Willis Group Holdings Turns To Profit In Q4 - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Willis Group Holdings Public Ltd. Co. (WSH) Tuesday reported fourth-quarter income attributable to company of $68 million or $0.37 per share, compared to loss of $805 million or $4.65 per share in the same period last year.

Adjusted earnings for the latest fourth quarter was $0.42 per share, down from $0.45 per share last year. On average, 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $0.49 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Revenues increased to $919 million from $871 million last year. Analysts expected revenues of $910.51 million.

At its February 2014 Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved a 7.1% increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend from $0.28 per share to $0.30 per share. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2014 to shareholders of record at March 31, 2014.

Further, Willis said it intends to buy back $200 million in shares in 2014 to offset the increase in shares outstanding resulting from the exercise of employee stock options. The share buyback program may be modified, extended or terminated at any time by the Board of Directors.