Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) reported strong financial results for Q1 2021, with total revenues increasing to $2.13 billion, a 7% rise year-over-year. Adjusted net earnings reached $626.8 million, up 9%, and diluted EPS grew to $2.02. The company experienced robust organic revenue growth driven by a firm property casualty market and effective cost management, resulting in a net earnings margin of 22.6%. Positive trends in client retention and premium rate increases were also noted. Despite COVID-19 impacts, liquidity remains strong at $1.6 billion.

Positive

• Total revenues increased to $2.13 billion, up 7% year-over-year.
• Adjusted net earnings rose to $626.8 million, a 9% increase.
• Diluted EPS improved to $2.02, compared to $1.86 in Q1 2020.
• Strong organic revenue growth driven by a firm property casualty market.
• Cost-saving measures yielded approximately $64 million in savings.
• Liquidity stood at $1.6 billion.

Negative

• New consulting and special project work in employee benefits Brokerage was lower than pre-pandemic levels.
• If economic recovery slows, benefits revenue could soften.
• Overall demand for energy is expected to decline due to pandemic impacts.

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., April 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG) today reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.  Management will host a webcast conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 5:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. CT.  To listen to the call, and for printer-friendly formats of this release and the "Supplemental Quarterly Data" and "CFO Commentary," which may also be referenced during the call, please visit ajg.com/IR. These documents contain both GAAP and non-GAAP measures.  Investors and other users of this information should read carefully the section entitled "Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures" beginning on page 9. 

Summary of Financial Results - First Quarter
				Revenues Before									Diluted Net Earnings
				Reimbursements			Net Earnings (Loss)			EBITDAC			(Loss) Per Share
Segment				1st Q 21	1st Q 20		1st Q 21	1st Q 20		1st Q 21	1st Q 20		1st Q 21	1st Q 20	Chg
				(in millions)			(in millions)			(in millions)
Brokerage, as reported				$  1,610.2	$ 1,435.6		$   364.4	$  311.4		$ 618.4	$ 477.9		$    1.82	$   1.61
	Net gains on divestitures			(4.1)	(0.2)		(3.2)	(0.2)		(4.1)	(0.2)		(0.02)	-
	Acquisition integration			-	-		3.2	5.1		4.1	6.7		0.02	0.03
	Workforce and lease termination			-	-		5.5	5.0		5.2	6.5		0.03	0.02
	Acquisition related adjustments			-	-		11.7	(2.1)		6.1	4.6		0.06	(0.01)
	Levelized foreign currency
	translation			-	39.1		-	5.4		-	11.8		-	0.03
Brokerage, as adjusted  *				1,606.1	1,474.5		381.6	324.6		629.7	507.3		1.91	1.68
Risk Management, as reported				220.3	211.8		18.0	19.1		39.8	35.0		0.09	0.10
	Workforce and lease termination			-	-		0.5	0.2		0.7	0.3		0.01	-
	Acquisition related adjustments			-	-		1.8	(0.2)		-	-		-	-
	Levelized foreign currency
	translation			-	6.3		-	0.2		-	0.9		-	-
Risk Management, as adjusted  *				220.3	218.1		20.3	19.3		40.5	36.2		0.10	0.10
Corporate				302.1	181.8		11.3	24.9		(43.4)	(23.0)		0.01	0.08
Total Company, as reported				$  2,132.6	$ 1,829.2		$   393.7	$  355.4		$ 614.8	$ 489.9		$    1.92	$   1.79	7%
Total Company, as adjusted  *				$  2,128.5	$ 1,874.4		$   413.2	$  368.8		$ 626.8	$ 520.5		$    2.02	$   1.86	9%
Total Brokerage & Risk
	Management, as reported			$  1,830.5	$ 1,647.4		$   382.4	$  330.5		$ 658.2	$ 512.9		$    1.91	$   1.71	12%
Total Brokerage & Risk
	Management, as adjusted  *			$  1,826.4	$ 1,692.6		$   401.9	$  343.9		$ 670.2	$ 543.5		$    2.01	$   1.78	13%

*

For first quarter 2021, the pretax impact of the Brokerage segment adjustments totals $21.8 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $4.6 million relating to these items.  For first quarter 2021, the pretax impact of the Risk Management segment adjustments totals $3.1 million, with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of $0.8 million relating to these items.  A detailed reconciliation of the 2021 and 2020 provision (benefit) for income taxes is shown on pages 13 and 14.

(1 of 14)

"We are off to an excellent start in 2021," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "We posted strong total revenue growth, including excellent organic revenue growth and continued growth from our tuck-in M&A strategy.  Combined with our expense discipline, we once again delivered fantastic growth in net earnings and EBITDAC."

"We are operating in a firm property casualty environment where rates are up in nearly all lines and geographies around the globe, which is consistent with the past few quarters.  At this time, we don't see conditions that would indicate this rate environment would change anytime soon.  Exposure units also show signs of continued growth as business activity rebounds and unemployment falls.  An increasing rate and exposure unit environment is when our team shines by providing clients with the very best insurance, consulting and risk management advice – and our global team remains energized.

In addition, we were selected as a World's Most Ethical Company for the tenth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute; another affirmation that our unique culture continues to thrive around the globe.  I believe we are very well positioned for the remainder of 2021!"

COVID-19 Impact

In our property/casualty Brokerage operations, during first quarter 2021 (a) our customer retention and new business generation remained similar to pre-pandemic levels, (b) renewal exposure units (i.e., insured values, payrolls, employees, miles driven, etc.) were lower than pre-pandemic first quarter 2020, but higher than the last three quarters of 2020, (c) premium rates across most geographies and lines of coverage have continued to increase, effectively mitigating exposure unit declines, and (d) mid-term policy modifications (including cancellations) were a net positive, similar to first quarter 2020.

Thus far in second quarter 2021, property/casualty new business, retentions and mid-term policy modifications are trending similar to first quarter 2021 and much improved compared to lows seen in April and May 2020, as our customers' businesses continue to recover and economic activity increases.  So far during second quarter 2021, we continue to see overall property/casualty premium rates move higher and exposure units also trended higher than first quarter 2021.

In our employee benefits Brokerage operations, during first quarter 2021 (a) we saw a slight improvement in covered lives on renewal business compared to fourth quarter 2020, yet still lower than pre-pandemic levels, and (b) new consulting and special project work was also lower than pre-pandemic levels.  So far during second quarter 2021, we are seeing a modest increase in covered lives, consulting engagements and special project work compared to first quarter 2021.  We believe these favorable trends should continue for the remainder of 2021; however, if the economic recovery slows or reverses course, we could see our benefits revenue soften from current levels. 

In our Risk Management operations, first quarter 2021 new claims arising were consistent with fourth quarter 2020, but still below pre-pandemic first quarter 2020 levels.  So far during second quarter 2021, we are seeing new claims arising similar to first quarter 2021, which is a substantial increase compared to lows seen in April and May 2020.  A slower recovery or reversal in the number of workers employed could cause fewer claims to arise in future quarters.

Our clean energy investments saw higher electricity production in first quarter 2021 compared to first quarter 2020 due to colder temperatures, rising natural gas prices and more plants within our portfolio being operational during the period.  First quarter 2021 production was only slightly lower than pre-pandemic production levels seen in first quarter 2019.  However, lower overall demand for energy caused by the pandemic and more supply from renewables may cause lower production by the plants within our portfolio for the remainder of 2021.

Of our nearly 1,000 office locations, more than 400 are open, but most at reduced capacity.  Accordingly, the vast majority of our employees continue to work remotely for some or all of their work week.  We believe our service levels are unchanged from pre-pandemic levels.  We have not had any office-wide outbreaks of COVID-19, and there have been approximately 450 confirmed cases among approximately 34,000 employees - all of which we believe contracted the virus outside of our office locations.

Given the deterioration in economic conditions since first quarter 2020, we are actively managing costs by limiting discretionary spending such as travel, entertainment and advertising expenses, adjusting our real estate footprint, reducing capital expenditures, limiting use of outside labor and consultants, increasing utilization of our centers of excellence, and in mid-2020 we adjusted portions of our workforce where business had declined significantly and normal attrition was not sufficient. 

During first quarter 2021, the cost saving impact of these actions totaled approximately $64 million compared to pre-pandemic first quarter 2020, adjusted for pro forma full-quarter costs related to acquisitions.  These cost savings were consistent with savings realized in second, third and fourth quarter 2020.  Offsetting these savings were severance and lease termination costs related to these actions.  Thus far during second quarter 2021, we are holding most of our prior year cost savings.

We have $1.6 billion of available liquidity; however, a return to mid-2020 pandemic economic conditions may cause our liquidity position to deteriorate.

(2 of 14)

Brokerage Segment Reported GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Reconciliations (dollars in millions):
Organic Revenues (Non-GAAP)			1st Q 2021		1st Q 2020
Base Commissions and Fees
Commissions and fees, as reported			$       1,459.0		$       1,313.0
Less commissions and fees from acquisitions			(50.2)		-
Less divested operations			-		(3.1)
Levelized foreign currency translation			-		33.6
Organic base commissions and fees			$       1,408.8		$       1,343.5
Organic change in base commissions and fees			4.9%
Supplemental Revenues
Supplemental revenues, as reported			$             66.8		$             59.0
Less supplemental revenues from acquisitions			(1.1)		-
Levelized foreign currency translation			-		1.7
Organic supplemental revenues			$             65.7		$             60.7
Organic change in supplemental revenues			8.2%
Contingent Revenues
Contingent revenues, as reported			$             63.3		$             45.1
Less contingent revenues from acquisitions			(0.9)		-
Levelized foreign currency translation			-		1.0
Organic contingent revenues			$             62.4		$             46.1
Organic change in contingent revenues			35.4%
Total reported commissions, fees, supplemental
	revenues and contingent revenues		$       1,589.1		$       1,417.1
Less commissions, fees, supplemental revenues
	and contingent revenues from acquisitions		(52.2)		-
Less divested operations and program repricing			-		(3.1)
Levelized foreign currency translation			-		36.3
Total organic commissions, fees, supplemental
	revenues and contingent revenues		$       1,536.9		$       1,450.3
Total organic change			6.0%

Acquisition Activity			1st Q 2021		1st Q 2020
Number of acquisitions closed  *			5		8
Estimated annualized revenues acquired (in millions)			$         89.7		$       124.2

*	In the first quarter of 2021, Gallagher issued 474,000 shares of its common stock at the request of sellers and/or in connection with tax–free exchange acquisitions related to acquisitions made in 2021 and the latter part of December 2020.

(3 of 14)

Brokerage Segment Reported GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Reconciliations (continued) (dollars in millions):
Compensation Expense and Ratios								1st Q 2021		1st Q 2020
Compensation expense, as reported								$           821.7		$           752.8
Acquisition integration								(3.6)		(3.8)
Workforce and lease termination related charges								(4.5)		(5.6)
Minority portion of consolidated entities								-		-
Acquisition related adjustments								(6.1)		(4.6)
Levelized foreign currency translation								-		19.7
Compensation expense, as adjusted								$           807.5		$           758.5
Reported compensation expense ratios using reported revenues on page 1							*	51.0%		52.4%
Adjusted compensation expense ratios using adjusted revenues on page 1							*	50.3%		51.4%

*	Reported first quarter 2021 compensation ratio was 1.4 pts lower than first quarter 2020.  Adjusted first quarter 2021 compensation ratio was 1.1 pts lower than first quarter 2020.  These ratios were primarily impacted by savings in base compensation due to increased utilization of our centers of excellence and other compensation expense control measures as noted on page 2.

Operating Expense and Ratios								1st Q 2021		1st Q 2020
Operating expense, as reported								$           170.1		$           204.9
Acquisition integration								(0.5)		(2.9)
Workforce and lease termination related charges								(0.7)		(0.9)
Levelized foreign currency translation								-		7.6
Operating expense, as adjusted								$           168.9		$           208.7
Reported operating expense ratios using reported revenues on page 1							*	10.6%		14.3%
Adjusted operating expense ratios using adjusted revenues on page 1							*	10.5%		14.2%

*	Reported and adjusted first quarter 2021 operating expense ratios were both 3.7 pts lower than first quarter 2020.  These ratios were primarily impacted by operating cost control measures as noted on page 2, partially offset by increased business insurance premiums.

(4 of 14)

Brokerage Segment Reported GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Reconciliations (continued) (dollars in millions):
Net Earnings to Adjusted EBITDAC (Non-GAAP)					1st  Q 2021		1st  Q 2020
Net earnings, as reported					$           364.4		$           311.4
Provision for income taxes					115.9		99.4
Depreciation					22.1		17.6
Amortization					103.6		134.2
Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables					12.4		(84.7)
EBITDAC					618.4		477.9
Net gains on divestitures					(4.1)		(0.2)
Acquisition integration					4.1		6.7
Workforce and lease termination related charges					5.2		6.5
Acquisition related adjustments					6.1		4.6
Levelized foreign currency translation					-		11.8
EBITDAC, as adjusted					$           629.7		$           507.3
Net earnings margin, as reported using reported revenues on page 1					22.6%		21.7%
EBITDAC margin, as adjusted using adjusted revenues on page 1					39.2%		34.4%

Risk Management Segment Reported GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Reconciliations (dollars in millions):
Organic Revenues (Non-GAAP)								1st Q 2021		1st Q 2020
Fees								$           217.3		$           210.2
International performance bonus fees								2.9		1.3
Fees as reported								220.2		211.5
Less fees from acquisitions								(1.1)		-
Levelized foreign currency translation								-		6.3
Organic fees								$           219.1		$           217.8
Organic change in fees								0.6%

 (5 of 14)

Risk Management Segment Reported GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Reconciliations (continued) (dollars in millions):
Compensation Expense and Ratios								1st Q 2021		1st Q 2020
Compensation expense, as reported								$           134.1		$           130.9
Workforce and lease termination related charges								(0.4)		(0.3)
Levelized foreign currency translation								-		4.4
Compensation expense, as adjusted								$           133.7		$           135.0
Reported compensation expense ratios using reported
	revenues (before reimbursements) on page 1						*	60.9%		61.8%
Adjusted compensation expense ratios using adjusted
	revenues (before reimbursements) on page 1						*	60.7%		61.9%

*	Reported first quarter 2021 compensation ratio was 0.9 pts lower than first quarter 2020.  Adjusted first quarter 2021 compensation ratio was 1.2 pts lower than first quarter 2020.  These ratios were primarily impacted by savings in base compensation and temporary help related to the compensation expense control measures as noted on page 2.

Operating Expense and Ratios								1st Q 2021		1st Q 2020
Operating expense, as reported								$             46.4		$             45.9
Workforce and lease termination related charges								(0.3)		-
Levelized foreign currency translation								-		1.0
Operating expense, as adjusted								$             46.1		$             46.9
Reported operating expense ratios using
	reported revenues (before reimbursements) on page 1						*	21.1%		21.7%
Adjusted operating expense ratios using
	reported revenues (before reimbursements) on page 1						*	20.9%		21.5%

*	Reported first quarter operating expense ratio was 0.6 pts lower than first quarter 2020.  Adjusted first quarter 2021 operating ratio was 0.6 pts lower than first quarter 2020.  These ratios were primarily impacted by savings related to operating cost control measures as noted on page 2, partially offset by increased business insurance premiums and technology expenses relating to essential client-related commitments.

Net Earnings to Adjusted EBITDAC (Non-GAAP)								1st Q 2021		1st Q 2020
Net earnings, as reported								$             18.0		$             19.1
Provision for income taxes								6.1		6.5
Depreciation								11.5		12.3
Amortization								1.6		1.4
Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables								2.6		(4.3)
EBITDAC								39.8		35.0
Workforce and lease termination related charges								0.7		0.3
Levelized foreign currency translation								-		0.9
EBITDAC, as adjusted								$             40.5		$             36.2
Net earnings margin, as reported using reported
	revenues (before reimbursements) on page 1							8.2%		9.0%
EBITDAC margin, as adjusted using adjusted
	revenues (before reimbursements) on page 1							18.4%		16.6%

(6 of 14)

Corporate Segment Reported GAAP Information (dollars in millions):
					2021						2020
							Net Earnings						Net Earnings
							(Loss)						(Loss)
					Income		Attributable to				Income		Attributable to
			Pretax		Tax		Controlling		Pretax		Tax		Controlling
1st Quarter			Loss		Benefit		Interests		Loss		Benefit		Interests
Interest and banking costs			$   (49.2)		$      12.3		$           (36.9)		$   (51.8)		$      13.0		$           (38.8)
Clean energy related (1)			(29.0)		62.4		33.4		(23.9)		76.4		52.5
Acquisition costs			(1.5)		0.1		(1.4)		(2.7)		0.2		(2.5)
Corporate (2)			(26.1)		32.5		6.4		(10.4)		15.7		5.3
Corporate, as reported			$ (105.8)		$    107.3		$               1.5		$   (88.8)		$    105.3		$             16.5

(1)	Pretax loss for the first quarter is presented net of amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests of $9.8 million in 2021 and $8.4 million in 2020.
(2)	Corporate pretax loss includes a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement loss of $4.1 million in Q1 2021 and a net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement gain of $12.4 million in Q1 2020.

Interest and banking costs and debt - At March 31, 2021, Gallagher had $4,373.0 million of borrowings from private placements and no short-term borrowings under its line of credit facility.  In addition, Gallagher had $151.3 million outstanding under a revolving loan facility that provides funding for premium finance receivables, which are fully collateralized by the underlying premiums held by insurance carriers, and as such are excluded from our debt covenant computations. 

Clean energy - Consists of the operating results related to our investments in clean coal production plants and royalty income from clean coal licenses related to Chem-Mod LLC.  Additional information regarding these results is available in the "CFO Commentary" at ajg.com/IR.

Acquisition costs - Consists mostly of external professional fees and other due diligence costs related to acquisitions.  On occasion, Gallagher enters into forward currency hedges for the purchase price of committed, but not yet funded, acquisitions with funding requirements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  The gains or losses, if any, associated with these hedge transactions is also included.

Corporate - Consists of overhead allocations mostly related to corporate staff compensation, other corporate level activities, and net unrealized foreign exchange remeasurement.  In addition, includes the tax expense related to partial taxation of foreign earnings, nondeductible executive compensation and entertainment expenses and the tax benefit from vesting of employee equity awards. 

Income Taxes

Gallagher allocates the provision for income taxes to its Brokerage and Risk Management segments using the local country statutory rates.  Gallagher's consolidated effective tax rate for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 3.6% and 0.2%, respectively, which was lower than the statutory rate due to the production of IRC Section 45 clean energy tax credits.  In third quarter 2020, Gallagher increased its estimated U.K. effective income tax rate from 17.5% to 19%.

(7 of 14)

Webcast Conference Call

Gallagher will host a webcast conference call on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 5:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. CT.  To listen to this call, please go to ajg.com/IR.  The call will be available for replay at such website for at least 90 days. 

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, has operations in 56 countries and offers client-service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Cautionary Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  When used in this press release, the words "anticipates," "believes," "contemplates," "see," "should," "could," "will," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans" and variations thereof and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding (i) future actions the Company may take in response to the disruption caused by COVID-19; (ii) anticipated future results or performance of any segment or the Company as a whole; (iii) the premium rate environment and the state of insurance markets; and (iv) the economic environment.

Gallagher's actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.  Readers are therefore cautioned against relying on any of the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include changes in worldwide and national economic conditions, including the effects of COVID-19; or other factors like Brexit; trade wars or tariffs; political unrest in the U.S. or other countries around the world; changes in premium rates and in insurance markets generally; and changes in the insurance brokerage industry's competitive landscape.

In particular, the global spread of COVID-19 has created significant volatility and uncertainty and economic disruption that may impact our forward-looking statements.  The extent to which the pandemic impacts our business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors, many of which are not within our control and that we may not be able to accurately predict, including: its duration and scope; the effectiveness of vaccines, how quickly vaccines are distributed and administered, and our employees' and the general population's willingness to receive them; governmental, business and individuals' actions that have been and continue to be taken in response to the pandemic, including new laws that raise corporate tax rates; the impact of the pandemic on economic activity and actions taken in response; the effect on our clients and client demand for our services; our ability to sell and provide our services, including limitations on travel and difficulties of our clients and employees working from home and closure of their facilities; the ability of our clients to pay their insurance premiums which could impact our commission and fee revenues for our services; the nature and extent of possible claims that might impact the ability of underwriting enterprises to pay supplemental and contingent commissions; the decrease in new arising workers' compensation and general liability claims; the long-term impact of closing our offices and our employees working from home; the impact of lost revenue on our employees' variable and base compensation levels; the impact of reduced investments and postponements related to business modernization projects; the impact of furloughed or terminated employees; and the impact of reduced advertising and sponsorship investments.

Please refer to Gallagher's filings with the SEC, including Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and its subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a more detailed discussion of these and other factors that could impact its forward-looking statements.  The COVID-19 pandemic currently amplifies, and in the future could continue to amplify, the risks, uncertainties and assumptions, reflected in such risk factors.  Any forward-looking statement made by Gallagher in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made.  Except as required by applicable law, Gallagher does not undertake to update the information included herein or the corresponding earnings release posted on Gallagher's website.

(8 of 14)

Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, this press release provides information regarding EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC margin, diluted net earnings per share, as adjusted (adjusted EPS), adjusted revenue, adjusted compensation and operating expenses, adjusted compensation expense ratio, adjusted operating expense ratio and organic revenue.  These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, the GAAP information provided in this press release.  Gallagher's management believes that these presentations provide useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to Gallagher's results of operations and financial condition or because they provide investors with measures that our chief operating decision maker uses when reviewing the company's performance.  See further below for definitions and additional reasons each of these measures is useful to investors.  Gallagher's industry peers may provide similar supplemental non-GAAP information with respect to one or more of these measures, although they may not use the same or comparable terminology and may not make identical adjustments.  The non-GAAP information provided by Gallagher should be used in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the GAAP information provided.  As disclosed in its most recent Proxy Statement, Gallagher makes determinations regarding certain elements of executive officer incentive compensation, performance share awards and annual cash incentive awards, partly on the basis of measures related to adjusted EBITDAC.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year amounts reported in this press release in order to conform them to the current year presentation.

Adjusted Non-GAAP presentation - Gallagher believes that the adjusted non-GAAP presentations of the current and prior period information presented in this earnings release provide stockholders and other interested persons with useful information regarding certain financial metrics of Gallagher that may assist such persons in analyzing Gallagher's operating results as they develop a future earnings outlook for Gallagher.  The after-tax amounts related to the adjustments were computed using the normalized effective tax rate for each respective period.  See pages 13 and 14 for a reconciliation of the adjustments made to income taxes.

• Adjusted measures - Revenues (for the Brokerage segment), revenues before reimbursements (for the Risk Management segment), net earnings, compensation expense and operating expense, respectively, each adjusted to exclude the following, as applicable:
• Net losses or gains on divestitures, which are primarily net losses or proceeds received related to sales of books of business and other divestiture transactions, such as the disposal of a business through sale or closure.
• Acquisition integration costs, which include costs related to certain large acquisitions, outside the scope of the usual tuck-in strategy, not expected to occur on an ongoing basis in the future once Gallagher fully assimilates the applicable acquisition.  These costs are typically associated with redundant workforce, extra lease space, duplicate services and external costs incurred to assimilate the acquisition with our IT related systems.
• Workforce related charges, which primarily include severance costs (either accrued or paid) related to employee terminations and other costs associated with redundant workforce.
• Lease termination related charges, which primarily include costs related to terminations of real estate leases and abandonment of leased space.
• Acquisition related adjustments, which include change in estimated acquisition earnout payables adjustments, impairment charges and acquisition related compensation charges. 
• The impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable.  The amounts excluded with respect to foreign currency translation are calculated by applying current year foreign exchange rates to the same periods in the prior year.
• Adjusted ratios - Adjusted compensation expense and adjusted operating expense, respectively, each divided by adjusted revenues.

(9 of 14)

Non-GAAP Earnings Measures

• EBITDAC and EBITDAC margin - EBITDAC is net earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables and EBITDAC margin is EBITDAC divided by total revenues (for the Brokerage segment) and revenues before reimbursements (for the Risk Management segment).  These measures for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments provide a meaningful representation of Gallagher's operating performance for the overall business and provide a meaningful way to measure its financial performance on an ongoing basis.
• Adjusted EBITDAC and Adjusted EBITDAC Margin - Adjusted EBITDAC is EBITDAC adjusted to exclude net gains on divestitures, acquisition integration costs, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, acquisition related adjustments and the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation, as applicable and Adjusted EBITDAC margin is Adjusted EBITDAC divided by total adjusted revenues (defined above).  These measures for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments provide a meaningful representation of Gallagher's operating performance, and are also presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.
• Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Net Earnings - Adjusted net earnings have been adjusted to exclude the after-tax impact of net gains on divestitures, acquisition integration costs, the impact of foreign currency translation, workforce related charges, lease termination related charges, acquisition related adjustments and effective income tax rate impact, as applicable.  Adjusted EPS is Adjusted Net Earnings divided by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.  This measure provides a meaningful representation of Gallagher's operating performance (and as such should not be used as a measure of Gallagher's liquidity), and for the overall business is also presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.

Organic Revenues (a non-GAAP measure) - For the Brokerage segment, organic change in base commission and fee revenues, supplemental revenues and contingent revenues exclude the first twelve months of such revenues generated from acquisitions and such revenues related to divested operations in each year presented.  These revenues are excluded from organic revenues in order to help interested persons analyze the revenue growth associated with the operations that were a part of Gallagher in both the current and prior periods.  In addition, organic change in base commission and fee revenues, supplemental revenues and contingent revenues excludes the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.  For the Risk Management segment, organic change in fee revenues excludes the first twelve months of fee revenues generated from acquisitions in each year presented.  In addition, change in organic growth excludes the period-over-period impact of foreign currency translation to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability. 

These revenue items are excluded from organic revenues in order to determine a comparable, but non-GAAP, measurement of revenue growth that is associated with the revenue sources that are expected to continue in the current year and beyond.  Gallagher has historically viewed organic revenue growth as an important indicator when assessing and evaluating the performance of its Brokerage and Risk Management segments.  Gallagher also believes that using this non-GAAP measure allows readers of our financial statements to measure, analyze and compare the growth from its Brokerage and Risk Management segments in a meaningful and consistent manner.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information Presented to GAAP Measures - This press release includes tabular reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures, as follows: for EBITDAC (on pages 11 and 12), for adjusted revenues, adjusted EBITDAC and adjusted diluted net earnings per share (on page 1), for organic revenue measures (on pages 3 and 5, respectively, for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments), for adjusted compensation and operating expenses and adjusted EBITDAC margin (on pages 4, 5 and 6, respectively, for the Brokerage and Risk Management segments). 

(10 of 14)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Reported Statement of Earnings and EBITDAC - 1st Qtr Ended March 31,
(Unaudited - in millions except per share, percentage and workforce data)
													1st Q Ended		1st Q Ended
Brokerage Segment													Mar 31, 2021		Mar 31, 2020
Commissions													$          1,125.4		$          1,017.2
Fees													333.6		295.8
Supplemental revenues													66.8		59.0
Contingent revenues													63.3		45.1
Investment income and net gains on divestitures													21.1		18.5
	Total revenues												1,610.2		1,435.6
Compensation													821.7		752.8
Operating													170.1		204.9
Depreciation													22.1		17.6
Amortization													103.6		134.2
Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables													12.4		(84.7)
	Expenses												1,129.9		1,024.8
Earnings before income taxes													480.3		410.8
Provision for income taxes													115.9		99.4
Net earnings													364.4		311.4
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests													1.8		0.7
Net earnings attributable to controlling interests													$            362.6		$            310.7
EBITDAC
Net earnings													$            364.4		$            311.4
Provision for income taxes													115.9		99.4
Depreciation													22.1		17.6
Amortization													103.6		134.2
Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables													12.4		(84.7)
EBITDAC													$            618.4		$            477.9
													1st Q Ended		1st Q Ended
Risk Management Segment													Mar 31, 2021		Mar 31, 2020
Fees													$            220.2		$            211.5
Investment income													0.1		0.3
	Revenues before reimbursements												220.3		211.8
Reimbursements													32.4		37.7
	Total revenues												252.7		249.5
Compensation													134.1		130.9
Operating													46.4		45.9
Reimbursements													32.4		37.7
Depreciation													11.5		12.3
Amortization													1.6		1.4
Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables													2.6		(4.3)
	Expenses												228.6		223.9
Earnings before income taxes													24.1		25.6
Provision for income taxes													6.1		6.5
Net earnings													18.0		19.1
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests													-		-
Net earnings attributable to controlling interests													$              18.0		$              19.1
EBITDAC
Net earnings													$              18.0		$              19.1
Provision for income taxes													6.1		6.5
Depreciation													11.5		12.3
Amortization													1.6		1.4
Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables													2.6		(4.3)
EBITDAC													$              39.8		$              35.0
See "Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures" on page 9 of 14.

(11 of 14)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Reported Statement of Earnings and EBITDAC - 1st Qtr Ended March 31,
(Unaudited - in millions except share and per share data)
													1st Q Ended		1st Q Ended
Corporate Segment													Mar 31, 2021		Mar 31, 2020
Revenues from consolidated clean coal facilities													$            283.1		$            167.9
Royalty income from clean coal licenses													17.9		13.9
Loss from unconsolidated clean coal facilities													(0.4)		-
Other net revenues													1.5		-
	Total revenues												302.1		181.8
Cost of revenues from consolidated clean coal facilities													309.1		185.4
Compensation													19.8		12.5
Operating													16.6		6.9
Interest													48.1		50.5
Depreciation													4.5		6.9
	Expenses												398.1		262.2
Loss before income taxes													(96.0)		(80.4)
Benefit for income taxes													(107.3)		(105.3)
Net earnings													11.3		24.9
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests													9.8		8.4
Net earnings attributable to controlling interests													$                1.5		$              16.5
EBITDAC
Net earnings													$              11.3		$              24.9
Benefit for income taxes													(107.3)		(105.3)
Interest													48.1		50.5
Depreciation													4.5		6.9
EBITDAC													$             (43.4)		$             (23.0)
													1st Q Ended		1st Q Ended
Total Company													Mar 31, 2021		Mar 31, 2020
Commissions													$          1,125.4		$          1,017.2
Fees													553.8		507.3
Supplemental revenues													66.8		59.0
Contingent revenues													63.3		45.1
Investment income and net gains on divestitures													21.2		18.8
Revenues from clean coal activities													300.6		181.8
Other net revenues - Corporate													1.5		-
	Revenues before reimbursements												2,132.6		1,829.2
Reimbursements													32.4		37.7
	Total revenues												2,165.0		1,866.9
Compensation													975.6		896.2
Operating													233.1		257.7
Reimbursements													32.4		37.7
Cost of revenues from clean coal activities													309.1		185.4
Interest													48.1		50.5
Depreciation													38.1		36.8
Amortization													105.2		135.6
Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables													15.0		(89.0)
	Expenses												1,756.6		1,510.9
Earnings before income taxes													408.4		356.0
Provision for income taxes													14.7		0.6
Net earnings													393.7		355.4
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests													11.6		9.1
Net earnings attributable to controlling interests													$            382.1		$            346.3
Diluted net earnings per share													$              1.92		$              1.79
Dividends declared per share													$              0.48		$              0.45
EBITDAC
Net earnings													$            393.7		$            355.4
Provision for income taxes													14.7		0.6
Interest													48.1		50.5
Depreciation													38.1		36.8
Amortization													105.2		135.6
Change in estimated acquisition earnout payables													15.0		(89.0)
EBITDAC													$            614.8		$            489.9
See "Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures" on page 9 of 14.

(12 of 14)

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited - in millions except per share data)
													Mar 31, 2021		Dec 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents													$            526.3		$            664.6
Restricted cash													2,834.6		2,909.7
Premiums and fees receivable													8,309.3		6,436.0
Other current assets													997.3		1,113.9
	Total current assets												12,667.5		11,124.2
Fixed assets - net													449.2		450.7
Deferred income taxes (includes tax credit carryforwards of $1,016.5 in 2021 and $998.0 in 2020)													1,087.9		1,085.8
Other noncurrent assets													850.0		769.9
Right-of-use assets													370.2		373.9
Goodwill													6,510.9		6,127.0
Amortizable intangible assets - net													2,478.8		2,399.9
	Total assets												$        24,414.5		$        22,331.4
Premiums payable to underwriting enterprises													$          9,205.0		$          7,784.6
Accrued compensation and other current liabilities													1,633.1		1,596.2
Deferred revenue - current													526.6		475.6
Premium financing debt													151.3		203.6
Corporate related borrowings - current													-		75.0
	Total current liabilities												11,516.0		10,135.0
Corporate related borrowings - noncurrent													4,366.3		4,266.0
Deferred revenue - noncurrent													64.1		65.7
Lease liabilities - noncurrent													315.0		320.9
Other noncurrent liabilities													1,373.6		1,311.1
	Total liabilities												17,635.0		16,098.7
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock - issued and outstanding													195.9		193.7
Capital in excess of par value													4,404.1		4,264.4
Retained earnings													2,658.9		2,371.7
Accumulated other comprehensive loss													(527.8)		(643.6)
Total controlling interests stockholders' equity													6,731.1		6,186.2
Noncontrolling interests													48.4		46.5
	Total stockholders' equity												6,779.5		6,232.7
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity												$        24,414.5		$        22,331.4

 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Other Information
(Unaudited - data is rounded where indicated)
											1st Q Ended		4th Q Ended		1st Q Ended
OTHER INFORMATION											Mar 31, 2021		Dec 31, 2020		Mar 31, 2020
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (000s)											194,642		192,874		188,723
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (000s)											199,076		197,420		193,239
Number of common shares outstanding at end of period (000s)											195,887		193,651		189,621
Workforce at end of period (includes acquisitions):
	Brokerage										25,870		24,717		25,841
	Risk Management										6,451		6,378		6,845
	Total Company										34,061		32,401		34,015
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Pre-tax Earnings and Diluted Net Earnings per Share (Unaudited)
(Unaudited - in millions except share and per share data)
											Net Earnings		Net Earnings
					Earnings		Provision				Attributable to		Attributable to		Diluted Net
					Before Income		for Income				Noncontrolling		Controlling		Earnings
					Taxes		Taxes		Net Earnings		Interests		Interests		per Share
1st Q Ended Mar 31, 2021
Brokerage, as reported					$            480.3		$            115.9		$            364.4		$                1.8		$            362.6		$              1.82
Net gains on divestitures					(4.1)		(0.9)		(3.2)		-		(3.2)		(0.02)
Acquisition integration					4.1		0.9		3.2		-		3.2		0.02
Workforce and lease termination					7.0		1.5		5.5		-		5.5		0.03
Acquisition related adjustments					14.8		3.1		11.7		-		11.7		0.06
Brokerage, as adjusted					$            502.1		$            120.5		$            381.6		$                1.8		$            379.8		$              1.91
Risk Management, as reported					$              24.1		$                6.1		$              18.0		$                  -		$              18.0		$              0.09
Workforce and lease termination					0.7		0.2		0.5		-		0.5		-
Acquisition related adjustments					2.4		0.6		1.8		-		1.8		0.01
Risk Management, as adjusted					$              27.2		$                6.9		$              20.3		$                  -		$              20.3		$              0.10
See "Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures" on page 9 of 14.

(13 of 14)

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Pre-tax Earnings and Diluted Net Earnings per Share (Unaudited) - Continued
(Unaudited - in millions except share and per share data)
											Net Earnings		Net Earnings
					Earnings		Provision				Attributable to		Attributable to		Diluted Net
					Before Income		for Income				Noncontrolling		Controlling		Earnings
					Taxes		Taxes		Net Earnings		Interests		Interests		per Share
1st Q Ended Mar 31, 2020
Brokerage, as reported					$            410.8		$              99.4		$            311.4		$                0.7		$            310.7		$              1.61
Net gains on divestitures					(0.2)		-		(0.2)		-		(0.2)		-
Acquisition integration					6.7		1.6		5.1		-		5.1		0.03
Workforce and lease termination					6.5		1.5		5.0		-		5.0		0.02
Acquisition related adjustments					(2.8)		(0.7)		(2.1)		-		(2.1)		(0.01)
Levelized foreign currency translation					7.1		1.7		5.4		-		5.4		0.03
Brokerage, as adjusted					$            428.1		$            103.5		$            324.6		$                0.7		$            323.9		$              1.68
Risk Management, as reported					$              25.6		$                6.5		$              19.1		$                  -		$              19.1		$              0.10
Workforce and lease termination					0.3		0.1		0.2		-		0.2		-
Acquisition related adjustments					(0.3)		(0.1)		(0.2)		-		(0.2)		-
Levelized foreign currency translation					0.3		0.1		0.2		-		0.2		-
Risk Management, as adjusted					$              25.9		$                6.6		$              19.3		$                  -		$              19.3		$              0.10
See "Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures" on page 9 of 14.

(14 of 14)

 

Contact: 
Ray Iardella
Vice President - Investor Relations
630-285-3661 or ray_iardella@ajg.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arthur-j-gallagher--co-announces-first-quarter-2021-financial-results-301280660.html

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

FAQ

What were Arthur J. Gallagher's Q1 2021 earnings results?

Arthur J. Gallagher reported Q1 2021 total revenues of $2.13 billion, adjusted net earnings of $626.8 million, and diluted EPS of $2.02.

How did AJG perform compared to Q1 2020?

AJG's revenue increased by 7%, while adjusted net earnings grew by 9% compared to Q1 2020.

What is Arthur J. Gallagher's current liquidity position?

As of Q1 2021, AJG reported a strong liquidity position of $1.6 billion.

How did COVID-19 impact Arthur J. Gallagher's operations?

The impact included lower new consulting work and potential revenue softness if economic recovery slows, but overall service levels remained unchanged.

What drove the organic revenue growth for Arthur J. Gallagher in Q1 2021?

Organic revenue growth was driven by a firm property casualty market and effective client retention strategies.