS (Continued)
An analysis of the total cumulative restructuring costs recognized for the Operational Improvement Program from commencement to
March 31, 2015
is as follows:
Willis North America
Willis International
Willis GB
Willis Capital, Wholesale & Reinsurance
Corporate & other
Total
(millions)
2014
Termination benefits
$
3
$
3
$
9
$
1
$
—
$
16
Professional services and other
—
2
1
—
17
20
2015
Termination benefits
$
2
$
2
$
—
$
6
$
—
$
10
Professional services and other
5
1
4
—
11
21
Total
Termination benefits
$
5
$
5
$
9
$
7
$
—
$
26
Professional services and other
5
3
5
—
28
41
Total
$
10
$
8
$
14
$
7
$
28
$
67
At
March 31, 2015
the Company’s liability under the Operational Improvement Program is as follows:
Termination benefits
Professional services and other
Total
(millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
—
$
—
$
—
Charges incurred
16
20
36
Cash payments
(11
)
(14
)
(25
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
5
6
11
Charges incurred
10
21
31
Cash payments
(4
)
(15
)
(19
)
Foreign exchange
(1
)
—
(1
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
$
10
$
12
$
22
4. OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET
Other (expense) income, net consists of the following:
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
(millions)
Gain (loss) on disposal of operations
$
4
$
(3
)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain
(10
)
3
Other (expense) income, net
$
(6
)
$
—
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Willis Group Holdings plc
5. INCOME TAXES
The tables below reflect the components of the tax charge for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
:
Income
before tax
Tax
Effective tax
rate
(millions, except percentages)
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Ordinary income taxed at estimated annual effective tax rate
$
250
$
(62
)
25
%
Items where tax effect is treated discretely:
Gain on disposal of operations
4
(2
)
50
%
Net adjustment in respect of prior periods
—
8
—
%
As reported
$
254
$
(56
)
22
%
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Non-US ordinary income taxed at estimated annual effective tax rate
$
232
$
(50
)
22
%
US ordinary income and tax charge
65
(12
)
18
%
Items where tax effect is treated discretely:
Loss on disposal of operations
(3
)
1
33
%
Net adjustment in respect of prior periods
—
(2
)
—
%
As reported
$
294
$
(63
)
21
%
For interim income tax reporting purposes, the Company determines its best estimate of an annual effective tax rate and applies that rate to its year-to-date ordinary income. The Company's estimated annual effective tax rate excludes significant, unusual, or infrequently occurring items and certain other items excluded pursuant to the US GAAP authoritative guidance where applicable. The income tax expense (or benefit) related to all other items is individually computed and recognized when the items occur.
The reported tax rate for the
three months ended March 31, 2015
was
22 percent
compared with
21 percent
for the same period of
2014
. The Company's tax rate differs from the US statutory income tax rate of
35 percent
primarily due to income being subject to tax in numerous non-US jurisdictions with varying tax rates, as well as the valuation allowance maintained in the United States due to losses incurred in recent years.
Considering the Company's recent US earnings experience, including profits before tax in the first quarter, and projections of future income, a possibility exists that the Company may release a portion of the valuation allowance against its US deferred tax assets in the current year. Release of the US valuation allowance would result in the recognition of deferred tax assets and a decrease to income tax expense for the period the release is recorded. The Company's US valuation allowance, excluding that related to state separate taxes, is
$163 million
as at March 31, 2015. The exact timing and amount of future valuation release is subject to change on the basis of the level of profitability the Company is able to achieve.
16
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
6. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income attributable to Willis Group Holdings by the average number of shares outstanding during each period. The computation of diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities and other contracts to issue shares were exercised or converted into shares or resulted in the issuance of shares that then shared in the net income of the Company.
At
March 31, 2015
, time-based and performance-based options to purchase
5.0 million
and
3.1 million
shares (
March 31, 2014
:
7.0 million
and
5.0 million
), respectively, and
3.4 million
restricted stock units (
March 31, 2014
:
2.9 million
) were outstanding.
Basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
(millions, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Willis Group Holdings
$
210
$
246
Basic average number of shares outstanding
179
179
Dilutive effect of potentially issuable shares
3
3
Diluted average number of shares outstanding
182
182
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Willis Group Holdings shareholders
$
1.17
$
1.37
Dilutive effect of potentially issuable shares
(0.02
)
(0.02
)
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Willis Group Holdings shareholders
$
1.15
$
1.35
Options to purchase
1.4 million
shares were not included in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock options for the
three months ended March 31, 2015
because the effect was antidilutive (
three months ended March 31, 2014
:
1.8 million
shares).
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Willis Group Holdings plc
7. PENSION PLANS
The components of the net periodic benefit (income) cost of the UK, US and other defined benefit plans are as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
UK Pension
Benefits
US Pension
Benefits
Other Pension Benefits
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
(millions)
Components of net periodic benefit (income) cost:
Service cost
$
10
$
11
$
—
$
—
$
1
$
—
Interest cost
26
30
10
10
2
2
Expected return on plan assets
(57
)
(54
)
(14
)
(13
)
(1
)
(1
)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service gain
(2
)
(1
)
—
—
—
—
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss
9
11
3
1
—
—
Net periodic (income) benefit cost
$
(14
)
$
(3
)
$
(1
)
$
(2
)
$
2
$
1
During the
three months ended March 31, 2015
, the Company made cash contributions of
$40 million
(
2014
:
$21 million
) into the UK defined benefit pension plan. In addition to this, a further payment of
$2 million
(
2014
:
$3 million
) was made in respect of employees’ salary sacrifice contributions. Cash contributions of
$nil
and
$2 million
(
2014
:
$2 million
and
$2 million
) were made to the US plan and other defined benefit pension plans, respectively.
Contributions to the UK defined benefit pension plan in
2015
are expected to total
$93 million
, of which approximately
$18 million
relates to ongoing contributions calculated as
15.9 percent
of active plan members’ pensionable salaries, approximately
$54 million
relates to contributions towards funding the deficit and
$21 million
represents an exceptional return payment related to
10 percent
of the
$213 million
share buyback program completed during 2014, as required under the current agreed schedule of contributions.
In addition, for full year
2015
, the Company expects to contribute approximately
$9 million
to the UK defined benefit pension plan related to employees’ salary sacrifice contributions. The Company also expects to contribute approximately
$10 million
to the US plan and
$10 million
to the other defined benefit pension plans for the full year
2015
(inclusive of amounts contributed in the year to date).
Further contributions will be payable into the UK pension plan based on a profit share calculation (equal to
20 percent
of EBITDA in excess of
$900 million
per annum as defined by the revised schedule of contributions) and an exceptional return calculation (equal to
10 percent
of any exceptional returns made to shareholders, for example, share buybacks and special dividends). In respect of 2015, any such contributions will be paid in 2016 on finalization of the calculations. Aggregate contributions under the deficit funding contribution and the profit share calculation are capped at
£312 million
(
$463 million
) over the six-year period ended December 31, 2017.
The schedule of contributions is required to be renegotiated after three years or at any earlier time jointly agreed by the Company and the trustee. The Company is currently in negotiations with the plan’s Trustee to agree an updated funding strategy.
On
March 6, 2015
, the Company announced to members of the UK defined benefit pension plan that with effect from
June 30, 2015
, future salary increases would not be pensionable (the “salary freeze”). The Company has recognized the salary freeze as a plan amendment at the announcement date. The impact of the salary freeze is to reduce the plan’s projected benefit obligation by approximately
$215 million
and create a prior service gain which is recognized in other comprehensive income and then amortized to the statement of operations over the remaining expected service life of active employees.
18
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contractual Obligations
Pensions
The Company’s pension funding obligations are described in Note 7 — ‘Pension Plans’.
Other Contractual Obligations
In July 2010, the Company made a capital commitment of
$25 million
to Trident V Parallel Fund, LP. As of
March 31, 2015
, there had been approximately
$22 million
of capital contributions towards this commitment.
In May 2011, the Company made a capital commitment of
$10 million
to Dowling Capital Partners I, LP. As of
March 31, 2015
, there had been approximately
$7 million
of capital contributions towards this commitment.
Claims, Lawsuits and Other Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to various actual and potential claims, lawsuits, and other proceedings relating principally to alleged errors and omissions in connection with the placement of insurance and reinsurance. Similar to other corporations, the Company is also subject to a variety of other claims, including those relating to the Company’s employment practices. Some of the claims, lawsuits and other proceedings seek damages in amounts which could, if assessed, be significant.
Errors and omissions claims, lawsuits, and other proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business are covered in part by professional indemnity or other appropriate insurance. The terms of this insurance vary by policy year and self-insured risks have increased significantly in recent years. Regarding self-insured risks, the Company has established provisions which are believed to be adequate in the light of current information and legal advice, and the Company adjusts such provisions from time to time according to developments. These provisions have been recognized in other operating expenses to the extent that losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. Matters that are not probable or reasonably estimable have not been provided for and the Company does not believe a reasonable possible range of losses, for these matters, can be estimated.
On the basis of current information, the Company does not expect that the actual claims, lawsuits and other proceedings to which the Company is subject, or potential claims, lawsuits, and other proceedings relating to matters of which it is aware, will ultimately have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Nonetheless, given the large or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these actions, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation and disputes with insurance companies and others, it is possible that an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods.
The material actual or potential claims, lawsuits, and other proceedings, of which the Company is currently aware, are as follows:
Stanford Financial Group Litigation
The Company has been named as a defendant in 13 similar lawsuits relating to the collapse of The Stanford Financial Group (‘Stanford’), for which Willis of Colorado, Inc. acted as broker of record on certain lines of insurance. The complaints in these actions generally allege that the defendants actively and materially aided Stanford’s alleged fraud by providing Stanford with certain letters regarding coverage that they knew would be used to help retain or attract actual or prospective Stanford client investors. The complaints further allege that these letters, which contain statements about Stanford and the insurance policies that the defendants placed for Stanford, contained untruths and omitted material facts and were drafted in this manner to help Stanford promote and sell its allegedly fraudulent certificates of deposit.
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Willis Group Holdings plc
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
The 13 actions are as follows:
•
Troice, et al. v. Willis of Colorado, Inc., et al., C.A. No. 3:9-CV-1274-N, was filed on July 2, 2009 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against Willis Group Holdings plc, Willis of Colorado, Inc. and a Willis associate, among others. On April 1, 2011, plaintiffs filed the operative Third Amended Class Action Complaint individually and on behalf of a putative, worldwide class of Stanford investors, adding Willis Limited as a defendant and alleging claims under Texas statutory and common law and seeking damages in excess of $1 billion, punitive damages and costs. On May 2, 2011, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the Third Amended Class Action Complaint, arguing, inter alia, that the plaintiffs’ claims are precluded by the Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act of 1998 (‘SLUSA’).
On May 10, 2011, the court presiding over the Stanford-related actions in the Northern District of Texas entered an order providing that it would consider the applicability of SLUSA to the Stanford-related actions based on the decision in a separate Stanford action not involving a Willis entity, Roland v. Green, Civil Action No. 3:10-CV-0224-N. On August 31, 2011, the court issued its decision in Roland, dismissing that action with prejudice under SLUSA.
On October 27, 2011, the court in Troice entered an order (i) dismissing with prejudice those claims asserted in the Third Amended Class Action Complaint on a class basis on the grounds set forth in the Roland decision discussed above and (ii) dismissing without prejudice those claims asserted in the Third Amended Class Action Complaint on an individual basis. Also on October 27, 2011, the court entered a final judgment in the action.
On October 28, 2011, the plaintiffs in Troice filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Subsequently, Troice, Roland and a third action captioned Troice, et al. v. Proskauer Rose LLP, Civil Action No. 3:09-CV-01600-N, which also was dismissed on the grounds set forth in the Roland decision discussed above and on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, were consolidated for purposes of briefing and oral argument. Following the completion of briefing and oral argument, on March 19, 2012, the Fifth Circuit reversed and remanded the actions. On April 2, 2012, the defendants-appellees filed petitions for rehearing en banc. On April 19, 2012, the petitions for rehearing en banc were denied. On July 18, 2012, defendants-appellees filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court regarding the Fifth Circuit's reversal in Troice. On January 18, 2013, the Supreme Court granted our petition. Opening briefs were filed on May 3, 2013 and the Supreme Court heard oral argument on October 7, 2013. On February 26, 2014, the Supreme Court affirmed the Fifth Circuit’s decision.
On March 19, 2014, the plaintiffs in Troice filed a Motion to Defer Resolution of Motions to Dismiss, to Compel Rule 26(f) Conference and For Entry of Scheduling Order. That motion has now been fully briefed by the parties and awaits disposition by the court.
On March 25, 2014, the parties in Troice and the Janvey, et al. v. Willis of Colorado, Inc., et al. action discussed below stipulated to the consolidation of the two actions for pre-trial purposes under Rule 42(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. On March 28, 2014, the Court “so ordered” that stipulation and, thus, consolidated Troice and Janvey for pre-trial purposes under Rule 42(a).
On September 16, 2014, the court (a) denied the plaintiffs’ request to defer resolution of the defendants’ motions to dismiss, but granted the plaintiffs’ request to enter a scheduling order; (b) requested the submission of supplemental briefing by all parties on the defendants’ motions to dismiss, which the parties submitted on September 30, 2014; and (c) entered an order setting a schedule for briefing and discovery regarding plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, which schedule, among other things, provides for the submission of the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification (following the completion of briefing and discovery) on April 20, 2015.
On December 15, 2014, the court granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motions to dismiss. On January 30, 2015, the defendants answered the Third Amended Class Action Complaint.
On April 20, 2015, the plaintiffs filed their motion for class certification, the defendants filed their opposition to plaintiffs’ motion, and the plaintiffs filed their reply in further support of the motion. Pursuant to an agreed stipulation also filed with the court on April 20, 2015, the defendants have until June 4, 2015 to file a sur-reply in further opposition to the motion.
20
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
•
Ranni v. Willis of Colorado, Inc., et al., C.A. No. 9-22085, was filed on July 17, 2009 against Willis Group Holdings plc and Willis of Colorado, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint was filed on behalf of a putative class of Venezuelan and other South American Stanford investors and alleges claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and Rule 10b-5 thereunder) and Florida statutory and common law and seeks damages in an amount to be determined at trial. On October 6, 2009, Ranni was transferred, for consolidation or coordination with other Stanford-related actions (including Troice), to the Northern District of Texas by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the ‘JPML’). The defendants have not yet responded to the complaint in Ranni. On August 26, 2014, the plaintiff filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of the action without prejudice.
•
Canabal, et al. v. Willis of Colorado, Inc., et al., C.A. No. 3:9-CV-1474-D, was filed on August 6, 2009 against Willis Group Holdings plc, Willis of Colorado, Inc. and the same Willis associate named as a defendant in Troice, among others, also in the Northern District of Texas. The complaint was filed individually and on behalf of a putative class of Venezuelan Stanford investors, alleged claims under Texas statutory and common law and sought damages in excess of $1 billion, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. On December 18, 2009, the parties in Troice and Canabal stipulated to the consolidation of those actions (under the Troice civil action number), and, on December 31, 2009, the plaintiffs in Canabal filed a notice of dismissal, dismissing the action without prejudice.
•
Rupert, et al. v. Winter, et al., Case No. 2009C115137, was filed on September 14, 2009 on behalf of 97 Stanford investors against Willis Group Holdings plc, Willis of Colorado, Inc. and the same Willis associate, among others, in Texas state court (Bexar County). The complaint alleges claims under the Securities Act of 1933, Texas and Colorado statutory law and Texas common law and seeks special, consequential and treble damages of more than $300 million, attorneys’ fees and costs. On October 20, 2009, certain defendants, including Willis of Colorado, Inc., (i) removed Rupert to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, (ii) notified the JPML of the pendency of this related action and (iii) moved to stay the action pending a determination by the JPML as to whether it should be transferred to the Northern District of Texas for consolidation or coordination with the other Stanford-related actions. On April 1, 2010, the JPML issued a final transfer order for the transfer of Rupert to the Northern District of Texas. On January 24, 2012, the court remanded Rupert to Texas state court (Bexar County), but stayed the action until further order of the court. On August 13, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a motion to lift the stay, which motion was denied by the court on September 16, 2014. On October 10, 2014, the plaintiffs appealed the court’s denial of their motion to lift the stay to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. On January 5, 2015, the Fifth Circuit consolidated the appeal with the appeal in the Rishmague, et ano. v. Winter, et al. action discussed below, and the consolidated appeal, which was fully briefed as of March 24, 2015, is currently pending. The defendants have not yet responded to the complaint in Rupert.
•
Casanova, et al. v. Willis of Colorado, Inc., et al., C.A. No. 3:10-CV-1862-O, was filed on September 16, 2010 on behalf of seven Stanford investors against Willis Group Holdings plc, Willis Limited, Willis of Colorado, Inc. and the same Willis associate, among others, also in the Northern District of Texas. The complaint alleges claims under Texas statutory and common law and seeks actual damages in excess of $5 million, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. On February 13, 2015, the parties filed an Agreed Motion for Partial Dismissal pursuant to which they agreed to the dismissal of certain claims pursuant to the motion to dismiss decisions in the Troice action discussed above and the Janvey action discussed below. Also on February 13, 2015, the defendants answered the complaint in the Casanova action.
•
Rishmague, et ano. v. Winter, et al., Case No. 2011CI2585, was filed on March 11, 2011 on behalf of two Stanford investors, individually and as representatives of certain trusts, against Willis Group Holdings plc, Willis of Colorado, Inc., Willis of Texas, Inc. and the same Willis associate, among others, in Texas state court (Bexar County). The complaint alleges claims under Texas and Colorado statutory law and Texas common law and seeks special, consequential and treble damages of more than $37 million and attorneys’ fees and costs. On April 11, 2011, certain defendants, including Willis of Colorado, Inc., (i) removed Rishmague to the Western District of Texas, (ii) notified the JPML of the pendency of this related action and (iii) moved to stay the action pending a determination by the JPML as to whether it should be transferred to the Northern District of Texas for consolidation or coordination with the other Stanford-related actions. On August 8, 2011, the JPML issued a final transfer order for the transfer of Rishmague to the Northern District of Texas, where it is currently pending. On August 13, 2012, the plaintiffs joined with the plaintiffs
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Willis Group Holdings plc
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
in the Rupert action in their motion to lift the court’s stay of the Rupert action. On September 9, 2014, the court remanded Rishmague to Texas state court (Bexar County), but stayed the action until further order of the court and denied the plaintiffs’ motion to lift the stay. On October 10, 2014, the plaintiffs appealed the court’s denial of their motion to lift the stay to the Fifth Circuit. On January 5, 2015, the Fifth Circuit consolidated the appeal with the appeal in the Rupert action, and the consolidated appeal, which was fully briefed as of March 24, 2015, is currently pending. The defendants have not yet responded to the complaint in Rishmague.
•
MacArthur v. Winter, et al., Case No. 2013-07840, was filed on February 8, 2013 on behalf of two Stanford investors against Willis Group Holdings plc, Willis of Colorado, Inc., Willis of Texas, Inc. and the same Willis associate, among others, in Texas state court (Harris County). The complaint alleges claims under Texas and Colorado statutory law and Texas common law and seeks actual, special, consequential and treble damages of approximately $4 million and attorneys' fees and costs. On March 29, 2013, Willis of Colorado, Inc. and Willis of Texas, Inc. (i) removed MacArthur to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and (ii) notified the JPML of the pendency of this related action. On April 2, 2013, Willis of Colorado, Inc. and Willis of Texas, Inc. filed a motion in the Southern District of Texas to stay the action pending a determination by the JPML as to whether it should be transferred to the Northern District of Texas for consolidation or coordination with the other Stanford-related actions. Also on April 2, 2013, the court presiding over MacArthur in the Southern District of Texas transferred the action to the Northern District of Texas for consolidation or coordination with the other Stanford-related actions. On September 29, 2014, the parties stipulated to the remand (to Texas state court (Harris County)) and stay of MacArthur until further order of the court (in accordance with the court’s September 9, 2014 decision in Rishmague (discussed above)), which stipulation was “so ordered” by the court on October 14, 2014. The defendants have not yet responded to the complaint in MacArthur.
•
Florida suits: On February 14, 2013, five lawsuits were filed against Willis Group Holdings plc, Willis Limited and Willis of Colorado, Inc. in Florida state court (Miami-Dade County) alleging violations of Florida common law. The five suits are: (1) Barbar, et al. v. Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company, et al., Case No. 13-05666CA27, filed on behalf of 35 Stanford investors seeking compensatory damages in excess of $30 million; (2) de Gadala-Maria, et al. v. Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company, et al., Case No. 13-05669CA30, filed on behalf of 64 Stanford investors seeking compensatory damages in excess of $83.5 million; (3) Ranni, et ano. v. Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company, et al., Case No. 13-05673CA06, filed on behalf of two Stanford investors seeking compensatory damages in excess of $3 million; (4) Tisminesky, et al. v. Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company, et al., Case No. 13-05676CA09, filed on behalf of 11 Stanford investors seeking compensatory damages in excess of $6.5 million; and (5) Zacarias, et al. v. Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company, et al., Case No. 13-05678CA11, filed on behalf of 10 Stanford investors seeking compensatory damages in excess of $12.5 million. On June 3, 2013, Willis of Colorado, Inc. removed all five cases to the Southern District of Florida and, on June 4, 2013, notified the JPML of the pendency of these related actions. On June 10, 2013, the court in Tisminesky issued an order sua sponte staying and administratively closing that action pending a determination by the JPML as to whether it should be transferred to the Northern District of Texas for consolidation and coordination with the other Stanford-related actions. On June 11, 2013, Willis of Colorado, Inc. moved to stay the other four actions pending the JPML's transfer decision. On June 20, 2013, the JPML issued a conditional transfer order for the transfer of the five actions to the Northern District of Texas, the transmittal of which was stayed for seven days to allow for any opposition to be filed. On June 28, 2013, with no opposition having been filed, the JPML lifted the stay, enabling the transfer to go forward.
On September 30, 2014, the court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to remand in Zacarias, and, on October 3, 2014, the court denied the plaintiffs’ motions to remand in Tisminesky and de Gadala Maria. On December 3, 2014 and March 3, 2015, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motions to remand in Barbar and Ranni, respectively, remanded both actions to Florida state court (Miami-Dade County) and stayed both actions until further order of the court. On January 2, 2015 and April 1, 2015, the plaintiffs in Barbar and Ranni, respectively, appealed the court’s December 3, 2014 and March 3, 2015 decisions to the Fifth Circuit. On April 22, 2015, the Fifth Circuit dismissed the Barbar appeal sua sponte for lack of jurisdiction. We believe the dismissal was in error and that the appeal is likely to be reinstated. The Ranni appeal is currently pending.
On April 1, 2015, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the complaints in Zacarias, Tisminesky and de Gadala-Maria, which motions are currently pending. The defendants have not yet responded to the complaints in Ranni or Barbar.
22
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
•
Janvey, et al. v. Willis of Colorado, Inc., et al., Case No. 3:13-CV-03980-D, was filed on October 1, 2013 also in the Northern District of Texas against Willis Group Holdings plc, Willis Limited, Willis North America Inc., Willis of Colorado, Inc. and the same Willis associate. The complaint was filed (i) by Ralph S. Janvey, in his capacity as Court-Appointed Receiver for the Stanford Receivership Estate, and the Official Stanford Investors Committee (the ‘OSIC’) against all defendants and (ii) on behalf of a putative, worldwide class of Stanford investors against Willis North America Inc. Plaintiffs Janvey and the OSIC allege claims under Texas common law and the court’s Amended Order Appointing Receiver, and the putative class plaintiffs allege claims under Texas statutory and common law. Plaintiffs seek actual damages in excess of $1 billion, punitive damages and costs. On November 15, 2013, plaintiffs filed the operative First Amended Complaint, which added certain defendants unaffiliated with Willis. On February 28, 2014, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the First Amended Complaint, which motions were granted in part and denied in part by the court on December 5, 2014. On December 22, 2014, Willis filed a motion to amend the court’s December 5 order to certify an interlocutory appeal to the Fifth Circuit, and, on December 23, 2014, Willis filed a motion to amend and, to the extent necessary, reconsider the court’s December 5 order. On January 16, 2015, the defendants answered the First Amended Complaint. On January 28, 2015, the court denied Willis’s motion to amend the court’s December 5 order to certify an interlocutory appeal to the Fifth Circuit. On February 4, 2015, the court granted Willis’s motion to amend and, to the extent necessary, reconsider the December 5 order.
As discussed above, on March 25, 2014, the parties in Troice and Janvey stipulated to the consolidation of the two actions for pre-trial purposes under Rule 42(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. On March 28, 2014, the Court “so ordered” that stipulation and, thus, consolidated Troice and Janvey for pre-trial purposes under Rule 42(a).
On January 26, 2015, the court entered an order setting a schedule for briefing and discovery regarding the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, which schedule, among other things, provided for the submission of the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification (following the completion of briefing and discovery) on July 20, 2015. By letter dated March 4, 2015, the parties requested that the court consolidate the scheduling orders entered in Troice and Janvey to provide for a class certification submission date of April 20, 2015 in both cases. On March 6, 2015, the court entered an order consolidating the scheduling orders in Troice and Janvey, providing for a class certification submission date of April 20, 2015 in both cases, and vacating the July 20, 2015 class certification submission date in the original Janvey scheduling order.
Additional actions could be brought in the future by other investors in certificates of deposit issued by Stanford and its affiliates. The Company disputes these allegations and intends to defend itself vigorously against these actions. The outcomes of these actions, however, including any losses or other payments that may occur as a result, cannot be predicted at this time.
23
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Willis Group Holdings plc
9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments
In addition to the note below, see Note 10 — ‘Fair Value Measurement’ for information about the fair value hierarchy of derivatives.
Primary Risks Managed by Derivative Financial Instruments
The main risks managed by derivative financial instruments are interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The Company’s Board of Directors reviews and approves policies for managing each of these risks as summarized below.
The Company enters into derivative transactions (principally interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency contracts) in order to manage interest rate and foreign currency risks arising from the Company’s operations and its sources of finance. The Company does not hold financial or derivative instruments for trading purposes.
Interest Rate Risk — Investment Income
As a result of the Company’s operating activities, the Company holds Fiduciary funds. The Company earns interest on these
funds, which is included in the Company’s financial statements as investment income. These funds are regulated in terms of
access and the instruments in which they may be invested, most of which are short-term in maturity.
Interest Rate Risk — Interest Expense
The Company's operations are financed principally by
$2,054 million
fixed rate senior notes maturing through 2043 and
$255 million
under a
7
-year term loan facility. The Company has access to (i)
$800 million
under a revolving credit facility expiring
July 23, 2018
, (ii)
$400 million
under a revolving credit facility expiring
April 28, 2017
, which will be available for regulatory capital purposes related to securities underwriting only, and (iii)
$22 million
under
two
further revolving credit facilities, of which
$20 million
is also only available for specific regulatory purposes only. As of
March 31, 2015
$nil
(
December 31, 2014
:
$nil
) was drawn on these facilities.
The
7
-year term loan facility bears interest at
LIBOR plus 1.50%
and drawings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at
LIBOR plus 1.50%
. These margins apply while the Company’s debt rating remains BBB-/Baa3. Should the Company’s debt rating change, then the margin will change in accordance with the credit facilities agreements. The fixed rate senior notes bear interest at various rates as detailed in Note 15 — ‘Debt’.
During the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
three months ended March 31,
2014
, the Company had no derivative financial instruments that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.
Foreign Currency Risk
The Company’s primary foreign exchange risks arise from the following:
•
changes in the exchange rate between US dollars and Pounds sterling as its London market operations earn the majority of their revenues in US dollars and incur expenses predominantly in Pounds sterling, and may also hold a significant net sterling asset or liability position on the balance sheet. In addition, the London market operations earn significant revenues in Euros and Japanese yen; and
•
the translation into US dollars of the net income and net assets of its foreign subsidiaries, excluding the London market operations which are US dollar-denominated.
The foreign exchange risks in its London market operations are hedged as follows:
•
to the extent that forecast Pounds sterling expenses exceed Pounds sterling revenues, the Company limits its exposure to this exchange rate risk by the use of forward contracts matched to specific, clearly identified cash outflows arising in the ordinary course of business; and
•
to the extent the UK operations earn significant revenues in Euros and Japanese yen, the Company limits its exposure to changes in the exchange rate between the US dollar and these currencies by the use of forward contracts matched to a
24
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)
percentage of forecast cash inflows in specific currencies and periods. In addition, we are also exposed to foreign exchange risk on any net sterling asset or liability position in our London market operations.
The fair value of foreign currency contracts is recorded in other assets and other liabilities. For contracts that qualify as accounting hedges, changes in fair value resulting from movements in the spot exchange rate are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income while changes resulting from a movement in the time value are recorded in interest expense. For contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting, the total change in fair value is recorded in interest expense. Amounts held in comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings.
At
March 31, 2015
and
December 31, 2014
, the Company’s foreign currency contracts were all designated as hedging instruments except those relating to short-term cash flows and hedges of certain intercompany loans.
The table below summarizes by major currency the contractual amounts of the Company’s forward contracts to exchange foreign currencies for Pounds sterling in the case of US dollars and US dollars for Euro and Japanese yen. Foreign currency notional amounts are reported in US dollars translated at contracted exchange rates.
Sell
Fair value
(millions)
US dollar
$
727
$
(47
)
Euro
197
32
Japanese yen
55
7
In addition to forward exchange contracts, we undertake short-term foreign exchange swaps for liquidity purposes. These are not designated as hedges and do not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair values at
March 31, 2015
and
December 31, 2014
were immaterial.
During the
three months ended March 31, 2015
, the Company entered into a number of foreign currency transactions in order to hedge certain intercompany loans. These derivatives were not designated as hedging instruments and were for a total notional amount of
$606 million
(
December 31, 2014
:
$352 million
). In respect of these transactions,
$2 million
has been recognized as an asset within other current assets and an equivalent gain has been recognized in other (expense) income, net, for the period.
Derivative financial instruments
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments and their balance sheet classification at
March 31, 2015
and
December 31, 2014
:
Fair value
Derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments:
Balance sheet
classification
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
(millions)
Assets:
Forward exchange contracts
Other assets
$
39
$
26
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
$
39
$
26
Liabilities:
Forward exchange contracts
Other liabilities
$
47
$
21
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
$
47
$
21
25
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Willis Group Holdings plc
9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)
Cash Flow Hedges
The table below presents the effects of derivative financial instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statements of equity for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
:
Derivatives in cash flow
hedging relationships
Amount of
gain (loss)
recognized
in OCI
(i)
on derivative (effective
element)
Location of gain (loss)
reclassified from
accumulated OCI
(i)
into
income (effective element)
Amount of
gain (loss)
reclassified
from
accumulated
OCI
(i)
into
income
(effective
element)
Location of gain (loss)
recognized in income on derivative
(ineffective hedges and ineffective
element of effective hedges)
Amount of
gain (loss)
recognized
in income on derivative
(ineffective
hedges
and
ineffective
element of
effective
hedges)
(millions)
(millions)
(millions)
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Interest rate swaps
$
—
Investment income
$
(1
)
Other operating expenses
$
—
Forward exchange contracts
(14
)
Other (expense) income, net
1
Interest expense
—
Total
$
(14
)
$
—
$
—
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Interest rate swaps
$
—
Investment income
$
(2
)
Other operating expenses
$
—
Forward exchange contracts
—
Other (expense) income, net
1
Interest expense
—
Total
$
—
$
(1
)
$
—
____________________
Amounts above shown gross of tax.
(i)
Other Comprehensive Loss
For interest rate swaps, all components of each derivative’s gain or loss were included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness. For foreign exchange contracts, only the changes in fair value resulting from movements in the spot exchange rates are included in this assessment. In instances where the timing of expected cash flows can be matched exactly to the maturity of the foreign exchange contract, changes in fair value attributable to movement in the forward points are also included.
At
March 31, 2015
, the Company estimates there will be
$1 million
of net derivative gains reclassified from accumulated comprehensive loss into earnings within the next twelve months as the forecasted transactions affect earnings.
Credit Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk
Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if counterparties failed to perform as contracted and may increase or decrease based on movements in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The Company currently does not anticipate non-performance by its counterparties. The Company generally does not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.
Concentrations of credit risk that arise from financial instruments exist for groups of customers or counterparties when they have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. Financial instruments on the balance sheet that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, fiduciary funds, accounts receivable and derivatives which are recorded at fair value.
The Company maintains a policy providing for the diversification of cash and cash equivalent investments and places such investments in an extensive number of financial institutions to limit the amount of credit risk exposure. These financial institutions are monitored on an ongoing basis for credit quality predominantly using information provided by credit agencies.
26
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited due to the large number of clients and markets in which the Company does business, as well as the dispersion across many geographic areas. Management does not believe significant risk exists in connection with the Company's concentrations of credit as of
March 31, 2015
.
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The Company has categorized its assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into a three-level fair value hierarchy, based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value as follows:
•
Level 1: refers to fair values determined based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets;
•
Level 2: refers to fair values estimated using observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data; and
•
Level 3: includes fair values estimated using unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosure for financial instruments:
Long-term debt (excluding related fair value hedges) - Fair values are based on quoted market values and so classified as Level 1 measurements.
Derivative financial instruments - Market values have been used to determine the fair value of interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts based on estimated amounts the Company would receive or have to pay to terminate the agreements, taking into account the current interest rate environment or current foreign currency forward rates. Such financial instruments
are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis
The following table presents, for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
March 31, 2015
Quoted
prices in
active
markets
for
identical
assets
Significant
other
observable
inputs
Significant
other
unobservable
inputs
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(millions)
Assets at fair value:
Derivative financial instruments
—
39
—
39
Total assets
$
—
$
39
$
—
$
39
Liabilities at fair value:
Derivative financial instruments
—
47
—
47
Total liabilities
$
—
$
47
$
—
$
47
27
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Willis Group Holdings plc
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Continued)
December 31, 2014
Quoted
prices in
active
markets
for
identical
assets
Significant
other
observable
inputs
Significant
other
unobservable
inputs
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(millions)
Assets at fair value:
Derivative financial instruments
—
26
—
26
Total assets
$
—
$
26
$
—
$
26
Liabilities at fair value:
Derivative financial instruments
—
21
—
21
Total liabilities
$
—
$
21
$
—
$
21
Fair value information about financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis
The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value amounts shown below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company would realize upon disposition nor do they indicate the Company’s intent or ability to dispose of the financial instrument.
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
Carrying
amount
Fair
value
Carrying
amount
Fair
value
(millions)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
503
$
503
$
635
$
635
Fiduciary funds (included within Fiduciary assets)
$
2,015
$
2,015
$
1,888
$
1,888
Liabilities:
Current portion of long term debt
$
168
$
169
$
167
$
169
Long-term debt
2,137
2,330
2,142
2,327
28
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
11. GOODWILL
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of businesses acquired over the fair market value of identifiable net assets at the dates of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to impairment testing annually and whenever facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
The Company is organized into four reporting units which are consistent with its operating segments: North America, International, Willis Capital, Wholesale and Reinsurance and Willis GB - see Note 17 - 'Segment Information' for detailed descriptions of the segments. Goodwill is allocated to these reporting units based on the original purchase price allocation for acquisitions within the reporting units. When a business entity is sold, goodwill is allocated to the disposed entity based on the relative fair value of that entity compared with the fair value of the reporting unit in which it is included.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the
three months ended March 31, 2015
and the year ended
December 31, 2014
are as follows:
Willis GB (formerly Global)
Willis Capital, Wholesale & Reinsurance
Willis North
America
Willis International
Total
Balance at January 1, 2014
Goodwill, gross
$
1,145
$
—
$
1,776
$
409
$
3,330
Accumulated impairment losses
—
—
(492
)
—
(492
)
Goodwill, net
$
1,145
$
—
$
1,284
$
409
$
2,838
Other movements
(i)
88
—
(45
)
(43
)
—
Purchase price allocation adjustments
3
—
3
7
13
Goodwill acquired during the year
5
—
—
179
184
Goodwill disposed of during the year
—
—
(48
)
—
(48
)
Foreign exchange
(7
)
—
—
(43
)
(50
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
Goodwill, gross
$
1,234
$
—
$
1,686
$
509
$
3,429
Accumulated impairment losses
—
—
(492
)
—
(492
)
Goodwill, net
$
1,234
$
—
$
1,194
$
509
$
2,937
Other movements
(ii)
(679
)
852
(174
)
1
—
Goodwill disposed of during the period
—
—
(6
)
—
(6
)
Foreign exchange
(4
)
(1
)
(1
)
(36
)
(42
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
Goodwill, gross
$
551
$
851
$
1,505
$
474
$
3,381
Accumulated impairment losses
—
—
(492
)
—
(492
)
Goodwill, net
$
551
$
851
$
1,013
$
474
$
2,889
________________________________
(i)
Effective January 1, 2014, the Company changed its internal reporting structure: UK retail, previously reported within the International segment, is now reported within the Global segment; Mexico Retail, which was previously reported within the North America segment, is now reported in the International segment; and the US captive consulting and facultative reinsurance businesses, both previously reported within the North America segment, are now reported within the Global segment. Goodwill has been reallocated between segments using the relative fair value allocation approach.
(ii)
Effective January 1, 2015, the Company changed its internal reporting structure from three reporting units, formerly known as Willis Global, Willis North America and Willis International into four reporting units: Willis GB, Willis Capital Wholesale & Reinsurance, Willis North America and Willis International. As a result: certain specialty and captive businesses, previously reported as part of Willis Global, are now reported within the North America and International segments; Willis Re, Willis Capital Markets & Advisory and Wholesale, previously reported as part of Willis Global, are now reported within the Willis Capital Wholesale & Reinsurance segment; North American P&C business placed in the London Market, previously reported as part of North America, is now reported within the Willis GB segment; and certain portfolio and programs businesses, previously reported as part of North America, are now reported within the Willis Capital Wholesale & Reinsurance segment. Goodwill has been reallocated between segments using the relative fair value allocation approach.
29
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Willis Group Holdings plc
12. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Other intangible assets are classified into the following categories:
•
Client Relationships
•
Management Contracts
•
Other, including:
◦
non-compete agreements
◦
trade names
◦
contract based, technology and other
The major classes of amortizable intangible assets are as follows:
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
Gross
carrying
amount
Accumulated
amortization
Net
carrying
amount
Gross
carrying
amount
Accumulated
amortization
Net
carrying
amount
(millions)
Customer and Marketing Related:
Client relationships
$
672
$
(323
)
$
349
$
689
$
(316
)
$
373
Management contracts
65
(2
)
63
71
(1
)
70
Other
10
(4
)
6
11
(4
)
7
Total amortizable intangible assets
$
747
$
(329
)
$
418
$
771
$
(321
)
$
450
The aggregate amortization of intangible assets for the
three months ended March 31, 2015
was
$14 million
(
three months ended March 31, 2014
:
$13 million
). The estimated aggregate amortization of intangible assets for each of the next five years ended December 31 is as follows:
Remainder of 2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Thereafter
Total
(millions)
Amortization of intangible assets
$
41
$
49
$
44
$
40
$
36
$
208
$
418
30
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
13. OTHER ASSETS
An analysis of other assets is as follows:
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
(millions)
Other current assets
Prepayments and accrued income
$
89
$
81
Income tax receivable
28
30
Deferred compensation plan assets
12
17
Derivatives
22
16
Other receivables
67
70
Total other current assets
$
218
$
214
Other non-current assets
Deferred compensation plan assets
$
90
$
92
Accounts receivable, net
29
29
Other investments
29
29
Derivatives
17
10
Other receivables
64
60
Total other non-current assets
$
229
$
220
Total other assets
$
447
$
434
14. OTHER LIABILITIES
An analysis of other liabilities is as follows:
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
(millions)
Other current liabilities
Accounts payable
$
130
$
131
Accrued dividends payable
58
55
Other taxes payable
103
44
Derivatives
23
12
Deferred compensation plan liability
12
17
Other payables
135
185
Total other current liabilities
$
461
$
444
Other non-current liabilities
Incentives from lessors
$
164
$
171
Deferred compensation plan liability
90
92
Accounts payable
18
14
Derivatives
24
9
Other payables
102
103
Total other non-current liabilities
$
398
$
389
Total other liabilities
$
859
$
833
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Willis Group Holdings plc
15. DEBT
Short-term debt and current portion of the long-term debt consists of the following:
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
(millions)
Current portion of 7-year term loan facility expiring 2018
$
18
$
17
5.625% senior notes due 2015
148
148
Fair value adjustment on 5.625% senior notes due 2015
1
1
3-year term loan facility expires 2015
1
1
$
168
$
167
Long-term debt consists of the following:
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
(millions)
7-year term loan facility expiring 2018
$
237
$
242
4.125% senior notes due 2016
299
299
6.200% senior notes due 2017
394
394
7.000% senior notes due 2019
187
187
5.750% senior notes due 2021
497
497
4.625% senior notes due 2023
249
249
6.125% senior notes due 2043
274
274
$
2,137
$
2,142
Term loan
The 7-year term loan facility expiring 2018 bears interest at
LIBOR plus 1.50%
and is repayable in quarterly instalments and a final repayment of
$186 million
is due in the third quarter of 2018.
$800 million
revolving credit facility
Drawings under the
$800 million
revolving credit facility bear interest at
LIBOR plus 1.50%
and the facility expires on
July 23, 2018
. These margins apply while the Company’s debt rating remains BBB-/Baa3.
On February 27, 2015 Trinity Acquisition Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Willis Group Holdings plc entered into an amendment to the
$800 million
revolving credit facility permitting Willis Securities, Inc. (WSI), another wholly-owned subsidiary of Willis Group Holdings plc, to incur up to
$400 million
of indebtedness under this facility for the purpose of investing in certain underwritten securities in the ordinary course of WSI's business.
As of
March 31, 2015
$
nil
was outstanding under the
$800 million
revolving credit facility (
December 31, 2014
:
$nil
).
WSI revolving credit facility
On March 3, 2014, WSI, entered into a
$300 million
revolving note and cash subordination agreement available for drawing from March 3, 2014 through March 3, 2015. At that time, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all advances was repayable on or before March 3, 2016.
On April 28, 2014, WSI entered into an amendment to the
$300 million
revolving note and cash subordination agreement to increase the amount of financing and to extend both the end date of the credit period and the repayment date. As a result of this amendment, the revolving credit facility was increased from
$300 million
to
$400 million
. The end date of the credit period was extended to April 28, 2015 and the repayment date was extended to April 28, 2016.
32
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
15. DEBT (Continued)
On February 27, 2015, WSI entered into a second amendment to the revolving note and cash subordination agreement. This amendment included all of the following: (i) the end date of the credit period was extended to April 28, 2016 and the repayment date was extended to April 28, 2017; (ii) WSI was permitted to incur up to
$400 million
in indebtedness under the
$800 million
revolving credit facility held by Trinity Acquisition Limited, and (iii) WSI will have the ability to borrow in Euro, Yen and other approved currencies subject to a reserve for foreign currency fluctuation.
Proceeds under the credit facility will be used for regulatory capital purposes related to securities underwriting only, which will allow Willis Securities to meet or exceed capital requirements of regulatory agencies, self-regulatory agencies and their clearing houses, including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Advances under the credit facility shall bear interest at a rate equal to (a) for Eurocurrency Loans,
LIBOR plus 1.50% to 2.25%
, and (b) for base rates Loans, the highest of (i) the
Federal Funds rates plus 0.5%
, (ii) the 'prime rate' as announced by SunTrust Bank, and (iii)
LIBOR plus 1.00%, plus 0.5% to 1.25%
, in each case, based upon the Company’s guaranteed senior-unsecured long-term debt rating.
As of
March 31, 2015
$nil
was outstanding under the
$400 million
WSI revolving credit facility (
December 31, 2014
:
$nil
).
16. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
Before tax amount
Tax
Net of tax amount
Before tax amount
Tax
Net of tax amount
(millions)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments
$
(112
)
$
—
$
(112
)
$
3
$
—
$
3
Pension funding adjustments:
Foreign currency translation on pension funding adjustments
40
(10
)
30
(5
)
2
(3
)
Net actuarial gain
25
(5
)
20
—
—
—
Prior service gain
215
(43
)
172
—
—
—
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial loss
12
(2
)
10
12
(2
)
10
Amortization of unrecognized prior service gain
(2
)
—
(2
)
(1
)
—
(1
)
290
(60
)
230
6
—
6
Derivative instruments:
Interest rate swap reclassification adjustment
(1
)
—
(1
)
(2
)
—
(2
)
Loss on forward exchange contracts (effective element)
(14
)
3
(11
)
—
—
—
Forward exchange contracts reclassification adjustment
1
—
1
1
—
1
(14
)
3
(11
)
(1
)
—
(1
)
Other comprehensive income
164
(57
)
107
8
—
8
Less: Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
7
—
7
—
—
—
Other comprehensive income attributable to Willis Group Holdings
$
171
$
(57
)
$
114
$
8
$
—
$
8
33
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Willis Group Holdings plc
16. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Continued)
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows:
Net foreign currency translation adjustment
Pension funding adjustment
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments
Total
(millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(191
)
$
(893
)
$
18
$
(1,066
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
(105
)
222
(11
)
106
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
—
8
—
8
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax and noncontrolling interests
(105
)
230
(11
)
114
Balance at March 31, 2015
$
(296
)
$
(663
)
$
7
$
(952
)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into the statement of operations are as follows:
Details about accumulated other comprehensive loss components
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
Affected line item in the statement of operations
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
(millions)
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges (Note 9)
Interest rate swaps
$
(1
)
$
(2
)
Investment income
Foreign exchange contracts
1
1
Other (expense) income, net
—
(1
)
Total before tax
Tax
—
—
$
—
$
(1
)
Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension items (Note 7)
Prior service gain
$
(2
)
$
(1
)
Salaries and benefits
Net actuarial loss
12
12
Salaries and benefits
10
11
Total before tax
Tax
(2
)
(2
)
$
8
$
9
Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period
$
8
$
8
34
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
17. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Effective from January 1, 2015, the Company changed the way it manages and reports operating results, resulting in a change in the Company’s operating and reportable segments from three segments, formerly known as Willis Global, Willis North America and Willis International, into four: Willis Capital, Wholesale and Reinsurance ('Willis CWR'); Willis North America Inc. ('Willis North America'); Willis International; and Willis GB.
The changes to the operating and reportable segments are as follows:
•
Willis International and Willis North America remain largely unchanged except for certain specialty teams formerly included in Global which are now included in the geographic regions in which they are located;
•
Willis CWR includes Willis Re, Willis Capital Markets & Advisory and the Company's wholesale business. In addition, it also includes a new unit called Willis Portfolio and Underwriting Services which includes all of the Company's activities that provide these services; and
•
Willis GB includes the Company's UK retail business, facultative business and London Specialty business.
The prior period comparatives have been retrospectively reclassified to take into account these changes.
For internal reporting and segmental reporting, the following items for which segmental management are not held accountable are excluded from segmental expenses:
(i)
costs of the holding company;
(ii)
costs of Group functions, leadership and projects;
(iii)
significant legal and regulatory settlements which are managed centrally;
(iv)
non-servicing elements of the defined benefit pension schemes cost (income); and
(v)
restructuring costs associated with the Operational Improvement Program.
The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with those described in Note 2 — ‘Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies’ to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
There are no inter-segment revenues, with segments operating on a revenue-sharing basis equivalent to that used when sharing business with other third-party brokers.
Selected information regarding the Company’s segments is as follows:
35
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Willis Group Holdings plc
17. SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Commissions
and fees
Investment
income
Other
income
Total
revenues
Depreciation
and
amortization
Segment operating
income
(millions)
Willis GB
$
142
$
1
$
—
$
143
$
6
$
21
Willis Capital, Wholesale and Reinsurance
296
1
—
297
2
153
Willis North America
356
—
3
359
16
78
Willis International
287
1
—
288
9
70
Total Segments
1,081
3
3
1,087
33
322
Corporate and Other
(i)
—
—
—
—
3
(29
)
Total Consolidated
$
1,081
$
3
$
3
$
1,087
$
36
$
293
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Commissions
and fees
Investment
income
Other
income
Total
revenues
Depreciation
and
amortization
Segment operating
income
(millions)
Willis GB
$
150
$
1
$
2
$
153
$
7
$
22
Willis Capital, Wholesale and Reinsurance
303
1
—
304
2
168
Willis North America
354
—
1
355
18
83
Willis International
283
2
—
285
6
84
Total Segments
1,090
4
3
1,097
33
357
Corporate and Other
(i)
—
—
—
—
3
(31
)
Total Consolidated
$
1,090
$
4
$
3
$
1,097
$
36
$
326
________________________________
(i)
See the following table for an analysis of the ‘Corporate and Other’ line.
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
(millions)
Costs of the holding company
$
(2
)
$
(2
)
Costs related to Group functions, leadership and projects
(37
)
(41
)
Non-servicing elements of defined benefit pensions
22
13
Operational Improvement Program
(a)
(11
)
—
Other
(1
)
(1
)
Total Corporate and Other
$
(29
)
$
(31
)
___________________________
(a)
Restructuring charge relating to the Operational Improvement Program. See Note 3
—
'Restructuring Costs', above.
The following table reconciles total consolidated operating income, as disclosed in the segment tables above, to consolidated income before income taxes and interest in earnings of associates:
36
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
17. SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
(millions)
Total consolidated operating income
$
293
$
326
Other (expense) income, net
(6
)
—
Interest expense
(33
)
(32
)
Income before income taxes and interest in earnings of associates
$
254
$
294
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 22, 2015, the Company announced that it had made a firm offer to acquire the remaining
70 percent
of Gras Savoye that it currently does not own for approximately
€550 million
(approximately
$592 million
), which includes the repayment of outstanding third-party debt, estimated to be approximately
€40 million
(approximately
$43 million
). The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and Gras Savoye's workers councils' consultation, is expected to close on or around December 31, 2015.
In addition to this firm offer, the Company has issued notice preserving its right under an existing shareholder agreement to acquire the remaining shares in Gras Savoye in June 2016, should the firm offer not be accepted. In that case, the purchase price would be determined by a formula under that agreement and the expected closing of the transaction would be mid-2016.
37
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
19.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES
Willis North America has
$148 million
senior notes outstanding that were issued on July 1, 2005,
$394 million
of senior notes issued on March 28, 2007 and
$187 million
of senior notes issued on September 29, 2009.
All direct obligations under the senior notes were jointly and severally, irrevocably and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Willis Netherlands Holdings B.V., Willis Investment UK Holdings Limited, TA I Limited, Trinity Acquisition Limited and Willis Group Limited (collectively, the ‘Other Guarantors’, and with Willis Group Holdings, the ‘Guarantor Companies’).
The debt securities that were issued by Willis North America and guaranteed by the entities described above, and for which the disclosures set forth below relate and are required under applicable SEC rules, were issued under an effective registration statement.
The guarantee of the guarantors will be deemed to be automatically discharged and released in accordance with the terms of the indenture upon release or discharge of the indebtedness or upon sale of the subsidiary or its assets.
Presented below is condensed consolidating financial information for:
(i)
Willis Group Holdings, which is a guarantor, on a parent company only basis;
(ii)
the Other Guarantors, which are all 100 percent directly or indirectly owned subsidiaries of the parent and are all direct or indirect parents of the issuer;
(iii)
the Issuer, Willis North America;
(iv)
Other, which are the non-guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis;
(v)
Consolidating adjustments; and
(vi)
the Consolidated Company.
The equity method has been used for investments in subsidiaries in the unaudited condensed consolidating balance sheets as of
March 31, 2015
of Willis Group Holdings, the Other Guarantors and the Issuer.
The entities included in the Other Guarantors column as of
March 31, 2015
are Willis Netherlands Holdings B.V., Willis Investment UK Holdings Limited, TA I Limited, Trinity Acquisition Limited, and Willis Group Limited.
38
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REVENUES
Commissions and fees
$
—
$
—
$
4
$
1,077
$
—
$
1,081
Investment income
—
—
—
3
—
3
Other income
—
—
—
3
—
3
Total revenues
—
—
4
1,083
—
1,087
EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
—
—
(20
)
(547
)
—
(567
)
Other operating expenses
(9
)
(14
)
(2
)
(135
)
—
(160
)
Depreciation expense
—
(1
)
(4
)
(17
)
—
(22
)
Amortization of intangible assets
—
—
—
(14
)
—
(14
)
Restructuring costs
—
(14
)
(5
)
(12
)
(31
)
Total expenses
(9
)
(29
)
(31
)
(725
)
—
(794
)
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME
(9
)
(29
)
(27
)
358
—
293
Other (expense) income, net
(12
)
6
—
(1
)
1
(6
)
Income from group undertakings
—
54
56
25
(135
)
—
Expenses due to group undertakings
—
(8
)
(44
)
(83
)
135
—
Interest expense
(11
)
(9
)
(11
)
(2
)
—
(33
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(32
)
14
(26
)
297
1
254
Income taxes
—
6
8
(70
)
—
(56
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(32
)
20
(18
)
227
1
198
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
—
2
—
14
—
16
Equity account for subsidiaries
242
215
66
—
(523
)
—
NET INCOME
210
237
48
241
(522
)
214
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
210
$
237
$
48
$
237
$
(522
)
$
210
39
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
Comprehensive income
$
324
$
354
$
51
$
370
$
(778
)
$
321
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
3
—
3
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
324
$
354
$
51
$
373
$
(778
)
$
324
40
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REVENUES
Commissions and fees
$
—
$
—
$
2
$
1,088
$
—
$
1,090
Investment income
—
—
—
4
—
4
Other income
—
—
—
3
—
3
Total revenues
—
—
2
1,095
—
1,097
EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
—
—
(19
)
(551
)
—
(570
)
Other operating expenses
(4
)
(24
)
(17
)
(120
)
—
(165
)
Depreciation expense
—
(1
)
(4
)
(18
)
—
(23
)
Amortization of intangible assets
—
—
—
(13
)
—
(13
)
Total expenses
(4
)
(25
)
(40
)
(702
)
—
(771
)
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME
(4
)
(25
)
(38
)
393
—
326
Other income (expense), net
—
1
—
(1
)
—
—
Income from group undertakings
—
59
43
27
(129
)
—
Expenses due to group undertakings
—
(8
)
(46
)
(75
)
129
—
Interest expense
(11
)
(9
)
(11
)
(1
)
—
(32
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(15
)
18
(52
)
343
—
294
Income taxes
—
5
19
(87
)
—
(63
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(15
)
23
(33
)
256
—
231
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
—
3
—
16
—
19
Equity account for subsidiaries
261
230
83
—
(574
)
—
NET INCOME
246
256
50
272
(574
)
250
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
246
$
256
$
50
$
268
$
(574
)
$
246
41
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
Comprehensive income
$
254
$
264
$
51
$
281
$
(592
)
$
258
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
254
$
264
$
51
$
277
$
(592
)
$
254
42
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6
$
—
$
—
$
497
$
—
$
503
Accounts receivable, net
—
—
6
1,144
—
1,150
Fiduciary assets
—
—
—
9,444
—
9,444
Deferred tax assets
—
—
—
13
—
13
Other current assets
1
37
21
192
(33
)
218
Amounts due from group undertakings
3,611
936
971
1,137
(6,655
)
—
Total current assets
3,618
973
998
12,427
(6,688
)
11,328
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments in subsidiaries
—
2,910
787
—
(3,697
)
—
Fixed assets, net
—
21
40
401
—
462
Goodwill
—
—
—
2,889
—
2,889
Other intangible assets, net
—
—
—
418
—
418
Investments in associates
—
133
—
34
—
167
Deferred tax assets
—
—
—
6
—
6
Pension benefits asset
—
—
—
606
—
606
Other non-current assets
2
8
2
217
—
229
Non-current amounts due from group undertakings
—
518
752
—
(1,270
)
—
Total non-current assets
2
3,590
1,581
4,571
(4,967
)
4,777
TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,620
$
4,563
$
2,579
$
16,998
$
(11,655
)
$
16,105
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Fiduciary liabilities
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
9,444
$
—
$
9,444
Deferred revenue and accrued expenses
1
12
24
371
—
408
Income taxes payable
—
—
—
82
(33
)
49
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
—
18
149
1
—
168
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
—
18
—
18
Other current liabilities
60
4
16
381
—
461
Amounts due to group undertakings
—
4,373
1,497
785
(6,655
)
—
Total current liabilities
61
4,407
1,686
11,082
(6,688
)
10,548
43
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Willis Group Holdings plc
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (continued)
As of March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Investments in subsidiaries
465
—
—
—
(465
)
—
Long-term debt
796
760
581
—
—
2,137
Liabilities for pension benefits
—
—
—
277
—
277
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
—
185
—
185
Provisions for liabilities
—
—
—
188
—
188
Other non-current liabilities
—
—
16
382
—
398
Non-current amounts due to group undertakings
—
—
518
752
(1,270
)
—
Total non-current liabilities
1,261
760
1,115
1,784
(1,735
)
3,185
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
1,322
$
5,167
$
2,801
$
12,866
$
(8,423
)
$
13,733
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
—
—
—
51
—
51
EQUITY
Total Willis Group Holdings stockholders’ equity
2,298
(604
)
(222
)
4,058
(3,232
)
2,298
Noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
23
—
23
Total equity
2,298
(604
)
(222
)
4,081
(3,232
)
2,321
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
3,620
$
4,563
$
2,579
$
16,998
$
(11,655
)
$
16,105
44
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
9
$
2
$
—
$
624
$
—
$
635
Accounts receivable, net
—
—
4
1,040
—
1,044
Fiduciary assets
—
—
—
8,948
—
8,948
Deferred tax assets
—
—
—
12
—
12
Other current assets
1
27
10
205
(29
)
214
Amounts due from group undertakings
3,674
924
1,057
1,114
(6,769
)
—
Total current assets
3,684
953
1,071
11,943
(6,798
)
10,853
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments in subsidiaries
—
2,536
721
—
(3,257
)
—
Fixed assets, net
—
20
42
421
—
483
Goodwill
—
—
—
2,937
—
2,937
Other intangible assets, net
—
—
—
450
—
450
Investments in associates
—
147
—
22
—
169
Deferred tax assets
—
—
—
9
—
9
Pension benefits asset
—
—
—
314
—
314
Other non-current assets
3
8
2
207
—
220
Non-current amounts due from group undertakings
—
518
740
—
(1,258
)
—
Total non-current assets
3
3,229
1,505
4,360
(4,515
)
4,582
TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,687
$
4,182
$
2,576
$
16,303
$
(11,313
)
$
15,435
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Fiduciary liabilities
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
8,948
$
—
$
8,948
Deferred revenue and accrued expenses
1
4
30
584
—
619
Income taxes payable
—
—
7
55
(29
)
33
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
—
17
149
1
—
167
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
—
21
—
21
Other current liabilities
67
11
46
320
—
444
Amounts due to Group undertakings
—
4,374
1,499
896
(6,769
)
—
Total current liabilities
68
4,406
1,731
10,825
(6,798
)
10,232
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Investments in subsidiaries
838
—
—
—
(838
)
—
Long-term debt
796
765
581
—
—
2,142
Liabilities for pension benefits
—
—
—
284
—
284
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
—
128
—
128
Provisions for liabilities
—
—
—
194
—
194
Other non-current liabilities
—
—
17
372
—
389
Non-current amounts due to group undertakings
—
—
518
740
(1,258
)
—
Total non-current liabilities
1,634
765
1,116
1,718
(2,096
)
3,137
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
1,702
$
5,171
$
2,847
$
12,543
$
(8,894
)
$
13,369
45
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (continued)
As of December 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
—
—
—
59
—
59
EQUITY
Total Willis Group Holdings stockholders’ equity
1,985
(989
)
(271
)
3,679
(2,419
)
1,985
Noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
22
—
22
Total equity
1,985
(989
)
(271
)
3,701
(2,419
)
2,007
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
3,687
$
4,182
$
2,576
$
16,303
$
(11,313
)
$
15,435
46
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
(20
)
$
13
$
(47
)
$
(10
)
$
—
$
(64
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds on disposal of fixed and intangible assets
—
—
—
4
—
4
Additions to fixed assets
—
(3
)
(1
)
(12
)
—
(16
)
Additions to intangible assets
—
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Acquisitions of operations, net of cash acquired
—
—
—
(8
)
—
(8
)
Proceeds from disposal of operations, net of cash disposed
—
—
—
13
—
13
Proceeds from intercompany investing activities
51
—
48
—
(99
)
—
Repayments of intercompany investing activities
—
(11
)
—
(26
)
37
—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
51
(14
)
47
(30
)
(62
)
(8
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt issuance costs
—
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Repayments of debt
—
(4
)
—
—
—
(4
)
Repurchase of shares
(15
)
—
—
—
—
(15
)
Proceeds from issue of shares
35
—
—
—
—
35
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
—
—
—
3
—
3
Dividends paid
(54
)
—
—
—
—
(54
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(3
)
—
(3
)
Proceeds from intercompany financing activities
—
26
—
11
(37
)
—
Repayments of intercompany financing activities
—
(23
)
—
(76
)
99
—
Net cash used in financing activities
(34
)
(1
)
—
(66
)
62
(39
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(3
)
(2
)
—
(106
)
—
(111
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
—
—
—
(21
)
—
(21
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
9
2
—
624
—
635
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
6
$
—
$
—
$
497
$
—
$
503
47
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
19. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
(23
)
$
25
$
(21
)
$
25
$
(1
)
$
5
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds on disposal of fixed and intangible assets
—
—
1
1
(1
)
1
Additions to fixed assets
—
(2
)
(2
)
(19
)
1
(22
)
Additions to intangible assets
—
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Payments to acquire other investments
—
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
Proceeds from sale of operations, net of cash disposed
—
—
—
5
—
5
Proceeds from intercompany investing activities
65
12
120
115
(312
)
—
Repayments of intercompany investing activities
—
—
—
(16
)
16
—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
65
10
119
81
(296
)
(21
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt issuance costs
—
—
—
(2
)
—
(2
)
Repayments of debt
—
(4
)
—
—
—
(4
)
Repurchase of shares
(35
)
—
—
—
—
(35
)
Proceeds from issue of shares
43
—
—
—
—
43
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
—
—
—
1
—
1
Dividends paid
(50
)
—
—
(1
)
1
(50
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(2
)
—
(2
)
Proceeds from intercompany financing activities
—
16
—
—
(16
)
—
Repayments of intercompany financing activities
—
(47
)
(98
)
(167
)
312
—
Net cash used in financing activities
(42
)
(35
)
(98
)
(171
)
297
(49
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
—
—
—
(65
)
—
(65
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
—
—
—
3
—
3
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
3
3
—
790
—
796
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
3
$
3
$
—
$
728
$
—
$
734
48
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
20.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES
On March 17, 2011, the Company issued senior notes totaling
$800 million
in a registered public offering. These debt securities are issued by Willis Group Holdings (‘Holdings Debt Securities’) and are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. Therefore, the Company is providing the unaudited condensed consolidating financial information below. The following wholly owned subsidiaries (directly or indirectly) fully and unconditionally guarantee the Holdings Debt Securities on a joint and several basis: Willis Netherlands Holdings B.V., Willis Investment UK Holdings Limited, TA I Limited, Trinity Acquisition Limited, Willis Group Limited, and Willis North America (the ‘Guarantors’).
The guarantor structure described above differs from the guarantor structure associated with the senior notes issued by Willis North America (the ‘Willis North America Debt Securities’) (and for which unaudited condensed consolidating financial information is presented in Note 19) in that Willis Group Holdings is the Parent Issuer and Willis North America is a subsidiary guarantor.
The guarantee of the guarantors will be deemed to be automatically discharged and released in accordance with the terms of the indenture upon release or discharge of the indebtedness or upon sale of the subsidiary or its assets.
The condensed consolidating financial information for the following entities is presented below:
(i)
Willis Group Holdings, which is the Parent Issuer;
(ii)
the Guarantors, which are wholly owned subsidiaries (directly or indirectly) of the parent;
(iii)
Other, which are the non-guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis;
(iv)
Consolidating adjustments; and
(v)
the Consolidated Company.
The equity method has been used for investments in subsidiaries in the unaudited condensed consolidating balance sheets as of
March 31, 2015
of Willis Group Holdings and the Guarantors.
The entities included in the Guarantors column as of
March 31, 2015
are Willis Netherlands Holdings B.V., Willis Investment UK Holdings Limited, TA I Limited, Trinity Acquisition Limited, Willis Group Limited, and Willis North America.
49
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The
Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REVENUES
Commissions and fees
$
—
$
4
$
1,077
$
—
$
1,081
Investment income
—
—
3
—
3
Other income
—
—
3
—
3
Total revenues
—
4
1,083
—
1,087
EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
—
(20
)
(547
)
—
(567
)
Other operating expenses
(9
)
(16
)
(135
)
—
(160
)
Depreciation expense
—
(5
)
(17
)
—
(22
)
Amortization of intangible assets
—
—
(14
)
—
(14
)
Restructuring costs
—
(19
)
(12
)
—
(31
)
Total expenses
(9
)
(60
)
(725
)
—
(794
)
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME
(9
)
(56
)
358
—
293
Other (expense) income, net
(12
)
6
(1
)
1
(6
)
Income from group undertakings
—
83
25
(108
)
—
Expenses due to group undertakings
—
(25
)
(83
)
108
—
Interest expense
(11
)
(20
)
(2
)
—
(33
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(32
)
(12
)
297
1
254
Income taxes
—
14
(70
)
—
(56
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(32
)
2
227
1
198
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
—
2
14
—
16
Equity account for subsidiaries
242
233
—
(475
)
—
NET INCOME
210
237
241
(474
)
214
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
210
$
237
$
237
$
(474
)
$
210
50
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The
Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
Comprehensive income
$
324
$
354
$
370
$
(727
)
$
321
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
3
—
3
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
324
$
354
$
373
$
(727
)
$
324
51
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The
Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REVENUES
Commissions and fees
$
—
$
2
$
1,088
$
—
$
1,090
Investment income
—
—
4
—
4
Other income
—
—
3
—
3
Total revenues
—
2
1,095
—
1,097
EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
—
(19
)
(551
)
—
(570
)
Other operating expenses
(4
)
(41
)
(120
)
—
(165
)
Depreciation expense
—
(5
)
(18
)
—
(23
)
Amortization of intangible assets
—
—
(13
)
—
(13
)
Total expenses
(4
)
(65
)
(702
)
—
(771
)
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME
(4
)
(63
)
393
—
326
Other income (expense), net
—
1
(1
)
—
—
Income from group undertakings
—
75
27
(102
)
—
Expenses due to group undertakings
—
(27
)
(75
)
102
—
Interest expense
(11
)
(20
)
(1
)
—
(32
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(15
)
(34
)
343
—
294
Income taxes
—
24
(87
)
—
(63
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(15
)
(10
)
256
—
231
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
—
3
16
—
19
Equity account for subsidiaries
261
263
—
(524
)
—
NET INCOME
246
256
272
(524
)
250
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
246
$
256
$
268
$
(524
)
$
246
52
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The
Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
Comprehensive income
$
254
$
264
$
281
$
(541
)
$
258
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
254
$
264
$
277
$
(541
)
$
254
53
Table of Contents
Willis Group Holdings plc
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6
$
—
$
497
$
—
$
503
Accounts receivable, net
—
6
1,144
—
1,150
Fiduciary assets
—
—
9,444
—
9,444
Deferred tax assets
—
—
13
—
13
Other current assets
1
58
192
(33
)
218
Amounts due from group undertakings
3,611
648
1,137
(5,396
)
—
Total current assets
3,618
712
12,427
(5,429
)
11,328
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments in subsidiaries
—
3,919
—
(3,919
)
—
Fixed assets, net
—
61
401
—
462
Goodwill
—
—
2,889
—
2,889
Other intangible assets, net
—
—
418
—
418
Investments in associates
—
133
34
—
167
Deferred tax assets
—
—
6
—
6
Pension benefits asset
—
—
606
—
606
Other non-current assets
2
10
217
—
229
Non-current amounts due from group undertakings
—
752
—
(752
)
—
Total non-current assets
2
4,875
4,571
(4,671
)
4,777
TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,620
$
5,587
$
16,998
$
(10,100
)
$
16,105
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Fiduciary liabilities
$
—
$
—
$
9,444
$
—
$
9,444
Deferred revenue and accrued expenses
1
36
371
—
408
Income taxes payable
—
—
82
(33
)
49
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
—
167
1
—
168
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
18
—
18
Other current liabilities
60
20
381
—
461
Amounts due to group undertakings
—
4,611
785
(5,396
)
—
Total current liabilities
61
4,834
11,082
(5,429
)
10,548
54
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (continued)
As of March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Investments in subsidiaries
465
—
—
(465
)
—
Long-term debt
796
1,341
—
—
2,137
Liabilities for pension benefits
—
—
277
—
277
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
185
—
185
Provisions for liabilities
—
—
188
—
188
Other non-current liabilities
—
16
382
—
398
Non-current amounts due to group undertakings
—
—
752
(752
)
—
Total non-current liabilities
1,261
1,357
1,784
(1,217
)
3,185
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
1,322
$
6,191
$
12,866
$
(6,646
)
$
13,733
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
—
—
51
—
51
EQUITY
Total Willis Group Holdings stockholders’ equity
2,298
(604
)
4,058
(3,454
)
2,298
Noncontrolling interests
—
—
23
—
23
Total equity
2,298
(604
)
4,081
(3,454
)
2,321
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
3,620
$
5,587
$
16,998
$
(10,100
)
$
16,105
55
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Willis Group Holdings plc
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
9
$
2
$
624
$
—
$
635
Accounts receivable, net
—
4
1,040
—
1,044
Fiduciary assets
—
—
8,948
—
8,948
Deferred tax assets
—
—
12
—
12
Other current assets
1
37
205
(29
)
214
Amounts due to group undertakings
3,674
731
1,114
(5,519
)
—
Total current assets
3,684
774
11,943
(5,548
)
10,853
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments in subsidiaries
—
3,528
—
(3,528
)
—
Fixed assets, net
—
62
421
—
483
Goodwill
—
—
2,937
—
2,937
Other intangible assets, net
—
—
450
—
450
Investments in associates
—
147
22
—
169
Deferred tax assets
—
—
9
—
9
Pension benefits asset
—
—
314
—
314
Other non-current assets
3
10
207
—
220
Non-current amounts due to group undertakings
—
740
—
(740
)
—
Total non-current assets
3
4,487
4,360
(4,268
)
4,582
TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,687
$
5,261
$
16,303
$
(9,816
)
$
15,435
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Fiduciary liabilities
$
—
$
—
$
8,948
$
—
$
8,948
Deferred revenue and accrued expenses
1
34
584
—
619
Income taxes payable
—
7
55
(29
)
33
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
—
166
1
—
167
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
21
—
21
Other current liabilities
67
57
320
—
444
Amounts due to group undertakings
—
4,623
896
(5,519
)
—
Total current liabilities
68
4,887
10,825
(5,548
)
10,232
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Investments in subsidiaries
838
—
—
(838
)
—
Long-term debt
796
1,346
—
—
2,142
Liabilities for pension benefits
—
—
284
—
284
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
128
—
128
Provisions for liabilities
—
—
194
—
194
Other non-current liabilities
—
17
372
—
389
Non-current amounts due to group undertakings
—
—
740
(740
)
—
Total non-current liabilities
1,634
1,363
1,718
(1,578
)
3,137
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
1,702
$
6,250
$
12,543
$
(7,126
)
$
13,369
56
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (continued)
As of December 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
—
—
59
—
59
EQUITY
Total Willis Group Holdings stockholders’ equity
1,985
(989
)
3,679
(2,690
)
1,985
Noncontrolling interests
—
—
22
—
22
Total equity
1,985
(989
)
3,701
(2,690
)
2,007
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
3,687
$
5,261
$
16,303
$
(9,816
)
$
15,435
57
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Willis Group Holdings plc
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
(20
)
$
(34
)
$
(10
)
$
—
$
(64
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds on disposal of fixed and intangible assets
—
—
4
—
4
Additions to fixed assets
—
(4
)
(12
)
—
(16
)
Additions to intangible assets
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Acquisitions of operations, net of cash acquired
—
—
(8
)
—
(8
)
Proceeds from disposal of operations, net of cash disposed
—
—
13
—
13
Proceeds from intercompany investing activities
51
48
—
(99
)
—
Repayments of intercompany investing activities
—
(11
)
(26
)
37
—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
51
33
(30
)
(62
)
(8
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt issuance costs
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Repayments of debt
—
(4
)
—
—
(4
)
Repurchase of shares
(15
)
—
—
—
(15
)
Proceeds from issue of shares
35
—
—
—
35
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement
—
—
3
—
3
Dividends paid
(54
)
—
—
—
(54
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
—
—
(3
)
—
(3
)
Proceeds from intercompany financing activities
—
26
11
(37
)
—
Repayments of intercompany financing activities
—
(23
)
(76
)
99
—
Net cash used in financing activities
(34
)
(1
)
(66
)
62
(39
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(3
)
(2
)
(106
)
—
(111
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
—
—
(21
)
—
(21
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
9
2
624
—
635
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
6
$
—
$
497
$
—
$
503
58
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
20. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PARENT ISSUER, GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings - the Parent Issuer
The Guarantors
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
(23
)
$
4
$
25
$
(1
)
$
5
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds on disposal of fixed and intangible assets
—
1
1
(1
)
1
Additions to fixed assets
—
(4
)
(19
)
1
(22
)
Additions to intangible assets
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Payments to acquire other investments
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
Proceeds from disposal of operations, net of cash disposed
—
—
5
—
5
Proceeds from intercompany investing activities
65
120
115
(300
)
—
Repayments of intercompany investing activities
—
—
(16
)
16
—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
65
117
81
(284
)
(21
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt issuance costs
—
—
(2
)
—
(2
)
Repayments of debt
—
(4
)
—
—
(4
)
Repurchase of shares
(35
)
—
—
—
(35
)
Proceeds from issue of shares
43
—
—
—
43
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement
—
—
1
—
1
Dividends paid
(50
)
—
(1
)
1
(50
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
—
—
(2
)
—
(2
)
Proceeds from intercompany financing activities
—
16
—
(16
)
—
Repayments of intercompany financing activities
—
(133
)
(167
)
300
—
Net cash used in financing activities
(42
)
(121
)
(171
)
285
(49
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
—
—
(65
)
—
(65
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
—
—
3
—
3
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
3
3
790
—
796
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
3
$
3
$
728
$
—
$
734
59
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Willis Group Holdings plc
21.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES
Trinity Acquisition Limited has
$525 million
senior notes outstanding that were issued on August 15, 2013.
All direct obligations under the senior notes were jointly and severally, irrevocably and fully, and unconditionally guaranteed by Willis Netherlands Holdings B.V, Willis Investment UK Holdings Limited, TA I Limited, Willis Group Limited and Willis North America, Inc. (collectively, the 'Other Guarantors', and with Willis Group Holdings, the 'Guarantor Companies').
The guarantor structure described above differs from the guarantor structure associated with the senior notes issued by the Company and Willis North America (the ‘Willis North America Debt Securities’) in that Trinity Acquisition Limited is the issuer and not a subsidiary guarantor, and Willis North America, Inc. is a subsidiary guarantor.
The guarantee of the guarantors will be deemed to be automatically discharged and released in accordance with the terms of the indenture upon release or discharge of the indebtedness or upon sale of the subsidiary or its assets.
The condensed consolidating financial information for the following entities is presented below:
(i)
Willis Group Holdings, which is a guarantor, on a parent company only basis;
(ii)
the Other Guarantors, which are wholly owned subsidiaries (directly or indirectly) of the parent. Willis Netherlands B.V, Willis Investment UK Holdings Limited, and TA 1 Limited are all direct or indirect parents of the issuer, and Willis Group Limited and Willis North America, Inc. are direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the issuer;
(iii)
Trinity Acquisition Limited, which is the issuer and is a 100 percent indirectly owned subsidiary of the parent;
(iv)
Other, which are the non-guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis;
(v)
Consolidating adjustments; and
(vi)
the Consolidated Company.
The equity method has been used for investments in subsidiaries in the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of
March 31, 2015
of Willis Group Holdings, the Other Guarantors, and the Issuer.
The entities included in the Other Guarantors column as of
March 31, 2015
are Willis Netherlands Holdings B.V., Willis Investment UK Holdings Limited, Willis North America, TA I Limited, and Willis Group Limited.
60
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REVENUES
Commissions and fees
$
—
$
4
$
—
$
1,077
$
—
$
1,081
Investment income
—
—
—
3
—
3
Other income
—
—
—
3
—
3
Total revenues
—
4
—
1,083
—
1,087
EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
—
(20
)
—
(547
)
—
(567
)
Other operating expenses
(9
)
(16
)
—
(135
)
—
(160
)
Depreciation expense
—
(5
)
—
(17
)
—
(22
)
Amortization of intangible assets
—
—
—
(14
)
—
(14
)
Restructuring costs
—
(19
)
—
(12
)
—
(31
)
Total expenses
(9
)
(60
)
—
(725
)
—
(794
)
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME
(9
)
(56
)
—
358
—
293
Other (expense) income, net
(12
)
6
—
(1
)
1
(6
)
Income from group undertakings
—
90
22
25
(137
)
—
Expenses due to group undertakings
—
(47
)
(7
)
(83
)
137
—
Interest expense
(11
)
(11
)
(9
)
(2
)
—
(33
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(32
)
(18
)
6
297
1
254
Income taxes
—
15
(1
)
(70
)
—
(56
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(32
)
(3
)
5
227
1
198
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
—
2
—
14
—
16
Equity account for subsidiaries
242
238
209
—
(689
)
—
NET INCOME
210
237
214
241
(688
)
214
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
210
$
237
$
214
$
237
$
(688
)
$
210
61
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Willis Group Holdings plc
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
Comprehensive income
$
324
$
354
$
347
$
370
$
(1,074
)
$
321
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
3
—
3
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
324
$
354
$
347
$
373
$
(1,074
)
$
324
62
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REVENUES
Commissions and fees
$
—
$
2
$
—
$
1,088
$
—
$
1,090
Investment income
—
—
—
4
—
4
Other income
—
—
—
3
—
3
Total revenues
—
2
—
1,095
—
1,097
EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
—
(19
)
—
(551
)
—
(570
)
Other operating expenses
(4
)
(41
)
—
(120
)
—
(165
)
Depreciation expense
—
(5
)
—
(18
)
—
(23
)
Amortization of intangible assets
—
—
—
(13
)
—
(13
)
Total expenses
(4
)
(65
)
—
(702
)
—
(771
)
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME
(4
)
(63
)
—
393
—
326
Other income (expense), net
—
1
—
(1
)
—
—
Income from group undertakings
—
82
22
27
(131
)
—
Expenses due to group undertakings
—
(49
)
(7
)
(75
)
131
—
Interest expense
(11
)
(11
)
(9
)
(1
)
—
(32
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(15
)
(40
)
6
343
—
294
Income taxes
—
25
(1
)
(87
)
—
(63
)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
(15
)
(15
)
5
256
—
231
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
—
3
—
16
—
19
Equity account for subsidiaries
261
268
215
—
(744
)
—
NET INCOME
246
256
220
272
(744
)
250
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
246
$
256
$
220
$
268
$
(744
)
$
246
63
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Willis Group Holdings plc
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
Comprehensive income
$
254
$
264
$
228
$
281
$
(769
)
$
258
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
254
$
264
$
228
$
277
$
(769
)
$
254
64
Table of Contents
Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6
$
—
$
—
$
497
$
—
$
503
Accounts receivable, net
—
6
—
1,144
—
1,150
Fiduciary assets
—
—
—
9,444
—
9,444
Deferred tax assets
—
—
—
13
—
13
Other current assets
1
63
2
192
(40
)
218
Amounts due from group undertakings
3,611
1,076
803
1,137
(6,627
)
—
Total current assets
3,618
1,145
805
12,427
(6,667
)
11,328
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments in subsidiaries
—
3,875
2,949
—
(6,824
)
—
Fixed assets, net
—
61
—
401
—
462
Goodwill
—
—
—
2,889
—
2,889
Other intangible assets, net
—
—
—
418
—
418
Investments in associates
—
133
—
34
—
167
Deferred tax assets
—
—
—
6
—
6
Pension benefits asset
—
—
—
606
—
606
Other non-current assets
2
2
8
217
—
229
Non-current amounts due from group undertakings
—
752
518
—
(1,270
)
—
Total non-current assets
2
4,823
3,475
4,571
(8,094
)
4,777
TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,620
$
5,968
$
4,280
$
16,998
$
(14,761
)
$
16,105
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Fiduciary liabilities
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
9,444
$
—
$
9,444
Deferred revenue and accrued expenses
1
36
—
371
—
408
Income taxes payable
—
—
7
82
(40
)
49
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
—
149
18
1
—
168
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
—
18
—
18
Other current liabilities
60
16
4
381
—
461
Amounts due to group undertakings
—
5,256
586
785
(6,627
)
—
Total current liabilities
61
5,457
615
11,082
(6,667
)
10,548
65
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Willis Group Holdings plc
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (continued)
As of March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Investments in subsidiaries
465
—
—
—
(465
)
—
Long-term debt
796
581
760
—
—
2,137
Liabilities for pension benefits
—
—
—
277
—
277
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
—
185
—
185
Provisions for liabilities
—
—
—
188
—
188
Other non-current liabilities
—
16
—
382
—
398
Non-current amounts due to group undertakings
—
518
—
752
(1,270
)
—
Total non-current liabilities
1,261
1,115
760
1,784
(1,735
)
3,185
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
1,322
$
6,572
$
1,375
$
12,866
$
(8,402
)
$
13,733
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
—
—
—
51
—
51
EQUITY
Total Willis Group Holdings stockholders’ equity
2,298
(604
)
2,905
4,058
(6,359
)
2,298
Noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
23
—
23
Total equity
2,298
(604
)
2,905
4,081
(6,359
)
2,321
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
3,620
$
5,968
$
4,280
$
16,998
$
(14,761
)
$
16,105
66
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
9
$
2
$
—
$
624
$
—
$
635
Accounts receivable, net
—
4
—
1,040
—
1,044
Fiduciary assets
—
—
—
8,948
—
8,948
Deferred tax assets
—
—
—
12
—
12
Other current assets
1
41
1
205
(34
)
214
Amounts due from group undertakings
3,674
1,154
797
1,114
(6,739
)
—
Total current assets
3,684
1,201
798
11,943
(6,773
)
10,853
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments in subsidiaries
—
3,478
2,578
—
(6,056
)
—
Fixed assets, net
—
62
—
421
—
483
Goodwill
—
—
—
2,937
—
2,937
Other intangible assets, net
—
—
—
450
—
450
Investments in associates
—
147
—
22
—
169
Deferred tax assets
—
—
—
9
—
9
Pension benefits asset
—
—
—
314
—
314
Other non-current assets
3
2
8
207
—
220
Non-current amounts due from group undertakings
—
740
518
—
(1,258
)
—
Total non-current assets
3
4,429
3,104
4,360
(7,314
)
4,582
TOTAL ASSETS
$
3,687
$
5,630
$
3,902
$
16,303
$
(14,087
)
$
15,435
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Fiduciary liabilities
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
8,948
$
—
$
8,948
Deferred revenue and accrued expenses
1
34
—
584
—
619
Income taxes payable
—
7
5
55
(34
)
33
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
—
149
17
1
—
167
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
—
21
—
21
Other current liabilities
67
46
11
320
—
444
Amounts due to group undertakings
—
5,267
576
896
(6,739
)
—
Total current liabilities
68
5,503
609
10,825
(6,773
)
10,232
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Investments in subsidiaries
838
—
—
—
(838
)
—
Long-term debt
796
581
765
—
—
2,142
Liabilities for pension benefits
—
—
—
284
—
284
Deferred tax liabilities
—
—
—
128
—
128
Provisions for liabilities
—
—
—
194
—
194
Other non-current liabilities
—
17
—
372
—
389
Non-current amounts due to group undertakings
—
518
—
740
(1,258
)
—
Total non-current liabilities
1,634
1,116
765
1,718
(2,096
)
3,137
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
1,702
$
6,619
$
1,374
$
12,543
$
(8,869
)
$
13,369
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Willis Group Holdings plc
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (continued)
As of December 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
—
—
—
59
—
59
EQUITY
Total Willis Group Holdings stockholders’ equity
1,985
(989
)
2,528
3,679
(5,218
)
1,985
Noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
22
—
22
Total equity
1,985
(989
)
2,528
3,701
(5,218
)
2,007
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
3,687
$
5,630
$
3,902
$
16,303
$
(14,087
)
$
15,435
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Notes to the financial statements
(Unaudited)
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2015
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
(20
)
$
(35
)
$
1
$
(10
)
$
—
$
(64
)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds on disposal of fixed and intangible assets
—
—
—
4
—
4
Additions to fixed assets
—
(4
)
—
(12
)
—
(16
)
Additions to intangible assets
—
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Acquisitions of operations, net of cash acquired
—
—
—
(8
)
—
(8
)
Proceeds from disposal of operations, net of cash disposed
—
—
—
13
—
13
Proceeds from intercompany investing activities
51
48
—
—
(99
)
—
Repayments of intercompany investing activities
—
(11
)
—
(26
)
37
—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
51
33
—
(30
)
(62
)
(8
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt issuance costs
—
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Repayments of debt
—
—
(4
)
—
—
(4
)
Repurchase of shares
(15
)
—
—
—
—
(15
)
Proceeds from issue of shares
35
—
—
—
—
35
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
—
—
—
3
—
3
Dividends paid
(54
)
—
—
—
—
(54
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(3
)
—
(3
)
Proceeds from intercompany financing activities
—
23
3
11
(37
)
—
Repayments of intercompany financing activities
—
(23
)
—
(76
)
99
—
Net cash used in financing activities
(34
)
—
(1
)
(66
)
62
(39
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(3
)
(2
)
—
(106
)
—
(111
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
—
—
—
(21
)
—
(21
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
9
2
—
624
—
635
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
6
$
—
$
—
$
497
$
—
$
503
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Willis Group Holdings plc
21. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, PARENT GUARANTOR, OTHER GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)
Unaudited Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Three months ended March 31, 2014
Willis
Group
Holdings
The Other
Guarantors
The Issuer
Other
Consolidating
adjustments
Consolidated
(millions)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
(23
)
$
28
$
(24
)
$
25
$
(1
)
$
5
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds on disposal of fixed and intangible assets
—
1
—
1
(1
)
1
Additions to fixed assets
—
(4
)
—
(19
)
1
(22
)
Additions to intangible assets
—
—
—
(1
)
—
(1
)
Payments to acquire other investments
—
—
—
(4
)
—
(4
)
Proceeds from disposal of operations, net of cash disposed
—
—
—
5
—
5
Proceeds from intercompany investing activities
65
120
12
115
(312
)
—
Repayments of intercompany investing activities
—
—
—
(16
)
16
—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
65
117
12
81
(296
)
(21
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt issuance costs
—
—
—
(2
)
—
(2
)
Repayments of debt
—
—
(4
)
—
—
(4
)
Repurchase of shares
(35
)
—
—
—
—
(35
)
Proceeds from issue of shares
43
—
—
—
—
43
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
—
—
—
1
—
1
Dividends paid
(50
)
—
—
(1
)
1
(50
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
(2
)
—
(2
)
Proceeds from intercompany financing activities
—
—
16
—
(16
)
—
Repayments of intercompany financing activities
—
(145
)
—
(167
)
312
—
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(42
)
(145
)
12
(171
)
297
(49
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
—
—
—
(65
)
—
(65
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
—
—
—
3
—
3
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
3
3
—
790
—
796
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
$
3
$
3
$
—
$
728
$
—
$
734
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Business discussion
Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This discussion includes references to non-GAAP financial measures as defined in Regulation G of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’). We present such non-GAAP financial measures, specifically underlying and organic non-GAAP financial measures, as we believe such information is of interest to the investment community because it provides additional meaningful methods of evaluating certain aspects of the Company’s operating performance from period to period on a basis that may not be otherwise apparent on a GAAP basis, and these provide a measure against which our businesses may be assessed in the future.
Please see 'Non-GAAP financial measures' below for further discussion of our underlying and organic non-GAAP financial measures.
This discussion includes forward-looking statements included under the headings 'Executive Summary', 'Review of Consolidated Results' and 'Liquidity and Capital Resources'. Please see ‘Forward-Looking Statements’ for certain cautionary information regarding forward-looking statements and a list of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in those statements.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Business Overview
We provide a broad range of insurance broking, risk management, and consulting services to our clients worldwide and organize our business into four segments: Willis GB, Willis Capital, Wholesale & Reinsurance ('Willis CWR'), Willis North America, and Willis International.
Our Willis GB business provides specialist brokerage and consulting services to both clients based in Great Britain and those worldwide requiring access to the London insurance market arising from specific industries, activities, and risks. This segment includes the following business units: Property & Casualty; Financial Lines; Transport; and Retail Networks.
Willis CWR includes Willis Re; Willis Capital Markets & Advisory; Willis' wholesale business; and Willis Portfolio and Underwriting Services.
Willis North America and Willis International comprise our retail and specialty operations, outside of Great Britain, and provide services to small, medium, and large corporations. Included in our retail operations is the Human Capital and Benefits practice, our largest product-based practice group, which provides health, welfare and human resources consulting, and brokerage services.
In our capacity as advisor and insurance broker, we act as an intermediary between our clients and insurance carriers by advising our clients on their risk management requirements, helping clients determine the best means of managing risk, and negotiating and placing insurance with insurance carriers through our global distribution network.
Market Conditions
Due to the cyclical nature of the insurance market and the impact of other market conditions on insurance premiums, commission revenues may vary widely between accounting periods. A period of low or declining premium rates, generally known as a ‘soft’ or ‘softening’ market, generally leads to downward pressure on commission revenues and can have a material adverse impact on our commission revenues and operating margin. A ‘hard’ or ‘firming’ market, during which premium rates rise, generally has a favorable impact on our commission revenues and operating margin. Rates, however, vary by geography, industry and client segment. As a result and due to the global and diverse nature of our business, we view rates in the aggregate.
Market conditions in our industry are generally defined by factors such as the strength of the economies in the various geographic regions in which we serve around the world, insurance rate movements, and insurance and reinsurance buying patterns of our clients.
Early in 2013, the reinsurance market was generally flat; however, as the year progressed we saw changing market sentiment driven by changes in the sources of capital and increases in capital supply in the reinsurance market, most notably within the
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Willis Group Holdings plc
North American catastrophe-exposed property market. The influx of third-party capital coupled with changes to reinsurance buying patterns and regulatory complexity is leading to growing complexity in the reinsurance market and a softening of prices.
In 2014 we noted a continuation of this trend, and signs of acceleration, towards softening reinsurance rates across almost all classes of business and geographies as positive 2013 results for traditional reinsurers exacerbated the growing supply of capital from third-party investors. In addition, for primary insurance companies, the ability to recognize primary rate increases may be coming to an end and consequently, rate flattening and even rate reductions are seen in many territories on primary insurance classes.
In 2015 we continue to see an easing of both reinsurance and primary insurance rates across most lines of business, although the rate of decline varies significantly by market and geography, and the marketplace continues to both favor and offer opportunities for the buyers of (re)insurance.
T
hese challenging and uneven market conditions may result in quarterly volatility in actual financial performance in comparison to our 2015 strategic and financial goals.
In the face of this challenging economic environment, we have adopted a strategy to (1) invest selectively in growth areas, defined by geography, industry sector, and client segment and (2) better coordinate our four segments so as to bring our clients greater access to the Company's specialty areas and analytical capabilities, among other things. Our growth strategy also involves increasing our investment in, and deployment of, our analytical capabilities.
Financial Performance
The following is a summary of our first quarter 2015 GAAP financial results:
•
Total revenues of $1,087 million decreased by $10 million, or 0.9 percent, versus the prior year quarter. The results included $69 million adverse movements in foreign exchange, driven most significantly by the weakening of the Euro and the Pound sterling versus the dollar; $25 million positive impact from acquisitions and disposals; and organic growth of $34 million.
•
Total expenses of $794 million increased by $23 million, or 3.0 percent, versus the prior year quarter. This increase included $31 million of restructuring costs related to the Operational Improvement Program and $48 million favorable movements in foreign exchange.
•
Operating margin decreased 280 basis points to 26.9 percent from 29.7 percent in the prior year quarter.
•
Net income attributable to Willis Group Holdings was $210 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, a decrease of $36 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, from the $246 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, in the year ago quarter.
•
Cash used in operating activities was $64 million, a decrease of $69 million from $5 million of cash provided by operating activities in first quarter 2014.
Our non-GAAP financial measures were as follows:
•
Underlying total revenues of $1,087 million increased $59 million, or 5.7 percent, versus the year ago quarter. Excluding the net $25 million increase from acquisitions and disposals, organic total revenues increased $34 million, or 3.3 percent.
•
Organic commissions and fees increased 3.4 percent versus the year ago quarter, led by solid growth in Willis North America and Willis International.
•
Underlying total expenses of $763 million increased $40 million, or 5.6 percent, versus first quarter 2014. Excluding the net $29 million increase from acquisition and disposals, organic total expenses increased $11 million, or 1.7 percent.
•
Organic operating margin increased 120 basis points to 30.7 percent from 29.5 percent in the year ago quarter.
•
Organic spread, that is the difference between organic commission and fee growth of 3.4 percent and organic total expense growth of 1.7 percent, was 170 bps in first quarter 2015.
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Business discussion
Acquisitions and Disposals
Our measured acquisition strategy which is focused on high quality, specialized firms with leading market positions, is contributing to the Company's overall growth rate. Revenues from acquisitions over the past twelve months, which include Charles Monat, Max Matthiessen, Surepoint Re, and IFG's pension and financial advisory business, have increased total revenues by $39 million in the first quarter versus the year-ago quarter. Additionally those businesses improved EBITDA by approximately $9 million in the first quarter versus the year-ago quarter.
In January, 2015 the Company reached an agreement to acquire a majority interest in Miller Insurance Services LLP, a leading London-based wholesale specialist. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the middle of 2015.
On April 22, 2015 the Company announced that it has made a firm offer to acquire the remaining 70 percent of Gras Savoye that it currently does not own for approximately €550 million (approximately $592 million), which includes the repayment of outstanding third party debt. The transaction which is subject to regulatory approval and Gras Savoye's workers councils' consultation, is expected to close on or around December 31, 2015.
In addition to this firm offer, the Company has issued notice preserving its right under an existing shareholder agreement to acquire the remaining shares in Gras Savoye in June 2016, should the firm offer not be accepted. In that case, the purchase price would be determined by a formula under that agreement and the expected closing of the transaction would be mid-2016.
Operational Improvement Program
Overview
In April 2014, the Company announced an operational improvement program that would allow the Company to continue to strengthen its client service, realize operational efficiencies, and invest in new capabilities for growth.
The main elements of the program include the following:
•
movement of more than 3,500 support roles from higher cost locations to Willis facilities in lower cost locations, bringing the ratio of employees in higher cost versus lower cost near-shore and off-shore centers from approximately 80:20 to approximately 60:40;
•
net workforce reductions in support positions;
•
lease consolidation in real estate and reductions in ratios of seats per employee and square footage of floor space per employee; and
•
information technology systems simplification and rationalization.
The program began in the second quarter of 2014 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2017. The program is expecting to deliver cumulative cost savings of at least $420 million through 2017 and annual cost savings of approximately $300 million starting in 2018.
Actual cost savings of approximately $11 million were achieved in 2014, the estimated phasing of future cost savings is as follows: at least $60 million in 2015, approximately $135 million in 2016, and approximately $235 million in 2017. The estimated cost savings are before any potential reinvestment for future growth.
To achieve these savings, the Company expects to incur cumulative spend, including capital expenditure, amounting to approximately $410 million through the end of 2017. Program spend in 2014 was $36 million, with approximately $130 million expected for 2015 and the balance of approximately $240 million expected to be incurred in 2016 and 2017.
Total spend, actual savings, and timing may vary positively or negatively from these estimates due to changes in the scope, underlying assumptions, or execution risk of the restructuring plan throughout its duration.
The Company expects that about 70 percent of the annualized 2018 savings would come from role relocation and reduction, and about 30 percent of the savings from real estate, information technology and other areas.
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Willis Group Holdings plc
First quarter 2015 update
In
first quarter 2015
the Company recognized restructuring costs of
$31 million
related to the Operational Improvement Program bringing the total program to date restructuring costs to $67 million since commencement in April 2014.
The $31 million restructuring costs incurred included:
•
$7 million in the North America segment including $2 million related to 23 roles that have either been eliminated or relocated to low costs locations and $5 million of professional services and other costs supporting the execution of the program;
•
approximately $3 million in the International segment including $2 million related to termination benefits;
•
$6 million in Willis CWR related to the elimination and relocation of approximately 53 positions;
•
approximately $4 million in Willis GB related to professional services and other costs supporting the execution of the program; and
•
$11 million in Corporate and other, including approximately $8 million of professional fees, primarily related to advisory services, and approximately $3 million related to system implementation and other core resources supporting the program.
We generated savings of approximately $10 million in the first quarter of 2015, largely from actions taken in the prior year, bringing the cumulative program to date savings to $21 million.
UK defined benefit pension scheme
On March 6, 2015, the Company announced to members of the UK defined benefit pension plan that with effect from June 30, 2015, future salary increases would not be pensionable (the “salary freeze”). The Company has recognized the salary freeze as a plan amendment at the announcement date. The impact of the salary freeze is to reduce the plan’s projected benefit obligation by approximately
$215 million
and create a prior service gain which is recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and then amortized to the Income Statement over the remaining expected service life of active employees.
Changes to Segmental Presentation
Effective from January 1, 2015 the Company has changed the way it manages and reports operating results, resulting in a change in the Company’s reportable segments from three reportable segments, formerly known as Willis Global, Willis North America and Willis International, into four reportable segments: Willis CWR; Willis North America; Willis International; and Willis GB.
The changes to the reportable segments are as follows:
•
Willis International and Willis North America will remain largely unchanged except for certain specialty teams formerly included in Global which will be included in the geographic regions in which they are located.
•
Willis CWR will include Willis Re, Willis Capital Markets & Advisory and the Company's Wholesale business. In addition, it also includes a new unit called Willis Portfolio and Underwriting Services which includes all of the Company's activities that provide these services.
•
Willis GB includes the Company's UK retail business, facultative business and London Specialty business.
The impact of the changes has been retrospectively applied to the prior period results disclosed herein.
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Business discussion
Business Strategy
Today we operate in attractive growth markets with a diversified platform across geographies, industries, segments and lines of business. We aim to become the risk advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker of choice globally.
We believe we can achieve this by focusing on:
•
Growing our existing business organically. We help clients of all sizes and in every segment when we form teams of the right people from across our business that can provide every risk and human capital and benefits service the client needs. We call this team-based way of working ‘Connecting Willis’.
In the Connecting Willis model, client advocates ensure that our teams deliver a seamless service of tailored capabilities to every client including:
•
Regional and local market expertise
•
Industry and product specialist capabilities
•
Global placement knowledge and data
•
Cutting-edge analytics to address evolving risks
•
Strategic mergers and acquisitions that add geographic reach, industry expertise, new product offerings, and analytic capabilities.
•
Operational improvement that underpins our growth. We are modernizing the way we run our business in order to serve our clients better, enable the skills of our staff, and to lower our costs of doing business. Our Operational Improvement Program is making changes to our processes, our IT, our real estate and the location of our workforce.
•
Finally, we care as much about how we work as we do about the impact that we make. This means commitment to our values and behaviors, a framework that guides how we run our business and serve clients.
Through these strategies we aim to grow revenue with positive operating leverage, grow cash flows and generate compelling returns for investors.
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Willis Group Holdings plc
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We believe that the understanding of the Company's performance and comparative analysis of our results is enhanced by our disclosure of the following non-GAAP financial measures. We use these and other measures to establish Group performance targets and evaluate the performance of our operations.
Our methods of calculating these measures may differ from those used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. These financial measures should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, these condensed consolidated financial statements for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
.
Underlying measures
Our underlying non-GAAP measures are calculated by excluding restructuring costs relating to the Operational Improvement Program, and and gains (losses) on disposal of operations, as relevant, from total revenues, total expenses, salaries and benefits, other operating expenses, operating income, net income, and earnings per diluted share, the most directly comparable GAAP measures.
Additionally, prior year total revenues, total expenses and net income and diluted earnings per share have been rebased to current period exchange rates to eliminate the impact of year over year foreign exchange movements.
Organic measures
Our organic non-GAAP measures are calculated by further excluding the twelve month impact from acquisitions and disposals, from our underlying measures.
As set out in the tables below, underlying operating income increased
$19 million
, or
5.9 percent
, to
$324 million
in
first quarter 2015
compared to
$305 million
in
first quarter 2014
. Underlying operating margin at
29.8 percent
in
first quarter 2015
was up
10
basis points compared with
first quarter 2014
, while
first quarter 2015
underlying net income was
$230 million
,
$10 million
higher than in
first quarter 2014
. Underlying earnings per diluted share were
$1.26
in
first quarter 2015
, compared with
$1.21
in
first quarter 2014
.
As set out in the tables below, organic operating income increased $23 million, or 7.4 percent, at $322 million in
first quarter 2015
compared to $299 million in
first quarter 2014
. Organic operating margin at 30.7 percent in
first quarter 2015
was up 120 basis points compared with
first quarter 2014
.
A reconciliation of reported total expenses, salaries and benefits and other operating expenses, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, to underlying and organic total expenses, underlying and organic salaries and benefits and underlying and organic other operating expenses, for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
and is as follows (in millions, except percentages):
Salaries and benefits
Other operating expenses
Total expenses
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
Expenses, GAAP basis
$
567
$
570
$
160
$
165
$
794
$
771
Excluding:
Restructuring costs
—
—
—
—
31
—
Foreign currency movements
(a)
—
37
—
10
—
48
Underlying expenses
$
567
$
533
$
160
$
155
$
763
$
723
Less: net expenses from acquisitions and disposals
23
6
9
1
37
8
Organic expenses
$
544
$
527
$
151
$
154
$
726
$
715
_________________________________
(a)
For prior periods, underlying measures have been rebased to current period exchange rates to remove the impact of foreign currency movements when comparing periods.
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Business discussion
A reconciliation of reported operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to underlying and organic operating income for the
three months ended March 31,
is as follows (in millions, except percentages):
Three months ended March 31,
% Change
(b)
2015
2014
Total revenues
$
1,087
$
1,097
(0.9
)
Excluding:
Foreign currency movements
(a)
—
(69
)
Underlying total revenues
$
1,087
$
1,028
5.7
Less: net revenue from acquisitions and disposals
(39
)
(14
)
Organic total revenues
$
1,048
$
1,014
3.3
Operating income, GAAP basis
$
293
$
326
(10.3
)
Excluding:
Restructuring costs
31
—
Foreign currency movements
(a)
—
(21
)
Underlying operating income
$
324
$
305
5.9
Less: net operating income from acquisitions and disposals
(2
)
(6
)
Organic operating income
$
322
$
299
7.4
Operating margin, GAAP basis, or operating income as a percentage of total revenues
26.9
%
29.7
%
Underlying operating margin, or underlying operating income as a percentage of underlying total revenues
29.8
%
29.7
%
Organic operating margin, or organic operating income as a percentage of organic total revenues
30.7
%
29.5
%
_________________________________
(a)
For prior periods, underlying measures have been rebased to current period exchange rates to remove the impact of foreign currency movements when comparing periods.
(b)
Percentages may differ due to rounding
.
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A reconciliation of reported net income, attributable to Willis Group Holdings plc, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, to organic and underlying EBITDA, is as follows (in millions, except per share data):
Three months ended March 31,
% Change
(b)
2015
2014
Net income attributable to Willis Group Holdings plc
$
210
$
246
(14.7
)
Add back:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
4
4
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
(16
)
(19
)
Income taxes
56
63
Interest expense
33
32
Other expense (income), net
6
—
Depreciation
22
23
Amortization
14
13
Restructuring costs
31
—
Foreign currency movements
(a)
—
(22
)
Underlying EBITDA
$
360
$
340
5.8
Less: net EBITDA from acquisitions and disposals
(7
)
(7
)
Organic EBITDA
$
353
$
333
6.0
_________________________________
(a)
For prior periods, underlying measures have been rebased to current period exchange rates to remove the impact of foreign currency movements when comparing periods.
(b)
Percentages may differ due to rounding.
A reconciliation of reported net income, attributable to Willis Group Holdings plc, and reported earnings per diluted share, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, to underlying net income and underlying earnings per diluted share, is as follows (in millions, except per share data):
Per diluted share
Three months ended March 31,
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
% Change
(b)
2015
2014
% Change
(b)
Net income attributable to Willis Group Holdings plc, GAAP basis
$
210
$
246
(14.7
)
$
1.15
$
1.35
(14.8
)
Excluding:
Restructuring costs, net of tax ($9, $nil)
22
—
0.12
—
Net (gain) loss on disposal of operations ($2, $1)
(2
)
2
(0.01
)
0.01
Foreign currency movements
(a)
—
(28
)
—
(0.15
)
Underlying net income
$
230
$
220
4.5
$
1.26
$
1.21
4.1
Average diluted shares outstanding, GAAP basis
182
182
_____________________________
(a)
For prior periods, underlying measures have been rebased to current period exchange rates to remove the impact of foreign currency movements when comparing periods.
(b)
Percentages may differ due to rounding.
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REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
The following table is a summary of our revenues, operating income, operating margin, net income and diluted earnings per share (in millions, except per share data and percentages):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
REVENUES
Commissions and fees
$
1,081
$
1,090
Investment income
3
4
Other income
3
3
Total revenues
1,087
1,097
EXPENSES
Salaries and benefits
(567
)
(570
)
Other operating expenses
(160
)
(165
)
Depreciation expense
(22
)
(23
)
Amortization of intangible assets
(14
)
(13
)
Restructuring costs
(31
)
—
Total expenses
(794
)
(771
)
OPERATING INCOME
293
326
Other (expense) income, net
(6
)
—
Interest expense
(33
)
(32
)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
254
294
Income taxes
(56
)
(63
)
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST IN EARNINGS OF ASSOCIATES
198
231
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax
16
19
NET INCOME
214
250
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
(4
)
(4
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS
$
210
$
246
Salaries and benefits as a percentage of total revenues
52.2
%
52.0
%
Other operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues
14.7
%
15.0
%
Operating margin (operating income as a percentage of total revenues)
26.9
%
29.7
%
Diluted earnings per share
$
1.15
$
1.35
Average diluted number of shares outstanding
182
182
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Willis Group Holdings plc
Revenues
Total revenues for the Group and commissions and fees by segment for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
are shown below (millions, except percentages):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
% Change
(b)
Foreign
currency
translation
Underlying growth
Acquisitions and disposals
Organic
commissions
and fees
growth
(a)
Willis GB
$
142
$
150
(4.6
)%
(5.7
)%
1.1
%
—
%
1.1
%
Willis Capital, Wholesale, and Reinsurance
296
303
(2.5
)%
(4.3
)%
1.7
%
0.4
%
1.3
%
Willis North America
356
354
0.5
%
(0.2
)%
0.7
%
(4.1
)%
4.7
%
Willis International
287
283
1.1
%
(20.1
)%
21.1
%
15.8
%
5.3
%
Commissions and fees
$
1,081
$
1,090
(0.9
)%
(6.7
)%
5.8
%
2.4
%
3.4
%
Investment income
3
4
(25.0
)%
Other income
3
3
—
%
Total revenues
$
1,087
$
1,097
(0.9
)%
_________________________________
(a)
Organic commissions and fees growth excludes: (i) the impact of foreign currency translation; (ii) the first twelve months of net commission and fee revenues generated from acquisitions; and (iii) the net commission and fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each period presented.
Our methods of calculating these measures may differ from those used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited.
(b)
Percentages may differ due to rounding.
First quarter 2015
Revenues of
$1,087 million
for
first quarter 2015
were
$10 million
, or
0.9 percent
, lower than in same period of
2014
. This was primarily due to the adverse impact of foreign exchange partially offset by the net impact from acquisitions and disposals and organic growth.
Total commissions and fees for
first quarter 2015
were
$1,081 million
, down
$9 million
or
0.9 percent
, from
$1,090 million
in the prior year quarter. Excluding the $69 million adverse impact of foreign exchange, underlying growth in commissions and fees was $60 million, or 5.8 percent. Organic commissions and fees growth, which further excludes a positive 2.4 percent impact from acquisitions and disposals, was
3.4 percent
.
The $69 million adverse impact from foreign exchange was due primarily to the significant period-over-period weakening of a number of currencies, most significantly the Euro, Pound Sterling, and Venezuelan Bolivar, versus the dollar.
Willis GB reported a 4.6 percent decline in commissions and fees primarily due to the adverse impact of foreign exchange. Excluding the negative impact of foreign exchange, underlying and organic growth in commissions and fees was 1.1 percent. Acquisition and disposals had no impact on commissions and fees in first quarter 2015.
The 1.1 percent organic growth in Willis GB was driven by strong growth in Financial Lines and mid-single digit growth in Property and Casualty. However, that growth was offset by declines in Transport, driven by softening rates, and in Retail Networks due to weak Insolvency and Commercial business.
Willis CWR reported a 2.5 percent decline in commission and fees. Excluding the negative 4.3 percent impact from foreign exchange and the favorable 0.4 percent impact from acquisition and disposals, organic growth in commissions and fees was 1.3 percent.
The 1.3 percent organic growth was driven by mid-single digit growth in Willis Re partially offset by a decline in the Wholesale business resulting from timing and lost business.
Willis North America reported 0.5 percent growth in commissions and fees. The disposal of low growth and non-strategic offices during 2014 and 2015 adversely impacted commission and fee growth by 4.1 percent. Foreign exchange had a modest negative impact on growth in first quarter 2015.
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Organic growth was 4.7 percent versus the year ago period driven by strong growth from the M&A, FINEX and Real Estate practices and mid-single digit growth in Human Capital.
Willis International reported 1.1 percent growth in commissions and fees. The 15.8 percent positive impact from acquisitions completed during 2014, primarily due to Max Matthiessen and Charles Monat, was partially offset by the 20.1 percent adverse impact from foreign exchange, as a number of currencies significantly weakened versus the dollar.
Organic growth in commissions and fees was 5.3 percent driven by strong growth in Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Investment income was
$3 million
in
first quarter 2015
versus $4 million in
first quarter 2014
.
Salaries and Benefits
First quarter 2015
Salaries and benefits of
$567 million
for
first quarter 2015
were
$3 million
, or
0.5 percent
lower than the year ago period. Underlying salaries and benefits, which exclude $37 million, or 6.9 percent, favorable impact from foreign currency movements, increased $34 million, or 6.4 percent.
The $34 million increase in underlying salaries and benefits includes $17 million net increase from acquisition and disposals. The remaining $17 million organic increase in salaries and benefits was primarily driven by higher costs of incentives, following strong performance in several businesses; mandatory pay increases in Latin America; and investment hires partially offset by higher defined benefit pension scheme income.
Other Expenses
First quarter 2015
Other operating expenses
decreased by
$5 million
, or
3.2 percent
, versus the year-ago period. Underlying Other operating expenses, which exclude $10 million favorable foreign currency movements increased $5 million, or 2.9 percent primarily due to an $8 million net increase from acquisitions and disposals. Organic other operating expenses decreased by $3 million due to the impact of cost management initiatives partially offset by costs associated with the proposed acquisition of Gras Savoye.
Depreciation expense
was
$22 million
in
first quarter 2015
and
$23 million
in
first quarter 2014
.
Amortization of intangible assets
was
$14 million
in
first quarter 2015
and
$13 million
in
first quarter 2014
.
Restructuring costs
were
$31 million
in
first quarter 2015
compared with $
nil
in
first quarter 2014
. See the 'Operational Improvement Program' section above for further details.
Other (expense) income, net
Other (expense) income, net in
first quarter 2015
was a net expense of
$6 million
compared with $
nil
in
first quarter 2014
. The $6 million adverse movement versus the year-ago period is due to the impact of the revaluation of our non-functional currency assets and liabilities partially offset by derivative gains and the gain recognized following the disposal of our Omaha retail operations from Willis North America. The primary drivers of the foreign currency change were movements in the Euro and the Pound sterling against the US dollar.
Interest Expense
Interest expense in
first quarter 2015
was
$33 million
compared with
$32 million
for the same period of
2014
. The $1 million increase is primarily due to the unwind of discounts applied to deferred consideration related to acquisitions.
Income Taxes
The reported tax rate in first quarter 2015 was 22 percent compared with 21 percent for the same period of 2014. The income tax expense for first quarter 2015 was $56 million compared with $63 million in the year-ago period.
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The first quarter 2015 charge includes an $8 million credit relating to an adjustment in respect of prior periods, while the first quarter of 2014 included a $2m charge relating to prior periods. Excluding these prior period adjustments the tax rates were approximately 25% for 2015 and 21% for 2014. The reason for the increase in tax rate was due to changes in the full year estimate of geographic mix of income. Also, both the current and prior year periods are impacted by the requirement to maintain a valuation allowance against US deferred tax assets
Interest in Earnings of Associates
Interest in earnings of associates, net of tax, was
$16 million
in
first quarter 2015
compared to
$19 million
in the same period
2014
. This $3 million decrease was mainly due to adverse foreign exchange resulting from the weakening of the Euro versus the dollar.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
We believe that our balance sheet and cash flow provide us with the platform and flexibility to remain committed to our previously stated goals of:
•
investing in the business for growth;
•
value-creating merger and acquisition activity;
•
returning a steadily rising dividend to shareholders; and
•
the repurchase of shares.
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash from operations, available cash and cash equivalents and amounts available under our four revolving credit facilities, excluding the UK facility, which is solely for use by our main regulated UK entity in certain exceptional circumstances, and the Willis Securities facility, which is available for regulatory purposes related to securities underwriting only.
Our principal short-term uses of liquidity and capital resources are operating expenses, capital expenditures, dividends to shareholders, funding our acquisition strategy, principal amount of outstanding notes, borrowing under our seven-year team loan and revolving credit facilities, funding defined benefit pension plans and the repurchase of shares.
Our long-term liquidity requirements consist of the principal amount of outstanding notes; borrowings under our seven-year term loan and revolving credit facilities; funding our acquisition strategy; and our pension contributions.
As at
March 31, 2015
, cash and cash equivalents were
$503 million
, a decrease of
$132 million
compared to
December 31, 2014
. The $132 million decrease is primarily due to $64 million of cash used in operating activities, $54 million payment of dividends declared in the fourth quarter of 2014, and adverse foreign exchange movements. Included within cash and cash equivalents is a proportion held for regulatory capital adequacy requirements, including $89 million held within our regulated UK entities.
Net cash used in operating activities was $64 million in first quarter 2015, a reduction of $69 million from the $5 million of net cash provided by operating activities in the year-ago period. Additional funds were provided in first three months 2015 of
$13 million
from the sales of our Omaha retail operations from Willis North America and
$35 million
proceeds from the issue of shares.
As at
March 31, 2015
, there was
$nil
drawn down on all four of the revolving credit facilities (
December 31, 2014
:
$nil
). There were also no drawings, and subsequent repayments, of these facilities during the
three months ended March 31, 2015
.
The primary uses of funds during the first three months 2015 include
$306 million
of payments made for 2014 cash incentive awards;
$54 million
of dividend payments;
$44 million
cash contributions, including employees' salary sacrifice contributions, to our defined benefit schemes; capital expenditure of
$16 million
related to leasehold improvements, and information technology projects;
$15 million
for the repurchase of shares; and
$8 million
payment of deferred consideration related to acquisitions made in prior years.
The Company is authorized to buy back its ordinary shares by way of redemption, and will consider whether to do so from time to time based on many factors including market conditions. In February 2015, Willis announced that it intended to buy back
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Business discussion
$175 million in shares in 2015 to offset the increase in shares outstanding resulting from the exercise of employee stock options. Based on the settlement date, the Company bought back approximately 300,000 shares for a total cost of $15 million in first three months 2015.
Based on current market conditions and information available to us at this time, we believe that we have sufficient liquidity, which includes our undrawn revolving credit facilities, to meet our cash needs for the next twelve months including the funding required to complete the acquisitions of Miller Insurance Services and Gras Savoye and the 2015 share buy-backs. Nevertheless, we expect to access the debt capital markets in order to finance the Gras Savoye transaction.
The impact of movements in debt and EBITDA in the quarter had no impact on the interest coverage ratio and the leverage ratio. Both ratios remain well within the requirements of the revolving credit facility covenants.
Debt
Total debt, total equity, and the capitalization ratio at
March 31, 2015
and
December 31, 2014
were as follows (millions, except percentages):
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
Long-term debt
$
2,137
$
2,142
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
168
167
Total debt
$
2,305
$
2,309
Total Willis Group Holdings stockholder’s equity
$
2,298
$
1,985
Capitalization ratio
50.1
%
53.8
%
At March 31, 2015 the only mandatory debt repayments falling due over the next 12 months are $148 million outstanding on our 5.625% senior notes, scheduled repayments on our 7-year term loan totaling $18 million, and $1 million outstanding on our 3-year term loan.
Summary consolidated cash flow information (millions):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$
(64
)
$
5
Cash flows from investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities
(8
)
(21
)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
(39
)
(49
)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(111
)
(65
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(21
)
3
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
635
796
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
503
$
734
This summary consolidated cash flow should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Willis Group Holdings plc
Consolidated Cash Flow for first quarter 2015 compared with first quarter 2014
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities in first three months 2015 was $64 million and represents a $69 million decrease from the $5 million net cash provided by operating activities in the year-ago quarter. The first quarter is typically the most significant quarter for operating cash uses due to the payment of the prior year's incentives in the quarter.
The $64 million cash from operating activities included net income of $214 million, $72 million of non-cash adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities, and $350 million of negative working capital movements. The $350 million negative movement in working capital includes $306 million cash payments of 2014 incentives and $44 million of defined benefit pension funding.
The
$69 million
decrease in cash from operating activities was largely due to adverse foreign exchange movements; higher cash contributions into defined benefit pension schemes; a decrease in working capital resulting from the timing of collection of accounts receivable; and restructuring costs related to the Operational Improvement Program.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in first three months 2015 was
$8 million
. This included capital expenditure of
$16 million
, and cash payments of
$8 million
for deferred consideration related to acquisitions made in prior years. This was partially offset by proceeds from the disposal of operations of
$13 million
.
Net cash used in investing activities in first three months 2014 was
$21 million
. This was primarily due to capital expenditure of
$22 million
and cash used to purchase subsidiaries and other investments of
$4 million
. This was partially offset by $6 million cash received from the sale operations and fixed and intangible assets.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in first three months 2015 was
$39 million
primarily due to total dividends paid, including dividends paid to noncontrolling interests, of
$57 million
, repurchase of shares of
$15 million
, and
$4 million
of mandatory repayments against the term loan. This was partially offset by cash receipts of
$35 million
from the issue of shares, and
$3 million
excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements.
Net cash used in financing activities in
first quarter 2014
was
$49 million
primarily due to total dividends paid, including dividends paid to noncontrolling interests, of
$52 million
, repurchase of shares of
$35 million
and
$4 million
of mandatory repayments against the term loan. This was partially offset by cash receipts of
$43 million
from the issue of shares.
Fiduciary Funds
As an intermediary, we hold funds generally in a fiduciary capacity for the account of third parties, typically as the result of premiums received from clients that are in transit to insurers and claims due to clients that are in transit from insurers. We report premiums, which are held on account of, or due from, clients as assets with a corresponding liability due to the insurers. Claims held by, or due to, us which are due to clients are also shown as both assets and liabilities.
Fiduciary funds are generally required to be kept in regulated bank accounts subject to guidelines which emphasize capital preservation and liquidity; such funds are not available to service the Company’s debt or for other corporate purposes. Notwithstanding the legal relationships with clients and insurers, the Company is entitled to retain investment income earned on fiduciary funds in accordance with industry custom and practice and, in some cases, as supported by agreements with insureds.
As of
March 31, 2015
, we had fiduciary funds of
$2.0 billion
, compared with
$1.9 billion
at
December 31, 2014
.
Share Buybacks
The Company is authorized to buy back its ordinary shares, by way of redemption, and will consider whether to do so from time to time based on many factors including market conditions. In February 2015, the Company announced that, during the year, it intends to buyback up to $175 million of shares under this authorization, from time to time, depending on many factors,
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Business discussion
including market conditions, the Company's financial position, earnings, share price, capital requirements, and other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions and related financings).
During the
three months ended March 31, 2015
, we bought back approximately 300,000 shares for a total cost of approximately $15 million at an average price of $48.32 per share on a settlement date basis.
Since the quarter-end and as of May 1, 2015, we have bought back a further 491,000 shares for a total cost of approximately $24 million and an average price of $48.86 per share on a settlement-date basis.
Dividends
In April 2015, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of
$0.31
per share. This represents an increase of 3.3 percent on the
first quarter 2014
per share dividend of
$0.30
per share.
Cash dividends paid in first three months 2015 were
$54 million
compared with
$50 million
in
first quarter 2014
. The
$4 million
increase is driven by the period-over-period increase in dividend per share and the number of shares outstanding.
REVIEW OF SEGMENTAL RESULTS
We organize our business into four segments: Willis GB, Willis CWR, Willis North America, and Willis International.
As discussed in the 'Executive Summary' above, effective from January 1, 2015 the Company changed the way it manages and reports operating results, resulting in a change in the Company’s reportable segments from three reportable segments, formerly known as Willis Global, Willis North America and Willis International, into four reportable segments: Willis CWR, Willis North America, Willis International, and Willis GB.
The changes to the reportable segments units are as follows:
•
Willis International and Willis North America will remain largely unchanged except for certain specialty teams formerly included in Global which will be included in the geographic regions in which they are located;
•
Willis CWR includes Willis Re, Willis Capital Markets & Advisory and the Company's wholesale business. In addition, it will also include a new unit called Willis Portfolio and Underwriting Services which includes all of the Company's activities that provide these services; and
•
Willis GB includes the Company's UK retail business, facultative business and London Specialty business.
The 2014 comparatives have been retrospectively reclassified to take into account these changes.
The following table is a summary of our operating results by segment for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
(millions, except percentages):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
Revenues
Segment operating
income (loss)
Operating
margin
Revenues
Segment operating
income (loss)
Operating
margin
Willis GB
$
143
$
21
14.9
%
$
153
$
22
14.4
%
Willis Capital, Wholesale and Reinsurance
297
153
51.7
%
304
168
55.3
%
Willis North America
359
78
21.6
%
355
83
23.4
%
Willis International
288
70
24.4
%
285
84
29.5
%
Total Segments
1,087
322
29.6
%
1,097
357
32.5
%
Corporate & Other
—
(29
)
n/a
—
(31
)
n/a
Total Consolidated
$
1,087
$
293
26.9
%
$
1,097
$
326
29.7
%
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Willis Group Holdings plc
Willis GB
Willis GB, our Great Britain-based specialty and retail business, comprises the following business units: Property & Casualty; Financial Lines; Transport; and Retail Networks.
The following table sets out the components of Willis GB's revenues, and its organic commissions and fees growth, operating income, and margin for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
(millions, except percentages):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
Commissions and fees
$
142
$
150
Investment income
1
1
Other income
(a)
—
2
Total revenues
$
143
$
153
Operating income
$
21
$
22
Organic commissions and fees growth
(b)
1.1
%
(6.3
)%
Operating margin
(c)
14.9
%
14.4
%
_________________
(a)
Other income comprises gains on disposal of intangible assets, which primarily arise from settlements through enforcing non-compete agreements in the event of losing accounts through producer defection or the disposal of books of business.
(b)
Organic commissions and fees growth excludes (i) the impact of foreign currency translation; (ii) the first twelve months of net commission and fee revenues generated from acquisitions; and (iii) the net commission and fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each period presented.
(c)
Percentages may differ due to rounding.
Revenues
First quarter 2015
Commissions and fees of
$142 million
were
$8 million
, or 4.6 percent, lower in
first quarter 2015
compared with the same period
2014
. Organic commissions and fees, which exclude a
5.7 percent
adverse impact from foreign currency movements, increased by
1.1 percent
. Acquisitions and disposals had no impact on commissions and fees versus the year-ago period.
The foreign currency movement was primarily due to the weakening of the Euro and Pound sterling against the US Dollar.
The
1.1 percent
organic growth in commissions and fees reflects double digit growth in Financial Lines driven by strong new business across all units; and mid-single digit growth in Property and Casualty which was largely due to double digit growth in our UK large accounts.
However, that growth was offset by a decline in Transport, as new business growth and positive timing in Aviation was more than offset by reductions in our Marine book. In addition, Retail Networks was down versus the year-ago period, due to the renegotiated revenue terms with our commercial network partners and declining performance in our Insolvency business which is sensitive to the improving economy.
Expenses
First quarter 2015
Total expenses of
$122 million
were
$9 million
, or
6.9 percent
, lower in the
first quarter 2015
compared with the same period
2014
. Underlying total expenses, which exclude
$9 million
of favorable foreign currency movements and
$4 million
restructuring costs related to the Operational Improvement Program charges, declined
$4 million
or
3.3 percent
.
The favorable foreign currency movements arose primarily as a result of the strengthening of the US Dollar to the Pound sterling.
The
$4 million
decline in total expenses was primarily due to the non-recurrence of certain legal settlement costs that were incurred in first quarter 2014 and lower system charges.
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The restructuring costs of
$4 million
related to professional services and other costs. See the 'Operational Improvement Program' section above for further details.
Operating margin
Operating margin was
14.9 percent
in the
first quarter 2015
, up 50 basis points from
14.4 percent
in the same period of
2014
.
Willis Capital, Wholesale and Reinsurance
Willis CWR includes: Willis Re; Willis Capital Markets & Advisory; our Wholesale business and Portfolio and Underwrting services.
The following table sets out the components of Willis CWR's revenues, and its organic commissions and fees growth, operating income, and margin for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
(millions, except percentages):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
Commissions and fees
$
296
$
303
Investment income
1
1
Total revenues
$
297
$
304
Operating income
$
153
$
168
Organic commissions and fees growth
(a)
1.3
%
6.3
%
Operating margin
(b)
51.7
%
55.3
%
_________________
(a)
Organic commissions and fees growth excludes (i) the impact of foreign currency translation; (ii) the first twelve months of net commission and fee revenues generated from acquisitions; and (iii) the net commission and fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each period presented.
(b)
Percentages may differ due to rounding.
Revenues
First quarter 2015
Commissions and fees of $296 million in first quarter 2015, were $7 million, or 2.5 percent, lower than the year-ago period. Organic commissions and fees, which exclude a 4.3 percent adverse impact from foreign currency movements, and 0.4 percent favorable impact from acquisitions and disposals increased by 1.3 percent.
The 1.3 percent organic growth in commissions and fees reflects solid growth in Willis Re in what is its most significant quarter for revenue. Organic growth in Willis Re was due to continued new business success in the North America business and the benefit of favorable timing from revenue moving into the first quarter from the second quarter. This growth was partially offset by declines in our International and Specialty businesses, where we continue to be affected by declining rates and consolidation. Organic growth was also partially offset by a decline in the Wholesale business that was due to negative timing and lost business.
Willis Capital Markets & Advisory and Willis Portfolio and Underwriting Services delivered commissions and fees in line with the prior year.
Expenses
First quarter 2015
Total expenses of
$144 million
were
$8 million
, or
5.9 percent
, higher in the
first quarter 2015
compared with the same period
2014
. Underlying total expenses, which exclude
$5 million
of favorable foreign currency movements and
$6 million
restructuring costs related to the Operational Improvement Program charges, increased
$7 million
or
5.3 percent
.
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The
$7 million
increase in total expenses included $4 million year-over-year net increase from acquisitions. The remaining $3 million increase in total expenses was due to acquisition related charges.
The restructuring costs of
$6 million
related entirely to termination benefits. See the 'Operational Improvement Program' section above for further details.
Operating margin
Operating margin was
51.7 percent
in the
first quarter 2015
down 360 basis points from
55.3 percent
in the same period of
2014
.
Willis North America
Our North America business provides risk management, insurance brokerage, related risk services and employee benefits brokerage and consulting to a wide array of industry and client segments in the United States and Canada.
The following table sets out the components of Willis North America's revenues, and its organic commissions and fees growth,operating income, and margin for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
(millions, except percentages):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
Commissions and fees
$
356
$
354
Other income
(a)
3
1
Total revenues
$
359
$
355
Operating income
$
78
$
83
Organic commissions and fees growth
(b)
4.7
%
5.4
%
Operating margin
(c)
21.6
%
23.4
%
_________________
(a)
Other income comprises gains on disposal of intangible assets, which primarily arise from settlements through enforcing non-compete agreements in the event of losing accounts through producer defection or the disposal of books of business.
(b)
Organic commissions and fees growth excludes (i) the impact of foreign currency translation; (ii) the first twelve months of net commission and fee revenues generated from acquisitions; and (iii) the net commission and fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each period presented.
(c)
Percentages may differ due to rounding.
Revenues
First quarter 2015
Commissions and fees of
$356 million
were
$2 million
, or
0.5 percent
, higher in
first quarter 2015
compared with the same period in
2014
. Organic commissions and fees growth, which excludes a
4.1 percent
negative impact from acquisitions and disposals and a 0.2 percent negative impact from foreign exchange, was
4.7 percent
.
The acquisitions and disposals impact relates to the disposal of non-strategic low-growth offices during the past twelve months.
Organic growth in commissions and fees of
4.7 percent
was driven by solid growth across a number of the major industry and product practices including Mergers & Acquisitions, FINEX, and Real Estate and Hospitality. The Human Capital practice was up mid-single digits in the quarter while Construction was up low-single digits, held back by declining surety revenues.
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Expenses
First quarter 2015
Total expenses of
$281 million
were
$9 million
, or
3.3 percent
, higher in
first quarter 2015
compared to the same period in
2014
. Underlying total expenses, which exclude
$7 million
restructuring costs related to the Operational Improvement Program, were
$3 million
, or
1.1 percent
, higher than the year-ago period.
This increase was primarily due to higher salaries and benefits due to pay reviews and higher producer salaries.
The restructuring costs of
$7 million
related to $2 million of termination benefits and $5 million of professional service fees and other charges. See the 'Operational Improvement Program' section above for further details.
Operating margin
Operating margin in North America was
21.6 percent
in
first quarter 2015
down 180 basis points from
23.4 percent
in
first quarter 2014
.
Willis International
Our International business comprises our retail and specialty operations in Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, Australasia, the Middle East, South Africa, and Latin America. The services provided are focused according to the characteristics of each market and vary across offices, but generally include direct risk management and insurance brokerage and employee benefits brokerage and consulting.
The following table sets out the components of Willis International's revenues, and its organic commissions and fees growth, operating income, and margin for the
three months ended March 31,
2015
and
2014
(millions, except percentages):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
Commissions and fees
$
287
$
283
Investment income
1
2
Total revenues
$
288
$
285
Operating income
$
70
$
84
Organic commissions and fees growth
(a)
5.3
%
7.2
%
Operating margin
(b)
24.4
%
29.5
%
_________________
(a)
Organic commissions and fees growth excludes: (i) the impact of foreign currency translation; (ii) the first twelve months of net commission and fee revenues generated from acquisitions; and (iii) the net commission and fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each period presented.
(b)
Percentages may differ due to roundings.
Revenues
First quarter 2015
Commissions and fees of
$287 million
were
$4 million
, or 1.1 percent, higher in
first quarter 2015
compared with the same period in
2014
. Organic commissions and fees, which exclude a
15.8 percent
benefit from acquisitions, most significantly Max Matthiessen and Charles Monat, and
20.1 percent
negative impact from foreign currency movements, was
5.3 percent
.
The adverse foreign currency movement was primarily due to the weakening of a number of currencies such as the Australian Dollar and certain Latin American currencies against the US Dollar.
Commissions and fees in Asia grew high-single-digits in the quarter, despite a decline in China due to non-recurrence of construction projects, driven by strong performance from our Marine and Global Wealth Solutions businesses. Strong growth in
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Latin America was led by Brazil and Colombia and Western Europe grew low-single digits led by growth in Iberia, Norway and Ireland.
Expenses
First quarter 2015
Total expenses of
$218 million
were
$17 million
, or
8.5 percent
, higher in the
first quarter 2015
compared with the same period in
2014
. Underlying total expenses, which exclude
$30 million
favorable foreign currency movements and
$3 million
restructuring costs related to the Operational Improvement Program, increased
$44 million
or
25.7 percent
.
The
$44 million
increase in total expenses included $33 million year-over-year net increase from acquisitions.
The remaining increase in underlying total expenses of $11 million was mainly due to acquisition related expenditure and increased salary and benefits resulting from annual pay reviews, including mandatory pay rises in certain Latin American countries, and investments in growth businesses.
The restructuring costs of
$3 million
relate to $2 million of termination benefits and $1 million of professional service fees. See the 'Operational Improvement Program' section above for further details.
Operating margin
Operating margin in International was
24.4 percent
in
first quarter 2015
, down 510 basis points from
29.5 percent
in the same period of
2014
.
Corporate & Other
The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on organic commissions and fees growth and operating income. For internal reporting and segmental reporting, items for which segmental management are not held responsible are included within ‘Corporate & Other’.
Corporate & Other comprises the following (millions):
Three months ended March 31,
2015
2014
Costs of the holding company
$
(2
)
$
(2
)
Costs related to group functions, leadership and projects
(37
)
(41
)
Non-servicing elements of defined benefit pensions
22
13
Restructuring costs
(a)
(11
)
—
Other
(1
)
(1
)
Total Corporate & Other
$
(29
)
$
(31
)
_________________________________
(a)
See 'Operational Improvement Program' section above.
First quarter 2015
Corporate & Other expenses of
$29 million
were
$2 million
lower in the
first quarter 2015
compared with the same period in
2014
.
The $2 million reduction in expenses was primarily due to higher defined benefit pension income and a reduction to the costs of group functions, leadership and projects partially offset by restructuring costs incurred related to the 'Operational Improvement program' which is discussed further in the section above.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The accounting estimates or assumptions that management considers to be the most important to the presentation of our financial condition or operating performance are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2014
, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2015.
There were no significant additions or changes to these assumptions in the
three months ended March 31, 2015
.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations since
December 31, 2014
, except contractual, planned payments during
first quarter 2015
and except as discussed in Note 15 — 'Debt' to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Information regarding new accounting standards and their impact on the financial statements is set forth in Note 2 - ‘Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies’ to the Consolidated Financial Statements appearing under Part I, Item 1 of this report and incorporated herein by reference.
OFF BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS
Apart from commitments, guarantees and contingencies, as disclosed in Note 8 — ‘Commitments and Contingencies’ to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There has been no material change with respect to market risk from that described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2014
.
Item 4 — Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of
March 31, 2015
, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Group Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Group Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that the information required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to them as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There have been no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended
March 31, 2015
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1 — Legal Proceedings
Information regarding legal proceedings is set forth in Note 8 — ‘Commitments and Contingencies’ to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this report and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A — Risk Factors
For a discussion of potential risks or uncertainties, please see 'Part I - Item 1A - Risk Factors' in the Company's 2014 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition please see 'Forward-Looking Statements' herein. There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I - Item 1A of the Company's 2014 Annual Report.
Item 2 — Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During the quarter ended
March 31, 2015
, no shares were issued by the Company without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Share buybacks
The Company is authorized to buy back shares, by way of redemption, and will consider whether to do so from time to time, based on many factors, including market conditions. In February 2015, the Company announced that during the year it intends to buy back approximately $175 million of shares under this authorization, from time to time, depending on many factors, including market conditions, the Company's financial position, earnings, share price, capital requirements, and other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions and related financings). As of
March 31, 2015
, there remained approximately $593 million under the current authorization.
The following amounts of the Company’s ordinary shares were bought back by the Company during the three months ended
March 31, 2015
and are reflected below based on the date of trade:
Total number of shares purchased
Average price paid per share
(a)
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
Period:
January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015
—
$
—
—
$
611,289,766
February 1, 2015 to February 28, 2015
—
$
—
—
$
611,289,766
March 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015
375,500
$
48.30
375,500
$
593,153,137
Total
375,500
375,500
____________
(i)
Does not include commissions and fees.
As of May 5, 2015 the Company has acquired 838,500 shares at a total price of approximately $41 million. There remains approximately $571 million under the current authorization.
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Other information
Item 3 — Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4 — Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5 — Other Information
None.
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Item 6 — Exhibits
2.1
Firm Offer and Form of Securities Transfer Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2015, by and between Willis Europe BV and the Sellers thereto *
10.1
Addendum No. 1 to the Shareholders Agreement with respect to GS & Cie Groupe, dated as of April 22, 2015, by and among Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company, Willis Europe BV, Willis Netherlands Holdings BV, Astorg IV FCPR, key managers of GS & Cie Groupe, and the other parties listed on the signature pages thereto *†
10.2
Amended Willis Group Holdings Public Limited Company Compensation Policy for Non-Employee Directors *
21.1
List of Subsidiaries*
31.1
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) *
31.2
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) *
32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 *
32.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 *
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
_________________________________
* Filed herewith.
† The Company intends to seek confidential treatment with respect to certain portions of this exhibit.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
W
ILLIS
G
ROUP
H
OLDINGS
PLC
(R
EGISTRANT
)
By:
/s/ JOHN GREENE
John Greene
Group Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: May 6, 2015
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