The following reflects the results of operations for Putnam, MMC’s investment management segment, that are included in discontinued operations.
Putnam's revenue increased 3% in the first quarter of 2007. Assets under management averaged $189 billion in the first quarter of 2007 versus $190 billion managed in the first quarter of 2006. Assets under management aggregated $188 billion at March 31, 2007, compared with $189 billion at March 31, 2006 and $192 billion at December 31, 2006. Net redemptions of $6 billion in the first quarter of 2007 were offset by the impact of market performance. Putnam expenses in the first quarter of 2007 were the same as 2006.
In 2006, discontinued operations included an after tax net gain of $176 million related to SCMS and Price Forbes, which increased diluted earnings per share for the quarter by approximately $0.32.
Corporate expenses of $36 million in the first three months of 2007 were $32 million lower than the same period in the prior year. The decrease is due to lower expenses for restructuring costs and a credit from an accrual adjustment related to the separation of former MMC senior executives.
In the first quarter of 2007, MMC corporate recorded $6 million of restructuring charges for consulting fees related to corporate infrastructure and process improvements. In the first quarter of 2006, MMC corporate recorded restructuring charges of $26 million, primarily related to future rent on non-cancelable leases for three floors in its headquarters building in New York that it vacated.
Interest income earned on corporate funds amounted to $19 million in the first quarter of 2007, an increase of $4 million from the first quarter of 2006. The increase in interest income reflected generally higher average interest rates in 2007 compared with the prior year.Interest expense of $71 million in the first quarter of 2007 decreased from $78 million in the first quarter of 2006. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to a decrease in the average level of debt compared with the prior year.
Income Taxes
MMC's consolidated effective tax rate was 31.6% in the first quarter of 2007, an increase from 26.6% in the first quarter of 2006. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the favorable resolution of tax issues in certain jurisdictions in 2006. The effective tax rate on ongoing operations is expected to be 33% for the remainder of 2007.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating Cash Flows
MMC used $383 million of cash for operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with $517 million of cash used for operations for the same period in 2006. These amounts reflect the net income earned by MMC during those periods, excluding gains or losses from the disposition of businesses, adjusted for non-cash charges 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. MMC’s cash flow from operations is typically negative in the first quarter of each year, resulting from the payment of accrued incentive compensation.
As discussed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, in January 2005 MMC reached a settlement with the NYAG and NYSID that resolved the actions they had commenced against MMC and Marsh in October 2004. As a result of this agreement, MMC recorded a charge in 2004 for an $850 million fund to compensate policyholder clients, of which $510 million was paid through June 1, 2006, and $170 million will be paid to the fund on or before each of June 1, 2007 and 2008, respectively. These amounts are included in Regulatory Settlements on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Financing Cash Flows
Net cash used for financing activities increased to $325 million for the period ended March 31, 2007 from $129 million for the same period in 2006, largely due to payment of maturing senior notes, discussed below.
MMC paid dividends of approximately $105 million ($0.19 per share) in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to $93 million ($0.17 per share) in the first quarter of 2006. MMC made no share repurchases in 2006 or in the first quarter of 2007.
In the second quarter of 2007, the MMC Board of Directors approved a $500 million share repurchase program that is expected to be completed promptly.
In the first quarter of 2007, MMC utilized commercial paper and bank borrowings, as well as cash on hand, to manage liquidity, including the funding of a maturing long-term debt issuance in the amount of $500 million. At March 31, 2007, commercial paper outstanding was $65 million.
In December 2005, MMC and certain of its foreign subsidiaries entered into a $1.2 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility. Subsidiary borrowings under the facility are unconditionally guaranteed by MMC. The facility expires in December 2010. At March 31, 2007, approximately $215 million was outstanding under the facility.
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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-2 by Standard & Poor’s. MMC carries a negative outlook from both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.
Investing Cash Flows
Cash used for investing activities amounted to $116 million in the first three months of 2007 compared to cash provided of $211 million for the same period in 2006. Cash generated by the sale of SCMS totaled $326 million in 2006. There was no cash generated by or used for acquisitions during the first quarter of 2007. Cash used for acquisitions in the first quarter of 2006 totaled $78 million. Remaining deferred cash payments of $64 million for acquisitions completed in the first quarter of 2007 and in prior years are recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities or other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2007. MMC's additions to fixed assets and capitalized software, which amounted to $86 million in the first three months of 2007 and $66 million in the three months of 2006, primarily related to computer equipment purchases, the refurbishing and modernizing of office facilities and software development costs.
MMC has committed to potential future investments of approximately $219 million in connection with various private equity funds and other MMC investments. The commitment comprises $82 million related to Trident II and other funds managed by Stone Point Capital and $137 million related to possible investments by Putnam. At March 31, 2007, MMC has no future commitments related to Trident III, as those commitments were assumed by MMC’s U.K. pension plan when the investment in Trident III was contributed to the plan in December 2006. The majority of MMC’s other investment commitments for funds managed by Stone Point are related to Trident II, the investment period for which is now closed for new investments. Any remaining capital calls for Trident II would relate to follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies or for management fees or other partnership expenses.Significant future capital calls related to Trident II are not expected. Although it is anticipated that Trident II will be harvesting its remaining portfolio in 2007 and thereafter, the timing of any portfolio company sales and capital distributions is unknown and not controlled by MMC.
Putnam has investment commitments of $137 million for three active Thomas H. Lee (“THL”) funds, of which Putnam believes approximately $43 million will not be called. Putnam is authorized to commit to invest up to $187 million in future THL investment funds, but is not required to do so. At March 31, 2007 none of that additional $187 million is committed. These commitments will remain with Putnam when the anticipated sale of Putnam closes.
Approximately $3 million was invested in 2007 related to all of the commitments discussed above.
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Commitments and Obligations
MMC’s contractual obligations were comprised of the following as of March 31, 2007 (dollars in millions):
| | Payment due by Period |
| | | | | Within | | | | | | | | After |
Contractual Obligations | | Total | | 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 4-5 Years | | 5 years |
Commercial Paper | | $ | 65 | | $ | 65 | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - |
Bank Borrowings-International | | | 223 | | | 223 | | | - | | | - | | | - |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 757 | | | 757 | | | - | | | - | | | - |
Long-term debt | | | 3,615 | | | - | | | 419 | | | 816 | | | 2,380 |
NYAG/NYSID settlement | | | 340 | | | 170 | | | 170 | | | - | | | - |
Net operating leases | | | 3,292 | | | 430 | | | 711 | | | 550 | | | 1,601 |
Service agreements | | | 203 | | | 86 | | | 84 | | | 25 | | | 8 |
Other long-term obligations | | | 76 | | | 68 | | | 8 | | | - | | | - |
Total | | $ | 8,571 | | $ | 1,799 | | $ | 1,392 | | $ | 1,391 | | $ | 3,989 |
New Accounting Pronouncements
New accounting pronouncements are discussed in Note 1 to MMC’s consolidated financial statements.
On January 1, 2007, MMC adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions. This interpretation requires that MMC recognize in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position when it is more likely than not that the tax position would be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on the technical merits of the position. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized an increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $13 million, which is accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. The term “unrecognized tax benefits” in FIN 48 primarily refers to the differences between a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefit measured and recognized in the financial statements in accordance with the guidelines of FIN 48. Including this increase, MMC had approximately $272 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning of 2007. Of this total, $218 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate in any future periods.
MMC classifies interest and penalties relating to uncertain tax positions in the financial statements as income taxes. The total gross amount of such accrued interest and penalties, before any applicable federal benefit, at January 1, 2007 was $40 million.
MMC is routinely examined by the jurisdictions in which it has significant operations. The Internal Revenue Service is examining tax years 2003 through 2005. New York is examining years 2000 through 2005 for various subsidiaries. California is examining years 2003 through 2005 and years 1997 through 2002 are in various stages of appeal. Massachusetts is examining years 1997 through 2004 for various subsidiaries. Inland Revenue in the United Kingdom is examining tax years 2002 through 2004 for various subsidiaries. Earlier years are closed in all of the foregoing jurisdictions. MMC regularly considers the likelihood of
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assessments in each of the taxing jurisdictions resulting from examinations. MMC has established appropriate liabilities for uncertain tax positions in relation to the potential assessments. MMC believes the resolution of tax matters will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial condition of MMC, although a resolution could have a material impact on MMC’s net income or cash flows and on its effective tax rate in a particular future period.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands required disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 are effective as of the beginning of MMC’s 2008 fiscal year. MMC is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 157 on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits an entity to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adjustment to reflect the difference between fair value and the carrying amount would be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 159 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market 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
MMC manages its net exposure to interest rate changes by utilizing a mixture of variable and fixed rate borrowings to finance MMC's asset base. Interest rate swaps are used on a limited basis to manage MMC’s exposure to interest rate movements on its cash and investments, as well as interest expense on borrowings, and are only executed with counterparties of high creditworthiness.
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.
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Equity Price Risk
MMC holds investments in both public and private companies as well as certain private equity funds, including the Trident funds. Publicly traded investments of $47 million are classified as available for sale under SFAS No. 115. Non-publicly traded investments of $97 million are accounted for using the cost method and $303 million are accounted for under APB Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock”. Changes in value of trading securities are recognized in income when they occur. 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 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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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.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
The information set forth in Note 14 to the 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, 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, 2006, should be carefully considered in evaluating MMC and its subsidiaries. The risks and uncertainties described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only ones facing MMC and its subsidiaries. Additional risks and uncertainties, not presently known to us or otherwise, may also impair our business operations. If any of the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K or such other risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table sets forth information regarding MMC's purchases of its common stock on a monthly basis during the first quarter of 2007. Share repurchases are recorded on a trade date basis.
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities (1)
Period | (a) | (b) | (c) | (d) |
| | | Total Number of | Maximum |
| Total | Average Price | Shares | Number of |
| Number of | Paid per | Purchased as | Shares that |
| Shares | Share | Part of Publicly | May Yet Be |
| Purchased | | Announced | Purchased |
| | | Plans or | Under the Plans |
| | | Programs(1) | or Programs |
January 1, 2007 - | 0 | -- | 0 | 49,904,636 |
January 31, 2007 | | | | |
February 1, 2007 – | 0 | -- | 0 | 49,904,636 |
February 28, 2007 | | | | |
March 1, 2007 - | 0 | -- | 0 | 49,904,636 |
March 31, 2007 | | | | |
Total | 0 | -- | 0 | 49,904,636 |
| (1) In May 2007, MMC’s board of directors approved a $500 million stock repurchase program which supersedes all previous stock repurchase authorizations and contains no expiration date. MMC expects to execute this program promptly. |
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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
Item 6. Exhibits.
| 10.1 | | Form of 2007 Long-term Incentive Award under the 2000 Senior Executive Incentive and Stock Award Plan and the 2000 Employee Incentive and Stock Award Plan |
| |
| 10.2 | | Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2005, by and between Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and David H. Spiller |
| |
| 10.3 | | Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Directors Stock Compensation Plan |
| |
| 10.4 | | Description of compensation arrangements for non-executive directors of MMC |
| |
| 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 |
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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.
| MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. |
|
|
|
Date: May 10, 2007 | /s/ Matthew B. Bartley |
| Name: | | Matthew B. Bartley |
| Title: | | Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX |
| | | |
Exhibit No. | | | Exhibit Name |
| | | |
10.1 | | Form of 2007 Long-term Incentive Award under the 2000 Senior Executive Incentive and Stock Award Plan and the 2000 Employee Incentive and Stock Award Plan |
| | |
10.2 | | Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2005, by and between Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and David H. Spiller |
| | |
10.3 | | Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Directors Stock Compensation Plan |
| | |
10.4 | | Description of compensation arrangements for non-executive directors of MMC |
| | |
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 |