Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010 or

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange

Act of 1934 for the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 1-9761

 

 

ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   36-2151613

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Two Pierce Place, Itasca, Illinois 60143-3141

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(630) 773-3800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

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  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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  x    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. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    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  x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $1.00 par value, as of September 30, 2010 was 106,006,000.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Index

 

               Page No.  
Part I.    Financial Information   
  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

  
      Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Three-month and Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009      3   
      Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009      4   
      Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009      5   
      Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine-month Period Ended September 30, 2010      6   
     

Notes to September 30, 2010 Consolidated Financial Statements

     7-27   
     

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     28   
  

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      29-49   
  

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk      49-50   
  

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures      50   
Part II.    Other Information   
  

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      51   
  

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      51   
  

Item 6.

   Exhibits      51   
   Signature      52   
   Exhibit Index      53   

 

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Part I – Financial Information

Item  1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

(Unaudited-in millions, except per share data)

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
     Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009      2010     2009  

Commissions

   $ 251.9      $ 237.0       $ 713.1      $ 684.7   

Fees

     185.7        188.9         530.1        542.4   

Supplemental and contingent commissions

     19.7        10.3         82.4        51.6   

Investment income

     1.6        1.4         5.1        4.6   

Gains on books of business sales and other

     3.8        1.7         5.3        11.1   

Revenues from clean-coal activities

     1.0        —           66.1        0.4   

Other net revenues (loss)

     (0.5     0.2         3.0        (0.6
                                 

Total revenues

     463.2        439.5         1,405.1        1,294.2   
                                 

Compensation

     280.5        263.2         818.5        784.9   

Operating

     84.8        83.7         253.4        241.7   

Cost of revenues from clean-coal activities

     —          —           64.0        —     

Interest

     8.6        6.8         25.9        21.1   

Depreciation

     8.3        7.7         24.0        22.9   

Amortization

     14.5        13.8         45.0        40.3   

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (3.9     1.2         (2.9     2.6   
                                 

Total expenses

     392.8        376.4         1,227.9        1,113.5   
                                 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     70.4        63.1         177.2        180.7   

Provision for income taxes

     24.2        21.5         59.9        67.0   
                                 

Earnings from continuing operations

     46.2        41.6         117.3        113.7   
                                 

Discontinued operations:

         

Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations before income taxes

     —          —           3.0        (3.3

Gain on disposal of operations

     —          —           —          0.1   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     —          —           0.9        (1.3
                                 

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     —          —           2.1        (1.9
                                 

Net earnings

   $ 46.2      $ 41.6       $ 119.4      $ 111.8   
                                 

Basic net earnings (loss) per share:

         

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.44      $ 0.41       $ 1.13      $ 1.14   

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     —          —           0.02        (0.02
                                 

Net earnings

   $ 0.44      $ 0.41       $ 1.15      $ 1.12   
                                 

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share:

         

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.44      $ 0.41       $ 1.12      $ 1.14   

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     —          —           0.02        (0.02
                                 

Net earnings

   $ 0.44      $ 0.41       $ 1.14      $ 1.12   
                                 

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.32      $ 0.32       $ 0.96      $ 0.96   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(In millions)

 

     September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 
     (Unaudited)        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 296.3      $ 205.9   

Restricted cash

     565.4        522.6   

Premiums and fees receivable

     704.9        693.7   

Other current assets

     123.3        117.8   
                

Total current assets

     1,689.9        1,540.0   

Fixed assets - net

     75.8        80.7   

Deferred income taxes

     244.9        271.1   

Other noncurrent assets

     190.1        177.8   

Goodwill - net

     824.4        742.3   

Amortizable intangible assets - net

     435.6        438.4   
                

Total assets

   $ 3,460.7      $ 3,250.3   
                

Premiums payable to insurance and reinsurance companies

   $ 1,252.7      $ 1,166.5   

Accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities

     190.9        214.7   

Unearned fees

     44.5        41.5   

Other current liabilities

     38.5        51.7   

Income taxes payable

     5.7        —     

Corporate related borrowings - current

     —          —     
                

Total current liabilities

     1,532.3        1,474.4   

Corporate related borrowings - noncurrent

     550.0        550.0   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     367.0        333.0   
                

Total liabilities

     2,449.3        2,357.4   
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock - issued and outstanding 106.0 shares in 2010 and 102.5 shares in 2009

     106.0        102.5   

Capital in excess of par value

     439.6        349.1   

Retained earnings

     468.4        450.3   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2.6     (9.0
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     1,011.4        892.9   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 3,460.7      $ 3,250.3   
                

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

     Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 117.3      $ 113.7   

Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Net (gain) loss on investments and other

     (5.5     0.9   

Depreciation and amortization

     69.0        63.2   

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (2.9     2.6   

Amortization of deferred compensation and restricted stock

     4.8        4.5   

Stock-based and other noncash compensation expense

     6.7        6.4   

Net change in restricted cash

     (32.2     (14.7

Net change in premiums receivable

     26.0        79.7   

Net change in premiums payable

     56.7        (41.2

Net change in other current assets

     (8.8     3.5   

Net change in accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities

     (26.4     (45.3

Net change in fees receivable/unearned fees

     (14.7     (24.6

Net change in income taxes payable/recoverable

     19.4        2.7   

Net change in deferred income taxes

     18.6        45.3   

Net change in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

     (14.6     (2.1
                

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

     213.4        194.6   

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     2.1        (1.9

Noncash items related to discontinued operations

     (3.1     3.0   

Net gain on disposal of discontinued operations

     —          (0.1
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     212.4        195.6   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Net additions to fixed assets

     (18.1     (17.6

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (44.2     (33.8

Net (funding) proceeds of investment transactions

     13.1        (7.2
                

Net cash used by investing activities

     (49.2     (58.6
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     26.4        6.6   

Tax impact from issuance of common stock

     1.1        (3.1

Repurchases of common stock

     (0.6     (0.7

Dividends paid

     (99.7     (95.3

Borrowings on line of credit facility

     48.0        132.0   

Repayments on line of credit facility

     (48.0     (133.0
                

Net cash used by financing activities

     (72.8     (93.5
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     90.4        43.5   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     205.9        194.4   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 296.3      $ 237.9   
                

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 30.2      $ 27.5   

Income taxes paid

     21.2        23.1   

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited - in millions)

 

                               Accumulated        
                   Capital in           Other        
     Common Stock      Excess of     Retained     Comprehensive        
     Shares      Amount      Par Value     Earnings     Earnings (Loss)     Total  

Balance at December 31, 2009

     102.5       $ 102.5       $ 349.1      $ 450.3      $ (9.0   $ 892.9   

Net earnings

     —           —           —          119.4        —          119.4   

Net change in pension liability, net of taxes of $0.4 million

     —           —           —          —          0.7        0.7   

Foreign currency translation, net of taxes of $3.4 million

     —           —           —          —          5.7        5.7   
                    

Comprehensive earnings

                 125.8   

Compensation expense related to stock option plan grants

     —           —           5.6        —          —          5.6   

Tax expense from issuance of common stock

     —           —           2.5        —          —          2.5   

Tax effect of stock options

     —           —           (1.4     —          —          (1.4

Common stock issued in:

              

Twenty-one purchase transactions

     2.2         2.2         53.4        —          —          55.6   

Stock option plans

     1.1         1.1         19.9        —          —          21.0   

Employee stock purchase plan

     0.2         0.2         5.2        —          —          5.4   

Deferred compensation and restricted stock

     —           —           4.8        —          —          4.8   

Other compensation expense

     —           —           1.1        —          —          1.1   

Common stock repurchases

     —           —           (0.6     —          —          (0.6

Cash dividends declared on common stock

     —           —           —          (101.3     —          (101.3
                                                  

Balance at September 30, 2010

     106.0       $ 106.0       $ 439.6      $ 468.4      $ (2.6   $ 1,011.4   
                                                  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Notes to September 30, 2010 Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Gallagher) provides insurance brokerage and risk management services to a wide variety of commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental organizations through two operating segments. Commission and fee revenue generated by the Brokerage Segment is primarily related to the negotiation and placement of insurance for Gallagher’s clients. Fee revenue generated by the Risk Management Segment is primarily related to claims management, information management, risk control services and appraisals in the property/casualty (P/C) market. Investment income and other revenue is generated from Gallagher’s investment portfolio, which includes invested cash and fiduciary funds, as well as tax-advantaged, clean-energy and other investments. Gallagher is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, has operations in fifteen countries and does business in more than 100 countries globally through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Gallagher pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Gallagher believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein are, in the opinion of management, prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 and include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the information set forth. The quarterly results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for subsequent quarters or the full year. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Gallagher’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Certain reclassifications have been made to the amounts reported herein related to prior year amounts in order to conform them to the current year presentation.

In the preparation of Gallagher’s consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2010, management evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date, through the date on which the financial statements were issued, for potential recognition in its consolidated financial statements and/or disclosure in the notes thereto.

2. Effect of New Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables

In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13, “Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements(ASU 2009-13). ASU 2009-13 updates the existing multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance currently included in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 605-25.

The revised guidance provides for two significant changes to the existing multiple element revenue arrangements guidance. The first relates to the determination of when the individual deliverables included in a multiple-element arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting. This change is significant as it will likely result in the requirement to separate more deliverables within an arrangement, ultimately leading to changes in revenue deferral.

The second change modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identified deliverables. Together, these items may cause a change in the recognition of revenue for multiple-element arrangements from previous guidance. ASU 2009-13 also significantly expands the disclosures required for multiple-element revenue arrangements.

The revised multiple-element revenue arrangements guidance is effective for the first annual reporting period beginning on or after June 15, 2010, and may be applied retrospectively for all periods presented or prospectively to arrangements entered into or materially modified after the adoption date. If the guidance is adopted prospectively, certain transitional disclosures are required for each reporting period in the initial year of adoption. Gallagher is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2009-13 could have, if any, on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

 

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Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In June 2009, the FASB issued an amendment to the consolidation rules for variable interest entities (VIEs), which (i) addresses the effects of eliminating the qualifying special-purpose entity concept from existing guidance and (ii) responds to concerns about the application of certain key provisions in existing guidance, including concerns over the transparency of disclosures related to an enterprise’s involvement with VIEs.

These amendments are applicable to all enterprises and to all entities with which those enterprises are involved, regardless of when that involvement arose. Therefore, upon adoption of these amendments, all enterprises must reconsider the conclusions previously reached for the consolidation of a VIE. These amendments, among other things:

 

   

Amend certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a VIE, which may change an enterprise’s assessment of which entities with which it is involved are VIEs.

 

   

Require a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

 

   

Amend existing considerations of related party relationships in the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE by providing, among other things, an exception with respect to de facto agency relationships in certain circumstances.

 

   

Require continuous assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

 

   

Require enhanced disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE.

These amendments are effective as of the beginning of an enterprise’s first annual reporting period that began after November 15, 2009 and for interim periods within that first annual reporting period. Thus, these amendments were effective for Gallagher beginning on January 1, 2010. The adoption of these amendments did not have any impact on Gallagher’s consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Investments

The following is a summary of Gallagher’s investments reported in other current and non-current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related funding commitments (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
            Funding         
     Assets      Commitments      Assets  

Clean-coal related ventures

   $ 21.2       $ —         $ 29.8   

Biomass energy ventures

     8.4         —           8.5   

Venture capital funds and other

     6.8         1.1         7.4   
                          

Total investments

   $ 36.4       $ 1.1       $ 45.7   
                          

Clean-Coal Related Ventures

Gallagher owns portions of various clean-coal production operations and two early-stage clean-coal ventures, all of which have been deemed to be VIEs.

Eight Clean-Coal Operations - Gallagher incurred capital expenditures totaling $31.4 million to build eight commercial clean-coal production operations, and placed each into service in December 2009 at several coal-fired power plants. These operations apply certain chemicals and technologies (licensed from Chem-Mod, LLC (Chem-Mod) as discussed below) to coal feedstock which, when mixed, reduce harmful emissions. In first quarter 2010, Gallagher sold portions of its ownership in six of these operations, which reduced its net investment in the operations to $22.3 million, and recognized a $4.8 million net pretax gain on the sales. Gallagher is currently seeking other utilities to purchase the coal produced by the two remaining operations and additional partners to invest in these operations.

 

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For the first two months of 2010, Gallagher was required to consolidate the operating results of these operations because of its majority ownership position. Effective March 1, 2010, Gallagher sold a portion of its ownership interests in six of these operations. The unanimous consent of the owners of each operation is now required for every action that would denote control, which eliminated the requirement for Gallagher to consolidate these operations. These operations are now accounted for using equity method accounting. These operations have also been determined to be VIEs. The remaining two operations continue to be consolidated by Gallagher. At September 30, 2010, total assets and total liabilities of these six operations were approximately $109.6 million and $76.9 million, respectively. For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010, total revenues were $235.7 million and $522.5 million, respectively, and total expenses were $249.4 million and $554.9 million, respectively. Gallagher funds its portion of the obligations for the operations in accordance with its membership agreements. There are no additional debts or other obligations that Gallagher is committed to fund related to these operations.

Chem-Mod Clean-Coal Venture - At September 30, 2010, Gallagher held a 42% interest in Chem-Mod’s U.S. and Canadian operations and 20% of its other international operations. At September 30, 2010, Gallagher’s carrying value of its investment in these Chem-Mod operations was zero. Chem-Mod, a multi-pollutant reduction venture, possesses rights, information and technologies for the reduction of unwanted emissions created during the combustion of coal. Chem-Mod has developed and is the exclusive licensee of proprietary emissions technologies it refers to as The Chem-Mod™ Solution, which uses a dual injection sorbent system to reduce mercury, sulfur dioxide and other toxic emissions at coal-fired power plants. Gallagher also believes that the application of The Chem-Mod™ Solution will qualify for refined coal tax credits under Internal Revenue Code Section 45 (IRC Section 45).

Chem-Mod has been determined to be a VIE. Gallagher is deemed to be the primary beneficiary based on the level of control it exerts on the operations of Chem-Mod, and therefore was required to consolidate this investment into its consolidated financial statements beginning in third quarter 2008. At September 30, 2010, total assets and total liabilities of this investment that were included in Gallagher’s consolidated balance sheet were each less than $1.3 million. Gallagher is under no obligation to fund Chem-Mod’s operations in the future and Chem-Mod has no debt that is recourse to Gallagher.

C-Quest Clean-Coal Venture - On April 15, 2010, Gallagher purchased an additional 3% interest in the global operations of C-Quest Technology LLC (C-Quest) for $1.5 million, which was subsequently written-off under equity method accounting. At September 30, 2010, Gallagher held an 8% interest in C-Quest’s global operations and its carrying value in C-Quest was zero. Gallagher also has options to acquire an additional 19% interest in C-Quest’s global operations (total price $9.5 million) at any time on or prior to August 1, 2013. C-Quest possesses rights, information and technology for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions created by burning fossil fuels. C-Quest has been determined to be a VIE, but due to Gallagher’s lack of control over the operation of C-Quest, Gallagher is not required to consolidate this investment.

Biomass Energy Ventures

Gallagher has made investments in various biomass energy ventures. At September 30, 2010, Gallagher’s remaining investment of $8.4 million consisted of a 13.4% equity interest in a biomass company and related partnerships which own the rights to biogas from landfills and the wells, infrastructure and a pipeline to capture, distribute and sell biogas.

Venture Capital Funds and Other

At September 30, 2010, Gallagher’s remaining investments of $6.8 million consisted of (i) four venture capital funds totaling $6.3 million, (ii) a 20% interest in an investment management company totaling $0.5 million, (iii) twelve certified low-income housing developments with zero carrying value, and (iv) two real estate entities with zero carrying value. Fourteen of the nineteen ventures have been determined to be VIEs, but are not required to be consolidated. At September 30, 2010, total assets and total debt of these fourteen ventures were approximately $62.0 million and $19.0 million, respectively. Gallagher’s maximum exposure to a potential loss related to these investments was zero at September 30, 2010, which equaled the net aggregate carrying value of these ventures.

 

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4. Business Combinations

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, Gallagher acquired policy renewal rights and substantially all of the net assets of the following brokerage firms in exchange for Gallagher common stock and/or cash (in millions except share data):

 

Name and Effective Date of Acquisition

   Common
Shares
Issued
     Common
Share
Value
     Cash
Paid
     Accrued
Liability
     Escrow
Deposited
     Recorded
Earnout
Payable
     Total
Recorded
Purchase
Price
     Maximum
Potential
Earnout
Payable
 
     (000s)                                                   

Securitas Re February 12, 2010

     —         $ —         $ 1.0       $ 0.3       $ —         $ —         $ 1.3       $ —     

Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Inc. March 1, 2010

     121         2.7         1.0         —           0.4         1.0         5.1         2.3   

Policy renewal rights from FirstCity Partnership Ltd. (FCP) April 1, 2010

     456         11.8         12.7         —           —           2.9         27.4         5.6   

Risk & Reward Group (RRG) May 28, 2010

     —           —           5.9         —           —           1.7         7.6         4.7   

Bowen, Miclette, Britt & Merry of Arkansas, Inc. May 1, 2010

     52         1.2         —           —           0.1         0.1         1.4         0.3   

Joseph James & Associates (JJA) June 1, 2010

     152         3.8         1.1         —           0.1         2.2         7.2         5.0   

Benefits Unlimited, Inc. (BUI) July 31, 2010

     99         2.3         1.5         —           0.2         4.0         8.0         6.4   

The Old Greenwich Consulting Group LLC (OGC) September 1, 2010

     317         7.6         2.6         —           0.3         6.2         16.7         8.0   

Three other acquisitions completed in first, second and third quarters

     123         3.0         0.8         —           0.2         1.3         5.3         2.7   
                                                                       
     1,320       $ 32.4       $ 26.6       $ 0.3       $ 1.3       $ 19.4       $ 80.0       $ 35.0   
                                                                       

In October 2008, Gallagher acquired a 40% equity interest in Specialised Broking Associates Pty Ltd (SBA) with the option to increase its ownership to 100%. SBA provides P/C brokerage services to Australian and other international clients. Effective July 1, 2010, Gallagher acquired the remaining 60% equity interest in SBA for $14.3 million in cash, of which $1.4 million is held in escrow. Gallagher’s carrying value of its 40% ownership interest in SBA was $6.5 million as of the acquisition date. SBA’s acquisition date balance sheet included current assets of $6.5 million, current liabilities of $6.4 million and non-current liabilities of $3.1 million. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the tangible net assets acquired at the acquisition date for SBA was allocated to goodwill, expiration lists and non-compete agreements in the amounts of $13.3 million, $10.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Gallagher also recognized a gain of $2.7 million and recorded additional goodwill for the increase in fair value of Gallagher’s original 40% equity interest in SBA upon the acquisition of the remaining 60% equity interest. The fair value of Gallagher’s original 40% equity interest in SBA was determined by allocating, on a pro rata basis, the fair value of 100% of the SBA entity as adjusted for the prior non-controlling ownership position. The fair value of 100% of the SBA entity was determined using the valuation techniques discussed below.

 

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Common shares issued in connection with acquisitions are valued at closing market prices as of the effective date of the applicable acquisition. Escrow deposits that are returned to Gallagher as a result of adjustments to net assets acquired are recorded as reductions of goodwill when the escrows are settled. The maximum potential earnout payables disclosed in the foregoing table represent the maximum amount of additional consideration that could be paid pursuant to the terms of the respective purchase agreement related to each applicable acquisition. The amounts recorded as earnout payables are measured at fair value as of the acquisition date and are included on that basis in the recorded purchase price consideration in the foregoing table. Subsequent changes in these estimated earnout obligations, including the accretion of discount, will be recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings when incurred.

The fair value of these earnout obligations is based on the present value of the expected future payments to be made to the sellers of the acquired entities in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective purchase agreements. In determining fair value, the acquired entity’s future performance was estimated using financial projections developed by management for the acquired entity and market participant assumptions that were derived for revenue growth and/or profitability. The future payments are estimated using the earnout formula and performance targets specified in each purchase agreement and these financial projections. These payments were then discounted to present value using a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration market based rates of return which reflect the ability of the acquired entity to achieve the forecast. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Gallagher recognized $1.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of expense in its consolidated statement of earnings related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations related to its 2009 and 2010 acquisitions. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Gallagher recognized $4.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of expense in its consolidated statement of earnings related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations related to its 2009 and 2010 acquisitions. In addition, during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010, Gallagher recognized $5.6 million and $7.5 million, respectively, of income related to net adjustments in the estimated fair market value of earnout obligations related to revised projections of future performance for nine acquisitions. The aggregate amount of maximum earnout obligations related to the 2009 and 2010 acquisitions was $176.3 million, of which $76.7 million was recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2010 based on the estimated fair value of the expected future payments to be made.

For acquisitions made prior to January 1, 2009, potential earnout obligations were not included in the purchase price that was recorded for each applicable acquisition at its acquisition date because such obligations were not fixed and determinable. Future payments made under these 2008 and prior arrangements, if any, will generally be recorded as additional goodwill when the earnouts are settled. The aggregate amount of maximum unrecorded earnout payables outstanding as of September 30, 2010 was $193.9 million related to acquisitions made by Gallagher during the period from 2006 to 2008.

The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired at the date of each acquisition based on preliminary purchase price allocations (in millions):

 

     FCP      RRG      JJA      BUI      OGC      Six
Other
Acquisitions
     Total  

Current assets

   $ 27.8       $ 2.0       $ 0.1       $ 1.8       $ 0.1       $ 3.9       $ 35.7   

Fixed assets

     0.5         —           —           —           —           0.4         0.9   

Noncurrent assets

     2.8         —           —           —           —           —           2.8   

Goodwill

     14.0         5.4         4.4         5.1         11.4         7.0         47.3   

Expiration lists

     7.1         2.9         2.8         2.8         5.1         5.8         26.5   

Non-compete agreements

     0.3         —           —           0.1         0.1         0.2         0.7   
                                                              

Total assets acquired

     52.5         10.3         7.3         9.8         16.7         17.3         113.9   
                                                              

Current liabilities

     24.3         1.9         0.1         1.8         —           3.6         31.7   

Noncurrent liabilities

     0.8         0.8         —           —           —           0.6         2.2   
                                                              

Total liabilities assumed

     25.1         2.7         0.1         1.8         —           4.2         33.9   
                                                              

Total net assets acquired

   $ 27.4       $ 7.6       $ 7.2       $ 8.0       $ 16.7       $ 13.1       $ 80.0   
                                                              

 

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These acquisitions allow Gallagher to expand into desirable geographic locations, further extend its presence in the retail and wholesale insurance brokerage services industries and increase the volume of general services currently provided. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the tangible net assets acquired at the acquisition date was allocated within the Brokerage Segment to goodwill, expiration lists and non-compete agreements in the amounts of $63.3 million, $36.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Purchase price allocations are preliminarily established at the time of the acquisition and are subsequently reviewed within the first year of operations to determine the necessity for allocation adjustments. The fair value of the current assets and current liabilities for each applicable acquisition at the acquisition date approximated their carrying values due to their short-term duration. The fair value of expiration lists was established using the excess earnings method, which is an income approach based on estimated financial projections developed by management for each acquired entity using market participant assumptions. The fair value is estimated as the present value of the benefits anticipated from ownership of the subject customer list in excess of returns required on the investment in contributory assets necessary to realize those benefits. The rate used to discount the net benefits was based on a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration market based rates of return and reflects the risk of the asset relative to the acquired business. The acquired non-compete agreements were valued using the profit differential method, which is an income approach based on estimated financial projections developed by management for the acquired company using market participant assumptions and various non-compete scenarios.

Expiration lists and non-compete agreements related to these acquisitions are currently being amortized on a straight-line basis over useful lives of three to fifteen years and three to five years, respectively. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to periodic reviews for impairment. Gallagher reviews its intangible assets for impairment periodically (at least annually) and whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. In reviewing intangible assets, if the fair value is less than the carrying amount of the respective (or underlying) asset, an indicator of impairment would exist and further analysis would be required to determine whether or not a loss would need to be charged against current period earnings. Based on the results of impairment reviews during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, Gallagher wrote-off $2.3 million of amortizable intangible assets related to the Brokerage Segment. No such indicators were noted in the three-month period ended September 30, 2010. No such indicators were noted in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009. Of the $36.8 million of expiration lists and $0.9 million of non-competes related to the 2010 acquisitions, $14.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, are not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Accordingly, Gallagher recorded a deferred tax liability of $4.6 million and a corresponding amount of goodwill in 2010 related to the nondeductible amortizable intangible assets.

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, Gallagher issued 882,000 shares of its common stock, paid $2.8 million in cash, and accrued $4.3 million in current liabilities related to earnout obligations for acquisitions made prior to 2009 and recorded additional goodwill of $17.2 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, Gallagher issued 988,000 shares of its common stock, paid $4.2 million in cash and accrued $1.8 million in current liabilities related to earnout obligations for acquisitions made prior to 2009 and recorded additional goodwill of $21.0 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, Gallagher also issued 1.1 million shares of its common stock related to an acquisition made in December 2008 and recorded in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2008.

 

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Gallagher’s consolidated financial statements for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 includes the operations of the entities acquired from the dates of their respective acquisitions. The following is a summary of the unaudited pro forma historical results, as if these purchased entities had been acquired at January 1, 2009 (in millions, except per share data):

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
     Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Total revenues

   $ 464.1       $ 452.3       $ 1,422.2       $ 1,335.6   

Earnings from continuing operations

     46.4         42.3         118.8         117.7   

Basic earnings from continuing operations per share

     0.44         0.41         1.13         1.16   

Diluted earnings from continuing operations per share

     0.44         0.41         1.13         1.16   

The unaudited pro forma results above have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had these acquisitions occurred at January 1, 2009, nor are they necessarily indicative of future operating results. Annualized revenues of the entities acquired during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 totaled approximately $56.7 million.

5. Discontinued Operations

The assets and liabilities included in the accompanying September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consolidated balance sheet related to discontinued operations were as follows (in millions):

 

     September 30,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

Cash and restricted cash

   $ 1.8       $ 0.3   

Other noncurrent assets

     7.5         12.9   
                 

Total assets

   $ 9.3       $ 13.2   
                 

Premiums payable to insurance and reinsurance companies

   $ 0.2       $ 0.2   

Other current liabilities

     1.1         1.0   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     8.0         12.0   
                 

Total liabilities

   $ 9.3       $ 13.2   
                 

As part of integrating the operations of a London-based insurance brokerage firm acquired by Gallagher on April 1, 2010, Gallagher restored into service certain leased real estate space that was abandoned in 2008 as part of the wind-down of certain of its discontinued operations. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, Gallagher recognized $2.1 million of pretax earnings from discontinued operations for the reversal of a portion of the lease abandonment charges incurred in 2008.

 

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6. Intangible Assets

The carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2010 allocated by domestic and foreign operations is as follows (in millions):

 

     Brokerage      Risk
Management
     Corporate      Total  

United States

   $ 757.1       $ 9.5       $ —         $ 766.6   

Foreign, principally Australia, Canada and the U.K.

     57.6         0.2         —           57.8   
                                   

Total goodwill - net

   $ 814.7       $ 9.7       $ —         $ 824.4   
                                   

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 are as follows (in millions):

 

     Brokerage      Risk
Management
     Corporate      Total  

Balance as of January 1, 2010

   $ 732.6       $ 9.7       $ —         $ 742.3   

Goodwill acquired during the period

     63.3         —           —           63.3   

Goodwill related to earnouts recognized during the period

     17.2         —           —           17.2   

Foreign currency translation adjustments during the period

     1.6         —           —           1.6   
                                   

Balance as of September 30, 2010

   $ 814.7       $ 9.7       $ —         $ 824.4   
                                   

Major classes of amortizable intangible assets consist of the following (in millions):

 

     September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Expiration lists

   $ 636.2      $ 594.8   

Accumulated amortization - expiration lists

     (210.3     (166.6
                
     425.9        428.2   
                

Non-compete agreements

     23.0        22.2   

Accumulated amortization - non-compete agreements

     (19.4     (18.4
                
     3.6        3.8   
                

Trade name

     8.0        7.9   

Accumulated amortization - trade name

     (1.9     (1.5
                
     6.1        6.4   
                

Net amortizable assets

   $ 435.6      $ 438.4   
                

Estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows:

 

2010 (remaining three months)

   $ 14.6   

2011

     57.6   

2012

     54.8   

2013

     53.3   

2014

     51.5   
        

Total

   $ 231.8   
        

 

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7. Credit and Other Debt Agreements

Note Purchase Agreement - Gallagher is party to an amended and restated note purchase agreement dated as of December 19, 2007, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which Gallagher issued and sold $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Gallagher’s 6.26% Senior Notes, Series A, due August 3, 2014 and $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Gallagher’s 6.44% Senior Notes, Series B, due August 3, 2017, in a private placement. These notes require semi-annual payments of interest that are due on February 3 and August 3. In connection with entering into this note purchase agreement, Gallagher incurred approximately $1.3 million of debt acquisition costs that were capitalized and are being amortized on a pro rata basis over a seven-year period.

Gallagher is also party to a note purchase agreement dated as of November 30, 2009, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which Gallagher issued and sold $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Gallagher’s 5.85% Senior Notes, Series C, due in three equal installments on each of November 30, 2016, November 30, 2018 and November 30, 2019, in a private placement. These notes require semi-annual payments of interest that are due on May 30 and November 30.

Under the terms of the respective note purchase agreements, the notes are redeemable by Gallagher at any time, in whole or in part, at 100% of the principal amount of such notes being redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest and a “make-whole amount.” The “make-whole amount” is derived from a net present value computation of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest using a discount rate based on U.S. Treasury yields plus 0.5% and is designed to compensate the purchasers of the notes for their investment risk in the event prevailing interest rates at the time of prepayment are less favorable than the interest rates under the notes. Gallagher currently has no intention of prepaying the notes.

The note purchase agreements contain customary provisions for transactions of this type, including representations and warranties regarding Gallagher and its subsidiaries and various financial covenants, including covenants that require Gallagher to maintain specified financial ratios. Gallagher was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2010. The note purchase agreements also provide customary events of default, generally with corresponding grace periods, including, without limitation, payment defaults with respect to the notes, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other agreements evidencing indebtedness of Gallagher or its subsidiaries, certain judgments against Gallagher or its subsidiaries and events of bankruptcy involving Gallagher or its material subsidiaries.

The notes issued under the note purchase agreements are senior unsecured obligations of Gallagher and rank equal in right of payment with Gallagher’s Credit Agreement discussed below.

Credit Agreement - On July 15, 2010, Gallagher entered into an unsecured multicurrency credit agreement (Credit Agreement), which expires on July 14, 2014, with a group of twelve financial institutions. The Credit Agreement replaced a $450.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (that was scheduled to expire on October 4, 2010), which was terminated upon the execution of the Credit Agreement. All indebtedness, liabilities and obligations outstanding under the prior facility were fully paid and satisfied, except for the letters of credit (LOCs) which became LOCs under the Credit Agreement. Gallagher incurred no early termination fees in connection with replacing the prior credit agreement.

The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit commitment of up to $500.0 million, of which up to $75.0 million may be used for issuances of standby or commercial LOCs and up to $50.0 million may be used for the making of swing loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement. Gallagher may from time to time request, subject to certain conditions, an increase in the revolving credit commitment up to a maximum aggregate revolving credit commitment of $600.0 million.

The Credit Agreement provides that Gallagher may elect that each borrowing in U.S. dollars be either base rate loans or Eurocurrency loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement. All loans denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are Eurocurrency loans. Interest rates on base rate loans and outstanding drawings on LOCs in U.S. dollars under the Credit Agreement are based on the base rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement. Interest rates on Eurocurrency loans or outstanding drawings on LOCs in currencies other than U.S. dollars under the Credit Agreement are based on adjusted LIBOR, as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus a margin of 1.45%, 1.65%, 1.85% or 2.00%, depending on the financial leverage ratio maintained by Gallagher. Interest rates on swing loans are based, at the election of Gallagher, on either the base rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, or such alternate rate as may be quoted by the lead lender. The annual facility fee related to the Credit Agreement is

 

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either .30%, .35%, .40% or .50% of the used and unused portions of the revolving credit facility, depending on the financial leverage ratio maintained by Gallagher. In connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, Gallagher incurred approximately $3.3 million of debt acquisition costs that were capitalized and are being amortized on a pro rata basis over the term of the Credit Agreement.

The terms of Gallagher’s Credit Agreement includes various financial covenants, including covenants that require Gallagher to maintain specified levels of net worth and financial leverage ratios. Gallagher was in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2010. The Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, with corresponding grace periods, including, without limitation, payment defaults, cross-defaults to other agreements evidencing indebtedness and bankruptcy-related defaults.

At September 30, 2010, $16.0 million of LOCs (for which Gallagher had $11.9 million of liabilities recorded at September 30, 2010) were outstanding under the Credit Agreement. There were no borrowings outstanding under the facility at September 30, 2010. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2010, $484.0 million remained available for potential borrowings, of which $59.0 million may be in the form of additional LOCs.

The following is a summary of Gallagher’s debt (in millions):

 

     September 30,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 

Note Purchase Agreements:

     

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 6.26%, balloon due 2014

   $ 100.0       $ 100.0   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 6.44%, balloon due 2017

     300.0         300.0   

Semi-annual payments of interest, fixed rate of 5.85%, $50 million due in 2016, 2018 and 2019

     150.0         150.0   
                 

Total Note Purchase Agreements

     550.0         550.0   

Credit Agreement:

     

Periodic payments of interest and principal, prime or LIBOR plus up to 2.00%, expires July 14, 2014

     —           —     
                 

Total debt

   $ 550.0       $ 550.0   
                 

The fair value of the $550.0 million in debt under the note purchase agreements at September 30, 2010 was $623.3 million due to the long-tem duration and fixed interest rates associated with these debt obligations. There is no active or observable market for Gallagher’s private placement long-term debt. Therefore, the estimated fair value of this debt is based on discounted future cash flows using current interest rates available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. To estimate an all-in interest rate for discounting, market quotes were obtained for notes with the same terms as Gallagher’s. There is no rate adjustment for the risk profile changes, covenant issues or credit ratings changes of Gallagher. Therefore, the market quotes are deemed to be the closest approximation of current market rates.

See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for additional discussion on commitments and contingencies.

 

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8. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share (in millions, except per share data):

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
     Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 46.2       $ 41.6       $ 117.3       $ 113.7   

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     —           —           2.1         (1.9
                                   

Net earnings

   $ 46.2       $ 41.6       $ 119.4       $ 111.8   
                                   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     105.5         101.4         104.2         100.0   

Dilutive effect of stock options using the treasury stock method

     0.2         0.2         0.2         0.1   
                                   

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding

     105.7         101.6         104.4         100.1   
                                   

Basic net earnings (loss) per share:

           

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.44       $ 0.41       $ 1.13       $ 1.14   

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     —           —           0.02         (0.02
                                   

Net earnings

   $ 0.44       $ 0.41       $ 1.15       $ 1.12   
                                   

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share:

           

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 0.44       $ 0.41       $ 1.12       $ 1.14   

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     —           —           0.02         (0.02
                                   

Net earnings

   $ 0.44       $ 0.41       $ 1.14       $ 1.12   
                                   

Options to purchase 9.3 million and 11.4 million shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock options for the three-month periods then ended. Options to purchase 11.5 million and 12.6 million shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the computation of the dilutive effect of stock options for the nine-month periods then ended. These options were excluded from the computation because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of Gallagher’s common shares during the respective periods, and therefore would be antidilutive to earnings per share under the treasury stock method.

9. Stock Option Plans

Long-Term Incentive Plan

On May 12, 2009, Gallagher’s stockholders approved the 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). The LTIP’s term began May 12, 2009 and terminates on the date of the first annual meeting of stockholders to occur on or after the fifth anniversary of its effective date, unless terminated earlier by Gallagher’s Board of Directors. All officers, employees and non-employee directors of Gallagher and persons expected to become officers, employees or non-employee directors of Gallagher are eligible to receive awards under the LTIP. The Compensation Committee of Gallagher’s Board of Directors determines the participants under the LTIP. Awards include non-qualified and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units, any or all of which may be made contingent upon the achievement of performance criteria. Subject to the LTIP limits, the Compensation Committee has the discretionary authority to determine the size of an award.

As of the effective date of the LTIP, 3.0 million shares of Gallagher’s common stock were available for awards granted under the LTIP. The number of available shares will be reduced by the aggregate number of shares that become subject to outstanding awards granted under the LTIP. To the extent that shares subject to an outstanding award granted under either the LTIP or any of the predecessor plans are not issued or delivered by

 

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reason of the expiration, termination, cancellation or forfeiture of such award or by reason of the settlement of such award in cash, then such shares will again be available under the LTIP. Shares that are subject to a stock appreciation right and were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such stock appreciation right, shares that are used to pay the exercise price of an option, delivered to or withheld by Gallagher to pay withholding taxes, and shares that are purchased on the open market with the proceeds of an option exercise, may not again be made available for issuance.

Shares of Gallagher’s common stock available for issuance under the plan include authorized and unissued shares of common stock or authorized and issued shares of common stock reacquired and held as treasury shares or otherwise, or a combination thereof. The maximum number of shares available under the LTIP for restricted stock, restricted stock unit awards and performance unit awards settled with stock (i.e., all awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights) is 600,000. The maximum number of shares with respect to which options or stock appreciation rights or a combination thereof that may be granted during any fiscal year to any person is 200,000. The maximum number of shares with respect to which performance-based restricted stock or restricted stock units that may be granted during any fiscal year to any person is 100,000. The maximum amount that may be payable with respect to performance units granted during any fiscal year of Gallagher to any person is $1.5 million.

The LTIP provides for the grant of stock options and stock appreciation rights. Stock options may be either tax-qualified incentive stock options or non-qualified options. The period for the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, tax-qualified incentive stock option or stock appreciation right is determined by the Compensation Committee, provided that no option can be exercised later than seven years after its date of grant. The exercise price of a non-qualified stock option or tax-qualified incentive stock option and the base price of a stock appreciation right cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Gallagher common stock on the date of grant, provided that the base price of a stock appreciation right granted in tandem with an option will be the exercise price of the related option. A stock appreciation right entitles the holder to receive upon exercise (subject to withholding taxes), cash or shares of Gallagher common stock (which may be restricted stock) with a value equal to the difference between the fair market value of Gallagher common stock on the exercise date and the base price of the stock appreciation right.

Upon exercise, the option exercise price may be paid in cash, by the delivery of previously owned shares of Gallagher common stock or through a cashless exercise arrangement. All of the terms relating to the exercise, cancellation or other disposition of an option or stock appreciation right upon a termination of employment, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason, are determined by the Compensation Committee. Stock option and stock appreciation right awards under the plan are non-transferable.

Prior Stock Option Plans

Prior to 2009, Gallagher issued stock options under four stock option-based employee compensation plans. In May 2008, all of these plans expired. Under the expired plans, Gallagher granted both incentive and non-qualified stock options to officers and key employees of Gallagher and its subsidiaries. Most options granted under the incentive plan prior to 2007 become exercisable at the rate of 10% per year beginning the calendar year after the date of grant. Most options granted under the non-qualified plan prior to 2007 become exercisable at the rate of 10% per year beginning the calendar year after the date of grant or earlier in the event of death, disability or retirement (if the retirement eligible age requirement is met). Options granted prior to 2009 expire ten years from the date of grant, or earlier in the event of termination of the employee (if the retirement eligible age requirement is not met).

On March 2, 2010, the Compensation Committee granted 858,000 options to officers and key employees of Gallagher that become exercisable at the rate of 20% per year on the anniversary date of the grant. The 2010 options expire seven years from the date of grant, or earlier in the event of termination of the employee.

Other Information

All of the aforementioned stock option plans provide for the immediate vesting of all outstanding stock option grants in the event of a change in control of Gallagher, as defined in the plan documents.

During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Gallagher recognized $2.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to its stock option grants. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Gallagher recognized $5.6 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to its stock option grants.

 

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For purposes of expense recognition, the estimated fair values of the stock option grants are amortized to expense over the options’ expected lives. In 2010 and 2009, the fair value of stock options at the date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     2010     2009  

Expected dividend yield

     5.0     4.0

Expected risk-free interest rate

     2.8     3.0

Volatility

     27.1     27.3

Expected life (in years)

     6.1        7.0   

The Black-Scholes option pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Any option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because Gallagher’s employee and director stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the selective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee and director stock options. The weighted average fair value per option for all options granted during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, as determined on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, was $3.90 and $4.19, respectively.

The following is a summary of Gallagher’s stock option activity and related information for 2010 (in millions, except exercise price and years data):

 

     Nine-month period ended September 30, 2010  
     Shares
Under
Option
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

(in years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Beginning balance

     13.4      $ 26.26         

Granted

     1.0        24.24         

Exercised

     (1.1     19.13         

Forfeited or canceled

     (0.2     27.58         
                      

Ending balance

     13.1      $ 26.69         3.82       $ 11.9   
                                  

Exercisable at end of period

     8.7      $ 26.88         3.21       $ 7.5   
                                  

Ending vested and expected to vest

     13.0      $ 26.69         3.81       $ 11.8   
                                  

Options with respect to 1.7 million shares (less any shares of restricted stock issued under the LTIP as discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements) were available for grant under the LTIP at September 30, 2010.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $6.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2010, there was approximately $24.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately four years.

 

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Other information regarding stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2010 is summarized as follows (in millions, except exercise price and years data):

 

         Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  

Range of Exercise Prices

        Number
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

(in years)
     Weighted
Average
Exercise

Price
     Number
Exercisable
     Weighted
Average
Exercise

Price
 

$    1.11   -  $   24.13

       2.8         4.52       $ 23.26         1.4       $ 22.69   

    24.58   -       26.50

       3.8         2.43         25.59         2.9         25.64   

    26.55   -       27.25

       2.6         4.73         27.20         1.6         27.19   

    27.35   -       29.42

       2.9         4.51         29.08         1.9         29.10   

    29.45   -       36.94

       1.0         2.73         32.22         0.9         32.26   
                                                

$    1.11   -  $   36.94

       13.1         3.82       $ 26.69         8.7       $ 26.88   
                                              

10. Deferred Compensation

Gallagher has a Deferred Equity Participation Plan, which is a non-qualified plan that provides for distributions to certain key executives of Gallagher when they attain age 62 or upon or after their actual retirement. Under the provisions of the plan, Gallagher contributes shares of its common stock or cash, in an amount approved by the Compensation Committee, to a rabbi trust on behalf of the executives participating in the plan. Distributions under the plan may not normally be made until the participant reaches age 62 and are subject to forfeiture in the event of voluntary termination of employment prior to age 62. All distributions of stock contributions from the plan, except for accumulated non-invested dividends, are made in the form of Gallagher’s common stock and all distributions of cash contributions are distributed in cash.

The Gallagher common stock that is issued under the plan to the rabbi trust is valued at historical cost (fair market value at the date of grant). The unearned deferred compensation obligation is recorded as a reduction of capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and is being amortized to compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of the participants. Future changes in the fair market value of the Gallagher common stock that is owed to the participants do not have any impact on Gallagher’s consolidated financial statements. During both three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, $0.4 million was charged to compensation expense related to this plan. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, was charged to compensation expense related to this plan. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $8.5 million (related to 646,000 shares) and $9.5 million (related to 685,000 shares), respectively, of unearned deferred compensation was recorded as an offset to capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The total intrinsic value of unvested Gallagher common stock under the plan at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $17.0 million and $15.4 million, respectively.

In first quarter 2010 and 2009, the Compensation Committee approved $5.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively, of cash awards in the aggregate to certain key executives under the Deferred Equity Participation Plan that were contributed to the rabbi trust in second quarter 2010 and 2009, respectively. The fair value of the funded cash award assets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $20.0 million and $13.3 million, respectively, and has been included in other noncurrent assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, was charged to compensation expense related to these awards. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, $2.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively, was charged to compensation expense related to these awards. During both nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, cash and equity awards with an aggregate fair value of $1.1 million were vested and distributed to participants in this plan.

 

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11. Restricted Stock and Cash Awards

Restricted Stock Awards

As discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, Gallagher’s stockholders approved the LTIP on May 12, 2009. The LTIP provides for the grant of a stock award either as restricted stock or as restricted stock units. In either case, the Compensation Committee may determine that the award will be subject to the attainment of performance measures over an established performance period. Stock awards are non-transferable and subject to forfeiture if the holder does not remain continuously employed at Gallagher during the restriction period or, in the case of a performance-based award, if applicable performance measures are not attained. All of the terms relating to the satisfaction of performance measures and the termination of a restriction period, or the forfeiture and cancellation of a stock award upon a termination of employment, whether by reason of disability, retirement, death or any other reason, will be determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may also grant unrestricted shares of common stock or units representing the right to receive shares of common stock to employees who have attained age 62.

The agreements awarding restricted stock units will specify whether such award may be settled in shares of Gallagher common stock, cash or a combination thereof and whether the holder will be entitled to receive dividend equivalents, on a current or deferred basis, with respect to such award. Prior to settlement of a restricted stock unit, the holder of a restricted stock unit will have no rights as a stockholder of Gallagher. The maximum number of shares available under the LTIP for awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units settled with stock (i.e., all awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights) is 600,000. At September 30, 2010, 365,000 shares were available for grant under the LTIP for such awards.

Prior to May 12, 2009, Gallagher had a restricted stock plan for its directors, officers and certain other employees, which was superseded by the LTIP. Under the provisions of that plan, Gallagher was authorized to issue 4.0 million restricted shares or related stock units of Gallagher common stock. The Compensation Committee was responsible for the administration of the plan. Each award granted under the plan represents a right of the holder of the award to receive shares of Gallagher common stock, cash or a combination of shares and cash, subject to the holder’s continued employment with Gallagher for a period of time after the date the award was granted. The Compensation Committee determined each recipient of an award under the plan, the number of shares of common stock subject to such award and the period of continued employment required for the vesting of such award.

In first quarter 2010 and 2009, Gallagher granted 185,000 and 211,000 shares, respectively, of its common stock to employees under the LTIP or restricted stock plan, as applicable, with an aggregate fair value of $4.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, at the date of grant. In second quarter 2010 and 2009, Gallagher granted 29,000 and 27,000 shares, respectively, of its common stock to employees under the LTIP or restricted stock plan, as applicable, with an aggregate fair value of $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively, at the date of grant.

The 2010 and 2009 restricted stock awards (consisting of restricted stock or restricted stock units) vest as follows: 185,000 shares granted in first quarter 2010 and 199,000 shares granted in first quarter 2009, vest in full based on continued employment through March 3, 2014 and March 4, 2013, respectively, while the other 2010 and 2009 restricted stock awards generally vest annually on a pro rata basis. The vesting periods of the 2010 and 2009 restricted stock awards are as follows (in shares):

 

     Shares Granted  

Vesting Period

   2010      2009  

One year

     12,000         16,000   

Two years

     17,000         4,000   

Four years

     187,000         199,000   

Five years

     —           7,000   

Six years

     —           12,000   
                 

Total shares granted

     216,000         238,000   
                 

 

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Gallagher accounts for restricted stock at historical cost, which equals its fair market value at the date of grant. When restricted shares are issued, an unearned restricted stock obligation is recorded as a reduction of capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and is amortized to compensation expense ratably over the vesting period of the participants. Future changes in the fair value of the Gallagher common stock that is owed to the participants do not have any impact on Gallagher’s consolidated financial statements. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, was charged to compensation expense related to restricted stock awards granted in 2005 through 2010. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, $3.7 million and $3.3 million, respectively, was charged to compensation expense related to restricted stock awards granted in 2006 through 2010. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $2.6 million (related to 217,000 shares) and $3.4 million (related to 251,000 shares), respectively, of unearned restricted stock outstanding was recorded as an offset to capital in excess of par value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The total intrinsic value of unvested restricted stock at September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $22.5 million and $18.2 million, respectively.

Cash Awards

On March 4, 2009, pursuant to a Performance Unit Program (the Program), the Compensation Committee approved the future grant of provisional cash awards of $19.4 million in the aggregate to officers and key employees of Gallagher that are denominated in units (1.3 million units in the aggregate), each of which was equivalent to the value of one share of Gallagher’s common stock on the approval date of grant. The Program consists of a one-year performance period based on financial performance and a two-year vesting period. At the discretion of the Compensation Committee and determined based on company performance, the officer or key employee was granted a percentage of the provisional cash award units that equates to the EBITA (as defined in the Program) growth achieved. At the end of the performance period, eligible employees were granted a number of units based on achievement of the performance goal and subject to approval by the Compensation Committee. Granted units fully vest based on continuous employment through January 1, 2012. The ultimate award value will be equal to the trailing twelve month stock price on December 31, 2011, multiplied by the number of units subject to the award, but limited to between 0.5 and 1.5 times the original value of the units determined as of the grant date. The fair value of the grant will be paid out in cash as soon as practicable in 2012. If an eligible employee leaves Gallagher prior to the vesting date, the entire award will be forfeited. Based on company performance for 2009, Gallagher granted 1.2 million units under the Program in first quarter 2010 that will fully vest on January 1, 2012. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, $3.5 million was charged to compensation expense related to this provisional grant. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, $10.5 million was charged to compensation expense related to this provisional grant.

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009, $0.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively, was charged to compensation expense related to a 2007 grant under the Program that fully vested on January 1, 2010. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, cash awards related to the 2007 grant with an aggregate fair value of $4.6 million (215,000 units in the aggregate) were vested and distributed to employees under the Program.

On March 2, 2010, pursuant to the Program, the Compensation Committee approved the future grant of provisional cash awards of $17.0 million in the aggregate to officers and key employees of Gallagher that are denominated in units (706,000 units in the aggregate), each of which is equivalent to the value of one share of Gallagher’s common stock on the approval date of grant. Terms of the 2010 grants are similar to the terms discussed above for the 2009 grants; however, any 2010 granted units will fully vest based on continuous employment through January 1, 2013 and the provisional cash award units are based on EBITAC (as defined in the Program) growth achieved. No compensation expense was recognized during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 related to this provisional grant.

 

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12. Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Gallagher has an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), under which the sale of 4.0 million shares of Gallagher’s common stock has been authorized. Eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their compensation towards the quarterly purchase of Gallagher’s common stock at a purchase price equal to 95% of the lesser of the fair market value of Gallagher’s common stock on the first business day or the last business day of the quarterly offering period. Eligible employees may annually purchase shares of Gallagher’s common stock with an aggregate fair market value of up to $25,000 (measured as of the first day of each quarterly offering period of each calendar year), provided that no employee may purchase more than 2,000 shares of Gallagher’s common stock under the ESPP during any calendar year. Currently, 1.4 million shares of Gallagher’s common stock are reserved for future issuance under the ESPP.

The quarterly ESPP information for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows (in millions, except per share and share data):

 

     1st Quarter      2nd Quarter      3rd Quarter  

2010

        

Fair market value per share at date of purchase

   $ 24.55       $ 24.38       $ 24.39   

Purchase price per share

   $ 21.21       $ 23.16       $ 23.17   

Shares issued

     116,000         66,000         60,000   

Aggregate purchase price

   $ 2.5       $ 1.5       $ 1.4   

2009

        

Fair market value per share at date of purchase

   $ 17.00       $ 16.86       $ 21.35   

Purchase price per share

   $ 16.15       $ 16.02       $ 20.28   

Shares issued

     146,000         89,000         64,000   

Aggregate purchase price

   $ 2.4       $ 1.9       $ 1.6   

13. Retirement Plans

Gallagher has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that, prior to July 1, 2005, covered substantially all domestic employees who had attained a specified age and one year of employment. Benefits under the plan were based on years of service and salary history. In 2005, Gallagher amended its defined benefit pension plan to freeze the accrual of future benefits for all domestic employees, effective on July 1, 2005. In the table below, the service cost component represents plan administration costs that are incurred directly by the plan.

The components of the net periodic pension benefit cost for the plan consists of the following (in millions):

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
    Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 0.1      $ 0.1      $ 0.3      $ 0.3   

Interest cost on benefit obligation

     2.9        2.9        8.7        8.5   

Expected return on plan assets

     (3.3     (3.2     (9.9     (8.4

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     0.5        0.6        1.5        3.0   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 0.2      $ 0.4      $ 0.6      $ 3.4   
                                

The minimum funding requirement under the IRC for the plan in 2010 is $0.3 million. No minimum contribution was required to be made to the plan by Gallagher for 2009. This level of required funding is based on the plan being frozen at September 30, 2010, and the aggregate amount of Gallagher’s historical funding. During both three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Gallagher made discretionary contributions of $1.5 million to the plan. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Gallagher made discretionary contributions of $4.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, to the plan. Gallagher is considering making additional discretionary contributions to the plan in 2010 and may be required to make contributions to the plan in future periods.

 

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14. Commitments, Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In connection with its investing and operating activities, Gallagher has entered into certain contractual obligations and commitments. See Notes 3 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements for additional discussion of these obligations and commitments. Gallagher’s future minimum cash payments, excluding interest, associated with its contractual obligations pursuant to the note purchase agreements and Credit Agreement, operating leases and purchase commitments at September 30, 2010 were as follows (in millions):

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations

   2010     2011     2012     2013     2014     Thereafter     Total  

Note purchase agreements

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 100.0      $ 450.0      $ 550.0   

Credit Agreement

     —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
                                                        

Total debt obligations

     —          —          —          —          100.0        450.0        550.0   

Operating lease obligations

     64.6        61.4        48.5        32.4        18.9        42.2        268.0   

Less sublease arrangements

     (1.2     (3.4     (3.0     (1.7     (1.3     (0.4     (11.0

Outstanding purchase obligations

     1.5        4.1        2.0        0.1        —          —          7.7   
                                                        

Total contractual obligations

   $ 64.9      $ 62.1      $ 47.5      $ 30.8      $ 117.6      $ 491.8      $ 814.7   
                                                        

The amounts presented in the table above may not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements of Gallagher, because the actual timing of the future payments made may vary from the stated contractual obligation.

Note Purchase Agreements - On August 3, 2007, Gallagher entered into a note purchase agreement, as amended and restated on December 31, 2007, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which Gallagher issued and sold $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Gallagher’s 6.26% Senior Notes, Series A, due August 3, 2014 and $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Gallagher’s 6.44% Senior Notes, Series B, due August 3, 2017 in a private placement.

On November 30, 2009, Gallagher entered into another note purchase agreement, with certain accredited institutional investors, pursuant to which Gallagher issued and sold $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Gallagher’s 5.85% Senior Notes, Series C, due in three equal installments on each of November 30, 2016, November 30, 2018 and November 30, 2019, in a private placement.

See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the terms of the note purchase agreements.

Credit Agreement - Gallagher has a $500.0 million Credit Agreement, which expires on July 14, 2014, that it uses to post LOCs and that it can use from time to time to borrow funds to supplement operating cash flows. At September 30, 2010, $16.0 million of LOCs (for which Gallagher had $11.9 million of liabilities recorded as of September 30, 2010) were outstanding under the Credit Agreement. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement at September 30, 2010. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2010, $484.0 million remained available for potential borrowings, of which $59.0 million may be in the form of additional LOCs. Gallagher is under no obligation to utilize the Credit Agreement in performing its normal business operations. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the terms of the Credit Agreement.

Operating Lease Obligations - Gallagher’s executive offices of the Corporate Segment and certain subsidiary and branch facilities of the Brokerage and Risk Management Segments are located at Two Pierce Place, Itasca, Illinois, where Gallagher leases approximately 306,000 square feet of space, or approximately 60% of the building. The lease commitment on this property expires February 28, 2018.

Gallagher generally operates in leased premises at its other locations. Certain office space leases have options permitting renewals for additional periods. In addition to minimum fixed rentals, a number of leases contain annual escalation clauses which are generally related to increases in an inflation index.

Gallagher has leased certain office space to several non-Gallagher tenants under operating sublease arrangements. In the normal course of business, Gallagher expects that the leases will not be renewed or replaced. Charges for real estate taxes and common area maintenance are adjusted annually based on actual expenses, and the related revenues are recognized in the year in which the expenses are incurred. These amounts are not included in the minimum future rentals to be received in the contractual obligations table above.

 

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Outstanding Purchase Obligations - Gallagher is a service company and thus typically does not have a material amount of outstanding purchase obligations at any point in time. The amount disclosed in the contractual obligations table above represents the aggregate amount of unrecorded purchase obligations that Gallagher had outstanding as of September 30, 2010. These obligations represent agreements to purchase goods or services that were executed in the normal course of business.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments - Gallagher’s total unrecorded commitments associated with outstanding letters of credit and funding commitments as of September 30, 2010 were as follows (in millions):

 

    

 

Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period

     Total
Amounts
Committed
 

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

   2010      2011      2012      2013      2014      Thereafter     

Letters of credit

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 16.0       $ 16.0   

Funding commitments

     —           —           —           0.1         —           1.0         1.1   
                                                              

Total commitments

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 0.1       $ —         $ 17.0       $ 17.1   
                                                              

Since commitments may expire unused, the amounts presented in the table above do not necessarily reflect Gallagher’s actual future cash funding requirements. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of Gallagher’s funding commitments related to its Corporate Segment and the Off-Balance Sheet Debt section below for a discussion of LOCs. All of the LOCs represent multiple year commitments that have annual, automatic renewing provisions and are classified by the latest commitment date.

Since January 1, 2002, Gallagher has acquired 149 companies, all of which were accounted for using the purchase accounting method for recording business combinations. Substantially all of the purchase agreements related to these acquisitions contain provisions for potential earnout obligations. For all of its 2010 and 2009 acquisitions that contain potential earnout obligations, such obligations are measured at fair value as of the acquisition date and are included on that basis in the recorded purchase price consideration for the applicable acquisition. The amounts recorded as earnout payables are primarily based upon estimated future operating results of the acquired entities over a two-to-three-year period subsequent to the acquisition date. The aggregate amount of maximum earnout obligations related to the 2009 and 2010 acquisitions was $176.3 million, of which $76.7 million was recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2010 based on the estimated fair value of the expected future payments to be made. For acquisitions made prior to January 1, 2009, potential earnout obligations were not included in the purchase price that was recorded for each applicable acquisition at its respective acquisition date because such obligations are not fixed and determinable. Future payments made under these 2008 and prior arrangements, if any, will generally be recorded as additional goodwill when the earnouts are settled. The aggregate amount of maximum unrecorded earnout payables outstanding as of September 30, 2010 was $193.9 million related to acquisitions made by Gallagher during the period from 2006 to 2008.

Off-Balance Sheet Debt - Gallagher’s unconsolidated investment portfolio includes investments in enterprises where Gallagher’s ownership interest is between 1% and 50%, in which management has determined that Gallagher’s level of influence and economic interest is not sufficient to require consolidation. As a result, these investments are accounted for using the equity method. None of these unconsolidated investments had any outstanding debt at September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009 that was recourse to Gallagher.

At September 30, 2010, Gallagher had posted two LOCs totaling $10.3 million, in the aggregate, related to Gallagher’s self-insurance deductibles, for which it had a recorded liability of $11.9 million. Gallagher has an equity investment in a rent-a-captive facility, which Gallagher uses as a placement facility for certain of its insurance brokerage operations. At September 30, 2010, Gallagher had posted $5.7 million of LOCs to allow the rent-a-captive facility to meet minimum statutory surplus requirements and for additional collateral related to premium and claim funds held in a fiduciary capacity. These LOCs have never been drawn upon.

 

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Litigation - Gallagher is a defendant in various legal actions related to employment matters and otherwise incident to the nature of its business. Gallagher believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously in all unresolved legal actions. In addition, Gallagher is the plaintiff in certain legal actions with and relating to former employees regarding alleged breaches of non-compete or other restrictive covenants, theft of trade secrets, breaches of fiduciary duties and related causes of action. Neither the outcomes of these legal actions nor their effect upon Gallagher’s business, financial condition or results of operations can be determined at this time.

Contingent Liabilities - Gallagher purchases insurance to provide protection from errors and omissions (E&O) claims that may arise during the ordinary course of business. Gallagher currently retains the first $5.0 million of each and every E&O claim. Gallagher’s E&O insurance provides aggregate coverage for E&O losses up to $175.0 million in excess of Gallagher’s retained amounts. Gallagher has historically maintained self-insurance reserves for the portion of its E&O exposure that is not insured. Gallagher periodically determines a range of possible reserve levels using actuarial techniques that rely heavily on projecting historical claim data into the future. Gallagher’s E&O reserve in the September 30, 2010 consolidated balance sheet is above the lower end of the most recently determined actuarial range by $1.3 million and below the upper end of the most recently determined actuarial range by $4.2 million. There can be no assurances that the historical claim data used to project the current reserve levels will be indicative of future claim activity. Thus, the E&O reserve level and corresponding actuarial range could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could materially impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

Tax-advantaged Investments No Longer Held - Between 1996 and 2007, Gallagher developed and then sold portions of its ownership in various energy related investments, many of which qualified for tax credits under IRC Section 29. In connection with the sales to other investors, Gallagher provided various indemnifications. At September 30, 2010, the maximum potential amount of future payments that Gallagher could be required to make under these indemnifications totaled approximately $210.0 million, net of the applicable income tax benefit. In addition, Gallagher recorded tax benefits in connection with its ownership in these investments. At September 30, 2010, Gallagher had exposure on $155.3 million of previously earned tax credits. In 2004, 2007 and 2009, the IRS examined several of these investments and all examinations were closed without any changes being proposed by the IRS. However, any future adverse tax audits, administrative rulings or judicial decisions could disallow previously claimed tax credits or cause Gallagher to be subject to liability under the indemnification obligations discussed above.

15. Comprehensive Earnings

The after-tax components of Gallagher’s comprehensive earnings consist of the following:

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
     Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Net earnings

   $ 46.2       $ 41.6       $ 119.4       $ 111.8   

Other comprehensive earnings:

           

Net change in pension liability, net of taxes

     0.2         0.4         0.7         1.8   

Foreign currency translation, net of taxes

     10.5         3.3         5.7         10.7   
                                   

Comprehensive earnings

   $ 56.9       $ 45.3       $ 125.8       $ 124.3   
                                   

The foreign currency translation during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 primarily relates to the net impact of changes in the value of the local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar for Gallagher’s operations in Australia, Canada and the U.K.

 

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16. Income Taxes

The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $42.4 million and $42.0 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Gallagher accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its provision for income taxes. At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, Gallagher had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, net of tax, of $3.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively. Gallagher and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. and in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. Gallagher and its subsidiaries are routinely examined by tax authorities in these jurisdictions and a number of these examinations are currently ongoing. Due to the potential for resolution of Federal, state, local and foreign examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitations, it is reasonably possible that Gallagher’s gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may decrease within the next twelve months by a range of zero to $38.0 million.

17. Segment Information

Gallagher has identified three business segments: Brokerage, Risk Management and Corporate.

The Brokerage Segment is comprised of two operating divisions: Retail Insurance Brokerage and Wholesale Insurance Brokerage. The Brokerage Segment generates revenues through commissions paid by insurance underwriters and through fees charged to its clients. Gallagher’s brokers, agents and administrators act as intermediaries between insurers and their customers and Gallagher does not assume underwriting risks.

The Risk Management Segment provides contract claim settlement and administration services for enterprises that choose to self-insure some or all of their P/C coverage and for insurance companies that choose to outsource some or all of their P/C claims departments. These operations also provide claims management, loss control consulting and insurance property appraisal services. Revenues are generally generated on a negotiated per-claim or per-service fee basis.

The Corporate Segment manages Gallagher’s interests primarily in clean-energy and venture capital investments. This segment also holds all of Gallagher’s corporate debt.

Allocations of investment income and certain expenses are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates primarily using revenue, headcount and other information. Gallagher allocates the provision for income taxes to the Brokerage and Risk Management Segments as if those segments were preparing income tax provisions on a separate company basis. Reported operating results by segment would change if different methods were applied.

Financial information relating to Gallagher’s segments for 2010 and 2009 is as follows (in millions):

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
    Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Brokerage

        

Total revenues

   $ 351.3      $ 325.8      $ 1,002.7      $ 955.4   
                                

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 73.6      $ 61.4      $ 175.8      $ 170.1   
                                

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2010 and 2009

       $ 2,493.7      $ 2,330.6   
                    

Risk Management

        

Total revenues

   $ 111.4      $ 113.5      $ 333.3      $ 339.0   
                                

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 10.8      $ 14.3      $ 39.6      $ 42.0   
                                

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2010 and 2009

       $ 436.8      $ 395.0   
                    

Corporate

        

Total revenues (loss)

   $ 0.5      $ 0.2      $ 69.1      $ (0.2
                                

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ (14.0   $ (12.6   $ (38.2   $ (31.4
                                

Identifiable assets at September 30, 2010 and 2009

       $ 530.2      $ 515.5   
                    

 

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Review by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The interim consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2010 and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 have been reviewed by Ernst & Young LLP, Gallagher’s independent registered public accounting firm, and their report is included herein.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of September 30, 2010 and the related consolidated statement of earnings for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of Gallagher’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the interim consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) the consolidated balance sheet of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and in our report dated February 5, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

October 29, 2010

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Introduction

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Gallagher’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes thereto that are included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

Gallagher is engaged in providing insurance brokerage and third-party property/casualty (P/C) claims settlement and administration services to entities in the U.S. and abroad. Gallagher believes that one of its major strengths is its ability to deliver comprehensively structured insurance and risk management services to its clients. Gallagher’s brokers, agents and administrators act as intermediaries between insurers and their customers and Gallagher does not assume underwriting risks. Gallagher is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, has operations in fifteen countries and does business in more than 100 countries globally through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. Gallagher generates approximately 87% of its revenues domestically, with the remaining 13% derived primarily in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, New Zealand and the U.K. Gallagher operates three business segments: Brokerage, Risk Management and Corporate, which contributed 71%, 24% and 5%, respectively, to revenues during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. The two major sources of operating revenues for Gallagher are commissions and fees from Brokerage operations and fees from Risk Management operations. Investment income is generated from Gallagher’s investment portfolio, which includes invested cash and fiduciary funds, as well as clean-energy investments and venture capital funds.

Insurance Market Overview

Fluctuations in premiums charged by P/C insurance carriers (Carriers) have a direct and potentially material impact on the insurance brokerage industry. Commission revenues are generally based on a percentage of the premiums paid by insureds and normally follow premium levels. Insurance premiums are cyclical in nature and may vary widely based on market conditions. Various factors, including competition for market share among insurance carriers, increased underwriting capacity and improved economies of scale following consolidations, can result in flat or reduced P/C premium rates (a “soft” market). A soft market tends to put downward pressure on commission revenues. Various countervailing factors, such as greater than anticipated loss experience and capital shortages, can result in increasing P/C premium rates (a “hard” market). A hard market tends to favorably impact commission revenues. Hard and soft markets may be broad-based or more narrowly focused across individual product lines or geographic areas.

As markets harden, there historically has been resistance among certain insureds, who are the buyers of insurance (Gallagher’s brokerage clients), to pay increased premiums and the higher commissions generated by these premiums. Such resistance causes some buyers to raise their deductibles and/or reduce the overall amount of insurance coverage they purchase. As the market softens, or costs decrease, these trends have historically reversed. During a hard market, buyers may switch to negotiated fee in lieu of commission arrangements to compensate Gallagher for placing their risks, or may consider the alternative insurance market, which includes self-insurance, captives, rent-a-captives, risk retention groups and capital market solutions to transfer risk. According to industry estimates, these mechanisms now account for approximately 50% of the total U.S. commercial P/C market. Gallagher’s brokerage units are very active in these markets as well. While increased use by insureds of these alternative markets historically has reduced commission revenue to Gallagher, such trends generally have been accompanied by new sales and renewal increases in the areas of risk management, claims management, captive insurance and self-insurance services and related growth in fee revenue.

Inflation tends to increase the levels of insured values and risk exposures, thereby resulting in higher overall premiums and higher commissions. However, the impact of hard and soft market fluctuations historically has had a greater impact on changes in premium rates, and therefore on Gallagher’s revenues, than inflationary pressures.

 

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Beginning in 2004 and continuing in 2010, the P/C insurance market has been operating in a soft market in most lines and in most geographic areas. For example, surveys by the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB) indicated that commercial P/C rates fell again during third quarter 2010. The average premium decline for all commercial accounts, regardless of size, was 5.2% for third quarter 2010, which was slightly lower than rate declines in the first and second quarters of 2010. Strong competition for new business by Carriers looking to increase market share in a persisting weak economy continued the downward pressure on rates. In addition, insureds also added to the downward pressure on rates in the quarter as they negotiated to get the best terms and rates from the Carriers. The CIAB does not expect to see pricing turn upward until demand picks up and capacity in the marketplace diminishes. The CIAB represents the leading domestic and international insurance brokers, who write approximately 80% of the commercial P/C premiums in the U.S.

Historically, Gallagher has utilized acquisitions to grow its Brokerage Segment’s commission and fee revenues. Acquisitions allow Gallagher to expand into desirable geographic locations and further extend its presence in the retail and wholesale insurance brokerage services industries. Gallagher expects that its Brokerage Segment’s commission and fee revenues will continue to grow from acquisitions. Gallagher intends to continue to consider, from time to time, additional acquisitions on terms that it deems advantageous. At any particular time Gallagher generally will be engaged in discussions with multiple acquisition candidates. However, no assurances can be given that any additional acquisitions will be consummated, or, if consummated, that they will be advantageous to Gallagher.

Recent Events

The disruption in the global credit markets, the repricing of credit risk and the deterioration of the financial and real estate markets in 2008 and 2009, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, have created increasingly difficult conditions for financial institutions, including participants in the insurance industry. Continued volatility and further deterioration in the credit markets and a recessionary environment may reduce Gallagher’s customers’ demand for its brokerage and risk management services and could negatively affect Gallagher’s results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, the potential for a significant insurer to fail or withdraw from writing certain insurance coverages that Gallagher offers its clients, could negatively affect overall capacity in the industry, which could reduce Gallagher’s placement of certain lines and types of insurance and, as a result, reduce its revenues and profitability. The failure of an insurer with whom Gallagher places business could result in errors and omissions claims by Gallagher’s clients, which could also adversely affect Gallagher’s results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the deterioration in the economy beginning in the fall of 2008 has adversely impacted Gallagher in 2010, and could continue to do so for the remainder of 2010 and future years as a result of reductions in the overall amount of insurance coverage that its clients purchase due to reductions in their headcount, payroll, properties, market values of assets, etc. Such reductions could also adversely impact Gallagher’s commission revenues for the remainder of 2010 and future years when exposure audits by the Carriers are performed and if subsequent downward premium adjustments are determined. The income effects of subsequent premium adjustments are recorded when the adjustments become known and, as a result, any improvement in Gallagher’s results of operations and financial condition may lag an improvement in the economy. In addition, some of Gallagher’s clients may cease operations completely in the event of a prolonged deterioration in the economy.

During March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (together, the 2010 Health Care Reform Legislation) were signed into law. The 2010 Health Care Reform Legislation, among other things, increases the level of regulatory complexity for companies that offer health and welfare benefits to their employees. Many clients of Gallagher’s Brokerage Segment purchase health and welfare products for their employees and, therefore, are impacted by the 2010 Health Care Reform Legislation. As a result, the potential exists for Gallagher’s employee benefits consultants to win new clients and generate additional revenue from existing clients by assisting them in navigating the increasingly complex regulations surrounding benefits plans. In 2009, approximately one quarter of the Brokerage Segment’s revenues were generated by its employee benefits consulting operation. Although Gallagher believes that the 2010 Health Care Legislation could be beneficial to the Brokerage Segment’s fee revenues, given the legislation’s broad scope and the uncertainties that exist regarding the interpretation and implementation of many of its complex provisions, at this time the potential impact, beneficial or otherwise, on Gallagher of the 2010 Health Care Legislation is uncertain.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no changes in Gallagher’s critical accounting policies, which include revenue recognition, income taxes, intangible assets and fair value of investments, as discussed in Gallagher’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Business Combinations and Dispositions

See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of Gallagher’s business combinations during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. Gallagher had no material dispositions during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.

Effective October 1, 2010, Gallagher acquired substantially all of the third-party administrator (TPA) assets and managed care service operations of GAB Robins North America, Inc. and its subsidiary MedInsights, Inc. (collectively GABR) for a purchase price of approximately $20.0 million and the assumption of certain claims handling run-off liabilities. GABR provides third-party claims and risk management services, primarily for workers’ compensation, general liability and commercial auto insurance segments, to more than 200 self-insured commercial customers throughout the U.S., across a wide variety of industries including Fortune 1000 companies. Over 400 GABR professionals will combine with Gallagher’s property/casualty TPA and managed care service operations. After the transition period, Gallagher expects this transaction to generate approximately $45.0 million to $50.0 million in revenues, annually, for the Risk Management Segment.

Results of Operations

Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q provides information regarding EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, Adjusted EBITDAC, Adjusted EBITDAC margin, and organic change in commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, the GAAP information provided in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Gallagher’s management believes that these presentations provide useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to Gallagher’s results of operations and financial condition. Gallagher’s industry peers provide similar supplemental non-GAAP information, although they may not use the same or comparable terminology and may not make identical adjustments. The non-GAAP information provided by Gallagher should be used in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the GAAP information provided. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year amounts reported in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in order to conform them to the current year presentation.

Earnings Measures – Gallagher believes that each of EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, Adjusted EBITDAC and Adjusted EBITDAC margin provides a meaningful representation of its operating performance. Gallagher considers EBITDAC and EBITDAC margin as a way to measure financial performance on an ongoing basis. Adjusted EBITDAC and Adjusted EBITDAC margin are meant to reflect the true operating performance of Gallagher’s business; consequently, they exclude items that could be considered “non-operating” or “non-core” in nature.

 

   

EBITDAC – Gallagher defines this measure as earnings from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables.

 

   

EBITDAC margin – Gallagher defines this measure as EBITDAC divided by total revenues.

 

   

Adjusted EBITDAC – Gallagher defines this measure as EBITDAC adjusted to exclude gains realized from sales of books of business, supplemental commission timing amounts, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, litigation settlement amounts and the period over period impact of foreign currency translation. The amounts excluded with respect to foreign currency translation are calculated by applying the current year foreign exchange rates to the same prior year periods.

 

   

Adjusted EBITDAC margin – Gallagher defines this measure as Adjusted EBITDAC divided by total revenues, as adjusted to exclude gains realized from sales of books of business and supplemental commission timing amounts.

 

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Organic Revenues – Organic change in commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues excludes the first twelve months of net commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues generated from acquisitions accounted for as purchases and the net commission and fee revenues related to operations disposed of in each year presented. These commissions and fees are excluded from organic revenues in order to determine the revenue growth that is associated with the operations that were a part of Gallagher in both the current and prior year. In addition, organic growth excludes the impact of contingent commission revenues and the period over period impact of foreign currency translation. The amounts excluded with respect to foreign currency translation are calculated by applying 2010 foreign exchange rates to the same periods in 2009.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information Presented to GAAP Measure – This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes tabular reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures for each of EBITDAC, Adjusted EBITDAC, Adjusted EBITDAC margin and organic change in commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues.

Other Information

Allocations of investment income and certain expenses are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates primarily using revenue, headcount and other information. Gallagher allocates the provision for income taxes to the Brokerage and Risk Management Segments as if those segments were preparing income tax provisions on a separate company basis. Gallagher anticipates reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 39.0% to 41.0% in both its Brokerage Segment and its Risk Management Segment for the foreseeable future. Reported operating results by segment would change if different allocation methods were applied.

In the discussion that follows regarding Gallagher’s results of operations, Gallagher also provides the following ratios with respect to its operating results: pretax profit margin, compensation expense ratio and operating expense ratio. Pretax profit margin represents pretax earnings from continuing operations divided by total revenues. The compensation expense ratio is derived by dividing compensation expense by total revenues. The operating expense ratio is derived by dividing operating expense by total revenues.

Brokerage

The Brokerage Segment accounted for 71% of Gallagher’s revenue during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. Gallagher’s Brokerage Segment is primarily comprised of Retail and Wholesale Brokerage operations. Gallagher’s Retail Brokerage operations negotiate and place P/C, employer-provided health and welfare insurance and retirement solutions, principally for middle-market commercial, industrial, public entity, religious and not-for-profit entities. Many of Gallagher’s Retail Brokerage customers choose to place their insurance with insurance underwriters, while others choose to use alternative vehicles such as self-insurance pools, risk retention groups or captive insurance companies. Gallagher’s Wholesale Brokerage operations assist Gallagher brokers and other unaffiliated brokers and agents in the placement of specialized, unique and hard to place insurance programs.

The primary source of Gallagher’s compensation for its Retail Brokerage services is commissions paid by insurance carriers, which are usually based upon a percentage of the premium paid by insureds, and brokerage and advisory fees paid directly by its clients. For Wholesale Brokerage services, Gallagher generally receives a share of the commission paid to the retail broker from the insurer. Commission rates are dependent on a number of factors, including the type of insurance, the particular insurance company underwriting the policy and whether Gallagher acts as a retail or wholesale broker. Advisory fees are dependent on the extent and value of services provided. In addition, under certain circumstances, both Retail Brokerage and Wholesale Brokerage Services receive supplemental and contingent commissions. A supplemental commission is a commission paid by an insurance carrier that is above the base commissions paid, is determined by the insurance carrier and is established annually in advance of the contractual period based on historical performance criteria. A contingent commission is a commission paid by an insurance carrier that is based on the overall profit and/or volume of the business placed with that insurance carrier during a particular calendar year and is determined after the contractual period.

 

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Financial information relating to Gallagher’s Brokerage Segment is as follows (in millions, except percentages and workforce data):

 

     Three-month period  ended
September 30,
    Percent     Nine-month period ended
September 30,
    Percent  
     2010     2009     Change     2010     2009     Change  

Commissions

   $ 251.9      $ 237.0        6   $ 713.1      $ 684.7        4

Fees

     74.8        75.8        (1 %)      198.2        204.5        (3 %) 

Supplemental and contingent commissions

     19.7        10.3        91     82.4        51.6        60

Investment income

     1.1        1.0        10     3.7        3.5        6

Gains on books of business sales and other

     3.8        1.7        NMF        5.3        11.1        (52 %) 
                                    

Total revenues

     351.3        325.8        8     1,002.7        955.4        5
                                    

Compensation

     205.0        190.3        8     603.2        572.1        5

Operating

     57.1        54.5        5     167.4        156.7        7

Depreciation

     5.1        4.7        9     14.6        14.1        4

Amortization

     14.4        13.7        5     44.6        39.8        12

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (3.9     1.2        NMF        (2.9     2.6        NMF   
                                    

Total expenses

     277.7        264.4        5     826.9        785.3        5
                                    

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     73.6        61.4        20     175.8        170.1        3

Provision for income taxes

     29.4        24.5        20     70.7        67.6        5
                                    

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 44.2      $ 36.9        20   $ 105.1      $ 102.5        3
                                    

EBITDAC

   $ 89.2      $ 81.0        10   $ 232.1      $ 226.6        2
                                    

Diluted earnings from continuing operations per share

   $ 0.42      $ 0.36        17   $ 1.00      $ 1.03        (3 %) 
                                    

Growth in revenues

     8     4       5     8  

Organic decline in commissions, fees and supplemental commissions

     0     (4 %)        (2 %)      (3 %)   

Compensation expense ratio

     58     58       60     60  

Operating expense ratio

     16     17       17     16  

Pretax profit margin

     21     19       18     18  

EBITDAC margin

     25     25       23     24  

Effective tax rate

     40     40       40     40  

Workforce at end of period (includes acquisitions)

           6,068        5,965     

Identifiable assets at September 30

         $ 2,493.7      $ 2,330.6     

Commissions and fees - The aggregate increase in commissions and fees for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to revenues associated with acquisitions that were made in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2010 ($12.9 million). New business production of commission and fees was $29.8 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2010, which was offset by renewal rate decreases and lost business of $28.8 million. Commissions increased 6% and fees decreased 1% in the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Organic commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 declined 0.1% compared to the same period in 2009.

 

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The aggregate increase in commissions and fees for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to revenues associated with acquisitions that were made in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2010 ($42.2 million), partially offset by a decline in organic revenue from existing operations. This decline is primarily due to decreases in both insurance rates and exposure units. New business production of commission and fees was $102.9 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, which was offset by renewal rate decreases and lost business of $123.0 million. Commissions increased 4% and fees decreased 3% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Organic commission, fee and supplemental commission revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 declined 2.3% compared to the same period in 2009.

Items excluded from organic revenue change computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 include the following (in millions):

 

     2010 Organic Revenue      2009 Organic Revenue  
     2010     2009      2009     2008  

Commissions and Fees

         

Commission revenues as reported

   $ 251.9      $ 237.0       $ 237.0      $ 226.8   

Fee revenues as reported

     74.8        75.8         75.8        66.0   

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

     (12.9     —           (37.9     —     

Less commission and fee revenues from divestitures

     —          —           —          (1.2

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          0.1         —          (1.2
                                 

Organic commission and fee revenues

   $ 313.8      $ 312.9       $ 274.9      $ 290.4   
                                 

Organic change in commission and fee revenues

     0.3        -5.3  
                     

Supplemental Commissions

         

Supplemental commissions as reported

   $ 10.2      $ 4.5       $ 4.5      $ 5.1   

Less supplemental commissions from acquisitions

     (1.6     —           (0.1     —     

Timing items, net

     —          5.3         5.3        2.4   
                                 

Organic supplemental commissions

   $ 8.6      $ 9.8       $ 9.7      $ 7.5   
                                 

Organic change in supplemental commissions

     -12.2        29.3  
                     

Contingent Commissions

         

Contingent commissions as reported

   $ 9.5      $ 5.8       $ 5.8      $ 7.2   

Less contingent commissions from acquisitions

     (3.1     —           (0.8     —     
                                 

Organic contingent commissions

   $ 6.4      $ 5.8       $ 5.0      $ 7.2   
                                 

Organic change in contingent commissions

     10.3        -30.6  
                     

Combination Calculations

         

Organic change in commissions and fees and supplemental commissions

     -0.1        -4.5  
                     

Organic change in commissions and fees, supplemental commissions and contingent commissions

     0.1        -5.1  
                     

 

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Items excluded from organic revenue change computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 include the following (in millions):

 

     2010 Organic Revenue      2009 Organic Revenue  
     2010     2009      2009     2008  

Commissions and Fees

         

Commission revenues as reported

   $ 713.1      $ 684.7       $ 684.7      $ 642.8   

Fee revenues as reported

     198.2        204.5         204.5        179.9   

Less commission and fee revenues from acquisitions

     (42.2     —           (117.2     —     

Less commission and fee revenues from divestitures

     —          —           —          (9.0

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          2.3         —          (9.6
                                 

Organic commission and fee revenues

   $ 869.1      $ 891.5       $ 772.0      $ 804.1   
                                 

Organic change in commission and fee revenues

     -2.5        -4.0  
                     

Supplemental Commissions

         

Supplemental commissions as reported

   $ 48.7      $ 26.0       $ 26.0      $ 14.8   

Less supplemental commissions from acquisitions

     (4.8     —           (3.8     —     

Timing items, net

     (14.7     1.5         1.5        3.8   
                                 

Organic supplemental commissions

   $ 29.2      $ 27.5       $ 23.7      $ 18.6   
                                 

Organic change in supplemental commissions

     6.2        27.4  
                     

Contingent Commissions

         

Contingent commissions as reported

   $ 33.7      $ 25.6       $ 25.6      $ 23.7   

Less contingent commissions from acquisitions

     (5.6     —           (8.2     —     
                                 

Organic contingent commissions

   $ 28.1      $ 25.6       $ 17.4      $ 23.7   
                                 

Organic change in contingent commissions

     9.8        -26.6  
                     

Combination Calculations

         

Organic change in commissions and fees and supplemental commissions

     -2.3        -3.3  
                     

Organic change in commissions and fees, supplemental commissions and contingent commissions

     -1.9        -3.9  
                     

Reported supplemental and contingent commission revenues recognized in 2010, 2009 and 2008 by quarter are shown in the table below. As previously disclosed, many insurance carriers now provide sufficient information for Gallagher to recognize supplemental commission revenues on a quarterly basis for a majority of its 2010 supplemental commission arrangements. However, in 2009 and prior years, most carriers only provided this information on an annual basis after the end of the contract period. Accordingly, the 2010 amounts reported in the table below include both a full year of 2009 supplemental commission revenues and 2010 supplemental commission revenues that were recognized by Gallagher on a quarterly basis. This situation should not occur again in 2011 and later years as Gallagher anticipates that most of the carriers will continue to provide information on a quarterly basis sufficient to allow it to recognize revenues in a similar manner in future quarters. Gallagher expects to recognize a total of approximately $9.0 million to $11.0 million of supplemental commission revenues in the fourth quarter of 2010 and each quarter of 2011, assuming that the current market conditions continue in those future quarters.

To assist in comparing 2010 to 2009, the supplemental commission timing line in the organic revenue tables above adjusts the 2009 revenue as if Gallagher had been receiving the information from the carriers and recognizing the quarterly supplemental commissions in 2009 on the same basis as it is in 2010. In order to estimate the quarterly information for 2009 and 2008 as if it would have been reported by the carriers, Gallagher allocated the annual amounts received from the carriers after the contract period to each quarter in the annual period on a straight-line pro rata basis. The adjusted supplemental commission amounts for 2009 and 2008 would change if different allocation methods were used.

 

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An analysis of supplemental and contingent commission revenues recognized in 2010, 2009 and 2008 by quarter is as follows (in millions):

 

     Q1     Q2      Q3      Q4     Full Year  

2010

            

Reported supplemental commissions

   $ 27.9      $ 10.6       $ 10.2         $ 48.7   

Adjustments as if supplemental commission information was provided on a quarterly basis

     (14.7     —           —             (14.7
                                          

Adjusted supplemental commissions

     13.2        10.6         10.2           34.0   

Reported contingent commissions

     15.5        8.7         9.5           33.7   
                                          

Adjusted supplemental and reported contingent commissions

   $ 28.7      $ 19.3       $ 19.7         $ 67.7   
                                          

2009

            

Reported supplemental commissions

   $ 15.7      $ 5.8       $ 4.5       $ 11.4      $ 37.4   

Adjustments as if supplemental commission information was provided on a quarterly basis

     (8.2     4.4         5.3         (0.1     1.4   
                                          

Adjusted supplemental commissions

     7.5        10.2         9.8         11.3        38.8   

Reported contingent commissions

     13.8        6.0         5.8         2.0        27.6   
                                          

Adjusted supplemental and reported contingent commissions

   $ 21.3      $ 16.2       $ 15.6       $ 13.3      $ 66.4   
                                          

2008

            

Reported supplemental commissions

   $ 6.4      $ 3.3       $ 5.1       $ 5.6      $ 20.4   

Adjustments as if supplemental commission information was provided on a quarterly basis

     (1.6     3.0         2.4         2.3        6.1   
                                          

Adjusted supplemental commissions

     4.8        6.3         7.5         7.9        26.5   

Reported contingent commissions

     11.5        5.0         7.2         1.6        25.3   
                                          

Adjusted supplemental and reported contingent commissions

   $ 16.3      $ 11.3       $ 14.7       $ 9.5      $ 51.8   
                                          

Investment income - Investment income primarily represents interest income earned on cash and restricted funds. The investment income in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 remained relatively unchanged compared to the same periods in 2009.

Gains on books of business sales and other - The increase in one-time gains related to sales of books of business and other for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was due to the $2.7 million gain recognized by Gallagher related to its acquisition of the remaining 60% equity interest in Specialised Broking Associates Pty Ltd (SBA) in July 2010. Gallagher previously had a 40% equity interest in SBA with the option to increase its ownership to 100%. The gain represents the increase in fair value of Gallagher’s original 40% equity interest in SBA based on the purchase price paid for the remaining 60% equity interest. The decrease in one-time gains related to sales of books of business and other for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was due to the unusually high level of disposition activity that occurred in 2009, partially offset by the SBA gain in 2010.

 

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Compensation expense - The increase in compensation expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to salary increases, one-time compensation payments and increases in incentive compensation linked to Gallagher’s overall operating results ($11.9 million in the aggregate) and increases in employee benefits ($2.4 million) and stock compensation expense ($0.8 million), partially offset by decreases in severance related costs ($0.3 million) and temporary-staffing expense ($0.1 million).

The increase in compensation expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to salary increases, one-time compensation payments and increases in incentive compensation linked to Gallagher’s overall operating results ($23.1 million in the aggregate) and increases in employee benefits expense ($5.1 million), severance related costs ($2.2 million) and stock compensation expense ($1.1 million), partially offset by a decrease in temporary-staffing expense ($0.4 million). The increase in employee headcount relates to employees associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2010 and new production hires.

Operating expenses - The increase in operating expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency translation ($0.4 million) and increases in professional fees ($1.8 million), bad debt expense ($0.9 million), travel and entertainment expense ($0.3 million), office expense ($0.3 million) and taxes, licenses and fees ($0.2 million) slightly offset by decreases in business insurance ($1.0 million), litigation settlement expense ($0.5 million) and lease termination charges ($0.3 million). Also contributing to the increase in operating expenses in the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 were increased expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2010.

The increase in operating expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to unfavorable foreign exchange translation ($1.9 million) and increases in litigation settlement expense ($2.9 million), professional fees ($2.9 million), travel and entertainment expense ($2.2 million), bad debt expense ($1.8 million), taxes, licenses and fees ($1.3 million), net rent and utilities ($1.1 million), office expense ($1.1 million) and sales development expense ($0.5 million), slightly offset by decreases in business insurance ($3.8 million) and other expense ($1.7 million). Also contributing to the increase in operating expenses in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 were increased expenses associated with the acquisitions completed in the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2010.

Depreciation - Depreciation expense increased slightly in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009.

Amortization - The increase in amortization expense in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 was due primarily to amortization expense of intangible assets associated with acquisitions completed in the last twelve months. Expiration lists and non-compete agreements are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives (three to fifteen years for expiration lists and three to five years for non-compete agreements). Based on the results of impairment reviews during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, Gallagher wrote off $2.3 million of amortizable intangible assets related to the Brokerage Segment. No indicators of impairment were noted in the three-month period ended September 30, 2010. No indicators of impairment were noted in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009.

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables - The change in estimated acquisition earnout payables as reported in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009 was due to the adoption of revised accounting guidance for business combinations, which was effective January 1, 2009 for acquisitions completed in 2009 and 2010. During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Gallagher recognized $1.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of expense in its Consolidated Statement of Earnings related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations related to its 2009 and 2010 acquisitions. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Gallagher recognized $4.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of expense in its Consolidated Statement of Earnings related to the accretion of the discount recorded for earnout obligations related to its 2009 and 2010 acquisitions. In addition, during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010, Gallagher recognized $5.6 million and $7.5 million, respectively, of income related to net adjustments in the estimated fair market values of earnout obligations related to revised projections of future performance for nine acquisitions.

 

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Income taxes - The Brokerage Segment’s effective tax rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 39.9%. The Brokerage Segment’s effective tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 40.2% and 39.7%, respectively. Gallagher anticipates reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 39.0% to 41.0% in its Brokerage Segment for the foreseeable future.

Reconciliation of EBITDAC and Adjusted EBITDAC - The following provides non-GAAP information, and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, that management believes is helpful when comparing 2010 EBITDAC and 2010 Adjusted EBITDAC to the same periods in 2009 (in millions):

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
    Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 44.2      $ 36.9      $ 105.1      $ 102.5   

Provision for income taxes

     29.4        24.5        70.7        67.6   

Depreciation

     5.1        4.7        14.6        14.1   

Amortization

     14.4        13.7        44.6        39.8   

Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables

     (3.9     1.2        (2.9     2.6   
                                

Total EBITDAC

     89.2        81.0        232.1        226.6   

Gains from books of business sales and other

     (3.8     (1.7     (5.3     (11.1

Net supplemental commission timing

     —          5.3        (14.7     1.5   

Workforce related charges

     1.2        0.8        4.8        1.5   

Lease termination related charges

     —          0.3        0.6        0.5   

Litigation settlement

     —          0.5        3.5        0.6   

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          (0.5     0.7        (0.3
                                

Adjusted EBITDAC

   $ 86.6      $ 85.7      $ 221.7      $ 219.3   
                                

Adjusted EBITDAC change

     1.1       1.1  
                    

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

     24.9     26.0     22.6     23.2
                                

 

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Risk Management

The Risk Management Segment accounted for 24% of Gallagher’s revenue from continuing operations during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. The Risk Management Segment provides contract claim settlement and administration services for enterprises that choose to self-insure some or all of their P/C coverages and for insurance companies that choose to outsource some or all of their P/C claims departments. In addition, Gallagher generates revenues from integrated disability management programs, information services, risk control consulting (loss control) services and appraisal services, either individually or in combination with arising claims. This Segment’s revenues for risk management services are substantially in the form of fees that are generally negotiated in advance on a per-claim or per-service basis, depending upon the type and estimated volume of the services to be performed.

Financial information relating to Gallagher’s Risk Management Segment is as follows (in millions, except percentages and workforce data):

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
    Percent     Nine-month period ended
September 30,
    Percent  
     2010     2009     Change     2010     2009     Change  

Fees

   $ 110.9      $ 113.1        (2 %)    $ 331.9      $ 337.9        (2 %) 

Investment income and other

     0.5        0.4        25     1.4        1.1        27
                                    

Total revenues

     111.4        113.5        (2 %)      333.3        339.0        (2 %) 
                                    

Compensation

     72.5        69.9        4     206.9        207.9        (0 %) 

Operating

     24.9        26.2        (5 %)      77.3        79.8        (3 %) 

Depreciation

     3.1        3.0        3     9.1        8.8        3

Amortization

     0.1        0.1        0     0.4        0.5        (20 %) 
                                    

Total expenses

     100.6        99.2        1     293.7        297.0        (1 %) 
                                    

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     10.8        14.3        (24 %)      39.6        42.0        (6 %) 

Provision for income taxes

     4.4        5.6        (21 %)      15.9        16.7        (5 %) 
                                    

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 6.4      $ 8.7        (26 %)    $ 23.7      $ 25.3        (6 %) 
                                    

EBITDAC

   $ 14.0      $ 17.4        (20 %)    $ 49.1      $ 51.3        (4 %) 
                                    

Diluted earnings from continuing operations per share

   $ 0.06      $ 0.09        (33 %)    $ 0.23      $ 0.25        (8 %) 
                                    

Decline in revenues

     (2 %)      (4 %)        (2 %)      (3 %)   

Organic growth (decline) in fees

     (3 %)      (3 %)        (4 %)      0  

Compensation expense ratio

     65     62       62     61  

Operating expense ratio

     22     23       23     24  

Pretax profit margin

     10     13       12     12  

EBITDAC margin

     13     15       15     15  

Effective tax rate

     41     39       40     40  

Workforce at end of period

           3,660        3,835     

Identifiable assets at September 30

         $ 436.8      $ 395.0     

Fees - The decrease in fees for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was due primarily to lost business and the impact of decreased claim counts (total of $7.5 million), which were partially offset by new business of $5.3 million. The decrease in fees for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was due primarily to lost business and the impact of decreased claim counts (total of $26.9 million), which were partially offset by new business of $20.9 million. While historically the Risk Management Segment has made few acquisitions, and these acquisitions have not been material to this Segment’s operations, from time to time Gallagher opportunistically considers acquisitions for this Segment.

 

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Items excluded from organic revenue growth computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 include the following (in millions):

 

     2010 Organic Revenue     2009 Organic Revenue  
     2010     2009     2009     2008  

Fee revenues as reported

   $ 110.9      $ 113.1      $ 113.1      $ 117.6   

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          1.0        —          (1.2
                                

Organic fees

     110.9        114.1        113.1        116.4   

Change in performance bonus revenues

     —          (0.1     —          3.2   
                                

Adjusted organic fee revenues

   $ 110.9      $ 114.0      $ 113.1      $ 119.6   
                                

Organic change in fee revenues

     -2.8       -2.8  
                    

Adjusted organic change in fee revenues

     -2.7       -5.4  
                    

Items excluded from organic revenue growth computations yet impacting revenue comparisons for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 include the following (in millions):

 

     2010 Organic Revenue     2009 Organic Revenue  
     2010     2009     2009     2008  

Fee revenues as reported

   $ 331.9      $ 337.9      $ 337.9      $ 346.8   

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          6.3        —          (9.5
                                

Organic fees

     331.9        344.2        337.9        337.3   

Change in performance bonus revenues

     —          (1.8     —          1.5   
                                

Adjusted organic fee revenues

   $ 331.9      $ 342.4      $ 337.9      $ 338.8   
                                

Organic change in fee revenues

     -3.6       0.2  
                    

Adjusted organic change in fee revenues

     -3.1       -0.3  
                    

Investment income - Investment income primarily represents interest income earned on Gallagher’s cash and cash equivalents. The investment income in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 remained relatively unchanged.

Compensation expense - The increase in compensation expense for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to a litigation settlement expense ($3.5 million), unfavorable foreign currency translation ($0.7 million) and increased temporary-staffing expense ($0.4 million) partially offset by decreased headcount and salaries ($1.6 million) and employee benefits expense ($0.4 million). The decrease in compensation expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to decreased headcount and salaries ($7.3 million) and employee benefits expense ($1.6 million), partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation ($3.6 million), litigation settlement expense ($3.5 million) and an increase in temporary-staffing expense ($0.8 million).

Operating expenses - The decrease in operating expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to decreases in professional fees ($1.0 million), office expenses ($0.3 million) and net rent and utilities ($0.2 million) slightly offset by a increase in business insurance ($0.2 million). The decrease in operating expenses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was primarily due to decreases in professional fees ($2.5 million), office expense ($1.1 million), lease termination charges ($0.5 million) and net rent and utilities ($0.2 million) partially offset by increases in business insurance ($1.0 million), bad debt expense ($0.6 million) and sales development expense ($0.3 million).

 

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Depreciation - Depreciation expense remained relatively unchanged in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009.

Amortization - Amortization expense remained relatively unchanged in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009. No acquisitions were made by this Segment during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009.

Income taxes - The Risk Management Segment’s effective tax rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 40.7% and 39.2%, respectively. The Risk Management Segment’s effective tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were 40.2% and 39.8%, respectively. The effective tax rates were relatively unchanged in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009. Gallagher anticipates reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 39.0% to 41.0% in its Risk Management Segment for the foreseeable future.

Reconciliation of EBITDAC and Adjusted EBITDAC - The following provides non-GAAP information, and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, that management believes is helpful when comparing 2010 EBITDAC and 2010 Adjusted EBITDAC to the same periods in 2009 (in millions):

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
    Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Earnings from continuing operations

   $ 6.4      $ 8.7      $ 23.7      $ 25.3   

Provision for income taxes

     4.4        5.6        15.9        16.7   

Depreciation

     3.1        3.0        9.1        8.8   

Amortization

     0.1        0.1        0.4        0.5   
                                

Total EBITDAC

     14.0        17.4        49.1        51.3   

Workforce related charges

     0.1        —          0.3        0.3   

Litigation settlement

     2.8        —          2.8        —     

Lease termination related charges

     (0.1     —          0.1        0.6   

Levelized foreign currency translation

     —          0.1        —          1.3   
                                

Adjusted EBITDAC

   $ 16.8      $ 17.5      $ 52.3      $ 53.5   
                                

Adjusted EBITDAC change

     -4.0       -2.2  
                    

Adjusted EBITDAC margin

     15.1     15.4     15.7     15.8
                                

 

- 41 -


Table of Contents

 

Corporate

The Corporate Segment reports the financial information related to Gallagher’s clean-energy ventures and other investments, its debt, and certain corporate and acquisition-related activities. The operations of the Corporate Segment are located in Itasca, Illinois. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of Gallagher’s investments as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and a detailed discussion on the nature of the investments held. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of Gallagher’s debt as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Financial information relating to Gallagher’s Corporate Segment is as follows (in millions):

 

     Three-month period ended
September 30,
    Nine-month period ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenues from consolidated clean-coal production facilities

   $ —        $ —        $ 62.7      $ —     

Royalty income from clean-coal licenses

     0.8        —          2.5        0.4   

Income from unconsolidated clean-coal production facilities

     0.2        —          0.9        —     

Other net revenues (loss)

     (0.5     0.2        3.0        (0.6
                                

Total revenues

     0.5        0.2        69.1        (0.2
                                

Cost of revenues from consolidated clean-coal production facilities

     —          —          64.0        —     

Compensation

     3.0        3.0        8.4        4.9   

Operating

     2.8        3.0        8.7        5.2   

Interest

     8.6        6.8        25.9        21.1   

Depreciation

     0.1        —          0.3        —     
                                

Total expenses

     14.5