Exhibit 99.1
Hub International Reports 2004 Results
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2005--Hub International Limited
(NYSE:HBG)(TSX:HBG):
-- Revenue increases 33% in fourth quarter, 26% for full year
-- Net earnings decline 64% in quarter, 28% for year, including
Talbot charge
-- Net earnings increase 7% in Q4, 11% for full year, ex-Talbot
charge
-- Hub posts 1% organic growth in Q4, 5% for full year.
Hub International Limited (NYSE:HBG)(TSX:HBG), as expected, today
reported lower earnings on higher revenue for the fourth quarter and
full year ended December 31, 2004. For both periods, the decline in
earnings resulted from the non-cash stock based compensation charge
(Talbot charge) related to the Talbot Financial Corporation
acquisition on July 1, 2004.
"We are happy with our results for 2004," said Martin P. Hughes,
chairman and chief executive officer. "We're moving in the right
direction and we are making progress in each of the corporate
initiatives announced around this time last year. We anticipate
increased progress in 2005."
Hughes said the company anticipates no material weaknesses to
report under Sarbanes-Oxley requirements when the 2004 Form10-K is
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, he
noted that reviews by external legal counsel--in response to inquiries
from New York's Attorney General and other states' legal and
regulatory authorities--have not indicated inappropriate dealings with
customers.
Hughes also noted that the firm has received only a few inquiries
from customers as a result of high-profile probes of the industry by
legal and regulatory officials of various states regarding contingent
commissions and other payments received from insurance companies.
"It's impossible to prove a negative, but customer and employee
hotlines and an inquiry by external legal counsel have not suggested
inappropriate activity in our organization," Hughes said. "We will
continue to emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and strong
customer service in all our dealings with business partners, as that
is the key to long-term account retention and value creation for
shareholders."
Full-year Growth Reflects Expansion Program
Due to the Talbot charge, Hub's net earnings declined 28% to $26.2
million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in 2004 from $36.5 million, or
$1.14 per diluted share, in 2003. Revenue increased 26% to $360.9
million from $286.4 million for the year, reflecting the impact of
acquisitions and a 5% organic growth rate. Organic growth includes
revenue gains from operations owned at least 12 months. Of the 26%
revenue increase and the 5% organic growth rate, 3 percentage points
of improvement resulted from a stronger Canadian dollar. During 2004,
core commissions increased 27%, while contingent commissions and
volume overrides increased 17%.
Normalized Earnings
Comparison 2004 2003 2004 2003
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(000's) (000's) Per diluted Per diluted
share share
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings reported
under Canadian GAAP
for year ended
December 31 $26,244 $36,509 $0.80 $1.14
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-cash stock based
compensation--Talbot $14,388 $-- $0.41 $--
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Write-off of
trademarks $1,656 $-- $0.05 $--
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact of foreign
exchange ($1,734) ($2,260) ($0.05) ($0.07)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Life insurance
proceeds $-- ($1,000) $-- ($0.03)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Normalized net
earnings $40,554 $33,249 $1.21 $1.04
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings comparisons are complicated by the Talbot charge and
other factors, as shown in the table above. As discussed previously,
approximately 70 Talbot employees will receive non-cash stock based
compensation in an earnout based on profitability. As these employees
were not shareholders of Talbot prior to the acquisition, the non-cash
accrual is recorded in the income statement, rather than as a balance
sheet adjustment. The earnout is calculated as a multiple of EBITA
(earnings before interest, taxes and amortization), a non-GAAP
measure. During 2004, Hub recognized $14.4 million of non-cash stock
based compensation expense related to Talbot. The Talbot charge is not
deductible for income tax purposes.
In addition, Hub's non-cash writedown of intangibles, related to
its branding initiative, reduced 2004 net earnings by $1.7 million,
versus $1.0 million of life insurance proceeds which increased 2003
net earnings.
Foreign exchange adjustments, a normal but variable component of
Hub's financial reporting, affected the income statement differently
in 2004 versus 2003. A stronger Canadian dollar added $1.7 million to
net earnings in 2004, down from $2.3 million in 2003.
When these items are excluded from comparisons, net earnings
increased 22% to $40.6 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, from $33.2
million, or $1.04 per diluted share, a year earlier.
Hub recorded substantial growth in revenue and positive organic
growth rates at most regional hubs. In the United States, revenue grew
35% to $239.0 million from $177.2 million due to acquisitions, and
organic growth was zero percent in a declining rate environment. In
Canada, where rates weakened later in the year than in the United
States, revenue grew 12% to $121.8 million from $109.1 million.
Canada's organic growth rate of 13% for the year included 8 percentage
points resulting from a stronger Canadian dollar.
"The U.S. organic growth rate requires some explanation," Hughes
said. "We experienced a significant revenue decline at Hub Midwest,
including the previously reported loss of a major client for
creditor-placed insurance programs. Absent the performance at HUB
Midwest, U.S. organic growth would have been 3% for 2004. Meanwhile,
we have reduced costs aggressively at this hub, limiting the negative
impact of lost sales on operating margins."
Cash compensation expense increased 28% to $199.5 million from
$156.3 million, increasing as a percentage of revenue to 55% from 54%
in 2003. Hughes said this increase resulted primarily from a higher
relative level of compensation cost at Talbot, and he reiterated that
the company continues to have a goal of reducing compensation expense
as a percentage of revenue. Selling, occupancy and administration
expense rose 29% to $73.2 million from $56.6 million, equal to about
20% of revenue in both years. Overhead expense included more than $2.5
million of increased expenditures related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance
and inquiries regarding brokerage compensation practices. Interest
expense increased 44% to $7.5 million, due to acquisition financing.
All these factors, including the Talbot charge, reduced pre-tax
margin to 13% from 19% in 2003. Excluding the Talbot charge, pre-tax
margin declined to 17% from 19% in 2003, due primarily to the
increased amortization and interest expense associated with Talbot.
Hub's effective tax rate was an unusually high 43% versus 34% in the
prior year. The tax rate increase was due primarily to the
non-deductible nature of the Talbot charge in 2004. Excluding the
Talbot charge, the effective tax rate for 2004 was 33%. Net margin in
2004 declined to 7% from 13%, including the impact of the Talbot
charge. Absent the Talbot charge, net margin was 11%.
"Relative stability in margins was a major achievement in a year
of declining rates, new investment in the corporate infrastructure,
large increases in legal and accounting expense and integration of a
$100 million acquisition with lower margins than Hub," Hughes said.
"Margin improvement remains a substantial priority for us in 2005."
Revenue Rises in Fourth Quarter
For the fourth quarter, the Talbot charge led to a 64% decline in
net earnings to $3.9 million from $10.7 million a year earlier,
despite a 33% increase in revenue to $104.4 million from $78.7 million
and a 1% organic growth rate. A stronger Canadian dollar added 3
percentage points to consolidated revenue growth and organic growth in
the fourth quarter. Core commissions increased 34%, while contingent
commissions and volume overrides grew 28%.
Normalized Earnings
Comparison 2004 2003 2004 2003
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Per diluted Per diluted
(000) (000) share share
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings reported
under Canadian GAAP
for fourth quarter
ended December 31 $3,884 $10,676 $0.13 $0.33
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-cash stock based
compensation--Talbot $7,495 $-- $0.23 $ --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact of foreign
exchange $(499) $(1,031) $(0.02) $(0.03)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Normalized net
earnings $10,880 $9,645 $0.34 $0.30
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-cash stock based compensation to Talbot managers was higher
than anticipated in the fourth quarter, due to stronger profitability
at Talbot. Because non-cash stock based compensation is calculated as
a multiple of EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and
amortization), a non-GAAP measure, stronger profitability at Talbot
during the earnout period translates into reduced earnings.
In reviewing the most recent quarter's results, Hughes noted that
rates continued to decline in both the United States and Canada. In
the United States, revenue increased 48% to $73.0 million from $49.3
million, due to acquisitions. Organic growth was a negative 5%,
reflecting the loss of a large client in the creditor-placed insurance
business, as well as weakness in the retail property and casualty
division of Hub Midwest. In Canada, revenue increased 7% to $31.3
million from $29.4 million, while organic growth came in at 9%.
Organic growth was higher than overall growth due to the impact of a
small divestiture in the fourth quarter. Of the Canadian revenue
growth, 8 percentage points reflected the impact of a stronger
Canadian dollar.
Cash compensation expense increased 40% to $59.2 million from
$42.6 million, increasing to 57% of revenue from 54% of revenue in the
prior year. Hughes said the relative increase in compensation cost
reflected the relatively higher compensation ratio at Talbot. Selling,
occupancy and administration expense rose 39% to $21.9 million from
$15.7 million, growing to 21% of revenue from 20%, due in large part
to costs of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and responses to inquiries
regarding brokerage compensation practices. Interest expense also rose
sharply, growing 71% to $1.8 million from $1.0 million, due to
financing costs for acquisitions.
The impact of these higher expense levels, including the Talbot
charge, led to a decline in pre-tax margin to 8% from 20% a year ago.
Excluding the Talbot charge, pre-tax margin declined to 16% from 20%.
Hub's effective tax rate was an unusually high 55% in the fourth
quarter, versus 31% a year earlier, due primarily to the Talbot
charge.
Outlook Includes Emphasis on Cost Management, Sales Culture
"Looking into 2005," Hughes said, "we are focusing heavily on
building organic growth levels while keeping pressure on expenses. We
believe we can increase our margins as we achieve both organic growth
and expense control. We anticipate some easing of Sarbanes-Oxley
expense as the significant implementation portion of these costs will
not be repeated. Legal costs related to inquiries into compensation
practices cannot be predicted at this time.
"Meanwhile, there is no substitute for stronger sales levels and
we are getting good initial traction from the sales culture
initiatives we implemented in 2004. Through effective management of
the sales pipeline and more aggressive recruiting of strong producers,
we intend to improve our sales productivity, account retention and
long-term growth potential."
Understanding the Talbot Compensation Charge
Hub discloses the impact of non-cash stock based compensation
related to Talbot in order to give investors increased insight into
Hub's results of operations and the effective cost of the Talbot
acquisition.
Both the $90 million cash paid to Safeco Corporation and the
future issuance of restricted and non-restricted Hub shares to
approximately 70 Talbot executives are components of the total
consideration paid to acquire Talbot. This total consideration is
within Hub's target range of paying 5-7 times EBITDA (earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), a non-GAAP measure
for acquired brokerages.
The executives of Talbot were not shareholders prior to the sale,
and therefore non-cash stock based compensation they receive under
terms of the purchase agreement is recorded as compensation expense.
This compensation expense, which is not deductible for tax purposes,
will be charged to earnings through the first quarter of 2007 and will
affect earnings comparisons through 2007, making it difficult for
investors to analyze the company's results in comparison to prior
years and industry peers.
In the fourth quarter of 2004, Hub recorded $7.5 million of
non-cash stock based compensation for Talbot based on a total
estimated earnout liability of approximately $50 million. The amount
of non-cash stock based compensation may vary from quarter to quarter
based on the profitability of Talbot. Based on the current expected
earnout of approximately $50 million, the estimated charge to earnings
will be:
2004 $14.4 million (actual)
2005 $25.5 million
2006 $8.4 million
2007 $ 1.5 million
Conference Call and Webcast
Hub International will discuss its financial results and outlook
on a conference call scheduled for 9:30 a.m. (CT), 10:30 a.m. (ET)
today, February 23, 2005. This call is being webcast by Thompson/CCBN
and can be accessed at Hub International's web site at
www.hubinternational.com. The webcast is also being distributed
through the Thomson StreetEvents Network to both institutional and
individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call at
www.fulldisclosure.com, Thomson/CCBN's individual investor portal,
powered by StreetEvents. Institutional investors can access the call
via Thomson's password-protected event management site, StreetEvents
(www.streetevents.com).
Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Hub International Limited is a
leading North American insurance brokerage that provides a broad array
of property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits,
investment and risk management products and services through offices
located in the United States and Canada.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements which
reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial
performance. These forward-looking statements relate, among other
things, to our plans and objectives for future operations and are
subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from such statements. These uncertainties
and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks associated
with implementing our business strategies, identifying and
consummating acquisitions, integrating acquired brokerages, attaining
greater market share, developing and implementing effective
information technology systems, recruiting and retaining qualified
employees, fluctuations in the premiums charged by insurance companies
with corresponding fluctuations in our premium-based revenue, any loss
of services of key executives, industry consolidation, increased
competition in the industry, fluctuations in the demand for insurance
products, exchange rates, resolution of regulatory issues, including
those related to compensation arrangements with insurance companies,
the actual costs of resolution of contingent liabilities and the
passage of new legislation subjecting our business to regulation in
jurisdictions where we operate. We caution readers not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of
the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these
risks and other factors that could cause Hub International's actual
results to differ materially from our expectations is contained in the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
Canadian securities commissions. Except as otherwise required by
federal securities laws, Hub International undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Consolidated Organic Growth
For the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2004
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except percentages)
Net
Revenue Adjustments
------------------ Total For Organic
Fourth quarter Total Growth(Acquisitions) Growth
2004 2003 Change ($) (%) And Disposals (%)
-------------------------------------------------------
Total
- -----
Commission
Income $100,103 $74,706 $25,397 34% $(24,576) 1%
Contingent
Commissions
and Volume
Overrides 1,765 1,380 385 28% (367) 1%
Other Income 2,500 2,570 (70) -3% (369) -17%
-------------------------------------------------------
Total $104,368 $78,656 $25,712 33% $(25,312) 1%
-------------------------------------------------------
USA
- ---
Commission
Income $69,700 $46,701 $22,999 49% $(25,223) -5%
Contingent
Commissions
and Volume
Overrides 1,427 918 509 55% (367) 16%
Other Income 1,912 1,669 243 15% (380) -8%
-------------------------------------------------------
Total $73,039 $49,288 $23,751 48% $(25,970) -5%
-------------------------------------------------------
Canada
- ------
Commission
Income $30,403 $28,005 $2,398 9% $647 11%
Contingent
Commissions
and Volume
Overrides 338 462 (124) -27% - -27%
Other Income 588 901 (313) -35% 11 -36%
-------------------------------------------------------
Total $31,329 $29,368 $1,961 7% $658 9%
-------------------------------------------------------
Net
Revenue Adjustments
------------------ Total For Organic
Twelve months Total Growth(Acquisitions) Growth
2004 2003 Change ($) (%) And Disposals (%)
-------------------------------------------------------
Total
- -----
Commission
Income $328,961 $259,461 $69,500 27% $(56,814) 5%
Contingent
Commissions
and Volume
Overrides 21,705 18,530 3,175 17% (897) 12%
Other Income 10,184 8,368 1,816 22% (1,853) 0%
-------------------------------------------------------
Total $360,850 $286,359 $74,491 26% $(59,564) 5%
-------------------------------------------------------
USA
- ---
Commission
Income $216,293 $158,025 $58,268 37% $(58,619) 0%
Contingent
Commissions
and Volume
Overrides 14,864 13,493 1,371 10% (898) 4%
Other Income 7,860 5,701 2,159 38% (1,909) 4%
-------------------------------------------------------
Total $239,017 $177,219 $61,798 35% $(61,426) 0%
-------------------------------------------------------
Canada
- ------
Commission
Income $112,668 $101,436 $11,232 11% $1,805 13%
Contingent
Commissions
and Volume
Overrides 6,841 5,037 1,804 36% 1 36%
Other Income 2,324 2,667 (343) -13% 56 -11%
-------------------------------------------------------
Total $121,833 $109,140 $12,693 12% $1,862 13%
-------------------------------------------------------
HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
For the three months and twelve months ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Fourth quarter Twelve months
--------------------- ----------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
--------------------- ----------------------
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
Revenue
Commission income $100,103 $74,706 $328,961 $259,461
Contingent commissions
and volume overrides 1,765 1,380 21,705 18,530
Other 2,500 2,570 10,184 8,368
--------------------- ----------------------
104,368 78,656 360,850 286,359
--------------------- ----------------------
Expenses
Cash compensation 59,176 42,576 199,520 156,320
Selling, occupancy and
administration 21,913 15,718 73,199 56,606
Depreciation 1,987 1,782 7,266 6,244
Interest expense 1,778 1,039 7,470 5,191
Intangible asset
amortization 1,899 811 5,520 3,208
Non-cash stock based
compensation 9,229 1,226 20,890 4,801
Loss on write-off of
trademarks - - 2,587 -
(Gain)/loss on disposal of
subsidiaries, property,
equipment and other assets (340) 79 (1,880) (202)
(Gain)/loss on put
option liability - 7 - (160)
Proceeds from life
insurance - - - (1,000)
--------------------- ----------------------
95,642 63,238 314,572 231,008
--------------------- ----------------------
Net earnings before income
taxes 8,726 15,418 46,278 55,351
--------------------- ----------------------
Provision for income tax
expense
Current 3,142 1,583 19,904 16,922
Future 1,700 3,159 130 1,920
--------------------- ----------------------
4,842 4,742 20,034 18,842
--------------------- ----------------------
Net earnings 3,884 10,676 26,244 36,509
Interest on subordinated
convertible debentures 472 1,900 1,886
Dividends in lieu on
restricted share units 7 35 95 111
--------------------- ----------------------
Diluted net earnings $3,891 $11,183 $28,239 $38,506
--------------------- ----------------------
--------------------- ----------------------
Earnings per share
Basic $0.13 $0.36 $0.87 $1.22
Diluted $0.12 $0.33 $0.80 $1.14
Weighted average shares
outstanding
- Basic (000's) 30,336 30,007 30,246 29,967
Weighted average shares
outstanding
- Diluted (000's) 33,169 34,237 35,305 33,767
HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
2004 2003
--------- ---------
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $98,204 $82,052
Trust cash 71,718 54,534
Accounts and other receivables 162,841 163,728
Income taxes receivable 6,208 6,768
Future income taxes 3,901 2,776
Prepaid expenses 5,835 4,449
--------- ---------
Total current assets 348,707 314,307
Goodwill 376,676 305,862
Other intangible assets 88,842 42,903
Property and equipment 27,907 24,181
Future income taxes 4,368 5,232
Other assets 11,035 6,803
--------- ---------
Total assets $857,535 $699,288
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $271,843 $226,168
Income taxes payable 2,273 3,804
Future income taxes 34 24
Current portion long-term debt and capital leases 5,195 3,362
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities 279,345 233,358
Long-term debt and capital leases 146,602 75,437
Subordinated convertible debentures 35,000 35,000
Future income taxes 14,805 12,703
--------- ---------
Total liabilities 475,752 356,498
--------- ---------
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 259,617 254,845
Issuable shares - 721
Contributed surplus 12,681 4,806
Cumulative translation account 26,983 20,062
Retained earnings 82,502 62,356
--------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity 381,783 342,790
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $857,535 $699,288
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months and twelve months ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Fourth quarter Twelve months
--------------------- ----------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
--------------------- ----------------------
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
Operating activities
Net earnings $3,884 $10,676 $26,244 $36,509
Items not affecting
working capital:
Amortization and
depreciation 3,886 2,593 12,786 9,452
(Gain)/loss on disposal
of subsidiaries,
property, equipment
and other assets (340) 79 (1,880) (202)
Non-cash stock based
compensation 9,229 1,226 20,890 4,801
Loss on write-off of
trademarks - - 2,587 -
(Gain)/loss on put
option liability - 7 - (160)
Future income taxes 1,700 3,159 130 1,920
Non-cash working capital
items
Trust cash (5,206) (10,559) (3,351) (886)
Accounts and other
receivables (21,342) (42,070) 15,672 (4,067)
Prepaid expenses 2,645 (2,450) (1,303) (2,616)
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities 34,827 52,024 (12,285) 13,431
Other assets 128 129 512 (2,062)
Income taxes (1,617) (4,930) (2,646) (2,184)
--------------------- ----------------------
Net cash flows from
operating activities 27,794 9,884 57,356 53,936
--------------------- ----------------------
Investing activities
Property and equipment -
purchases (2,197) (1,434) (7,293) (6,125)
Property and equipment -
proceeds on sale 15 22 159 69
Purchase of
subsidiaries, net of
cash received (3,907) (3,882) (94,307) (14,881)
Sale of subsidiaries 1,085 976 7,454 1,098
Other assets 298 255 687 (307)
--------------------- ----------------------
Net cash flows used for
investing activities (4,706) (4,063) (93,300) (20,146)
--------------------- ----------------------
Financing activities
Long-term debt -
advances - (3,167) 65,000 65,000
Long-term debt and
capital leases -
repayments (3,130) (91) (11,326) (54,540)
Proceeds from sale of
executive plan shares 17 - 497 222
Dividends paid (1,528) (1,516) (6,098) (6,068)
Share capital - issued
for cash, net of issue
costs - (2) - (61)
--------------------- ----------------------
Net cash flows from
(used for) financing
activities (4,641) (4,776) 48,073 4,553
--------------------- ----------------------
Effect of exchange rate
changes on cash and cash
equivalents 1,649 1,946 4,023 3,067
--------------------- ----------------------
Change in cash and cash
equivalents 20,096 2,991 16,152 41,410
Cash and cash equivalents
- Beginning of period 78,108 79,061 82,052 40,642
--------------------- ----------------------
Cash and cash equivalents
- End of period $98,204 $82,052 $98,204 $82,052
--------------------- ----------------------
--------------------- ----------------------
HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Non-cash stock based compensation
As of December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Our non-cash stock based compensation includes stock options and
restricted share units for senior employees as well as amortization of
$14.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, of non-cash stock based
compensation related to the estimated earnout due to management of
Talbot over the next three years. In response to investor interest in
the true impact of these costs, we began recognizing the expense of
non-cash stock based compensation during 2003. Options vest evenly
over three years and expire in seven years from issuance. Shares
derived from the options are held in escrow for a period of five years
from the date the options are granted, subject to early releases in
certain circumstances. Restricted share units vest over periods
ranging from 48 months to 95 months. Our policy is to expense the fair
value of non-cash stock based compensation to employees over the
period in which entitlement to the compensation vests. The amount of
expense recognized in each year related to stock options will vary
with respect to exercise and forfeiture of options.
Non-cash stock based compensation for the years ended December 31,
2004, 2003 and 2002 is comprised of the following:
2004 2003 2002
------------------------
Non-cash stock based compensation:
Stock options granted June 2002 $1,955 $1,899 $1,089
Stock options granted February 2003 445 410 -
Stock based compensation granted for 2003
bonuses 2,368 1,405 -
Restricted share units 1,609 1,087 -
Other 125 - -
------------------------
6,502 4,801 1,089
Stock based compensation related to Talbot
acquisition 14,388 - -
------------------------
$20,890 $4,801 $1,089
------------------------
------------------------
The Company estimates the non-cash stock based compensation expense
for 2005 through 2010 will be:
Year ended December 31, 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
-----------------------------------------------
Stock options granted
June 2002 $851 $- $- $- $- $-
Stock options granted
February 2003 366 - - - - -
Stock based
compensation granted
for 2003 bonues 2,340 2,254 2,163 2,163 2,163 2,104
Stock based
compensation
regarding Talbot
acquisition 25,459 8,400 1,508 - - -
Restricted share units 1,661 1,654 1,618 1,618 347 130
Other 112 27 9 - - -
------------------------------------------------
$30,789 $12,335 $5,298 $3,781 $2,510 $2,234
------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
In total, as of December 31, 2004, we had issued and outstanding
approximately 1.5 million stock options at a weighted average exercise
price of $15.34. Our closing share price on the New York Stock
Exchange was $18.41 on December 31, 2004.
CONTACT: Hub International Limited
Dennis J. Pauls, 312-279-4880
email: dennis.pauls@hubinternational.com
or
Rosenbaum Advisors, Inc.
Michael Rosenbaum, 847-749-1010
email: michael@rosenbaumadvisors.com