1st Quarter Results
Marsh & McLennan Co Inc
19 April 2001
MMC REPORTS INCREASED FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS
Strong Performance by Risk and Insurance Services
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK, April 19, 2001 - Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC), a
leading global professional services firm, today reported increased earnings
for the quarter ended March 31, 2001. Compared to the first quarter 2000,
consolidated revenues declined 3 percent to $2.6 billion. Net income grew 9
percent to $369 million. And earnings per share rose 7 percent to $1.27.
'In the first quarter, MMC benefited from its diverse mix of professional
services businesses and from the leadership of the skilled veterans who manage
them,' said J.W. Greenberg, chairman. 'This combination helped the Company
increase its earnings in a decelerating economy.'
Revenues from MMC's risk and insurance services business rose 5 percent to
$1.4 billion. Underlying revenue (which excludes such items as foreign
exchange, acquisitions, and dispositions) grew 9 percent, a reflection of net
new business in each major operating territory around the world. Margins
improved 3 percentage points, and operating income increased 18 percent to
$381 million. In a market where insurance rates are rising and coverage is
more difficult to obtain, Marsh provides value to clients by developing the
most cost-effective responses to the risks they face.
After a five-year compound annual growth rate of 30 percent, Putnam's average
assets under management declined 13 percent to $352 billion in the first
quarter. Revenues decreased 19 percent to $690 million, and operating income
declined 16 percent to $217 million. Despite the sharp reversal in equity
markets, net new sales for the quarter exceeded $6 billion. Putnam has
responded to the current environment by reducing expenses, in part through a 4
percent reduction in staff. This response will strengthen Putnam's business
and help to maintain its position as an industry leader.
Mercer's revenues grew 6 percent to $550 million. Operating income rose 12
percent to $70 million. Underlying revenue from Mercer's human resource
consulting, which accounts for more than 75 percent of its business, increased
10 percent. Revenues from management consulting declined 9 percent. Mercer
has reduced its expenses and tailored its services to changing client needs in
the slowing U.S. economy, while continuing to invest for future growth.
In 2001, MMC started an active share repurchase program. Year to date the
company has repurchased approximately 2 million shares.
Mr. Greenberg commented, 'MMC has market-leading businesses, and each has
excellent prospects for continued growth. In the current environment
disciplined expense management will strengthen our businesses as we pursue our
long-term strategies.'
MMC is a global professional services firm with annual revenues of $10
billion. It is the parent company of Marsh, the world's leading risk and
insurance services firm; Putnam Investments, one of the largest investment
management companies in the United States; and Mercer Consulting Group, a
major global provider of consulting services. Approximately 57,000 employees
provide analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100
countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago,
Pacific and London stock exchanges. MMC's website address is www.mmc.com.
This press release contains certain statements relating to MMC's future
results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include,
without limitation, discussions concerning revenue and expense growth, cash
flow, capital structure, cost savings and efficiencies expected from the
integration of Sedgwick Group plc, as well as market and industry conditions,
interest rates, foreign exchange rates, contingencies, matters relating to
MMC's operations and income taxes. Actual results may differ from those
contemplated as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to changes in general worldwide and national economic conditions,
competitive conditions and pricing pressures, the integration of the risk and
insurance services and consulting businesses of Sedgwick Group plc (including
the achievement of synergies and cost reductions) or other adverse
consequences from that transaction, level of worldwide and national equity and
fixed income markets, changes in interest rates, foreign currency
fluctuations, movements in premium rate levels in the global property and
casualty insurance markets, the impact of natural catastrophes, mergers
between client organizations, prospective and retrospective changes in the tax
or accounting treatment of the Company's operations and the impact of tax or
other legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which the Company
operates, the uncertainties of litigation, claims and contingencies, actions
of competitors or regulators, as well as other risks and uncertainties
detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission
filings. Please refer to Marsh & McLennan Companies' 2000 Annual Report on
Form 10-K for 'Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements,' its reports
on Form 8-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
MMC is committed to providing timely and materially accurate information to
the investing public, consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations. To
that end, MMC and its operating companies use their Web sites to convey
meaningful information about their businesses, including the posting of
updates of assets under management at Putnam, and from time to time, Marsh
Inc.'s view of insurance market conditions. Monthly updates of assets under
management at Putnam will be posted on the first business day following the
end of each month, except at the end of March, June, September and December,
when such information will be released with MMC's quarterly earnings
announcement. Investors can link to MMC and its operating company Web sites
through www.mmc.com.
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In millions, except per share figures)
(Unaudited)
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Three Months Ended
March 31,
_________________________________________ _____________________________
2001 2000
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Revenue:
Risk and Insurance Services $1,354 $1,294
Investment Management 690 851
Consulting 550 520
_________________________________________ _________ ______________
Total Revenue 2,594 2,665
_________________________________________ _________ ______________
Expense:
Compensation and Benefits 1,216 1,304
Amortization of Intangibles 49 44
Other Operating Expenses 684 698
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Total Expense 1,949 2,046
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Operating Income 645 619
Interest Income 5 5
Interest Expense (52) (60)
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Income Before Income Taxes and Minority
Interest 598 564
Income Taxes 224 223
Minority Interest, Net of Tax 5 4
________________________________________ _________ ________________
Net Income $ 369 $ 337
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Basic Net Income Per Share $1.33 $1.26
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Diluted Net Income Per Share $1.27 $1.19
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Average Number of
Shares Outstanding - Basic 276 268
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Average Number of
Shares Outstanding - Diluted 288 280
_________________________________________ _________ ________________
Note: Minority interest for 2000 has been reclassified to be consistent
with the 2001 presentation.
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
Supplemental Information
(In millions, except assets under management)
(Unaudited)
--------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
March 31,
________________________________________ _________________
2001 2000
________________________________________ _____ ______
Operating Income Including Minority
Interest Expense:
Risk and Insurance Services $381 $324
Investment Management 217 259
Consulting 70 63
Corporate (28) (31)
_________________________________________ _____ ______
$640 $615
_________________________________________ _____ ______
Minority Interest Expense, Net of Tax,
Included Above:
Risk and Insurance Services $ 1 $ 1
Investment Management 4 3
________________________________________ _______ ________
$ 5 $ 4
________________________________________ _______ ________
Segment Operating Margins:
Risk and Insurance Services 28.1% 25.0%
Investment Management 31.4% 30.4%
Consulting 12.7% 12.1%
Consolidated Operating Margin 24.9% 23.2%
Pretax Margin 23.1% 21.2%
Tax Rate 37.5% 39.5%
Underlying Change in Revenue:
Risk and Insurance Services 9 % 6%
Investment Management (19)% 35%
Consulting 7 % 12%
Consolidated 0 % 15%
Basic Shares Outstanding at End of Period 276 269
Potential Minority Interest Associated
with the Putnam Equity Partnership Plan $ 4 $ 5
Putnam Assets Under Management
(billions):
Mutual Funds:
Growth Equity $ 69 $166
Core Equity 59 43
Value Equity 55 58
Fixed Income 48 48
_________________________________________ _______ ________
231 315
_________________________________________ _______ ________
Institutional Accounts:
Growth Equity 26 40
Core Equity 42 42
Value Equity 6 5
Fixed Income 16 20
_________________________________________ _______ ________
90 107
_________________________________________ _______ ________
Total Ending Assets (March 31) $321 $422
_________________________________________ _______ ________
Assets from Non-US Investors $ 27 $ 30
Average Assets $352 $403
Net New Sales including Dividends $ 6 $ 10
Reinvested
Underlying change in revenue on a comparable basis excludes
the effect of such items as foreign exchange, acquisitions
and dispositions.
Minority interest, net of tax, is presented as a separate
line item on the face of the Consolidated Statements of
Income.
For further information please contact:
Barbara Perlmutter Jim Fingeroth
MMC Kekst and Company
(212) 345-5585 (212) 521-4819