MMC Reports Fourth Quarter 2007 Results

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007. In the quarter, consolidated revenue was $2.9 billion, up 8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2006, or 2 percent on an underlying basis, which measures the change in revenue before the impact of acquisitions and dispositions, using consistent currency exchange rates. Income from continuing operations was $90 million, or $.17 per share, compared with $168 million, or $.30 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income, including discontinued operations, was $85 million, or $.16 per share, compared with $226 million, or $.40 per share, last year. Noteworthy items, described in the attached supplemental schedules, reduced earnings per share by approximately $.07 in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared with an increase of $.01 in the fourth quarter of 2006. Additionally, incremental costs associated with the departure of MMC’s former CEO negatively impacted earnings per share by approximately $.02 in the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year 2007, consolidated revenue was $11.4 billion, an increase of 8 percent from $10.5 billion in 2006, or 4 percent on an underlying basis. Income from continuing operations was $538 million, or $.99 per share, compared with $632 million, or $1.14 per share, in 2006. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $1.9 billion, or $3.54 per share, compared with $358 million, or $.62 per share, in 2006, reflecting gains on the Putnam transaction in the third quarter of 2007 and the sale of Sedgwick Claims Management Services in the first quarter of 2006. Net income in 2007 was $2.5 billion, or $4.53 per share, compared with $990 million, or $1.76 per share, in 2006. Brian Duperreault, who joined MMC as president and chief executive officer on January 29, 2008, said: "I am extremely pleased to join MMC, a company with outstanding franchises that have unrivaled talent, resources, and capabilities. I look forward to capitalizing on the many exciting opportunities before us. Our immediate focus is to improve profitability at Marsh and Kroll.” Risk and Insurance Services Risk and Insurance Services revenue in the fourth quarter of 2007 was $1.4 billion, unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2006. Operating income declined in the current quarter to $58 million from $127 million in the fourth quarter of 2006, primarily due to a $66 million reduction in revenue, or approximately $.08 per share, from Risk Capital Holdings. In the quarter, Marsh’s revenue was $1.2 billion, up 6 percent from last year on a reported basis and 1 percent on an underlying basis. Geographically, revenue included $659 million in the Americas, an increase of 3 percent from the prior year; $427 million in EMEA, up 9 percent; and $109 million in Asia Pacific, an increase of 11 percent. Marsh’s new business production was strong, increasing 8 percent on an underlying basis, with the strongest growth generated in the United States. Premium rate declines in the commercial insurance marketplace continued to accelerate as 2007 progressed, continuing into the January 2008 renewals. Guy Carpenter’s fourth quarter revenue was $167 million, a decline of 2 percent from the prior year’s quarter on a reported basis and 4 percent on an underlying basis. Reinsurance premium rates continued to decline across most coverages globally, and clients continued to increase risk retentions. For the year 2007, revenue for the Risk and Insurance Services segment was $5.6 billion, an increase of 2 percent from 2006. Marsh’s revenue in 2007 rose 3 percent to $4.5 billion, and Guy Carpenter’s revenue rose 2 percent to $902 million. Consulting MMC’s Consulting segment revenue grew 19 percent to $1.3 billion in the fourth quarter on a reported basis and 13 percent on an underlying basis. Mercer increased revenue 14 percent to $882 million in the fourth quarter and 8 percent on an underlying basis. Double-digit revenue growth was achieved throughout Mercer’s operations: retirement and investment had revenue of $340 million, an increase of 16 percent; health and benefits, $188 million, or 10 percent growth; outsourcing, $197 million, grew 17 percent; and talent, $126 million, increased 14 percent. The strong demand for consulting services offered by Oliver Wyman continued for the fourth year in a row. Revenue grew 28 percent to $437 million in the fourth quarter, or 22 percent on an underlying basis. All businesses, including management and economic consulting, produced double-digit revenue growth. Consulting’s profitability grew 38 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007, which was the fifth quarter in a row of double-digit earnings growth in the segment. Consulting’s margin improved 170 basis points, to 12.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007 from 10.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006. For the year 2007, Consulting generated revenue of $4.9 billion, a 16 percent increase over 2006. On an underlying basis, revenue increased 10 percent. Mercer’s revenue increased to $3.4 billion, an increase of 11 percent on a reported basis and 7 percent on an underlying basis. Oliver Wyman’s revenue grew 26 percent to $1.5 billion in 2007 on a reported basis and 18 percent on an underlying basis. Operating income rose 30 percent to $606 million in 2007 from $466 million in 2006. Margins for the Consulting segment were 12.4 percent in 2007, compared with 11 percent in 2006. Risk Consulting and Technology Kroll’s revenue was $249 million in the fourth quarter, an increase of 3 percent from the year-ago quarter. On an underlying basis, revenue decreased 3 percent. Operating income declined to $17 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared with $45 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Revenue in Kroll’s technology operations increased 18 percent in the fourth quarter to $149 million due to an acquisition and very strong growth in background screening. Revenue in Kroll’s consulting operations decreased 13 percent to $100 million, primarily due to weakness in the corporate restructuring operation. For the year 2007, Kroll’s revenue was $1 billion, up 2 percent, or 1 percent on an underlying basis. Technology revenue increased 13 percent to $569 million, while consulting revenue was down 10 percent to $426 million. The decline in consulting revenue reflects continued weak demand for Kroll’s corporate restructuring services, including lower client success fees for completed engagements in 2007 compared with 2006. Other Items In August 2007, MMC entered into an $800 million accelerated share repurchase transaction and received 21 million shares of its common stock. Based on the final average share price during the buying period less a discount, it is expected that approximately 10.5 million additional shares will be delivered to MMC in March. Primarily as a result of shares repurchased in 2007, MMC’s shares outstanding decreased from 552 million at the end of 2006 to 520 million at the end of 2007. MMC’s net debt position, which is total debt less cash and cash equivalents, was $1.7 billion at the end of 2007, a substantial decrease from $3 billion at the end of 2006, largely due to proceeds received from the Putnam transaction. In January, MMC’s board of directors voted to increase the quarterly dividend by 5 percent, from $.19 per share to $.20 per share. Conference Call A conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2007 results will be held today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the teleconference, please dial 877 857 6151. Callers from outside the United States should dial 719 325 4773. The access code for both numbers is 4922584. The live audio webcast may be accessed at www.mmc.com. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the event at the same web address. MMC is a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. It is the parent company of a number of the world’s leading risk experts and specialty consultants, including Marsh, the insurance broker and risk advisor; Guy Carpenter, the risk and reinsurance specialist; Kroll, the risk consulting firm; Mercer, the provider of HR and related financial advice and services; and Oliver Wyman, the management consultancy. With more than 55,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue exceeding $11 billion, MMC provides analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in more than 100 countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago and London stock exchanges. MMC’s website address is www.mmc.com. This press release contains "forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which express management’s current views concerning future events or results, use words like "anticipate,” "assume,” "believe,” "continue,” "estimate,” "expect,” "intend,” "plan,” "project” and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like "could,” "may,” "might,” "should,” "will” and "would.” For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as: changes in our business strategies and methods of generating revenue; the development and performance of our services and products; market and industry conditions, including competitive and pricing trends; changes in the composition or level of MMC’s revenues; our cost structure and the outcome of cost-saving initiatives; dividend policy and share repurchase programs; the expected impact of acquisitions and dispositions; pension obligations; cash flow and liquidity; future actions by regulators; the outcome of contingencies; the impact of changes in accounting rules; and changes in senior management. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements include: our ability to achieve profitable revenue growth in our risk and insurance services segment by providing both traditional insurance brokerage services and additional risk advisory services; our ability to retain existing clients and attract new business, and our ability to retain key employees; the impact on risk and insurance services commission revenues of changes in the availability of, and the premiums insurance carriers charge for, insurance and reinsurance products, including the impact on premium rates and market capacity attributable to catastrophic events such as hurricanes; the impact on renewals in our risk and insurance services segment of pricing trends in particular insurance markets, fluctuations in the general level of economic activity and decisions by insureds with respect to the level of risk they will self-insure; revenue fluctuations in risk and insurance services relating to the effect of new and lost business production and the timing of policy inception dates; the impact of fluctuations in the value of Risk Capital Holdings’ investments on profitability in our risk and insurance services segment; the impact on our consulting segment of pricing trends, utilization rates, legislative changes affecting client demand, and the general economic environment; our ability to control expenses and achieve operating efficiencies; the impact of competition, including with respect to pricing and the emergence of new competitors; the economic and reputational impact of litigation and regulatory proceedings described in the notes to our financial statements; our exposure to potential liabilities arising from errors and omissions claims against us; our ability to meet our financing needs by generating cash from operations and accessing external financing sources, including the potential impact of rating agency actions on our cost of financing or ability to borrow; our ability to make strategic acquisitions and dispositions and to integrate, and realize expected synergies, savings or strategic benefits from, the businesses we acquire; the impact on net income of foreign exchange and/or interest rate fluctuations; changes in applicable tax or accounting requirements, and potential income statement effects from the application of FIN 48 ("Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”) and SFAS 142 ("Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”); and the impact of, and potential challenges in complying with, legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate, particularly given the global scope of our businesses and the possibility of conflicting regulatory requirements across the jurisdictions in which we do business. The factors identified above are not exhaustive. MMC and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks may emerge frequently. Accordingly, MMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. MMC undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it is made. Further information concerning MMC and its businesses, including information about factors that could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition, is contained in MMC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors” section of MMC’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (In millions, except per share figures) (Unaudited)     Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2007   2006 2007   2006 Revenue: Service Revenue $ 2,918 $ 2,635 $ 11,187 $ 10,350 Investment Income (Loss)   7     72     163     197   Total Revenue   2,925     2,707     11,350     10,547     Expense: Compensation and Benefits 1,871 1,699 7,030 6,515 Other Operating Expenses   889     697     3,301     2,877   Total Expense   2,760     2,396     10,331     9,392     Operating Income 165 311 1,019 1,155   Interest Income 31 18 95 60   Interest Expense   (56 )   (72 )   (267 )   (303 )   Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest Expense 140 257 847 912   Income Taxes 44 87 295 272   Minority Interest Expense, Net of Tax   6     2     14     8     Income from Continuing Operations 90 168 538 632   Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax   (5 )   58     1,937     358     Net Income $ 85   $ 226   $ 2,475   $ 990     Basic Net Income Per Share - Continuing Operations $ 0.17   $ 0.31   $ 1.00   $ 1.15   - Net Income $ 0.17   $ 0.41   $ 4.60   $ 1.80     Diluted Net Income Per Share - Continuing Operations $ 0.17   $ 0.30   $ 0.99   $ 1.14   - Net Income $ 0.16   $ 0.40   $ 4.53   $ 1.76     Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic   520     551     539     549   - Diluted   525     561     546     557   Shares Outstanding at 12/31   520     552     520     552   Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Supplemental Information – Revenue Analysis (Millions) (Unaudited)         Three Months Ended % Change Components of Revenue Change     Acquisitions/ December 31,   GAAP Currency Dispositions Underlying 2007   2006 Revenue Impact   Impact   Revenue Risk and Insurance Services Insurance Services $ 1,195 $ 1,129 6 % 5 % - 1 % Reinsurance Services 167 171 (2 )% 2 % - (4 )% Risk Capital Holdings   8     74   (90 )% - - (90 )% Total Risk and Insurance Services   1,370     1,374   - 5 % - (5 )%   Consulting Mercer 882 769 14 % 6 % - 8 % Oliver Wyman Group   437     341   28 % 5 % 1 % 22 % Total Consulting   1,319     1,110   19 % 6 % - 13 %   Risk Consulting & Technology   249     241   3 % 3 % 3 % (3 )%   Total Operating Segments 2,938 2,725 8 % 5 % 1 % 2 %   Corporate Eliminations   (13 )   (18 )   Total Revenue $ 2,925   $ 2,707   8 % 5 % 1 % 2 % Revenue Details The following table provides more detailed revenue information for certain of the components above:   Three Months Ended     % Change December 31,   GAAP 2007   2006 Revenue Insurance Services: Americas $ 659 $ 641 3 % EMEA 427 390 9 % Asia Pacific   109   98 11 % Total Insurance Services $ 1,195 $ 1,129 6 %   Mercer: Retirement and Investment $ 340 $ 292 16 % Health and Benefits 188 171 10 % Outsourcing 197 169 17 % Talent 126 111 14 % Reimbursed Expenses   31   26 N/A Total Mercer $ 882 $ 769 14 %   Risk Consulting & Technology: Technology $ 149 $ 127 18 % Consulting   100   114 (13 )% Total Risk Consulting & Technology $ 249 $ 241 3 % Notes Underlying revenue measures the change in revenue, before the impact of acquisitions and dispositions, using consistent currency exchange rates.   Interest income on fiduciary funds amounted to $44 million and $45 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.   Risk Capital Holdings owns investments in private equity funds and insurance and financial services firms. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Supplemental Information - Revenue Analysis (Millions) (Unaudited)         Twelve Months Ended     Components of Revenue Change   % Change   Acquisitions/   December 31,   GAAP Currency Dispositions Underlying 2007   2006 Revenue Impact Impact Revenue Risk and Insurance Services Insurance Services $ 4,500 $ 4,390 3 % 4 % - (1 )% Reinsurance Services 902 880 2 % 1 % - 1 % Risk Capital Holdings   163     193   (16 )% - - (16 )% Total Risk and Insurance Services   5,565     5,463   2 % 3 % - (1 )%   Consulting Mercer 3,368 3,021 11 % 4 % - 7 % Oliver Wyman Group   1,516     1,204   26 % 5 % 3 % 18 % Total Consulting   4,884     4,225   16 % 5 % 1 % 10 %   Risk Consulting & Technology   995     979   2 % 2 % (1 )% 1 %   Total Operating Segments 11,444 10,667 7 % 4 % - 3 %   Corporate Eliminations   (94 )   (120 )   Total Revenue $ 11,350   $ 10,547   8 % 4 % - 4 % Revenue Details The following table provides more detailed revenue information for certain of the components presented above:   Twelve Months Ended     % Change December 31,   GAAP 2007   2006 Revenue Insurance Services: Americas $ 2,424 $ 2,437 (1 )% EMEA 1,688 1,605 5 % Asia Pacific   388   348 11 % Total Insurance Services $ 4,500 $ 4,390 3 %   Mercer: Retirement and Investment $ 1,285 $ 1,133 13 % Health and Benefits 767 726 6 % Outsourcing 745 649 15 % Talent 467 426 10 % Reimbursed Expenses   104   87 N/A Total Mercer $ 3,368 $ 3,021 11 %   Risk Consulting & Technology: Technology $ 569 $ 504 13 % Consulting   426   475 (10 )% Total Risk Consulting & Technology $ 995 $ 979 2 % Notes Underlying revenue measures the change in revenue, before the impact of acquisitions and dispositions, using consistent currency exchange rates.   Insurance Services revenue includes market services revenue of $3 million and $43 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decline in market services revenue primarily impacted revenue in the Americas.   Interest income on fiduciary funds amounted to $193 million and $180 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Supplemental Information (Millions) (Unaudited)     Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2007   2006 2007   2006   Revenue: Risk and Insurance Services $ 1,370 $ 1,374 $ 5,565 $ 5,463 Consulting 1,319 1,110 4,884 4,225 Risk Consulting & Technology   249     241     995     979   2,938 2,725 11,444 10,667 Corporate Eliminations   (13 )   (18 )   (94 )   (120 ) $ 2,925   $ 2,707   $ 11,350   $ 10,547   Operating Income (Loss) : Risk and Insurance Services $ 58 $ 127 $ 507 $ 677 Consulting 161 117 606 466 Risk Consulting & Technology 17 45 106 149 Corporate   (71 )   22     (200 )   (137 ) $ 165   $ 311   $ 1,019   $ 1,155     Segment Operating Margins: Risk and Insurance Services 4.2 % 9.2 % 9.1 % 12.4 % Consulting 12.2 % 10.5 % 12.4 % 11.0 % Risk Consulting & Technology 6.8 % 18.7 % 10.7 % 15.2 %   Consolidated Operating Margin 5.6 % 11.5 % 9.0 % 11.0 % Pretax Margin 4.8 % 9.5 % 7.5 % 8.6 % Effective Tax Rate 31.7 % 33.9 % 34.9 % 29.8 % Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Supplemental Information - Continuing Operations (Millions) (Unaudited)   Significant Items Impacting the Comparability of Financial Results: The year-over-year comparability of MMC’s financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31 are affected by a number of noteworthy items. The following table identifies the impact of noteworthy items on segment and consolidated operating income for the periods indicated.   Risk & Insurance Services   Consulting   Risk Consulting & Technology   Corporate   Total Three Months Ended December 31, 2007   Restructuring Charges (a) $ 29 $ 1 $ - $ 14 $ 44 Accelerated Amortization / Depreciation - - - 2 2 Settlement, Legal and Regulatory (b)   13   -   -   -     13   Total Impact in the Period $ 42 $ 1 $ - $ 16   $ 59     Three Months Ended December 31, 2006   Restructuring Charges (a) $ 37 $ 10 $ - $ (72 ) $ (25 ) Accelerated Amortization / Depreciation 5 - - 4 9 Settlement, Legal and Regulatory (b)   11   -   -   -     11   Total Impact in the Period $ 53 $ 10 $ - $ (68 ) $ (5 )   Risk & Insurance Services   Consulting   Risk Consulting & Technology   Corporate   Total Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2007   Restructuring Charges (a) $ 60 $ 2 $ - $ 36 $ 98 Accelerated Amortization / Depreciation 9 6 - 6 21 Settlement, Legal and Regulatory (b) 51 - - - 51 Other (c)   -   -   -   (14 )   (14 ) Total Impact in the Period $ 120 $ 8 $ - $ 28   $ 156     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2006   Restructuring Charges (a) $ 100 $ 27 $ 1 $ (41 ) $ 87 Accelerated Amortization / Depreciation 28 - - 10 38 Settlement, Legal and Regulatory (b)   43   -   -   -     43   Total Impact in the Period $ 171 $ 27 $ 1 $ (31 ) $ 168   Notes (a) Primarily includes severance from restructuring activities and related charges, costs for future rent and other real estate costs, and fees related to cost reduction initiatives. Amounts for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2006 include a $74 million gain on sale of certain floors in MMC’s headquarters building.   (b) Reflects legal fees arising out of the civil complaint relating to market service agreements and other issues filed against MMC and Marsh by the New York State Attorney General in October 2004 and settled in January 2005, and indemnification of former employees for legal fees incurred in connection with the events of October 2004.   (c) Represents an accrual adjustment related to the separation of former MMC senior executives.   The above schedules exclude incremental costs of $14 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007 related to the departure of MMC’s former CEO and $13 million related to the departure of Marsh’s former CEO recorded in the third quarter of 2007. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Millions) (Unaudited)     December 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 ASSETS   Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,133 $ 2,015 Net receivables 2,985 2,718 Assets of discontinued operations - 1,921 Other current assets   369     322     Total current assets 5,487 6,976   Goodwill and intangible assets 7,752 7,595 Fixed assets, net 992 990 Long-term investments 66 124 Pension related asset 1,411 613 Other assets 1,450 1,839     TOTAL ASSETS $ 17,158   $ 18,137     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   Current liabilities: Short-term debt $ 260 $ 1,111 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,670 2,486 Regulatory settlements-current portion 177 178 Accrued compensation and employee benefits 1,290 1,230 Liabilities of discontinued operations - 782 Accrued income taxes   -     131     Total current liabilities 3,397 5,918   Fiduciary liabilities 3,612 3,587 Less – cash and investments held in a fiduciary capacity   (3,612 )   (3,587 ) - -   Long-term debt 3,604 3,860 Regulatory settlements - 173 Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefits 709 1,085 Liabilities for errors and omissions 596 624 Other liabilities 1,035 658   Total stockholders’ equity 7,817 5,819     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 17,158   $ 18,137   Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Supplemental Information – Discontinued Operations (Millions) (Unaudited)   On January 31, 2007, MMC entered into a stock purchase agreement with Great-West Lifeco ("GWL”), a financial holding company controlled by Power Financial Corporation, pursuant to which GWL agreed to purchase Putnam. The transaction closed on August 3, 2007. The gain on the transaction and Putnam’s results of operations are reported as discontinued operations in MMC’s consolidated statements of income. The amounts reported in 2007 include Putnam’s results through August 2, 2007.   In 2006, MMC sold its majority interest in Sedgwick Claims Management Services; Price Forbes, its U.K.-based insurance wholesale operation; and Kroll Security International. The net gains on these disposals, as well as their results of operations, are reported as discontinued operations in MMC’s consolidated statements of income.   Summarized Statements of Income data for discontinued operations is as follows:   Three Months Ended December 31, 2007   2006 Putnam: Revenue $ - $ 359 Expense   -     272   Net Operating Income - 87 Other Discontinued Operations – Loss before provision for income tax - (3 ) Provision for income tax   -     30   Income from discontinued operations, net of tax   -     54     Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations (5 ) - Provision (benefit) for income tax   -     (4 ) Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax   (5 )   4   Discontinued operations, net of tax $ (5 ) $ 58     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2007   2006 Putnam: Revenue $ 798 $ 1,385 Expense   636     1,082 Net Operating Income 162 303 Other Discontinued Operations – Income (loss) before provision for income tax (2 ) 1 Provision for income tax   71     118 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax   89     186   Gain on disposal of discontinued operations 2,965 298 Provision for income tax   1,117     126 Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax   1,848     172 Discontinued operations, net of tax $ 1,937   $ 358 Putnam’s results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2006 include credits of $0 million and $7 million, respectively, that were reflected in the schedule of noteworthy items in the prior year’s earnings release.