“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.
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