FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

 

 

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

1166 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

(212) 345-5000

 

 

Commission file number 1-5998

State of Incorporation: Delaware

I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 36-2668272

 

 

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 Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 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  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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

As of October 31, 2010, there were outstanding 543,450,682 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the registrant.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which express management’s current views concerning future events or results, use words like “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and “would.” For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as: the outcome of contingencies; market and industry conditions; changes in our business strategies and methods of generating revenue; the development and performance of our services and products; changes in the composition or level of MMC’s revenues; our cost structure and the outcome of cost-saving or restructuring initiatives; dividend policy; the expected impact of acquisitions and dispositions; pension obligations; cash flow and liquidity; future actions by regulators; and the impact of changes in accounting rules.

Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements include:

 

¡  

our exposure to potential liabilities arising from errors and omissions claims against us, particularly in our Marsh and Mercer businesses;

 

¡  

the impact of any regional, national or global political, economic, regulatory or market conditions on our results of operations and financial condition;

 

¡  

our ability to make strategic acquisitions and dispositions and to integrate, and realize expected synergies, savings or strategic benefits from the businesses we acquire;

 

¡  

the potential impact of rating agency actions on our cost of financing and ability to borrow, as well as on our operating costs and competitive position;

 

¡  

changes in the funded status of our global defined benefit pension plans and the impact of any increased pension funding resulting from those changes;

 

¡  

our exposure to potential criminal sanctions or civil remedies if we fail to comply with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable to our international operations, including import and export requirements, U.S. laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials;

 

¡  

the impact on our net income caused by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

¡  

the extent to which we retain existing clients and attract new business, and our ability to incentivize and retain key employees;

 

¡  

the impact of competition, including with respect to pricing, and the emergence of new competitors;

 

¡  

our ability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem;

 

¡  

changes in applicable tax or accounting requirements; and

 

¡  

potential income statement effects from the application of FASB’s ASC Topic No. 740 (“Income Taxes”) regarding accounting treatment of uncertain tax benefits and valuation allowances and ASC Topic No. 350 (“Intangibles – Goodwill and Other”), including the effect of any subsequent adjustments to the estimates MMC uses in applying these accounting standards.

The factors identified above are not exhaustive. MMC and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks may emerge frequently. Accordingly, MMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. MMC undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it is

 

2


Table of Contents

made. Further information concerning MMC and its businesses, including information about factors that could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition, is contained in MMC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of MMC’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

3


Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION      5   

ITEM 1.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      5   
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME      5   
   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS      6   
   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)      7   
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS      8   
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME      9   
   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      10   

ITEM 2.

   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS      35   

ITEM 3.

   QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK      48   

ITEM 4.

   CONTROLS & PROCEDURES      49   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

     50   

ITEM 1.

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS      50   

ITEM 1A.

   RISK FACTORS      50   

ITEM 2.

   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS      50   

ITEM 3.

   DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES      51   

ITEM 5.

   OTHER INFORMATION      51   

ITEM 6.

   EXHIBITS      51   

 

4


Table of Contents

 

PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

      Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(In millions, except per share figures)    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue

     $2,524        $2,354        $7,765        $7,267   

Expense:

        

Compensation and benefits

     1,586        1,533        4,775        4,553   

Other operating expenses

     699        626        2,376        1,908   

Operating expenses

     2,285        2,159        7,151        6,461   

Operating income

     239        195        614        806   

Interest income

     6        3        13        13   

Interest expense

     (60     (59     (180     (180

Investment (loss) income

     (2     22        24        (25

Income before income taxes

     183        161        471        614   

Income tax expense (credit)

     55        (46     98        78   

Income from continuing operations

     128        207        373        536   

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     43        18        292        (320

Net income before non-controlling interest

     171        225        665        216   

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

     3        4        13        12   

Net income attributable to MMC

     $   168        $   221        $   652        $   204   

Basic net income per share – Continuing operations

     $  0.23        $  0.38        $  0.66        $  0.98   

– Net income attributable to MMC

     $  0.30        $  0.41        $  1.19        $  0.38   

Diluted net income per share – Continuing operations

     $  0.22        $  0.38        $  0.65        $  0.98   

– Net income attributable to MMC

     $  0.30        $  0.41        $  1.18        $  0.38   

Weighted average number of shares outstanding – Basic

     543        524        539        521   

– Diluted

     548        526        543        522   

Shares outstanding at September 30,

     543        526        543        526   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

 

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

(In millions of dollars)   

September 30,

2010

   

December 31,

2009

 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     $  1,695        $  1,707   

Receivables

    

Commissions and fees

     2,506        2,298   

Advanced premiums and claims

     98        86   

Income tax receivable

     370        175   

Other

     192        272   
     3,166        2,831   

Less-allowance for doubtful accounts and cancellations

     (111     (107

Net receivables

     3,055        2,724   

Current assets of discontinued operations

            221   

Other current assets

     295        279   

Total current assets

     5,045        4,931   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     6,647        6,219   

Fixed assets
(net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,411 at September 30, 2010 and $1,332 at December 31, 2009)

     816        850   

Pension related assets

     271        94   

Deferred tax assets

     1,221        1,234   

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

            1,085   

Other assets

     903        924   
       $14,903        $15,337   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

 

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

(In millions of dollars)    September 30,
2010
   

December 31,

2009

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Short-term debt

     $         9        $     558   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,780        1,751   

Accrued compensation and employee benefits

     1,043        1,290   

Liabilities of discontinued operations

            116   

Dividends payable

     115          

Total current liabilities

     2,947        3,715   

Fiduciary liabilities

     4,322        3,559   

Less – cash and investments held in a fiduciary capacity

     (4,322     (3,559
    

Long-term debt

     3,028        3,034   

Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefits

     945        1,182   

Liabilities for errors and omissions

     441        518   

Other liabilities

     1,127        1,025   

Commitments and contingencies

                

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock, $1 par value, authorized 6,000,000 shares, none issued

              

Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 1,600,000,000 shares, issued 560,641,640 shares at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

     561        561   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,159        1,211   

Retained earnings

     7,236        7,033   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2,138     (2,171

Non-controlling interests

     45        35   
     6,863        6,669   

Less – treasury shares, at cost, 17,523,768 shares at September 30, 2010 and 30,967,116 shares at December 31, 2009

     (448     (806

Total stockholders’ equity

     6,415        5,863   
       $14,903        $15,337   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

 

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009  

Operating cash flows:

    

Net income before non-controlling interests

     $   665        $   216   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operations:

    

Goodwill impairment charge

            315   

Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and capitalized software

     222        229   

Amortization of intangible assets

     52        48   

Provision for deferred income taxes

     (40     25   

(Gain) loss on investments

     (21     30   

Loss on disposition of assets

     (23     46   

Stock option expense

     14        8   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Net receivables

     (248     46   

Other current assets

     (16     (8

Other assets

     (167     (253

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (33     1   

Accrued compensation and employee benefits

     (269     (186

Accrued income taxes

     (23     (96

Other liabilities

     (117     64   

Effect of exchange rate changes

     54        (80

Net cash provided by operations

     50        405   

Financing cash flows:

    

Proceeds from issuance of debt

            398   

Repayments of debt

     (557     (406

Purchase of non-controlling interests

     (15     (24

Shares withheld for taxes on vested units

     (54     (32

Issuance of common stock

     28        28   

Dividends paid

     (333     (322

Net cash used for financing activities

     (931     (358

Investing cash flows:

    

Capital expenditures

     (193     (209

Net sales of long-term investments

     58        17   

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets

     3        7   

Dispositions

     1,194        75   

Acquisitions

     (248     (7

Other, net

     3        3   

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     817        (114

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (18     195   

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (82     128   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,777        1,685   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     1,695        1,813   

Cash and cash equivalents – reported as discontinued operations

            67   

Cash and cash equivalents – continuing operations

     $1,695        $1,746   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

8


Table of Contents

 

MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

(In millions, except per share figures)

   2010     2009  

COMMON STOCK

    

Balance, beginning and end of year

     $    561        $    561   

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

    

Balance, beginning of year

     $ 1,211        $ 1,245   

Change in accrued stock compensation costs

     (25     11   

Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans and employee stock purchase plans and related tax deficiency

     (12     2   

Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests

            (38

Issuance of shares for acquisitions

     (15     (39

Balance, end of period

     $ 1,159        $ 1,181   

RETAINED EARNINGS

    

Balance, beginning of year

     $ 7,033        $ 7,237   

Net income attributable to MMC (a)

     652        204   

Dividend equivalents paid

     (12     (10

Dividends declared – (per share amounts: $0.81 in 2010 and $0.80 in 2009)

     (437     (418

Balance, end of period

     $ 7,236        $ 7,013   

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

    

Balance, beginning of year

     $(2,171     $(2,098

Foreign currency translation adjustments (b)

     (44     393   

Unrealized investment holding losses, net of reclassification adjustments (c)

     (11       

Net changes under benefit plans, net of tax (d)

     88        (131

Balance, end of period

     $(2,138     $(1,836

TREASURY SHARES

    

Balance, beginning of year

     $   (806     $(1,223

Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans and employee stock purchase plans

     160        127   

Issuance of shares for acquisitions

     198        181   

Balance, end of period

     $   (448     $   (915

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

    

Balance, beginning of year

     $      35        $      38   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests, net of discontinued operations (e)

     13        12   

Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests

            (8

Other changes

     (3     (7

Balance, end of period

     $      45        $      35   

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     $ 6,415        $ 6,039   

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (a+b+c+d+e)

     $    698        $    478   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

9


Table of Contents

 

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.    Nature of Operations

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (“MMC”), a global professional services firm, is organized based on the different services that it offers. Under this organizational structure, MMC’s two business segments are: Risk and Insurance Services and Consulting. As discussed below on August 3, 2010, MMC completed the sale of Kroll, MMC’s former Risk Consulting & Technology segment, to Altegrity, Inc. (“Altegrity”).

The Risk and Insurance Services segment provides risk management and insurance broking, reinsurance broking and insurance program management services for businesses, public entities, insurance companies, associations, professional services organizations, and private clients. MMC conducts business in this segment through Marsh and Guy Carpenter.

In the first quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired Haake Companies, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Midwest region and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. In the second quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd., an international provider of risk intermediary and risk advisory services and the Bostonian Group Insurance Agency, Inc. and Bostonian Solutions, Inc. (collectively the “Bostonian Group”), one of the largest regional insurance brokerages in New England.

In April 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of John B. Collins Associates, Inc., previously the fifth-largest reinsurance intermediary in the U.S. and seventh-largest in the world. In October 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of London-based specialty reinsurance broker Rattner Mackenzie Limited from HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. In September 2009, Marsh acquired International Advisory Services, Ltd., the largest independent manager of captives and third-party insurance companies in Bermuda. In December 2009, Marsh acquired the NIA Group, LLC, one of the largest, independent insurance agencies in the Northeast.

The Consulting segment provides advice and services to the managements of organizations in the area of human resource consulting, comprising retirement and investments, health and benefits, outsourcing and talent; and strategy and risk management consulting, comprising management, economic and brand consulting. MMC conducts business in this segment through Mercer and Oliver Wyman Group. In July 2010, Mercer acquired Innovative Process Administration (“IPA”), a provider of health and benefit recordkeeping and employee enrollment technology. In August 2010, Mercer acquired ORC Worldwide, a premier provider of HR knowledge, data and solutions for professionals in numerous industries.

In the first quarter of 2010, Kroll completed the sale of Kroll Laboratory Specialists (“KLS”). On August 3, 2010, MMC completed the sale of Kroll to Altegrity for cash consideration of $1.13 billion. The account balances and activities of Kroll and KLS were segregated and reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2009 and the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. The after-tax loss on the disposal of KLS and the gain-on-sale and tax benefits related to Kroll are included in discontinued operations in 2010.

 

10


Table of Contents

 

2.    Principles of Consolidation and Other Matters

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by MMC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations for interim filings, although MMC believes that the information and disclosures presented are adequate to make such information and disclosure not misleading. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in MMC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 10-K”) and the amended financial information filed in MMC’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 2, 2010.

The financial information contained herein reflects all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of MMC’s results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

MMC reported an effective tax rate of 30.0% in continuing operations in the third quarter of 2010. The 20.8% effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2010 primarily reflects the benefit associated with the Alaska settlement recorded in the second quarter. This results from the deduction of the settlement from U.S. income, which has a relatively higher effective tax rate, combined with other pre-tax income that is subject to lower average effective tax rates applicable worldwide. Excluding the effect of the settlement, the effective tax rate for the first nine months was 29.6%.

In the third quarter of 2009 MMC reported a tax benefit of $46 million on pretax income of $161 million. This includes a net benefit of $95 million resulting from a decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to prior tax years as a result of expiring statutes of limitations, audit settlements, and changes in estimates. Excluding this benefit, the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2009 was 30.4%. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2009 was 12.7%. Excluding the effect of the benefit from the decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits recognized in the third quarter, the effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2009 was 28.1%.

The Company reports a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the tax return. It is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease between zero and approximately $80 million within the next twelve months due to settlement of audits and expiration of statutes of limitation.

The caption “Investment income (loss)” in the consolidated statements of income comprises realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments recognized in current earnings. It includes, when applicable, other than temporary declines in the value of available for sale securities and the change in value of MMC’s holdings in certain private equity funds. MMC’s investments may include direct investments in insurance or consulting companies and investments in private equity funds.

MMC has an investment in Trident II limited partnership, a private equity investment fund. MMC recorded losses of $4 million and gains of $22 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively and gains of $13 million and losses of $29 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively related to

 

11


Table of Contents

Trident II. At September 30, 2010, MMC’s investment in Trident II was approximately $146 million, reflected in the other assets in consolidated balance sheet. MMC’s maximum exposure to loss is equal to its investment plus any calls on its remaining capital commitment of $67 million. Since this fund is closed to new investments, none of the remaining capital commitment is expected to be called.

3.    Fiduciary Assets and Liabilities

In its capacity as an insurance broker or agent, MMC collects premiums from insureds and, after deducting its commissions, remits the premiums to the respective insurance underwriters. MMC also collects claims or refunds from underwriters on behalf of insureds. Unremitted insurance premiums and claims proceeds are held by MMC in a fiduciary capacity. Risk and Insurance Services revenue includes interest on fiduciary funds of $33 million and $42 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Consulting segment recorded fiduciary interest income of $3 million in each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. Since fiduciary assets are not available for corporate use, they are shown in the consolidated balance sheets as an offset to fiduciary liabilities.

Fiduciary assets include approximately $318 million and $577 million of fixed income securities classified as available for sale at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Unrealized gains or losses from available for sale securities are recorded in other comprehensive income until the securities are disposed of, or mature. Unrealized gains, net of tax, at September 30, 2010 were $7 million.

Net uncollected premiums and claims and the related payables amounted to $9.5 billion at September 30, 2010 and $9.9 billion at December 31, 2009. MMC is not a principal to the contracts under which the right to receive premiums or the right to receive reimbursement of insured losses arises. Net uncollected premiums and claims and the related payables are, therefore, not assets and liabilities of MMC and are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

In certain instances, MMC advances premiums, refunds or claims to insurance underwriters or insureds prior to collection. These advances are made from corporate funds and are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as receivables.

4.    Per Share Data

Effective January 1, 2009, MMC adopted the guidance for the calculation of earnings per share (“EPS”) for share-based payment awards with rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. The guidance indicates that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and should be included in the computation of basic and dilutive EPS using the two-class method.

Basic net income per share attributable to MMC and income from continuing operations per share are calculated by dividing the respective after-tax income attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of MMC’s common stock.

Diluted net income per share attributable to MMC and income from continuing operations per share are calculated by dividing the respective after-tax income attributable to common shares

 

12


Table of Contents

by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of MMC’s common stock, which have been adjusted for the dilutive effect of potentially issuable common shares (excluding those that are considered participating securities). The diluted earnings per share calculation reflects the more dilutive effect of either (a) the two-class method that assumes that the participating securities have not been exercised or (b) the treasury stock method. Reconciliation of the applicable income components used for diluted earnings per share and basic weighted average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is presented below.

 

Basic EPS Calculation

Continuing Operations

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions, except per share figures)    2010      2009      2010      2009  

Income from continuing operations

     $   128         $   207         $   373         $   536   

Less: Non-controlling interests

     3         4         13         12   

Income from continuing operations attributable to MMC

     125         203         360         524   

Less: Portion attributable to participating securities

     3         4         7         13   

Income attributable to common shares for basic earnings per share

     $   122         $   199         $   353         $   511   

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     543         524         539         521   
           

Basic EPS Calculation

Net Income

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions, except per share figures)    2010      2009      2010      2009  

Net income attributable to MMC

     $   168         $   221         $   652         $   204   

Less: Portion attributable to participating securities

     3         5         11         5   

Net income attributable to common shares for basic earnings per share

     $   165         $   216         $   641         $   199   

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     543         524         539         521   
           

Diluted EPS Calculation

Continuing Operations

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions, except per share figures)    2010      2009      2010      2009  

Income from continuing operations

     $   128         $   207         $   373         $   536   

Less: Non-controlling interests

     3         4         13         12   

Income from continuing operations attributable to MMC

     125         203         360         524   

Less: Portion attributable to participating securities

     3         4         7         13   

Income attributable to common shares for diluted earnings per share

     $   122         $   199         $   353         $   511   

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     543         524         539         521   

Dilutive effect of potentially issuable common shares

     5         2         4         1   

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     548         526         543         522   

Average stock price used to calculate common stock equivalents

     $23.58         $21.99         $23.19         $20.82   
           

Diluted EPS Calculation

Net Income

  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions, except per share figures)    2010      2009      2010      2009  

Net income attributable to MMC

     $   168         $   221         $   652         $   204   

Less: Portion attributable to participating securities

     3         5         11         5   

Net income attributable to common shares for diluted earnings per share

     $   165         $   216         $   641         $   199   

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     543         524         539         521   

Dilutive effect of potentially issuable common shares

     5         2         4         1   

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     548         526         543         522   

Average stock price used to calculate common stock equivalents

     $23.58         $21.99         $23.19         $20.82   

 

13


Table of Contents

 

There were 44.1 million and 46.9 million stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

5.    Supplemental Disclosures to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The following schedule provides additional information concerning acquisitions, interest and income taxes paid for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009  

Assets acquired, excluding cash

     $ 633        $ 236   

Liabilities assumed

     (163     (13

Shares issued (7.6 million and 6.8 million shares in 2010 and 2009, respectively)

     (183     (142

Contingent/deferred purchase consideration

     (65     (77

Net cash outflow for current year acquisitions

     222        4   

Purchase of other intangibles

     3          

Contingent payments from prior year acquisitions

     2        3   

Deferred purchase consideration from prior year acquisitions

     21          

Net cash outflow for acquisitions

     $ 248        $     7   
    
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009  

Interest paid

     $ 182        $ 192   

Income taxes paid

     $   82        $ 148   

MMC had non-cash issuances of common stock under its share-based payment plan of $173 million and $122 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The consolidated cash flow statements include the cash flow impact by each cash flow category for discontinued operations. The cash flow impact of discontinued operations from operating, financing and investing is as follows:

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009  

Net cash used for operations

   $ (22   $ 65   

Net cash used for investing activities

   $ (14   $ (36

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   $ (2   $ 6   

The information above excludes the cash flow impacts of the actual disposal transactions related to discontinued operations because MMC believes the disposal transaction to be cash flows attributable to the parent company, arising from its decision to dispose of the discontinued operation. MMC’s cash flow reflects the cash provided by investing activities in 2010 of $1.13 billion from the disposal of Kroll and $110 million for the disposition of KLS in 2010 and $70 million from the sale of Kroll Government Services (“KGS”) in 2009. These amounts have been excluded from the information presented in the above chart.

 

14


Table of Contents

 

6.    Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009  

Foreign currency translation adjustments net of income tax (credit) expense ($(3) for 2010 and $6 for 2009)

     $ (44     $393   

Unrealized investment holding losses net of income tax (credit) expense ($(4) for 2010 and $0 for 2009)

     (11       

Gains (losses) related to pension/retiree plans net of income tax (credit) expense ($34 for 2010 and $(53) for 2009)

     88        (131

Other comprehensive income

     33        262   

Net income before non-controlling interests

     665        216   

Comprehensive income before non-controlling interests

     698        478   

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests

     (13     (12

Comprehensive income attributable to MMC

     $685        $466   

7.    Acquisitions

MMC made four acquisitions in its Risk and Insurance Services segment during the first half of 2010 and two acquisitions in its Consulting segment in the third quarter of 2010.

In July 2010, Mercer acquired IPA, a provider of health and benefit recordkeeping and employee enrollment technology. In August 2010, Mercer acquired ORC Worldwide, a premier provider of HR knowledge, data and solutions for professionals in numerous industries.

In the second quarter of 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd. This transaction deepens Marsh’s presence in the U.K., Hong Kong, Singapore, China and the Middle East. As part of the acquisition agreement, Marsh also entered into a strategic partnership with HSBC Bank that gives MMC preferred access to provide insurance broking and risk management services to HSBC and their corporate and private clients. Also in the second quarter, Marsh & McLennan Agency acquired the Bostonian Group, one of the largest regional insurance brokerages in New England. In the first quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired Haake Companies, Inc., one of the largest independent insurance broking firms in the Midwest, and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions in the U.S. These acquisitions were made to expand Marsh’s share in the middle-market through Marsh & McLennan Agency.

Total purchase consideration for the six acquisitions made during 2010 was $530 million which consisted of cash paid of $282 million, the issuance of 7.6 million shares with a fair value of $183 million, and estimated contingent consideration of $65 million. Contingent consideration arrangements are primarily based on EBITDA and revenue targets over two to four years. The fair value of the contingent consideration was based on earnings projections of the acquired entities. Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to adjustment when purchase accounting is finalized.

In 2010, MMC also paid $21 million of deferred purchase consideration, $3 million for the purchase of other intangible assets and $2 million of contingent purchase consideration related to acquisitions made in prior years.

 

15


Table of Contents

 

The following table presents the preliminary allocation of the acquisition costs for the companies acquired by MMC during 2010 to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their fair values.

 

(In millions of dollars)         

Cash

     $282   

MMC common shares

     183   

Contingent consideration

     65   

Total Consideration

     $530   

Allocation of purchase price:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

     $  60   

Accounts receivable, net

     92   

Property, plant, and equipment

     7   

Other assets

     33   

Intangible assets

     155   

Goodwill

     346   

Total assets acquired

     693   

Current liabilities

     95   

Other liabilities

     68   

Total liabilities assumed

     163   

Net assets acquired

     $530   

In the first quarter of 2010, MMC paid deferred purchase consideration of $15 million related to the purchase in 2009 of the minority interest of a previously controlled entity, discussed in more detail below.

Prior Year Acquisitions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, MMC made three acquisitions for total purchase consideration of $240 million. The allocation of purchase consideration resulted in acquired goodwill and other intangible assets, amounting to $155 million and $64 million, respectively. MMC also paid $3 million of contingent consideration in 2009 related to acquisitions in prior years.

In the first quarter of 2009, MMC’s Risk & Insurance Services segment acquired the remaining minority interest of a previously majority owned entity for total purchase consideration of $47 million. Under applicable accounting guidance, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while retaining financial controlling interest in a subsidiary is accounted for as an equity transaction. Stepping up the acquired assets to fair value or the recording of goodwill is not permitted. Therefore, MMC recorded a decrease to additional paid in capital in the first quarter of 2009 of $38 million related to this transaction.

Pro-Forma Information

The following unaudited pro-forma financial data gives effect to the acquisitions made by MMC during 2009 and 2010, as if they occurred on January 1, 2009. The pro-forma information adjusts for the effects of amortization of acquired intangibles. The pro-forma information also reflects the classification of Kroll’s operating results in discontinued operations for all periods presented. The unaudited pro-forma financial data is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have been achieved if such acquisitions had occurred on the dates indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of future consolidated results.

 

16


Table of Contents

 

     

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

    

Year Ended

December 31,

 
(In millions, except per share data)    2010      2009      2009  

Revenue

     $7,871         $7,602         $10,322   

Income from continuing operations

     $   374         $   558         $     560   

Net income attributable to MMC

     $   653         $   226         $     256   

Basic net income per share:

        

– Continuing operations

     $  0.66         $  1.00         $    1.00   

– Net income attributable to MMC

     $  1.19         $  0.41         $    0.47   

Diluted net income per share:

        

– Continuing operations

     $  0.65         $  0.99         $    0.99   

– Net income attributable to MMC

     $  1.18         $  0.41         $    0.47   

8.    Dispositions

On August 3, 2010, MMC completed the sale of Kroll to Altegrity for cash proceeds of $1.13 billion. Kroll’s assets and liabilities are reported in discontinued operations at December 31, 2009. The pre-tax gain of $25 million, the tax benefit related to the disposal, Kroll’s results through August 3, 2010, and comparative results are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

MMC’s tax basis in its investment in the stock of Kroll exceeded the recorded amount primarily as a result of prior impairments of goodwill recognized for financial reporting, but not for tax. Prior to the second quarter of 2010, a tax benefit had not been recorded for this temporary difference because it was not apparent in the foreseeable future that it would reverse in a transaction that would result in a tax benefit. Since Kroll met the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation in the second quarter of 2010, MMC determined that it had the ability to carry back the capital loss realized against prior realized capital gains. Therefore, a $265 million deferred tax benefit was recorded in discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2010 to establish a deferred tax asset.

In the first quarter of 2010, Kroll completed the sale of KLS. The after-tax loss on this disposal is included in discontinued operations in 2010. The operating results of KLS are included in discontinued operations.

In the second quarter of 2009, Kroll completed the sale of Kroll Government Services (“KGS”). The operating results of KGS are included in discontinued operations. Discontinued operations in 2010 and 2009 also includes the accretion of interest related to an indemnity for uncertain tax positions provided as part of the purchase by Great West Lifeco Inc. of Putnam Investments Trust from MMC in August 2007.

 

17


Table of Contents

 

Summarized Statements of Income data for discontinued operations is as follows:

 

     

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009      2010     2009  

Kroll Operations

         

Revenue

     $   56        $ 171         $ 381        $  530   

Expense (a)

     52        151         345        806   

Net operating income

     4        20         36        (276

Income tax

     1        8         16        16   

Income from Kroll operations, net of tax

     3        12         20        (292

Other discontinued operations, net of tax

     (7             (7       

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (4     12         13        (292

Disposals of discontinued operations (b)

     35        14         42        4   

Income tax (credit) expense (c)

     (12     8         (237     32   

Disposals of discontinued operations, net of tax

     47        6         279        (28

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     $   43        $   18         $ 292        $ (320

Discontinued operations, net of tax per share

         

– Basic

     $0.07        $0.03         $0.53        $(0.60

– Diluted

     $0.08        $0.03         $0.53        $(0.60

 

(a)

Includes goodwill impairment charge of $315 million for the nine month period in 2009.

 

(b)

Includes gain on sale of Kroll in the three and nine month periods of 2010, the gain on the sale of KLS in the nine month period of 2010 and a loss on the sale of Kroll Government Services in the nine months of 2009.

 

(c)

The income tax credit related to the disposal of discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily represents the recognition of tax benefits recorded in the second quarter when MMC concluded the sale of Kroll was probable. The nine months of 2010 also includes a tax provision of $36 million on the sale of KLS.

The assets and liabilities of Kroll are classified as current assets, non-current assets and current liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009. The assets of Kroll primarily consist of goodwill, other identified intangible assets, commissions and fees receivable and fixed assets.

9.    Goodwill and Other Intangibles

MMC is required to assess goodwill and any indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. MMC performs the annual impairment test for each of its reporting units during the third quarter of each year. Fair values of the reporting units are estimated using a market approach or a discounted cash flow model. Carrying values for the reporting units are based on balances at the prior quarter end and include directly identified assets and liabilities as well as an allocation of those assets and liabilities not recorded at the reporting unit level. MMC completed its 2010 annual review in the third quarter and concluded goodwill was not impaired.

MMC completed the sale of Kroll on August 3, 2010. Goodwill related to Kroll has been reflected as assets of discontinued operations at December 31, 2009.

As previously reported, in the second quarter of 2009, Kroll completed the sale of KGS, its U.S. government security clearance screening business. As a result of the sale, MMC allocated goodwill between KGS (the portion of the reporting unit sold) and Kroll (the portion of the

 

18


Table of Contents

reporting unit retained), based on the relative fair value of the two portions. In addition, MMC evaluated the portion of the reporting unit retained for potential impairment. Fair value was estimated using a market approach, based on management’s latest projections and outlook for the businesses in the current environment. This fair value determination was categorized as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. On the basis of the step one impairment test, MMC concluded that goodwill in the reporting unit was impaired and completed the required step two portion of the impairment assessment. A step two impairment test, which under ASC Topic No. 350 (“Intangibles – Goodwill and Other”) is required to be completed after an impairment is indicated in a step one test, requires a complete re-valuation of all assets and liabilities of the reporting units in the same manner as a business combination. MMC recorded a non-cash charge of $315 million to write down Kroll’s goodwill to its estimated fair value in 2009. This charge is included in discontinued operations, which also includes the operating results of Kroll.

Other intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life are amortized over their estimated lives and reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of certain triggering events in accordance with applicable accounting literature.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:

 

(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009  

Goodwill recorded

     $7,636        $7,365   

Accumulated impairment losses

     (855     (540

Balance as of January 1, as reported

     $6,781        $6,825   

Goodwill acquired

     349        158   

Goodwill impairment related to discontinued operation

            (315

Reclassified to discontinued operations

     (791     (845

Other adjustments (a)

     (53     88   

Balance at September 30

     $6,286        $5,911   

 

(a)

Primarily foreign exchange.

The chart above reflects the elimination of goodwill and accumulated goodwill impairment charges in the risk consulting & technology segment, resulting from the disposal of Kroll. Goodwill related to Kroll of approximately $800 million at December 31, 2009 is included in non-current assets of discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill allocable to MMC’s reportable segments is as follows: Risk & Insurance Services $4.3 billion and Consulting $2.0 billion.

Amortized intangible assets consist of the cost of client lists, client relationships and trade names acquired. The gross cost and accumulated amortization is as follows:

 

      September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
(In millions of dollars)   

Gross

Cost

    

Accumulated

Amortization

    

Net

Carrying

Amount

    

Gross

Cost

     Accumulated
Amortization
    

Net

Carrying

Amount

 

Amortized intangibles

     $562         $201         $361         $395         $166         $229   

 

19


Table of Contents

 

Aggregate amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $36 million and $23 million, respectively, and the estimated future aggregate amortization expense is as follows:

 

For the Years Ending December 31,

(In millions of dollars)

   Estimated Expense  

2010 (excludes amortization through September 30, 2010)

     $  24   

2011

     47   

2012

     44   

2013

     38   

2014

     33   

Subsequent years

     175   
       $361   

10.    Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Hierarchy

MMC has categorized its assets and liabilities that are valued at fair value on a recurring basis into a three-level fair value hierarchy as defined by the FASB in ASC Topic No. 820 (“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”). The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Assets and liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value are categorized based on the inputs in the valuation techniques as follows:

 

Level 1. Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, most U.S. Government and agency securities, money market mutual funds and certain other sovereign government obligations).

 

Level 2. Assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:

 

  a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

  b) Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (examples include corporate and municipal bonds, which trade infrequently);

 

  c) Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include most over-the-counter derivatives, including interest rate and currency swaps); and

 

  d) Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full asset or liability (for example, certain mortgage loans).

 

Level 3. Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices, or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

20


Table of Contents

 

Valuation Techniques

Equity Securities & Mutual Funds

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the sale price on their principal exchange, or official closing bid price for certain markets. If no sales are reported, the security is valued at its last reported bid price.

Other Sovereign Government Obligations, Municipal Bonds and Corporate Bonds

The investments listed in the caption above are valued on the basis of valuations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or dealers selected by Putnam Investment Management LLC (“Putnam Management”), manager of the Putnam mutual funds, a wholly owned subsidiary of Putnam LLC. Such services or dealers determine valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of such securities using methods based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships, generally recognized by institutional traders, between securities.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

(In millions of dollars)   Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

   

Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
     9/30/10     12/31/09     9/30/10     12/31/09     9/30/10     12/31/09     9/30/10     12/31/09  

Assets:

               

Financial instruments owned:

               

Exchange traded equity securities (a)

    $    1        $  10        $  —        $  —        $        $—        $    1        $  10   

Mutual funds (a)

    137        141                                    137        141   

Medium term bond funds and fixed income securities (a)

                         6                             6   

Money market funds (b)

    336        448                                    336        448   

Total assets measured at fair value

    $474        $599        $  —        $    6        $        $—        $474        $605   

Fiduciary Assets:

               

State and local obligations (including non U.S. locales)

    $  —        $  —        $  71        $161        $        $—        $  71        $161   

Other sovereign government obligations and supranational agencies

                  216        370                      216        370   

Corporate and other debt

                  31        46                      31        46   

Money market funds

    227        235                                    227        235   

Total fiduciary assets measured at fair value

    $227        $235        $318        $577        $        $—        $545        $812   

 

(a)

Included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

(b)

Included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets.

There were no assets that transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 between December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010.

 

21


Table of Contents

 

11.    Retirement Benefits

MMC maintains qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for its U.S. and non-U.S. eligible employees. MMC’s policy for funding its tax qualified defined benefit retirement plans is to contribute amounts at least sufficient to meet the funding requirements set forth by U.S. law and the laws of the non-U.S. jurisdictions in which MMC offers defined benefit plans.

The target asset allocation for the U.S. Plan was changed recently from 65% equities and 35% fixed income to 55% equities and 45% fixed income. At the end of the third quarter of 2010, the actual allocation for the U.S. Plan was 60% equities and 40% fixed income. The target asset allocation for the U.K. Plan, which comprises approximately 83% of non-U.S. Plan assets, is 58% equities and 42% fixed income. At the end of the third quarter of 2010, the actual allocation for the U.K. Plan was 56% equities and 44% fixed income.

The components of the net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit and other postretirement plans are as follows:

 

Combined U.S. and significant non-U.S. Plans

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Pension

Benefits

   

Postretirement

Benefits

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

     $   49        $   48        $ —        $   1   

Interest cost

     145        141        4        4   

Expected return on plan assets

     (204     (204              

Amortization of prior service credit

     (5     (12     (3     (3

Recognized actuarial loss

     36        18                 

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

     $   21        $    (9     $   1        $   2   
        

Combined U.S. and significant non-U.S. Plans

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Pension

Benefits

   

Postretirement

Benefits

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

     $ 147        $ 139        $   3        $   4   

Interest cost

     431        409        11        12   

Expected return on plan assets

     (608     (585              

Amortization of prior service credit

     (15     (37     (10     (10

Recognized actuarial loss

     108        52               1   

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

     $   63        $  (22     $   4        $   7   
        

U.S. Plans only

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Pension

Benefits

   

Postretirement

Benefits

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

     $   19        $   19        $ —        $   1   

Interest cost

     57        54        3        3   

Expected return on plan assets

     (74     (73              

Amortization of prior service credit

     (4     (12     (3     (3

Recognized actuarial loss

     17        13                 

Net periodic benefit cost

     $   15        $     1        $ —        $   1   

 

22


Table of Contents

 

U.S. Plans only

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Pension

Benefits

   

Postretirement

Benefits

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

     $   57        $   57        $   2        $   3   

Interest cost

     170        164        8        9   

Expected return on plan assets

     (221     (219              

Amortization of prior service credit

     (13     (36     (10     (10

Recognized actuarial loss

     53        39               1   

Net periodic benefit cost

     $   46        $     5        $  —        $   3   

 

Significant non-U.S. Plans only

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

Pension

Benefits

   

Postretirement

Benefits

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010      2009  

Service cost

     $   30        $  29        $—         $—   

Interest cost

     88        87        1         1   

Expected return on plan assets

     (130     (131               

Amortization of prior service credit

     (1                      

Recognized actuarial loss

     19        5                  

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

     $     6        $  (10     $  1         $  1   

 

Significant non-U.S. Plans only

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Pension

Benefits

   

Postretirement

Benefits

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010      2009  

Service cost

     $   90        $   82        $  1         $  1   

Interest cost

     261        245        3         3   

Expected return on plan assets

     (387     (366               

Amortization of prior service credit

     (2     (1               

Recognized actuarial loss

     55        13                  

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

     $   17        $  (27     $  4         $  4   

The weighted average actuarial assumptions utilized to calculate the net periodic benefit costs for the U.S. and significant non-U.S. defined benefit plans are as follows:

 

Combined U.S. and significant non-U.S. Plans   

Pension

Benefits

   

Postretirement

Benefits

 
      2010     2009     2010     2009  

Weighted average assumptions:

        

Expected return on plan assets

     8.1     8.2              

Discount rate

     6.0     6.5     6.3     6.7

Rate of compensation increase

     4.2     3.7              

MMC made a $200 million contribution to its U.S. qualified pension plan during the third quarter of 2010. Contributions to the U.S. non-qualified and non-U.S. pension plans through the third quarter of 2010 were approximately $16 million and $162 million, respectively. MMC expects to contribute approximately $75 million for the remainder of 2010 for these plans, resulting in total expected contributions of approximately $450 million in 2010.

 

23


Table of Contents

 

12.    Debt

MMC’s outstanding debt is as follows:

 

(In millions of dollars)   

September 30,

2010

    

December 31,

2009

 

Short-term:

     

Current portion of long-term debt

     $       9         $   558   

Long-term:

     

Senior notes – 6.25% due 2012 (5.1% effective interest rate)

     $   253         $   255   

Senior notes – 4.850% due 2013

     250         249   

Senior notes – 5.875% due 2033

     296         296   

Senior notes – 5.375% due 2014

     649         648   

Senior notes – 5.15% due 2010

             549   

Senior notes – 5.75% due 2015

     747         747   

Senior notes – 9.25% due 2019

     398         398   

Mortgage – 5.70% due 2035

     441         447   

Other

     3         3   
     3,037         3,592   

Less current portion

     9         558   
       $3,028         $3,034   

During the third quarter of 2010, MMC funded its 5.15% ten-year fixed rate $550 million senior notes that matured.

On October 23, 2009, MMC and certain of its foreign subsidiaries entered into a new $1.0 billion multi-currency three-year unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced the $1.2 billion facility discussed below. The interest rate on this facility varies based upon MMC’s credit ratings and MMC’s credit default swap levels subject to floors and caps. The facility requires MMC to maintain certain coverage and leverage ratios which are tested quarterly. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2010.

MMC and certain of its foreign subsidiaries previously maintained a $1.2 billion multi-currency five-year revolving credit facility. The facility was previously due to expire in December 2010 and was in effect until October 2009. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at the time it was terminated.

13.    Restructuring Costs

Actions Initiated in 2010

For the nine months of 2010, MMC implemented restructuring actions which resulted in costs totaling $61 million, primarily related to severance and benefits. Approximately $34 million of these costs related to cost reduction activities for acquisitions made in 2010. These costs were incurred as follows: Marsh – $35 million, Guy Carpenter – $16 million, Mercer – $8 million and MMC – $2 million. These activities resulted in the elimination of approximately 260 positions at Marsh, 80 positions at Guy Carpenter, 120 positions at Mercer and 50 positions at MMC.

 

24


Table of Contents

 

Actions Initiated Prior to 2010

Prior to 2010, MMC implemented several restructuring and cost-saving initiatives related to firm-wide infrastructure, organization structure and operating company business processes. These initiatives resulted in staff reductions and consolidations of facilities. MMC incurred restructuring costs of $26 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in connection with actions initiated in prior years, primarily due to severance and related benefits and adjustments to the estimated future rent and real estate costs related to previously vacated space.

Details of the activity from January 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010 regarding restructuring activities are as follows:

 

(In millions of dollars)   

Liability at

January 1

    

Amounts

Accrued

     Paid     Other
Changes
    

Liability at

September 30

 

Severance

     $  77         $  51         $  (85     $  (2      $  41   

Future rent under non-cancelable leases

     156         17         (32     2         143   

Other

     26         19         (24     (4      17   

Total

     $259         $87         $(141     $  (4      $201   

The expenses associated with the above initiatives are included in Compensation and benefits and Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The liabilities associated with these initiatives are classified on the consolidated balance sheets as Accounts payable, Other liabilities, or Accrued compensation, depending on the nature of the items.

14.    Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of MMC’s significant financial instruments is provided below. Certain estimates and judgments were required to develop the fair value amounts. The fair value amounts shown below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that MMC would realize upon disposition, nor do they indicate MMC’s intent or need to dispose of the financial instrument.

 

25


Table of Contents

 

      September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
(In millions of dollars)   

Carrying

Amount

    

Fair

Value

    

Carrying

Amount

    

Fair

Value

 

Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents

     $1,695         $1,695         $1,707         $1,707   

Long-term investments

     $     71         $     66         $   109         $   102   

Short-term debt

     $       9         $       9         $   558         $   572   

Long-term debt

     $3,028         $3,299         $3,034         $3,174   

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The estimated fair value of MMC’s cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying value.

Long-term Investments: Long-term investments include available for sale securities recorded at quoted market prices, certain investments carried at cost and unrealized gains related to available for sale investments in fiduciary funds as discussed below.

MMC has certain long-term investments, for which there are no readily available market prices, amounting to $38 million and $53 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, which are carried on a cost basis. These investments are included in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. MMC monitors these investments for impairment and makes appropriate reductions in carrying values when necessary.

MMC had available for sale securities with an aggregate fair value of $23 million and $38 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, which are carried at market value in accordance with ASC Topic No. 320. MMC had gross unrealized gains (pre-tax) on these securities of $8 million and $15 million included in accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. MMC recorded the following net unrealized gains related to its available for sale securities for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

(In millions of dollars)   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Unrealized gains (pre-tax)

     $—         $  4         $  1         $  5   

Unrealized losses (pre-tax)

     $—         $—         $—         $—   

These amounts have been excluded from earnings and reported, net of deferred income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a component of stockholders’ equity.

MMC has a portion of insurance fiduciary funds described in Note 3 that are invested in high quality debt securities and classified as available for sale. Gross unrealized gains (pre-tax) on these securities that are included in other assets and accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets were $9 million and $17 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. MMC had no gross unrealized gains on these securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, MMC recorded gross unrealized losses (pre-tax) of $8 million and $3 million, respectively, related to these investments. These amounts have been excluded from earnings and reported, net of deferred income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a component of stockholders’ equity.

 

26


Table of Contents

 

Proceeds from the sale of available for sale investments were as follows:

 

     

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010      2009      2010      2009  

Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities

     $1         $3         $15         $9   

The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method.

MMC also holds investments in certain private equity fund partnerships which are accounted for using the equity method and other investments that are held at cost. MMC recorded the following gains (losses) related to these investments:

 

     

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010      2009  

Equity method gains (losses)

     $ (4     $22        $13         $(29

Gains on cost method investments

     1        2        2         6   

Gains (losses) from equity and cost method investments

     (3     24        15         (23

Realized gains on available for sale securities

     1        2        9         2   

Other-than-temporary impairment

            (4             (4

Investment income (loss)

     $ (2     $22        $24         $(25

Short-term and Long-term Debt: The fair value of MMC’s short-term debt, which consists primarily of debt maturing within the next year, approximates its carrying value. The estimated fair value of MMC’s long-term debt is based on discounted future cash flows using current interest rates available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

15.    Common Stock

MMC did not purchase any treasury shares in 2010 or 2009. On September 15, 2010, MMC’s Board of Directors authorized a $500 million share repurchase program.

16.    Claims, Lawsuits and Other Contingencies

Errors and Omissions Claims

MMC and its subsidiaries, particularly Marsh and Mercer, are subject to a significant number of claims, lawsuits and proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Such claims and lawsuits consist principally of alleged errors and omissions in connection with the performance of professional services, including the placement of insurance and the provision of actuarial services. Certain of these claims seek damages, including punitive and treble damages, in amounts that could, if awarded, be significant. In establishing liabilities for errors and omissions claims in accordance with FASB ASC Subtopic No. 450-20 (Contingencies – Loss Contingencies), MMC utilizes internal actuarial and other estimates, and case level reviews by inside and outside counsel. A liability is established when a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. The liability is reviewed quarterly and adjusted as developments warrant. In many cases, MMC has not recorded a liability, other than for legal fees to defend the claim, because MMC is unable, at the present time, to make a determination that a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable.

 

27


Table of Contents

 

To the extent that expected losses exceed MMC’s deductible in any policy year, MMC also records an asset for the amount that MMC expects to recover under any available third-party insurance programs. MMC has varying levels of third-party insurance coverage, with policy limits and coverage terms varying significantly by policy year. MMC is not aware of coverage defenses or other obstacles to coverage that would limit recoveries through policy year 2001-2002 in a material amount. Beginning in 2002, the availability of third-party insurance declined significantly.

Governmental Inquiries and Related Claims

In January 2005, MMC and its subsidiary Marsh Inc. entered into a settlement agreement with the New York State Attorney General (“NYAG”) and the New York State Insurance Department to settle a civil complaint and related citation alleging that Marsh’s use of market service agreements with various insurance companies entailed fraudulent business practices, bid-rigging, illegal restraint of trade and other statutory violations. The parties subsequently entered into an amended and restated settlement agreement in February 2010 that helps restore a level playing field for Marsh.

Following the filing of the NYAG complaint in October 2004, various state regulators and attorneys general initiated investigations relating to the conduct alleged in that complaint. MMC and Marsh have entered into settlements with numerous state authorities, including a recent resolution of the action filed in August 2007 by the Attorney General of the State of Ohio against MMC, Marsh, certain Marsh subsidiaries and other parties.

Numerous private party lawsuits based on similar allegations to those made in the NYAG complaint were commenced against MMC, one or more of its subsidiaries, and their current and former directors and officers. The status of the lawsuits that remain outstanding is as follows:

 

¡  

A settlement of the claims against MMC, Marsh and certain Marsh subsidiaries in two consolidated putative class actions that were pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (one on behalf of a purported class of “commercial” policyholders and the second on behalf of a purported class of “employee benefit” policyholders) was approved in February 2009 and is now final. Nine actions instituted by individual policyholders against MMC, Marsh and certain Marsh subsidiaries are pending in federal and state courts.

 

¡  

MMC, Marsh and certain Marsh subsidiaries were named as additional defendants in a shareholder derivative suit pending in the Delaware Court of Chancery against the directors and officers of American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”) and others. The suit alleged that MMC, Marsh and the Marsh subsidiaries engaged in conspiracy and fraud with respect to the alleged misconduct described in the NYAG complaint, and that they aided and abetted current and former directors and officers of AIG in breaching their fiduciary duties to AIG with respect to AIG’s participation in the alleged misconduct. In June 2009, the Delaware court granted a motion to dismiss all claims against MMC and the Marsh defendants. An appeal of this dismissal is currently pending in the Delaware Supreme Court.

In October 2007, the State of Connecticut brought a civil action against Guy Carpenter in Connecticut state court alleging that Guy Carpenter violated the state’s antitrust and unfair trade practices laws by engaging in allocation of markets, price-fixing and other allegedly

 

28


Table of Contents

improper conduct by taking part in the operation of several reinsurance facilities over a period of decades. An amended complaint was filed in October 2009. The amended complaint alleges damages to Guy Carpenter’s insurance company clients and their customers, as well as to the general economy of Connecticut, and seeks monetary damages, civil penalties, attorneys’ fees, costs and injunctive and other equitable relief. Discovery is underway in this matter.

On June 11, 2010, MMC announced that it had resolved litigation brought by the Alaska Retirement Management Board (“ARMB”) on behalf of two Alaska benefit plans against Mercer, relating to work in the period 1992 to 2004. This settlement, in which Mercer expressly denies liability, resolves all claims against Mercer by the ARMB and the State of Alaska related to this matter. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Mercer paid $500 million, of which $100 million is covered by insurance.

Our activities are regulated under the laws of the United States and its various states, the European Union and its member states, and the other jurisdictions in which we operate. In the ordinary course of business, in addition to private party lawsuits, we may be subject to investigations, lawsuits and/or other regulatory actions undertaken by governmental authorities.

Other Contingencies – Guarantees

 

¡  

In connection with its acquisition of U.K.-based Sedgwick Group in 1998, MMC acquired several insurance underwriting businesses that were already in run-off, including River Thames Insurance Company Limited (“River Thames”), which MMC sold in 2001. Sedgwick guaranteed payment of claims on certain policies underwritten through the Institute of London Underwriters (the “ILU”) by River Thames. The policies covered by this guarantee are reinsured up to £40 million by a related party of River Thames. Payment of claims under the reinsurance agreement is collateralized by segregated assets held in a trust. As of September 30, 2010, the reinsurance coverage exceeded the best estimate of the projected liability of the policies covered by the guarantee. To the extent River Thames or the reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations under those policies, a claimant may seek to recover from MMC under the guarantee.

 

¡  

From 1980 to 1983, MMC owned indirectly the English & American Insurance Company (“E&A”), which was a member of the ILU. The ILU required MMC to guarantee a portion of E&A’s obligations. After E&A became insolvent in 1993, the ILU agreed to discharge the guarantee in exchange for MMC’s agreement to post an evergreen letter of credit that is available to pay claims by policyholders on certain E&A policies issued through the ILU and incepting between July 3, 1980 and October 6, 1983. Certain claims have been paid under the letter of credit and MMC anticipates that additional claimants may seek to recover against the letter of credit.

Putnam-related Matters

Under the terms of a stock purchase agreement with Great-West Lifeco Inc. (“GWL”) related to GWL’s purchase of Putnam Investments Trust from MMC in August 2007, a copy of which was included as an exhibit to MMC’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2007, MMC agreed to indemnify GWL with respect to certain Putnam-related litigation and regulatory matters. Two putative class actions by investors in certain Putnam Funds pending against Putnam in the District of Maryland are based on similar allegations as those at issue in Putnam’s 2003 and 2004 settlements with the SEC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

29


Table of Contents

regarding excessive short-term trading by certain former Putnam employees in shares of the Putnam mutual funds (the “Putnam Funds”), and directly involve MMC and/or may be subject to MMC’s indemnification obligations. The first action asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The second action purports to assert derivative claims under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. Both suits seek to recover unspecified damages allegedly suffered by the Putnam Funds and their investors as a result of purported market-timing and late trading activity in certain Putnam Funds. In the first action, the parties have entered into a settlement agreement, which was recently approved by the district court. In the derivative action, the court denied Putnam’s motion for summary judgment.

Kroll-related Matters

Under the terms of a stock purchase agreement with Altegrity, Inc. (“Altegrity”) related to Altegrity’s purchase of Kroll from MMC in August 2010, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to MMC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010, MMC agreed to provide a limited indemnity to Altegrity with respect to certain Kroll-related litigation and regulatory matters.

The pending proceedings and other matters described in this Note 16 on Claims, Lawsuits and Other Contingencies may expose MMC or its subsidiaries to liability for significant monetary damages and other forms of relief. Where a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable, MMC establishes liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC Subtopic No. 450-20 (Contingencies – Loss Contingencies). Except as described above, MMC is not able at this time to provide a reasonable estimate of the range of possible loss attributable to these matters or the impact they may have on MMC’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. This is primarily because these matters are still developing and involve complex issues subject to inherent uncertainty. Adverse determinations in one or more of these matters could have a material impact on MMC’s consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in a future period.

17.    Segment Information

MMC is organized based on the types of services provided. Under this organizational structure, MMC’s business segments are:

 

¡  

Risk and Insurance Services, comprising insurance services (Marsh) and reinsurance services (Guy Carpenter);

 

¡  

Consulting, comprising Mercer and Oliver Wyman Group

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used for the consolidated financial statements described in Note 1 to MMC’s 2009 10-K. Segment performance is evaluated based on segment operating income, which includes directly related expenses, and charges or credits related to integration and restructuring but not MMC corporate-level expenses. Revenues are attributed to geographic areas on the basis of where the services are performed.

 

30


Table of Contents

 

Selected information about MMC’s operating segments for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 follows:

 

     

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions of dollars)    Revenue    

Operating

Income

(Loss)

    Revenue    

Operating

Income

(Loss)

 

2010 –

        

Risk and Insurance Services

     $1,327 (a)      $142        $4,278 (c)      $ 747   

Consulting

     1,203 (b)      138        3,526 (d)      (21

Total Operating Segments

     2,530        280        7,804        726   

Corporate / Eliminations

     (6     (41     (39     (112

Total Consolidated

     $2,524        $239        $7,765        $ 614   

2009 –

        

Risk and Insurance Services

     $1,226 (a)      $127        $3,941 (c)      $ 669   

Consulting

     1,144 (b)      105        3,370 (d)      274   

Total Operating Segments

     2,370        232        7,311        943   

Corporate / Eliminations

     (16     (37     (44     (137

Total Consolidated

     $2,354        $195        $7,267        $ 806   

 

(a)

Includes inter-segment revenue of $4 million and $3 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, interest income on fiduciary funds of $11 million and $14 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and equity method income of $1 million and $4 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

(b)

Includes inter-segment revenue of $2 million and $13 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and interest income on fiduciary funds of $1 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

(c)

Includes inter-segment revenue of $6 million and $10 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, interest income on fiduciary funds of $33 million and $42 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and equity method income of $9 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2009, respectively.

 

(d)

Includes inter-segment revenue of $33 million and $34 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and interest income on fiduciary funds of $3 million in both 2010 and 2009.

Details of operating segment revenue for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

 

     

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Risk and Insurance Services

        

Marsh

     $1,092        $1,000        $3,481        $3,202   

Guy Carpenter

     235        226        797        739   

Total Risk and Insurance Services

     1,327        1,226        4,278        3,941   

Consulting

                                

Mercer

     881        831        2,568        2,466   

Oliver Wyman Group

     322        313        958        904   

Total Consulting

     1,203        1,144        3,526        3,370   

Total Operating Segments

     2,530        2,370        7,804        7,311   

Corporate/ Eliminations

     (6     (16     (39     (44

Total

     $2,524        $2,354        $7,765        $7,267   

18.    New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2009, MMC adopted the guidance for calculating EPS using the two-class method with retroactive application to prior periods. The impact of adopting the guidance is discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

31


Table of Contents

 

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance issued by the FASB for Business Combinations. The guidance requires entities in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose all information needed by investors and other users to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance issued by the FASB for Consolidation – Non-controlling Interests, which did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it did impact the presentation and disclosure of non-controlling (minority) interests in our consolidated financial statements. The effects of this change are reflected herein.

The new guidance also requires adjustment of net income to include the net income attributable to the non-controlling interests and a new separate caption for net income attributable to MMC to be presented in the consolidated statement of earnings.

In February 2008, the FASB issued guidance related to Fair Value Measurements which delayed until the second quarter of 2009, fair value measurement for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The Company has applied the provision of this new guidance to its financial statement disclosures beginning in the second quarter of 2009.

On April 1, 2009, the FASB issued guidance for “Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies”, to address application issues raised by preparers, auditors and attorneys. The guidance requires recognition of contingent assets or liabilities (arising from a business combination contingency) at fair value, at the acquisition date if the acquisition-date fair value of the asset or liability can be determined during the measurement period, or if certain criteria are met. Otherwise, the acquirer should not recognize an asset or liability as of the acquisition date. The guidance is effective for business combinations occurring on or after January 1, 2009. This new guidance did not have a material impact on MMC’s financial condition or reported results.

In the second quarter of 2009, MMC adopted the guidance issued by the FASB for interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments. The guidance, which is effective for interim periods ending after September 15, 2009, requires disclosures about the fair values of financial instruments in interim period reports of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on MMC’s financial condition or reported results.

In the second quarter of 2009, MMC adopted the guidance issued by the FASB for Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments. It amends GAAP guidance including SEC SAB Topic 5M and other authoritative literature that allow the holders of debt securities not to recognize other-than-temporary impairments based on their intent and ability to hold a security until recovery in fair value to its amortized cost. The other-than-temporary impairment model applies only to debt securities and not equity securities. The guidance requires recognition of a credit loss (the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis) through earnings. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on MMC’s financial condition or reported results.

 

32


Table of Contents

 

In December 2008, the FASB issued guidance for Employers’ Disclosures About Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefit Plan Assets. The guidance requires fair value plan asset disclosures for an employer’s assets in defined benefit pension and postretirement plans similar to the guidance on Fair Value Measurements, as well as (a) how investment allocation decisions are made, (b) the major categories of plan assets, and (c) significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The Company has applied the provision of this new guidance to its financial statement disclosures beginning December 31, 2009.

In December 2009, the FASB issued new guidance related to the Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) and transfer of assets. The new guidance focuses on ‘controlling financial interests’ and requires companies to perform qualitative analysis to determine whether they must consolidate a VIE by assessing whether the variable interests give them controlling financial interests in the VIE. This guidance is effective for transfers occurring on or after November 15, 2009. Provisions must be applied in annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009 and interim periods within that annual period. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Also, effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted new guidance that indefinitely defers the above changes relating to the Company’s interests in entities that have all the attributes of an investment company or for which it is industry practice to apply measurement principles for financial reporting that are consistent with those applied by an investment company. As a result, the above guidance did not apply to certain investment management trusts managed by Mercer.

In January 2010, the FASB issued new guidance that adds additional disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 items and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements related to Level 3 measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Further, the new guidance amends the requirements on employer’s disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets to require disclosures be provided by classes of assets instead of by major categories of assets. This guidance is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 31, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In October 2009, the FASB amended its guidance on revenue recognition regarding multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. The guidance is effective prospectively for arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance.

On April 29, 2010, the FASB issued guidance which establishes a revenue recognition model for contingent consideration that is payable upon the achievement of an uncertain future event, referred to as a milestone. The scope of this guidance is limited to research or development arrangements and requires an entity to record the milestone payment in its entirety in the period received if the milestone meets all the necessary criteria to be considered substantive. However, entities would not be precluded from making an accounting policy election to apply another appropriate accounting policy that results in the deferral of some portion of the arrangement consideration. This is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those fiscal years) beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early application is permitted. Entities can apply this guidance prospectively to milestones achieved after adoption. However, retrospective application to all prior periods is also permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance.

 

33


Table of Contents

 

In May 2010, the FASB issued guidance for foreign currency issues and Venezuela’s highly inflationary status. The guidance states that Venezuela’s economy should be considered highly inflationary as of January 1, 2010 and therefore a U.S. dollar reporting entity must remeasure the financial statements of its Venezuelan subsidiaries as if the subsidiaries’ functional reporting currency were the entity’s reporting currency (i.e., the U.S. dollar). Any differences between the U.S. dollar denominated balances recorded by the Venezuelan subsidiaries and the amounts reported in the entity’s consolidated financial statements must be recognized in earnings or as part of its cumulative translation adjustment. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

On July 21, 2010, the FASB issued guidance requiring more robust and disaggregated disclosures about the credit quality of an entity’s financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses. The objective of enhancing these disclosures is to improve financial statement users’ understanding of (1) the nature of an entity’s credit risk associated with its financing receivables and (2) the entity’s assessment of that risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses as well as changes in the allowance and the reasons for those changes. The new and amended disclosures that relate to information as of the end of a reporting period will be effective for the first interim or annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. However, the disclosures that include information for activity that occurs during a reporting period will be effective for the first interim or annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance.

 

34


Table of Contents

 

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

General

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“MMC”) is a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and human capital. MMC’s subsidiaries include Marsh, which provides risk and insurance services; Guy Carpenter, which provides reinsurance services; Mercer, which provides human resource and related financial advice and services; and Oliver Wyman Group, which provides management consulting and other services. Following the sale of Kroll, discussed below, MMC has approximately 50,000 employees worldwide who provide analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries.

MMC’s business segments are based on the services provided. Risk and Insurance Services includes risk management and insurance and reinsurance broking and services, provided primarily by Marsh and Guy Carpenter. Consulting, which comprises the activities of Mercer and Oliver Wyman Group, includes human resource consulting and related investment and outsourcing services, and specialized management, economic and brand consulting services.

On August 3, 2010, MMC completed the sale of Kroll and in the first quarter of 2010, completed the sale of Kroll Laboratory Specialists (“KLS”). The account balances and activities of Kroll and KLS have been segregated and reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009. The gain on the sale of Kroll and the related tax benefits, and the after-tax loss on the sale of KLS, along with Kroll’s and KLS’s 2010 and comparative results of operations are included in discontinued operations. During the second quarter of 2009, Kroll sold Kroll Government Services (“KGS”). KGS’s results of operations for 2009 and the after-tax loss on the disposal are included in discontinued operations.

In the first quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired Haake Companies, Inc., one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the Midwest and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. In the second quarter of 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd., an international provider of risk intermediary and risk advisory services and the acquisition of the Bostonian Group Insurance Agency, Inc. and Bostonian Solutions, Inc. (collectively the “Bostonian Group”), one of the largest regional insurance brokerages in New England.

In April 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of John B. Collins Associates, Inc., previously the fifth-largest reinsurance intermediary in the U.S. and seventh-largest in the world. In October 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of London-based specialty reinsurance broker Rattner Mackenzie Limited from HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. In September 2009, Marsh acquired International Advisory Services Ltd., the largest independent manager of captives and third-party insurance companies in Bermuda. In December 2009, Marsh acquired the NIA Group, LLC, one of the largest, independent insurance agencies in the Northeast and the 34th largest agency in the U.S.

In July 2010, Mercer acquired Innovative Process Administration (“IPA”), a provider of health and benefit recordkeeping and employee enrollment technology. In August 2010, Mercer acquired ORC Worldwide, a premier provider of HR knowledge, data and solutions for professionals in numerous industries.

 

35


Table of Contents

 

A reconciliation of segment operating income to total operating income is included in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The accounting policies used for each segment are the same as those used for the consolidated financial statements.

This MD&A contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See “Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” at the outset of this report.

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

      Third Quarter      Nine Months  
(In millions, except per share figures)    2010      2009      2010      2009  

Revenue

     $2,524         $2,354         $7,765         $7,267   

Expense:

           

Compensation and Benefits

     1,586         1,533         4,775         4,553   

Other Operating Expenses

     699         626         2,376         1,908   

Operating Expenses

     2,285         2,159         7,151         6,461   

Operating Income

     239         195         614         806   

Income From Continuing Operations

     128         207         373         536   

Discontinued Operations, net of tax

     43         18         292         (320

Net Income Before Non-Controlling Interest

     171         225         665         216   

Net Income Attributable to MMC

     $   168         $   221         $   652         $   204   

Income From Continuing Operations Per Share:

           

Basic

     $  0.23         $  0.38         $  0.66         $  0.98   

Diluted

     $  0.22         $  0.38         $  0.65         $  0.98   

Net Income Per Share Attributable to MMC:

           

Basic

     $  0.30         $  0.41         $  1.19         $  0.38   

Diluted

     $  0.30         $  0.41         $  1.18         $  0.38   

Average Number of Shares Outstanding:

           

Basic

     543         524         539         521   

Diluted

     548         526         543         522   

Shares Outstanding at September 30,

     543         526         543         526   

MMC reported consolidated operating income of $239 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared with operating income of $195 million in the prior year. This reflects the impact of revenue growth in the Risk & Insurance Services segment of 8% and Consulting segment of 5%, compared to an increase in expense of 8% in the Risk & Insurance Services segment and a 3% increase in the Consulting segment.

MMC reported consolidated operating income of $614 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $806 million in the prior year. On June 11, 2010, MMC announced that it had resolved litigation brought by the Alaska Retirement Management Board (“ARMB”) on behalf of two Alaska benefit plans against Mercer, relating to work in the period 1992 to 2004. This settlement, in which Mercer expressly denies liability, resolves all claims against Mercer by the ARMB and the State of Alaska related to this matter. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Mercer paid $500 million, of which $100 million is covered by insurance. Year to date results include a net charge of $400 million in the Consulting segment, which after the effect of income taxes, reduced earnings by approximately $0.44 per share. In 2009, Mercer recorded costs of approximately $30 million relating to a professional liability settlement.

 

36


Table of Contents

 

Excluding the charges in Mercer discussed above, operating income would have been $1.0 billion or 26% above last year. This reflects a $78 million increase in the Risk and Insurance Services segment, a $75 million increase in Consulting and a reduction in Corporate and other expenses of $25 million. The decrease in corporate and other is primarily related to lower restructuring and related costs in 2010 versus 2009, and the impact of $8 million of payments received in 2010 related to the Corporate Advisory and Restructuring businesses disposal in 2008.

The devaluation of Venezuela’s bolivar currency in January of 2010 did not have a material impact on MMC’s results of operations or financial position.

Consolidated Revenue and Expense

MMC conducts business in many countries, as a result of which the impact of foreign exchange rate movements may distort period-to-period comparisons of revenue. Similarly, the revenue impact of acquisitions and dispositions, including transfers among businesses, may impact period-to-period comparisons of revenue. Underlying revenue measures the change in revenue from one period to another by isolating these impacts. The impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations and acquisitions and dispositions, including transfers among businesses, on MMC’s operating revenues by segment is as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,

   

%
Change

GAAP

Revenue

    Components of Revenue Change*  
     

Currency

Impact

   

Acquisitions/

Dispositions

Impact

   

Underlying

Revenue

 
  2010     2009          
   

Risk and Insurance Services

           

Marsh

    $1,083        $   989        9     (1 )%      7     3

Guy Carpenter

    233        223        4            2     3

Subtotal

    1,316        1,212        9            6     3

Fiduciary Interest Income

    11        14        (11 )%      1            (13 )% 

Total Risk and Insurance Services

    1,327        1,226        8            6     2

Consulting

           

Mercer

    881        831        6     (1 )%      1     6

Oliver Wyman Group

    322        313        3     (2 )%             6

Total Consulting

    1,203        1,144        5     (1 )%      1     6

Corporate Eliminations

    (6     (16        

Total Revenue

    $2,524        $2,354        7     (1 )%      4     4

 

* Components of revenue change may not add across due to rounding.

 

37


Table of Contents

 

The following table provides more detailed revenue information for certain of the components presented above:

 

     Three Months  Ended
September 30,
   

%
Change

GAAP

Revenue

    Components of Revenue Change*  
     

Currency

Impact

   

Acquisitions/

Dispositions

Impact

   

Underlying

Revenue

 
  2010     2009          
                                                 

Marsh:

           

EMEA

    $   332        $317        5     (5 )%      9     1

Asia Pacific

    125        109        15     6     6     3

Latin America

    73        68        6     2            4

Total International

    530        494        7     (2 )%      7     2

U.S. / Canada

    553        495        12     1     8     3

Total Marsh

    $1,083        $989        9     (1 )%      7     3

Mercer:

           

Retirement

    $   256        $264        (3 )%      (2 )%             (1 )% 

Health and Benefits

    224        212        6     (1 )%             8

Rewards, Talent & Communications

    142        121        18            6     12

Total Mercer Consulting

    622        597        4     (1 )%      1     5

Outsourcing

    168        157        6     1     1     4

Investment Consulting & Management

    91        77        17                   17

Total Mercer

    $   881        $831        6     (1 )%      1     6
           
     Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
   

%
Change

GAAP

Revenue

    Components of Revenue Change*  
     

Currency

Impact

   

Acquisitions/

Dispositions

Impact

   

Underlying

Revenue

 
  2010     2009          
                                                 

Risk and Insurance Services

           

Marsh

    $3,454        $3,168        9     2     6     1

Guy Carpenter

    791        731        8     1     5     2

Subtotal

    4,245        3,899        9     2     6     1

Fiduciary Interest Income

    33        42        (21 )%      3            (24 )% 

Total Risk and Insurance Services

    4,278        3,941        9     2     5     1

Consulting

           

Mercer

    2,568        2,466        4     3            1

Oliver Wyman Group

    958        904        6                   6

Total Consulting

    3,526        3,370        5     2            3

Corporate / Eliminations

    (39     (44        

Total Revenue

    $7,765        $7,267        7     2     3     2

 

* Components of revenue change may not add across due to rounding.

 

38


Table of Contents

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   

%
Change

GAAP

Revenue

    Components of Revenue Change*  
     

Currency

Impact

   

Acquisitions/

Dispositions

Impact

   

Underlying

Revenue

 
  2010     2009          
                                                 

Marsh:

           

EMEA

    $1,256        $1,182        6     1     4     1

Asia Pacific

    363        304        19     9     4     6

Latin America

    191        172        11     5     (1 )%      7

Total International

    1,810        1,658        9     3     4     2

U.S. / Canada

    1,644        1,510        9     1     8       

Total Marsh

    $3,454        $3,168        9     2     6     1

Mercer:

           

Retirement

    $   795        $   811        (2 )%      2            (4 )% 

Health and Benefits

    676        648        4     1            4

Rewards, Talent & Communications

    337        336               2     2     (3 )% 

Mercer Consulting

    1,808        1,795        1     1            (1 )% 

Outsourcing

    491        453        8     5            3

Investment Consulting & Management

    269        218        23     6            17

Total Mercer

    $2,568        $2,466        4     3            1

 

* Components of revenue change may not add across due to rounding.

Revenue

Consolidated revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was $2.5 billion, an increase of 7% compared with the same period in the prior year, or 4% on an underlying basis.

Revenue in the Risk and Insurance Services segment for the third quarter of 2010 increased 8% from the same period in 2009, or 2% on an underlying basis. Within the Risk and Insurance Services segment, a 3% increase in underlying revenue at Guy Carpenter and 3% in Marsh were partly offset by a 13% decline in fiduciary interest income. Consulting revenue increased 5%, resulting from increases of 6% in Mercer and 3% in Oliver Wyman. On an underlying basis, revenue in the consulting segment, Oliver Wyman and Mercer each increased 6% compared with the prior year.

For the first nine months of 2010, risk and insurance services revenue increased 9% from the same period in 2009, or 1% on an underlying basis. Consulting revenue increased 5%, resulting from a 4% increase in Mercer and a 6% increase in Oliver Wyman. On an underlying basis, consulting revenue increased 3%, resulting from a 6% increase in Oliver Wyman, a 1% increase in Mercer.

Operating Expense

Consolidated operating expense in the third quarter of 2010 increased 6% from the same period in 2009. This reflects a 4% increase due to the impact of acquisitions, a 3% increase in underlying expenses partly offset by a 1% decrease due to the impact of foreign exchange. The increase in underlying expenses is due to higher base salaries, pension costs, travel and entertainment, meetings, consulting, and marketing and advertising.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, operating expenses increased 11% compared with the same period in 2009. This increase reflects the $400 million net settlement at Mercer related to the Alaska settlement, representing 6% of the increase, as well as

 

39


Table of Contents

increases of 2% due to the impact of foreign exchange and 3% due to the impact of acquisitions. Underlying expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were essentially flat compared with prior year.

Restructuring

Actions Initiated in 2010

For the first nine months of 2010, MMC implemented restructuring actions which resulted in costs totaling $61 million, primarily related to severance and benefits. Approximately $34 million of these costs related to cost reduction activities for acquisitions made during 2010. Total costs were incurred as follows: Marsh – $35 million, Guy Carpenter – $16 million, Mercer – $8 million and MMC – $2 million. These activities resulted in the elimination of approximately 260 positions at Marsh, 80 positions at Guy Carpenter, 120 positions at Mercer and 50 positions at MMC.

The annualized cost savings from these actions are expected to be approximately $55 million.

Actions Initiated Prior to 2010

Prior to 2010, MMC implemented several restructuring and cost-saving initiatives related to firm-wide infrastructure, organization structure and operating company business processes. These initiatives resulted in staff reductions and consolidations of facilities. MMC incurred restructuring costs of $26 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in connection with actions initiated in prior years, primarily due to severance and related benefits and adjustments to the estimated future rent and real estate costs related to previously vacated space.

The expenses associated with the above initiatives are included in Compensation and benefits and Other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The liabilities associated with these initiatives are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Accounts payable, Other liabilities, or Accrued compensation, depending on the nature of the items.

Risk and Insurance Services

The results of operations for the Risk and Insurance Services segment are presented below:

 

      Third Quarter     Nine Months  
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue

   $ 1,327      $ 1,226      $ 4,278      $ 3,941   

Compensation and Benefits

     799        741        2,414        2,225   

Other Expenses

     386        358        1,117        1,047   

Expense

     1,185        1,099        3,531        3,272   

Operating Income

   $ 142      $ 127      $ 747      $ 669   

Operating Income Margin

     10.7     10.4     17.5     17.0

Revenue

Revenue in the Risk and Insurance Services segment in the third quarter of 2010 increased 8%, or 2% on an underlying basis compared with the same period in 2009. This performance was achieved in an economic environment of continued soft market conditions for commercial property-casualty insurance and a decline in the volume of net written premiums in the property-casualty industry, which has been adversely affected by recessionary conditions over the past two years.

 

40


Table of Contents

 

In Marsh, revenue in the third quarter of 2010 was $1.1 billion, an increase of 9% from the same quarter of the prior year reflecting a 3% growth in underlying revenue, a 7% increase from acquisitions, partly offset by a 1% decrease resulting from the impact of foreign currency translation. The underlying revenue increase of 3% was achieved despite the economic environment and the soft pricing environment in the global property-casualty insurance market. Marsh increased revenues in all its geographies, showing strong new business growth for the quarter. Underlying revenue increased 4% in Latin America, 3% in Asia Pacific, 3% in U.S. / Canada and 1% in EMEA.

In the first quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired Haake Companies, Inc., one of the largest insurance agencies in the Midwest, and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. In the second quarter of 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd., an international provider of risk intermediary and risk advisory services and the Bostonian Group, one of the largest regional insurance brokerages in New England.

Guy Carpenter’s revenue increased 4% to $233 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, or 3% on an underlying basis. The increase in underlying revenue was due to continued strong revenue retention and new business. Guy Carpenter continues to maintain revenue growth during a difficult economic and pricing environment. In April 2009, Guy Carpenter acquired John B. Collins Associates, Inc., previously the fifth-largest reinsurance intermediary in the U.S. and seventh-largest in the world. In October 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of London-based specialty reinsurance broker Rattner Mackenzie Limited from HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Fiduciary interest income was $11 million in the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 11% compared with the same period of 2009, driven by lower interest rates, partly offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates.

Revenue in the Risk and Insurance Services segment increased 9% for the first nine months of 2010 compared with the same period of 2009 or 1% on an underlying basis.

Expense

Expenses in the Risk and Insurance Services segment increased 8% in the third quarter of 2010, compared with the same period in the prior year, reflecting a 7% increase from acquisitions and a 2% increase in underlying expenses, partly offset by a 1% decrease due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. The increase in underlying expenses is primarily due to higher base salaries, pension related expenses and outsourcing costs.

Expenses for the nine-month period in 2010 increased 8% compared with prior year. On an underlying basis, expenses were flat versus 2009.

 

41


Table of Contents

 

Consulting

The results of operations for the Consulting segment are presented below:

 

      Third Quarter     Nine Months  
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009     2010      2009  

Revenue

     $1,203        $1,144        $3,526         $3,370   

Compensation and Benefits

     732        739        2,190         2,161   

Other Expenses

     333        300        1,357         935   

Expense

     1,065        1,039        3,547         3,096   

Operating Income

     $   138        $   105        $  (21)         $   274   

Operating Income Margin

     11.5     9.2     N/A         8.1

Revenue

Consulting revenue in the third quarter of 2010 increased 5% compared with the same period in 2009, or 6% on an underlying basis. Mercer’s revenue was $881 million in the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 6%. On an underlying basis, Mercer’s revenue increased 6%. Within Mercer’s consulting lines, revenue increased 5% on an underlying basis compared with the third quarter of 2009, reflecting an increase of 12% in rewards, talent & communications and an increase of 8% in health and benefits, partly offset by a 1% decline in retirement. The increase in rewards, talent & communications was driven by solid growth in human capital consulting in the U.S., Canada and EMEA as well as a resurgence of demand for compensation surveys in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and Asia Pacific. The growth in health and benefits was driven by increases in the U.S. and Asia Pacific. Outsourcing revenue increased 4% on an underlying basis, driven by new client wins in the U.S. and Asia Pacific. Investment Consulting & Management revenue increased 17% on an underlying basis, due to strong growth in all geographies. Oliver Wyman’s revenue increased 3% to $322 million in the third quarter of 2010, or 6% on an underlying basis, driven by double-digit revenue growth within its financial services practice. Other areas, including the manufacturing, transportation and consumer sectors also generated solid growth.

Consulting revenue in the first nine months of 2010 increased 5% compared with the same period in 2009, or 3% on an underlying basis. Mercer’s revenue increased 4%, or 1% on an underlying basis; reflecting an increase in investment consulting and management of 17%, an increase in outsourcing of 3% partly offset by a decrease in Mercer Consulting of 1%. Within Mercer’s consulting lines, revenue decreased 1% on an underlying basis reflecting a 4% decrease in retirement, a 3% decrease in rewards, talent & communications, partly offset by a 4% increase in health and benefits. Oliver Wyman’s revenue increased 6% on an underlying basis, compared with the same period last year.

Expense

Consulting expenses increased 3% in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, reflecting a 1% increase due to acquisitions and a 3% increase in underlying expenses, partly offset by a 1% decrease from the impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in underlying expense reflects higher base salaries, higher pension related costs, meeting costs, outside services and asset based fees, partly offset by lower restructuring costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, expenses increased 15%, or 13% on an underlying basis. Mercer recorded a net $400 million charge related to the Alaska settlement in 2010 and incremental costs of $30 million related to a professional liability settlement in

 

42


Table of Contents

2009. Excluding these charges, expenses increased 1% on an underlying basis. This reflects the impact of higher pension related costs, meeting costs, outside services and asset based fees partly offset by lower severance, restructuring and recoverable expenses from clients.

Corporate Expenses and Other

Corporate expenses in the third quarter of 2010 were $41 million compared with $37 million in the prior year. The increase is primarily due to higher consulting costs related to corporate initiatives compared with 2009. Corporate expenses for the nine months of 2010 decreased $25 million from 2009 due to lower restructuring charges and consulting fees and the impact of $8 million of payments received in 2010 related to the Corporate Advisory and Restructuring businesses disposal in 2008.

Interest

Interest income earned on corporate funds amounted to $6 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared with $3 million in the third quarter of 2009. The increase is primarily due to higher non-U.S. interest rate yields in 2010 compared to 2009. Interest income was $13 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. Interest expense was $60 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared with $59 million for the same period in the prior year. Interest expense was $180 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. In September 2010, MMC used a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Kroll to fund the maturity of $550 million of senior notes. As a result, interest expense should decrease starting in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Investment Income (Loss)

Net investment loss in the third quarter of 2010 was $2 million due to mark-to-market declines in our private equity investments. This compares with investment gains of $22 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to mark-to-market increases on private equity fund investments. For the nine months of 2010, investment income was $24 million compared with $25 million of losses in the prior period.

Income Taxes

MMC reported an effective tax rate of 30.0% in continuing operations in the third quarter of 2010. The 20.8% effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2010 reflects the benefit associated with the Alaska settlement recorded in the second quarter. This results from the deduction of the settlement from U.S. income, which has a relatively higher effective tax rate, combined with other pre-tax income that is subject to lower average effective tax rates applicable worldwide. Excluding the effect of the settlement, the effective tax rate for the first nine months was 29.6%.

In the third quarter of 2009 MMC recorded a tax benefit of $46 million on pretax income of $161 million. This includes a net benefit of $95 million resulting from a decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest related to prior tax years as a result of expiring statutes of limitations, audit settlements, and changes in estimates. Excluding this benefit, the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2009 was 30.4%. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2009 was 12.7%. Excluding the effect of the benefit from the decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits recognized in the third quarter, the effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2009 was 28.1%.

 

43


Table of Contents

 

MMC’s tax basis in its investment in the stock of Kroll exceeded the recorded amount primarily as a result of prior impairments of goodwill recognized for financial reporting, but not for tax. Prior to the second quarter of 2010, a tax benefit had not been recorded for this temporary difference because it was not apparent in the foreseeable future that it would reverse in a transaction that would result in a tax benefit. Since Kroll met the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation in the second quarter of 2010, MMC determined that it had the ability to carry back the capital loss realized against prior realized capital gains. Therefore, a $265 million deferred tax benefit was recorded in discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2010 to establish a deferred tax asset.

Dispositions

On August 3, 2010, MMC completed its sale of Kroll to Altegrity for cash proceeds of $1.13 billion. In the first quarter of 2010, Kroll completed the sale of KLS. The account balances and activities of Kroll and KLS have been segregated and reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2009. The gain on the sale of Kroll and related tax benefits and the after-tax loss on the sale of KLS, along with Kroll’s and KLS’s 2010 and comparative results of operations are included in discontinued operations.

In the second quarter of 2009, Kroll completed the sale of Kroll Government Services (“KGS”). The financial results of KGS for 2009 are included in discontinued operations. Discontinued operations in 2010 and 2009 also includes the accretion of interest related to an indemnity for uncertain tax positions provided as part of the purchase by Great West Lifeco Inc. of Putnam Investments Trust from MMC in August 2007.

Summarized Statements of Income data for discontinued operations is as follows:

 

     

Three Months Ended

September 30,

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
(In millions of dollars)    2010     2009      2010     2009  

Kroll Operations

         

Revenue

     $56        $171         $381        $ 530   

Expense (a)

     52        151         345        806   

Net operating income

     4        20         36        (276

Income tax

     1        8         16        16   

Income from Kroll operations, net of tax

     3        12         20        (292

Other discontinued operations, net of tax

     (7             (7       

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (4     12         13        (292

Disposals of discontinued operations (b)

     35        14         42        4   

Income tax (credit) expense (c)

     (12     8         (237     32   

Disposals of discontinued operations, net of tax

     47        6         279        (28

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     $43        $  18         $292        $(320

 

(a)

Includes goodwill impairment charge of $315 million for the nine month period in 2009.

 

(b)

Includes gain on sale of Kroll in the three and nine month periods of 2010, the gain on the sale of KLS in the nine month period of 2010 and a loss on the sale of KGS in the nine months of 2009.

 

(c)

The income tax credit related to the disposal of discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily represents the recognition of tax benefits recorded in the second quarter when MMC concluded the sale of Kroll was probable. The nine months of 2010 also includes a tax provision of $36 million on the sale of KLS.

 

44


Table of Contents

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Cash Flows

MMC provided $50 million of cash from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared with $405 million provided for the same period in 2009. These amounts reflect the net income of MMC during those periods, excluding gains or losses from investments and from the disposition of businesses, adjusted for non-cash items, and changes in working capital which relate primarily to the timing of payments of accrued liabilities or receipts of assets. Cash generated from the disposition of businesses is included in investing cash flows.

On June 11, 2010, MMC resolved the litigation brought by the Alaska Retirement Management Board (“ARMB”) on behalf of two Alaska benefit plans against Mercer, relating to work in the period 1992 to 2004. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Mercer paid $500 million, of which $100 million is covered by insurance. The Company has recorded a tax benefit of $267 million related to the disposition of Kroll and a $160 million tax benefit related to the cost of the Alaska Settlement. MMC expects to realize approximately 80% of these tax benefits within the next twelve months.

During the third quarter of 2010, MMC contributed $200 million to the Marsh & McLennan Companies U.S. Retirement Plan. MMC will realize a tax benefit on this contribution of approximately $70 million.

Financing Cash Flows

Net cash used for financing activities was $931 million for the period ended September 30, 2010 compared with $358 million used for the same period in 2009.

MMC paid dividends on its common shares of $333 million ($0.60 per share) during the first nine months of 2010, as compared with $322 million ($0.60 per share) during the first nine months of 2009.

The Company used a portion of the cash received from the Kroll disposition to fund the maturity of $550 million of senior notes in the third quarter of 2010.

On September 15, 2010, MMC’s Board of Directors authorized a $500 million share repurchase program.

In the first quarter of 2009, MMC issued $400 million of 9.25% ten-year fixed rate senior notes to refinance the senior notes that matured in June 2009.

On October 23, 2009, MMC and certain of its foreign subsidiaries entered into a new $1.0 billion multi-currency three-year unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced the $1.2 billion facility that was previously in place. The interest rate on this facility varies based upon MMC’s credit ratings and MMC’s credit default swap levels subject to floors and caps. The facility requires MMC to maintain certain coverage and leverage ratios which are tested quarterly. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at September 30, 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010, MMC paid deferred purchase consideration of $15 million related to the purchase in 2009 of the minority interest of a previously controlled entity.

 

45


Table of Contents

 

MMC’s senior debt is currently rated Baa2 by Moody’s and BBB- by Standard & Poor’s. MMC’s short-term debt is currently rated P-2 by Moody’s and A-3 by Standard & Poor’s. MMC carries a stable outlook from Moody’s and a negative outlook from Standard & Poor’s.

The major credit rating agencies periodically evaluate MMC’s creditworthiness. Any downgrade in MMC’s ratings from current levels could increase its long-term financing costs, as lenders can be expected to consult such ratings in determining the terms on which credit is extended to MMC in the future. Additionally, counterparties to certain agreements, including derivative financial instruments, may require additional security or other changes in business terms if MMC’s credit ratings are downgraded. Accordingly, any downgrade in MMC’s credit ratings from current levels could adversely affect MMC’s results of operations and ability to pursue business opportunities.

Investing Cash Flows

Cash provided by investing activities amounted to $817 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared with $114 million used for the same period in 2009.

MMC made six acquisitions during the first nine months of 2010. Cash used for these acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was approximately $222 million compared with $4 million used for acquisitions in 2009. In addition, MMC issued approximately 7.6 million shares of common stock with an acquisition date value of $183 million, and recorded a liability of $65 million for estimated contingent purchase consideration related to the acquisitions completed in the first nine months of 2010. In 2010, MMC also paid $21 million of deferred purchase consideration, $3 million for other intangible assets and $2 million of contingent purchase consideration related to acquisitions made in prior years. Remaining deferred cash payments of $207 million for acquisitions completed in the third quarter of 2010 and in prior years are recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities or other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2010. MMC paid contingent consideration of $3 million in 2009.

MMC’s additions to fixed assets and capitalized software amounted to $193 million in the first nine months of 2010 and $209 million for the same period in 2009, primarily related to computer equipment purchases, the refurbishing and modernizing of office facilities and software development costs.

The company received $1.13 billion from its disposition of Kroll, which closed on August 3, 2010 and $110 million from the disposition of KLS which closed in the second quarter of 2010. In 2009, MMC received $70 million related to the disposition of KGS.

During the first nine months of 2010, MMC received $31 million of proceeds from the sale of investments and a $27 million distribution from its investment in a private equity fund.

MMC has committed to potential future investments of approximately $81 million in connection with its investments in Trident II and other funds managed by Stone Point Capital. The majority of MMC’s investment commitments for funds managed by Stone Point are related to Trident II, the investment period for which is now closed for new investments and follow-on investments. Any remaining capital calls for Trident II would relate to management fees or other partnership expenses, if necessary. Significant future capital calls related to Trident II are not expected. Although it is anticipated that Trident II will be harvesting its remaining portfolio, the timing of any portfolio company sales and capital distributions is unknown and not controlled by MMC.

 

46


Table of Contents

 

Commitments and Obligations

MMC’s contractual obligations of the types identified in the table below were of the following amounts as of September 30, 2010 (dollars in millions):

 

      Payment due by Period  
Contractual Obligations    Total     

Within

1 Year

     1-3 Years      4-5 Years     

After

5 Years

 

Current portion of long-term debt

     $      9         $    9         $     —         $     —         $     —   

Long-term debt

     3,035                 520         1,420         1,095   

Interest on long-term debt

     1,537         185         340         277         735   

Net operating leases

     2,141         333         548         402         858   

Service agreements

     351         84         115         81         71   

Other long-term obligations

     212         70         142                   

Total

     $7,285         $681         $1,665         $2,180         $2,759   

The above does not include unrecognized tax benefits of $204 million as MMC is unable to reasonably predict the timing of settlement of these liabilities, other than approximately $10 million that may become payable within one year. The above does not include liabilities established relating to guarantees from indemnities as MMC is unable to reasonably predict the timing of settlement of these liabilities. The above does not include pension liabilities of $693 million because the timing and amount of ultimate payment of such liability is dependent upon future events, including, but not limited to, future returns on plan assets, and changes in the discount rate used to measure the liabilities.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements contains a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact or potential future impact on MMC’s financial results, if determinable.

 

47


Table of Contents

 

Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk and Credit Risk

Certain of MMC’s revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and equity markets.

Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk

MMC has historically managed its interest rate exposures by utilizing both variable and fixed rate borrowings to finance MMC’s asset base. In past years, MMC has had some variable rate borrowings in its debt portfolio and has also utilized interest rate swaps to convert a portion of its fixed rate borrowings to variable rate. Currently, virtually all of MMC’s borrowings are fixed rate borrowings.

Interest income generated from MMC’s cash investments as well as invested fiduciary funds will vary with the general level of interest rates.

In addition to interest rate risk, our cash investments and fiduciary fund investments are subject to potential loss of value due to counterparty credit risk. To minimize this risk, MMC and its subsidiaries invest pursuant to a Board approved investment policy. The policy mandates the preservation of principal and liquidity and requires broad diversification with counterparty limits assigned based primarily on credit rating and type of investment. MMC carefully monitors its cash and fiduciary fund investments and will further restrict the portfolio as appropriate to market conditions. The majority of cash and fiduciary fund investments are invested in short-term bank deposits and liquid money market funds.

Foreign Currency Risk

The translated values of revenue and expense from MMC’s international operations are subject to fluctuations due to changes in currency exchange rates. Forward contracts and options are periodically utilized by MMC to limit foreign currency exchange rate exposure on net income and cash flows for specific, clearly defined transactions arising in the ordinary course of its business.

Equity Price Risk

MMC holds investments in both public and private companies as well as certain private equity funds managed by Stone Point Capital. Publicly traded investments of $23 million are classified as available for sale under ASC Topic No. 320 (“Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”). Non-publicly traded investments of $38 million are accounted for using the cost method and $180 million are accounted for under ASC Topic No. 323 (“Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures”). The investments that are classified as available for sale or that are not publicly traded are subject to risk of changes in market value, which if determined to be other-than-temporary, could result in realized impairment losses. MMC periodically reviews the carrying value of such investments to determine if any valuation adjustments are appropriate under the applicable accounting pronouncements.

Other

A significant number of lawsuits and regulatory proceedings are pending. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

48


Table of Contents

 

Part I – Item 4. Controls & Procedures

a.  Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on their evaluation, as of the end of the period of this report, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective.

b.  Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in MMC’s internal controls over financial reporting that were identified in connection with the evaluation referred to under Part I – Item 4a above that occurred during MMC’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, MMC’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

49


Table of Contents

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The information set forth in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements provided in Part I of this report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

MMC and its subsidiaries face a number of risks and uncertainties. In addition to the other information in this report and our other filings with the SEC, readers should consider carefully the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. If any of the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or such other risks actually occur, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

MMC did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the third quarter of 2010. Pursuant to an August 2007 authorization by MMC’s Board of Directors, MMC remained authorized to repurchase shares of its common stock up to a dollar value of $700 million. The August 2007 authorization was subsequently superseded by a September 2010 authorization by MMC’s Board of Directors to repurchase shares of its common stock up to a dollar value of $500 million. There is no time limit on this authorization.

 

Period   

(a)

Total

Number of

Shares

(or Units)

Purchased

    

(b)

Average Price

Paid per

Share

(or Unit)

    

(c)

Total Number of
Shares

(or Units)

Purchased as

Part of Publicly
Announced

Plans or

Programs

    

(d)

Maximum

Number (or
Approximate

Dollar Value) of
Shares

(or Units)

that May

Yet Be

Purchased

Under the Plans

or Programs

July 1 – 31, 2010

                           $700 million

Aug 1 – 31, 2010

                           $700 million

Sept 1 – 30, 2010

                           $500 million

Total Q3 2010

                           $500 million

 

50


Table of Contents

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

See the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

51


Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Date: November 9, 2010  

/s/ Vanessa A. Wittman

  Vanessa A. Wittman
  Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Date: November 9, 2010  

/s/ Robert J. Rapport

  Robert J. Rapport
  Senior Vice President & Controller
  (Chief Accounting Officer)

 

52


Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.    Exhibit Name
12.1    Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1    Section 1350 Certifications
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

53