ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO. – 10-Q – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The discussion and analysis that follows relates to our financial condition and results of operations for the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2023 . Readers should review this information in conjunction with theMarch 31, 2023 unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this quarterly report on Form 10Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes, and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year endingDecember 31, 2022 .
Prior Year Discussion of Results and Comparisons
For Information on fiscal first quarter 2022 results and similar comparisons, see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Form 10-Q for the fiscal three-month period endedMarch 31, 2022 .
Information Regarding Non-GAAP Measures and Other
In the discussion and analysis of our results of operations that follows, in addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, we provide 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 quarterly report on Form 10Q. We believe that these presentations provide useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to our results of operations and financial condition or because they provide investors with measures that our chief operating decision makers use when reviewing the company's performance. See further below for definitions and additional reasons each of these measures is useful to investors. Our 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 we provide should be used in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the GAAP information provided. We make 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. Adjusted Non-GAAP presentation - We believe that the adjusted non-GAAP presentation of the current and prior period information presented on the following pages provides stockholders and other interested persons with useful information regarding certain financial metrics that may assist such persons in analyzing our operating results as they develop a future earnings outlook for us. The after-tax amounts related to the adjustments were computed using the normalized effective tax rate for each respective period.
•
Adjusted measures - We define these measures as 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 gains on divestitures, which are primarily net 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 (including the acquisition of the Willis Towers Watson plc treaty reinsurance brokerage operations (which we refer to as the Willis Re acquisition)), outside the scope of our usual tuck-in strategy, not expected to occur on an ongoing basis in the future once we fully assimilate the applicable acquisition. These costs are typically associated with redundant workforce, compensation expense related to amortization of certain retention bonus arrangements, extra lease space, duplicate services and external costs incurred to assimilate the acquisition into our IT related systems.
•
Transaction-related costs, which are primarily associated with the acquisition of Willis Re (primarily related to deferred closings in certain jurisdictions in 2022) and ofBCHR Holdings, L.P. and its subsidiaries, dba Buck (which we refer to as Buck). These include costs related to regulatory filings, legal, accounting services, insurance and incentive compensation.
•
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 the change in estimated
acquisition earnout payables adjustments and acquisition related compensation
charges.
•
Amortization of intangible assets, which reflects the amortization of
customer/expiration lists, non-compete
- 36 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
agreements, trade names and other intangible assets acquired through our merger
and acquisition strategy, the impact to amortization expense of acquisition
valuation adjustments to these assets as well as non-cash impairment 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 period in the prior year.
•
Effective income tax rate impact, which levelizes the prior year for the change
in current year tax rates.
•
Adjusted ratios - Adjusted compensation expense and adjusted operating expense,
respectively, each divided by adjusted revenues.
Non-GAAP Earnings Measures
We believe that the presentation of EBITDAC, EBITDAC margin, adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC margin, adjusted EPS and adjusted net earnings for the brokerage and risk management segments, each as defined below, provides a meaningful representation of our operating performance. Adjusted EPS is a performance measure and should not be used as a measure of our liquidity. We also consider EBITDAC and EBITDAC margin as ways to measure financial performance on an ongoing basis. In addition, adjusted EBITDAC, adjusted EBITDAC margin and adjusted EPS for the brokerage and risk management segments are presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that have a high degree of variability.
•
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 our operating performance for the overall business and provide a meaningful way to measure its financial performance on an ongoing basis.
•
EBITDAC, as adjusted and EBITDAC, as adjusted 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, transaction related costs, legal and income tax related costs 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 our 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.
•
EPS, as adjusted and Net Earnings, as adjusted - 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, transaction related costs, amortization of intangible assets, legal and income tax related costs 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 our operating performance (and as such should not be used as a measure of our 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 our business in both the current and prior period. In addition, organic change in base commission and fee revenues, supplemental revenues and contingent revenues excludes the periodoverperiod 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. We have historically viewed organic revenue growth as an important indicator when assessing and evaluating the performance of our brokerage and risk management segments. We also believe that using this nonGAAP measure allows readers of our financial statements to measure, analyze and compare the growth from our brokerage and risk management segments in a meaningful and consistent manner. - 37 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information Presented to GAAP Measures - This quarterly report on Form 10Q includes tabular reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures, as follows: for EBITDAC (on pages 44 and 50), for adjusted revenues, adjusted EBITDAC and adjusted diluted net earnings per share (on page 39), for organic revenue measures (on pages 45 and 50), respectively, for the brokerage and risk management segments, for adjusted compensation and operating expenses and adjusted EBITDAC margin, (on page 46) for the brokerage segment and (on page 51) for the risk management segment. Other Information - Allocations of investment income and certain expenses are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates primarily using revenue, headcount and other information. We allocate the provision for income taxes to the brokerage and risk management segments using local statutory rates. As a result, the provision for income taxes for the corporate segment for 2021 and prior periods reflects the entire benefit to us of the IRC Section 45 tax credits produced, because that is the segment which generated the credits. The law that provides for IRC Section 45 tax credits expired inDecember 2019 for our fourteen plants placed in service prior toDecember 31, 2009 (which we refer to as the 2009 Era Plants) and expired inDecember 2021 for our twenty-one plants placed in service prior toDecember 31, 2011 (which we refer to as the 2011 Era Plants). We anticipate reporting an effective tax rate of approximately 24.5% to 26.5% in the brokerage segment and 25.0% to 27.0% in the risk management segment for the foreseeable future. Reported operating results by segment would change if different allocation methods were applied. Because the law governing IRC Section 45 tax credits expired as ofDecember 31, 2021 , reported GAAP revenues and net earnings will decrease, yet our net cash flow will increase as a result of not having to pay expenses to operate the clean coal facilities and also from an increase in the use of credits against ourU.S. federal income tax obligations. In the discussion that follows regarding our results of operations, we also provide the following ratios with respect to our operating results: pretax profit margin, compensation expense ratio and operating expense ratio. Pretax profit margin represents pretax earnings divided by total revenues. The compensation expense ratio is compensation expense divided by total revenues. The operating expense ratio is operating expense divided by total revenues.
Overview and First Quarter 2023 Highlights
We are engaged in providing insurance and reinsurance brokerage and consulting services, and third-party property/casualty claims settlement and administration services to entities in theU.S. and abroad. In the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2023 , we generated approximately 65% of our revenues for the combined brokerage and risk management segments domestically and 35% internationally, primarily inAustralia ,Bermuda ,Canada , theCaribbean ,New Zealand and the U.K. We have three reportable segments: brokerage, risk management and corporate, which contributed approximately 88%, 12% and 0% for brokerage, risk management and corporate, respectively, to revenues during the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2023 . Our major sources of operating revenues are commissions, fees and supplemental and contingent revenues from brokerage operations and fees from risk management operations. Investment income is generated from invested cash and fiduciary funds, and other investments, and interest income from premium financing. We typically cite theCouncil of Insurance Agents and Brokers (which we refer to as CIAB) insurance pricing quarterly survey at this time as an indicator of the current insurance rate environment. The first quarter 2023 survey had not been published as of the filing date of this report. The fourth quarter 2022 survey indicated that commercial property/casualty rates increased by 8.0% on average. We expect a similar trend to be noted when the CIAB first quarter 2023 survey report is issued, which would indicate overall continued price firming and hardening in some lines. The CIAB represents the leading domestic and international insurance brokers, who write approximately 85% of the commercial property/casualty premiums in theU.S. We believe increases in property/casualty rates will continue for the remainder of 2023 due to rising loss costs, higher reinsurance pricing (particularly in property catastrophe), increased frequency of catastrophe losses and social inflation. If loss trends deteriorate over the coming quarters, including the impact of natural catastrophes, it could lead to a more difficult rate and conditions environment in certain lines. The combination of increasing insurable values (due in large part to inflation, including wage inflation), a still tight labor market and historically low unemployment is likely contributing to increases in client insured exposures. Additionally, we expect that our history of strong new business generation, solid retentions and enhanced value-added services for our carrier partners should all result in further organic growth opportunities around the world. Overall, we believe that in a positive rate environment with increasing exposures, our professionals can demonstrate their expertise and high-quality, value-added capabilities by strengthening our clients' insurance portfolios and delivering insurance and risk management solutions within our clients' budget. Based on our experience, most insurance carriers appear to be making rational pricing decisions and there is adequate capacity in the insurance and reinsurance market for most lines of coverage; however, theU.S. property catastrophe market could face significant price increases, tightening terms and conditions and a supply/demand imbalance for 2023 renewals.
Summary of Financial Results - Three-Month Periods Ended
See the reconciliations of non-GAAP measures on page 40.
- 38 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dollars in millions, except per share data) 1st Quarter 2023 1st Quarter 2022 Change Reported Adjusted Reported Adjusted Reported Adjusted GAAP Non-GAAP GAAP Non-GAAP GAAP Non-GAAP Brokerage Segment Revenues$ 2,375.2 $ 2,375.0 $ 2,122.6 $ 2,080.8 12 % 14 % Organic revenues$ 2,252.3 $ 2,064.0 9.1 % Net earnings$ 515.3 $ 464.3 11 % Net earnings margin 21.7 % 21.9 % - 17 bpts Adjusted EBITDAC$ 958.4 $ 836.6 15 % Adjusted EBITDAC margin 40.4 % 40.2 % + 14 bpts Diluted net earnings per share$ 2.37 $ 3.14 $ 2.17 $ 2.82 9 % 11 % Risk Management Segment Revenues before reimbursements$ 297.6 $ 297.5 $ 259.1 $ 256.1 15 % 16 % Organic revenues$ 291.6 $ 255.2 14.3 % Net earnings$ 33.5 $ 23.9 40 % Net earnings margin (before reimbursements) 11.3 % 9.2 % + 204 bpts Adjusted EBITDAC$ 57.1 $ 44.6 28 % Adjusted EBITDAC margin (before reimbursements) 19.2 % 17.4 % + 177 bpts Diluted net earnings per share$ 0.15 $ 0.16 $ 0.11 $ 0.12 36 % 33 % Corporate Segment Diluted net loss per share$ (0.28 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.23 ) $ (0.18 ) Total Company Diluted net earnings per share$ 2.24 $ 3.03 $ 2.05 $ 2.76 9 % 10 % Total Brokerage and Risk Management Segment Diluted net earnings per share$ 2.52 $ 3.30 $ 2.28 $ 2.94 11 % 12 % Within our corporate segment, net after-tax losses related to our clean energy investments were$(1.6) million and$(2.0) million , as reported, in the three-month periods endedMarch 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At this time, we do not anticipate our clean energy investments will produce after-tax earnings in 2023. The following provides information that management believes is helpful when comparing revenues before reimbursements, net earnings, EBITDAC and diluted net earnings per share for the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2023 with the same period in 2022. In addition, these tables provide reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures for adjusted revenues, adjusted EBITDAC and adjusted diluted net earnings per share. Reconciliations of EBITDAC for the brokerage and risk management segments are provided on pages44 and 50, respectively, of this filing.
For the Three-Month Periods Ended
Reconciliation:
- 39 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues Before Diluted Net Earnings Reimbursements Net Earnings (Loss) EBITDAC (Loss) Per Share Segment 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 Chg (in millions) (in millions) (in millions)
Brokerage, as reported
9 % Net gains on divestitures (0.2 ) (1.4 ) (0.2 )
(1.1 ) (0.2 ) (1.4 ) - (0.01 )
Acquisition integration
- - 39.7 35.0 51.2 43.8 0.18 0.17 Workforce and lease termination - - 11.8 5.0 15.4 6.2 0.06 0.02 Acquisition related adjustments - - 25.6 16.4 11.4 9.0 0.12 0.08 Amortization of intangible assets - - 89.1 93.7 - - 0.41 0.44 Effective income tax rate impact - - - (7.7 ) - - - (0.03 ) Levelized foreign currency translation - (40.4 ) - (4.8 ) - (7.4 ) - (0.02 ) Brokerage, as adjusted * 2,375.0 2,080.8 681.3 600.8 958.4 836.6 3.14 2.82 11 % Risk Management, as reported 297.6 259.1 33.5 23.9 55.9 44.1 0.15 0.11 36 % Net gains on divestitures (0.1 ) - (0.1 ) - (0.1 ) - - - Workforce and lease termination - - 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 - - Acquisition related adjustments - - 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 - - Acquisition integration - - 0.4 - 0.6 - - - Amortization of intangible assets - - 1.1 1.2 - - 0.01 0.01 Levelized foreign currency translation - (3.0 ) - (0.1 ) - (0.3 ) - - Risk Management, as adjusted * 297.5 256.1 35.5
25.5 57.1 44.6 0.16 0.12 33 %
Corporate, as reported 0.1 22.8 (62.2 ) (49.1 ) (61.6 ) (48.2 ) (0.28 ) (0.23 )
Transaction-related
costs
- - 3.3 14.6 4.4 15.8 0.01 0.07 Income tax related - - - (5.0 ) - - - (0.02 )
Corporate, as adjusted* 0.1 22.8 (58.9 ) (39.5 ) (57.2 ) (32.4 ) (0.27 ) (0.18 )
reported
$ 2,672.9 $ 2,404.5 $ 486.6 $ 439.1 $ 874.9 $ 782.3 $ 2.24 $ 2.05 9 %Total Company , as adjusted *$ 2,672.6 $ 2,359.7 $ 657.9 $ 586.8 $ 958.3 $ 848.8 $ 3.03 $ 2.76 10 % Total Brokerage & Risk Management, as reported$ 2,672.8 $ 2,381.7 $ 548.8 $ 488.2 $ 936.5 $ 830.5 $ 2.52 $ 2.28 11 % Total Brokerage & Risk Management, as adjusted *$ 2,672.5 $ 2,336.9 $ 716.8 $ 626.3 $ 1,015.5 $ 881.2 $ 3.30 $ 2.94 12 % *For the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2023 , the pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals$220.1 million , with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of$54.1 million relating to these items. For the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2023 , the pretax of the risk management segment adjustments totals$2.7 million , with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of$0.7 million relating to these items. For the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2023 , the pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustments totals$4.4 million , with a corresponding adjustment to the benefit for income taxes of$1.1 million relating to this item and the other tax items noted on page 55 in note (3). A detailed reconciliation of the 2023 provision (benefit) for income taxes is shown on page 40. *For the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2022 , the pretax impact of the brokerage segment adjustments totals$186.2 million , with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of$49.7 million relating to these items. For the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2022 , the pretax of the risk management segment adjustments totals$2.2 million , with a corresponding adjustment to the provision for income taxes of$0.6 million relating to these items. For the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2022 , the pretax impact of the corporate segment adjustments totals$15.8 million , with a corresponding adjustment to the benefit for income taxes of$6.2 million relating to this item and the other tax items noted on page 55 in note (3). A detailed reconciliation of the 2022 provision (benefit) for income taxes is shown on page 40.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Pre-tax Earnings and Diluted Net Earnings
per Share
- 40 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In millions except share and per share data) Net Earnings Net Earnings Earnings Provision (Loss) (Loss) (Loss) (Benefit) Attributable to Attributable to Diluted Net Earnings Before Income for Income Net Earnings Noncontrolling Controlling (Loss) Taxes Taxes (Loss) Interests Interests per Share Quarter EndedMarch 31, 2023 Brokerage, as reported $ 690.9$ 175.6 $ 515.3 $ 0.8 $ 514.5$ 2.37 Net gains on divestitures (0.2 ) - (0.2 ) - (0.2 ) - Acquisition integration 51.2 11.5 39.7 - 39.7 0.18 Workforce and lease termination 15.5 3.7 11.8 - 11.8 0.06 Acquisition related adjustments 33.4 7.8 25.6 - 25.6 0.12 Amortization of intangible assets 120.2 31.1 89.1 - 89.1 0.41 Brokerage, as adjusted $ 911.0$ 229.7 $ 681.3 $ 0.8 $ 680.5$ 3.14 Risk Management, as reported $ 45.5$ 12.0 $ 33.5 $ - $ 33.5$ 0.15 Net gains on divestitures (0.1 ) - (0.1 ) - (0.1 ) - Workforce and lease termination 0.6 0.1 0.5 - 0.5 - Acquisition related adjustments 0.1 - 0.1 - 0.1 - Acquisition integration 0.6 0.2 0.4 - 0.4 - Amortization of intangible assets 1.5 0.4 1.1 - 1.1 0.01 Risk Management, as adjusted $ 48.2$ 12.7 $ 35.5 $ - $ 35.5$ 0.16 Corporate, as reported$ (130.6 ) $ (68.4 ) $ (62.2 ) $ (0.7 ) $ (61.5 )$ (0.28 ) Transaction-related costs 4.4 1.1 3.3 - 3.3 0.01 Corporate, as adjusted$ (126.2 ) $ (67.3 ) $ (58.9 ) $ (0.7 ) $ (58.2 )$ (0.27 ) Quarter EndedMarch 31, 2022 Brokerage, as reported $ 618.4$ 154.1 $ 464.3 $ 0.7 $ 463.6$ 2.17 Net gains on divestitures (1.4 ) (0.3 ) (1.1 ) - (1.1 ) (0.01 ) Acquisition integration 43.8 8.8 35.0 - 35.0 0.17 Workforce and lease termination 6.3 1.3 5.0 - 5.0 0.02 Acquisition related adjustments 20.6 4.2 16.4 - 16.4 0.08 Amortization of intangible assets 123.0 29.3 93.7 - 93.7 0.44 Effective income tax rate impact - 7.7 (7.7 ) - (7.7 ) (0.03 ) Levelized foreign currency translation (6.1 ) (1.3 ) (4.8 ) - (4.8 ) (0.02 ) Brokerage, as adjusted $ 804.6$ 203.8 $ 600.8 $ 0.7 $ 600.1$ 2.82 Risk Management, as reported $ 32.3$ 8.4 $ 23.9 $ - $ 23.9$ 0.11 Workforce and lease termination 0.8 0.3 0.5 - 0.5 - Amortization of intangible assets 1.6 0.4 1.2 - 1.2 0.01 Levelized foreign currency translation (0.2 ) (0.1 ) (0.1 ) - (0.1 ) - Risk Management, as adjusted $ 34.5$ 9.0 $ 25.5 $ - $ 25.5$ 0.12 Corporate, as reported$ (113.0 ) $ (63.9 ) $ (49.1 ) $ (0.3 ) $ (48.8 )$ (0.23 ) Transaction-related costs 15.8 1.2 14.6 - 14.6 0.07 Income tax related - 5.0 (5.0 ) - (5.0 ) (0.02 ) Corporate, as adjusted $ (97.2 )$ (57.7 ) $ (39.5 ) $ (0.3 ) $ (39.2 )$ (0.18 ) - 41 -
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Acquisition of the BCHR holdings, L.P. and its subsidiaries dba Buck
OnDecember 20, 2022 , we signed a definitive agreement to acquire the partnership interests of Buck, for a gross consideration of$660.0 million or approximately$585.0 million net of agreed seller funded expenses and net working capital. The acquisition closed onApril 3, 2023 . We funded the transaction via free cash flow and funds received from the unsecured senior notes offering. Buck is a leading provider of retirement, human resources and employee benefits consulting and administration services. Buck has been in existence for more than 100 years and has a diverse client base by both size and industry. Buck has over 2,300 employees, including more than 220 credentialed actuaries, and primarily serves customers throughout theU.S. ,Canada and theU.K. Results of Operations Brokerage The brokerage segment accounted for 88% of our revenues during the three-month period endedMarch 31, 2023 . Our brokerage segment is primarily comprised of retail, wholesale and reinsurance brokerage operations. Our brokerage segment generates revenues by:
(i)
Identifying, negotiating and placing all forms of insurance or reinsurance coverage, as well as providing risk-shifting, risk-sharing and risk-mitigation consulting services, principally related to property/casualty, life, health, welfare and disability insurance. We also provide these services through, or in conjunction with, other unrelated agents and brokers, consultants and management advisors;
(ii)
Acting as an agent or broker for multiple underwriting enterprises by providing
services such as sales, marketing, selecting, negotiating, underwriting,
servicing and placing insurance coverage on their behalf;
(iii)
Providing consulting services related to health and welfare benefits, voluntary benefits, executive benefits, compensation, retirement planning, institutional investment and fiduciary, actuarial, compliance, private insurance exchange, human resources technology, communications and benefits administration; and
(iv)
Providing management and administrative services to captives, pools, risk-retention groups, healthcare exchanges, small underwriting enterprises, such as accounting, claims and loss processing assistance, feasibility studies, actuarial studies, data analytics and other administrative services. The primary source of revenues for our brokerage services is commissions from underwriting enterprises, based on a percentage of premiums paid by our clients, or fees received from clients based on an agreed level of service usually in lieu of commissions. Commissions are fixed at the contract effective date and generally are based on a percentage of premiums for insurance coverage or employee headcount for employer sponsored benefit plans. Commissions depend upon a large number of factors, including the type of risk being placed, the particular underwriting enterprise's demand, the expected loss experience of the particular risk of coverage, and historical benchmarks surrounding the level of effort necessary for us to place and service the insurance contract. Rather than being tied to the amount of premiums, fees are most often based on an expected level of effort to provide our services. In addition, under certain circumstances, both retail brokerage and wholesale brokerage services receive supplemental and contingent revenues. Supplemental revenue is revenue paid by an underwriting enterprise that is above the base commission paid, is determined by the underwriting enterprise and is established annually in advance of the contractual period based on historical performance criteria. Contingent revenue is revenue paid by an underwriting enterprise based on the overall profit and/or volume of the business placed with that underwriting enterprise during a particular calendar year and is determined after the contractual period.
Litigation, Regulatory and Taxation Matters
During 2022, we received a subpoena from the FCPA Unit of the DOJ seeking
information related to our insurance business with public entities in
We continue to fully cooperate with the investigation.
As previously disclosed, our IRC 831(b) (or "micro-captive") advisory services business has been under audit by theIRS since 2013. Among other matters, theIRS is investigating whether we have been acting as a tax shelter promoter in connection with these operations. Additionally, theIRS is conducting a criminal investigation related to IRC 831(b) micro-captive underwriting enterprises. We have been advised that we are not a target of the criminal investigation. We are fully cooperating with both matters. - 42 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial information relating to our brokerage segment results for the
three-month period ended
as follows (in millions, except per share, percentages and workforce data):
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