Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

 

 

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

 

 

1166 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

(212) 345-5000

Commission file number 1-5998

State of Incorporation: Delaware

I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 36-2668272

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer   x    Accelerated Filer    ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller Reporting Company    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of July 31, 2010, there were outstanding 542,474,395 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the registrant.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which express management’s current views concerning future events or results, use words like “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and “would.” For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as: the outcome of contingencies; market and industry conditions; changes in our business strategies and methods of generating revenue; the development and performance of our services and products; changes in the composition or level of MMC’s revenues; our cost structure and the outcome of cost-saving or restructuring initiatives; dividend policy; the expected impact of acquisitions and dispositions; pension obligations; cash flow and liquidity; future actions by regulators; and the impact of changes in accounting rules.

Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements include:

 

   

our exposure to potential liabilities arising from errors and omissions claims against us, particularly in the Marsh and Mercer businesses;

 

   

the impact of any regional, national or global political, economic, regulatory or market conditions on our results of operations and financial condition;

 

   

our ability to make strategic acquisitions and dispositions and to integrate, and realize expected synergies, savings or strategic benefits from the businesses we acquire;

 

   

the potential impact of rating agency actions on our cost of financing and ability to borrow, as well as on our operating costs and competitive position;

 

   

changes in the funded status of our global defined benefit pension plans and the impact of any increased pension funding resulting from those changes;

 

   

our exposure to potential criminal sanctions or civil remedies if we fail to comply with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable to our international operations, including import and export requirements, U.S. laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials;

 

   

the impact on our net income caused by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

   

the extent to which we retain existing clients and attract new business, and our ability to incentivize and retain key employees;

 

   

the impact of competition, including with respect to pricing, and the emergence of new competitors;

 

   

our ability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem;

 

   

changes in applicable tax or accounting requirements; and

 

   

potential income statement effects from the application of FASB’s ASC Topic No. 740 (“Income Taxes”) regarding accounting treatment of uncertain tax benefits and valuation allowances and ASC Topic No. 350 (“Intangibles – Goodwill and Other”), including the effect of any subsequent adjustments to the estimates MMC uses in applying these accounting standards.

The factors identified above are not exhaustive. MMC and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks may emerge frequently. Accordingly, MMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance on its forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. MMC undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it is made. Further information concerning MMC and its businesses, including information about factors that could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition, is contained in MMC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of MMC’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   4

ITEM 1.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   4
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

   4
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   5
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

   6
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

   7
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   8
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   9

ITEM 2.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   33

ITEM 3.

 

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   46

ITEM 4.

 

CONTROLS & PROCEDURES

   47

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

   48

ITEM 1.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   48

ITEM 1A.

 

RISK FACTORS

   48

ITEM 2.

 

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

   48

ITEM 3.

 

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

   49

ITEM 4.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

   49

ITEM 5.

 

EXHIBITS

   49

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June  30,
 

(In millions, except per share figures)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue

   $ 2,606      $ 2,470      $ 5,241      $ 4,913   
                                

Expense:

        

Compensation and benefits

     1,614        1,528        3,189        3,020   

Other operating expenses

     1,042        648        1,677        1,282   
                                

Operating expenses

     2,656        2,176        4,866        4,302   
                                

Operating income (loss)

     (50     294        375        611   

Interest income

     3        4        7        10   

Interest expense

     (60     (65     (120     (121

Investment income (loss)

     18        (32     26        (47
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (89     201        288        453   

Income tax (credit) expense

     (60     44        43        124   
                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (29     157        245        329   

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     271        (347     249        (338
                                

Net income (loss) before non-controlling interest

     242        (190     494        (9

Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

     6        3        10        8   
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to MMC

   $ 236      $ (193   $ 484      $ (17
                                

Basic net income (loss) per share

        

– Continuing operations

   $ (0.06   $ 0.28      $ 0.43      $ 0.60   

– Net income (loss) attributable to MMC

   $ 0.43      $ (0.36   $ 0.89      $ (0.03
                                

Diluted net income (loss) per share

        

– Continuing operations

   $ (0.06   $ 0.28      $ 0.43      $ 0.60   

– Net income (loss) attributable to MMC

   $ 0.43      $ (0.37   $ 0.88      $ (0.03
                                

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

        

– Basic

     541        522        537        519   

– Diluted

     545        523        541        519   
                                

Shares outstanding at June 30,

     542        523        542        523   
                                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

(In millions of dollars)

   June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,475      $ 1,707   
                

Receivables

    

Commissions and fees

     2,524        2,298   

Advanced premiums and claims

     98        86   

Other

     699        447   
                
     3,321        2,831   

Less-allowance for doubtful accounts and cancellations

     (106     (107
                

Net receivables

     3,215        2,724   
                

Current assets of discontinued operations

     193        212   

Other current assets

     285        288   
                

Total current assets

     5,168        4,931   

Goodwill and intangible assets

     6,499        6,219   

Fixed assets

     815        850   

(net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,345 at June 30, 2010 and $1,332 at December 31, 2009)

    

Pension related assets

     199        94   

Deferred tax assets

     1,144        1,242   

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

     977        1,077   

Other assets

     819        924   
                
   $ 15,621      $ 15,337   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

(In millions of dollars)

   June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Short-term debt

   $ 558      $ 558   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     2,273        1,751   

Accrued compensation and employee benefits

     810        1,290   

Liabilities of discontinued operations

     95        116   

Dividends payable

     109        —     
                

Total current liabilities

     3,845        3,715   
                

Fiduciary liabilities

     4,007        3,559   

Less – cash and investments held in a fiduciary capacity

     (4,007     (3,559
                

Long-term debt

     3,030        3,034   

Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefits

     1,136        1,182   

Liabilities for errors and omissions

     488        518   

Other liabilities

     1,079        1,025   
                

Commitments and contingencies

    
                

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Preferred stock, $1 par value, authorized 6,000,000 shares, none issued

     —          —     

Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 1,600,000,000 shares, issued 560,641,640 shares at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

     561        561   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,149        1,211   

Retained earnings

     7,187        7,033   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2,406     (2,171

Non-controlling interests

     43        35   
                
     6,534        6,669   

Less – treasury shares, at cost, 19,123,733 shares at June 30, 2010 and 30,967,116 shares at December 31, 2009

     (491     (806
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     6,043        5,863   
                
   $ 15,621      $ 15,337   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009  

Operating cash flows:

    

Net income before non-controlling interests

   $ 494      $ (9

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used for operations:

    

Goodwill impairment charge

     —          315   

Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and capitalized software

     154        151   

Amortization of intangible assets

     36        32   

Provision for deferred income taxes

     22        16   

(Gain) loss on investments

     (25     50   

Loss on disposition of assets

     30        39   

Stock option expense

     11        4   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Net receivables

     (425     (98

Other current assets

     (7     —     

Other assets

     (93     (227

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     463        15   

Accrued compensation and employee benefits

     (480     (404

Accrued income taxes

     (38     (70

Other liabilities

     44        40   

Effect of exchange rate changes

     86        (90
                

Net cash provided by (used for) operations

     272        (236
                

Financing cash flows:

    

Proceeds from issuance of debt

     —          398   

Repayments of debt

     (4     (404

Purchase of non-controlling interests

     (15     (24

Shares withheld for taxes on vested units

     (43     (21

Issuance of common stock

     18        20   

Dividends paid

     (221     (207
                

Net cash used for financing activities

     (265     (238
                

Investing cash flows:

    

Capital expenditures

     (143     (143

Net sales of long-term investments

     57        8   

Proceeds from sales of fixed assets

     8        4   

Dispositions

     119        70   

Acquisitions

     (198     (6

Other, net

     4        7   
                

Net cash used for investing activities

     (153     (60
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (121     140   
                

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (267     (394

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,777        1,685   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     1,510        1,291   

Cash and cash equivalents – reported as discontinued operations

     35        66   
                

Cash and cash equivalents – continuing operations

   $ 1,475      $ 1,225   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

(In millions, except per share figures)

   2010     2009  

COMMON STOCK

    

Balance, beginning and end of year

   $ 561      $ 561   
                

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

    

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 1,211      $ 1,245   

Change in accrued stock compensation costs

     (33     9   

Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans and employee stock purchase plans and related tax deficiency

     (14     1   

Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests

     —          (38

Issuance of shares for acquisitions

     (15     (35
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 1,149      $ 1,182   
                

RETAINED EARNINGS

    

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 7,033      $ 7,237   

Net income attributable to MMC (a)

     484        (17

Dividend equivalents paid

     (8     (8

Dividends declared – (per share amounts: $0.60 in 2010 and 2009)

     (322     (312
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 7,187      $ 6,900   
                

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

    

Balance, beginning of year

   $ (2,171   $ (2,098

Foreign currency translation adjustments (b)

     (360     304   

Unrealized investment holding losses, net of reclassification adjustments (c)

     (10     (1

Net changes under benefit plans, net of tax (d)

     135        (129
                

Balance, end of period

   $ (2,406   $ (1,924
                

TREASURY SHARES

    

Balance, beginning of year

   $ (806   $ (1,223

Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans and employee stock purchase plans

     123        88   

Issuance of shares for acquisitions

     192        143   
                

Balance, end of period

   $ (491   $ (992
                

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

    

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 35      $ 38   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests, net of discontinued operations (e)

     10        8   

Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interests

     —          (7

Other changes

     (2     (6
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 43      $ 33   
                
    
                

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 6,043      $ 5,760   
                

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (a+b+c+d+e)

   $ 259      $ 165   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. Nature of Operations

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (“MMC”), a global professional services firm, is organized based on the different services that it offers. Under this organizational structure, MMC’s three business segments are: Risk and Insurance Services; Consulting; and Risk Consulting & Technology. As discussed below on August 3, 2010, MMC completed the sale of Kroll to Altegrity, Inc. (“Altegrity”).

The Risk and Insurance Services segment provides risk management and insurance broking, reinsurance broking and insurance program management services for businesses, public entities, insurance companies, associations, professional services organizations, and private clients. MMC conducts business in this segment through Marsh and Guy Carpenter.

In the first quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired Haake Companies, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Midwest and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. On April 1, 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd., an international provider of risk intermediary and risk advisory services. On April 30, 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of the Bostonian Group Insurance Agency, Inc. and Bostonian Solutions, Inc. (collectively the “Bostonian Group”), one of the largest regional insurance brokerages in New England.

In April 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of John B. Collins Associates, Inc., previously the fifth-largest reinsurance intermediary in the U.S. and seventh-largest in the world. In October 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of London-based specialty reinsurance broker Rattner Mackenzie Limited from HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. In September 2009, Marsh acquired International Advisory Services Ltd., the largest independent manager of captives and third-party insurance companies in Bermuda. In December 2009, Marsh acquired the NIA Group, LLC, one of the largest, independent insurance agencies in the Northeast and the 34th largest agency in the U.S.

The Consulting segment provides advice and services to the managements of organizations in the area of human resource consulting, comprising retirement and investments, health and benefits, outsourcing and talent; and strategy and risk management consulting, comprising management, economic and brand consulting. MMC conducts business in this segment through Mercer and Oliver Wyman Group.

The Risk Consulting & Technology segment provides various risk consulting and related risk mitigation services to corporate, government, institutional and individual clients, including consulting services and security services; and technology-enabled services. MMC conducts business in this segment through Kroll. In the first quarter of 2010, Kroll completed the sale of Kroll Laboratory Specialists (“KLS”). On August 3, 2010, MMC completed the sale of Kroll to Altegrity for cash consideration of $1.13 billion. MMC will record the disposal of Kroll in the third quarter of 2010. The account balances and activities of Kroll and KLS were segregated and reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. The after-tax loss on the disposal of KLS is included in discontinued operations in 2010.

2. Principles of Consolidation and Other Matters

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by MMC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations for interim filings, although MMC believes that the information and disclosures presented are adequate to make such information and disclosure not misleading. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in MMC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 10-K”).

 

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The financial information contained herein reflects all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of MMC’s results of operations for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

MMC reported a net income tax benefit of $60 million in continuing operations in the second quarter of 2010 on a pretax loss of $89 million, an effective tax rate of 67.4%. The high tax benefit rate primarily reflects the combination of the tax benefit related to the Alaska settlement, determined at U.S. tax rates, with other pretax income that is subject to lower average effective tax rates applicable worldwide. Excluding the impact of the Alaska settlement, the effective tax rate for the quarter was 32.3%. The 14.9% effective tax rate for the first six months of 2010 also primarily reflects the benefit associated with the Alaska settlement. Excluding the effect of the settlement, the effective tax rate for the first six months was 29.5%. The increase in effective tax rates compared to 2009, excluding the Alaska settlement, primarily reflects a change in the worldwide mix of earnings.

MMC’s 21.9% effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2009 primarily reflects a favorable adjustment from reducing the forecasted, full-year effective tax rate compared with the estimate as of the first quarter. The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2009 was 27.4%.

The caption “Investment income (loss)” in the consolidated statements of income comprises realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments recognized in current earnings. It includes, when applicable, other than temporary declines in the value of available for sale securities and the change in value of MMC’s holdings in certain private equity funds. MMC’s investments may include direct investments in insurance or consulting companies and investments in private equity funds. Equity method gains (losses) of $18 million and $(33) million are included in this line for the three month periods ended June 30, in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Equity method gains (losses) of $17 million and $(51) million are included in this line for the six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

MMC has an investment in Trident II limited partnership, a private equity investment fund. At June 30, 2010, MMC’s investment in Trident II was approximately $151 million, reflected in the other assets in consolidated balance sheet. MMC’s maximum exposure to loss is equal to its investment plus any calls on its remaining capital commitment of $81 million. Since this fund is closed to new investments, none of the remaining capital commitment is expected to be called.

The Company reports a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the tax return. It is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease between zero and approximately $80 million within the next twelve months due to settlement of audits and expiration of statutes of limitation.

3. Fiduciary Assets and Liabilities

In its capacity as an insurance broker or agent, MMC collects premiums from insureds and, after deducting its commissions, remits the premiums to the respective insurance underwriters. MMC also collects claims or refunds from underwriters on behalf of insureds. Unremitted insurance premiums and claims proceeds are held by MMC in a fiduciary capacity. Risk and Insurance Services revenue includes interest on fiduciary funds of $22 million and $28 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Consulting segment recorded fiduciary interest income of $2 million for each of the comparable periods in 2010 and 2009. Since fiduciary assets are not available for corporate use, they are shown in the consolidated balance sheets as an offset to fiduciary liabilities.

Fiduciary assets include approximately $371 million and $577 million of fixed income securities classified as available for sale at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Unrealized gains or losses from available for sale securities are recorded in other comprehensive income until the securities are disposed of, or mature. Unrealized gains, net of tax, at June 30, 2010 were $8 million and $12 million at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Net uncollected premiums and claims and the related payables amounted to $10.3 billion at June 30, 2010 and $9.9 billion at December 31, 2009. MMC is not a principal to the contracts under which the right to receive premiums or the right to receive reimbursement of insured losses arises. Net uncollected premiums and claims and the related payables are, therefore, not assets and liabilities of MMC and are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Mercer had approximately $.4 billion of fiduciary assets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

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In certain instances, MMC advances premiums, refunds or claims to insurance underwriters or insureds prior to collection. These advances are made from corporate funds and are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as receivables.

4. Per Share Data

Effective January 1, 2009, MMC adopted the guidance for the calculation of earnings per share (“EPS”) for share-based payment awards with rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. The guidance indicates that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and should be included in the computation of basic and dilutive EPS using the two-class method.

Basic net income per share attributable to MMC and income from continuing operations per share are calculated by dividing the respective after-tax income attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of MMC’s common stock.

Diluted net income per share attributable to MMC and income from continuing operations per share are calculated by dividing the respective after-tax income attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of outstanding shares of MMC’s common stock, which have been adjusted for the dilutive effect of potentially issuable common shares (excluding those that are considered participating securities). The diluted earnings per share calculation reflects the more dilutive effect of either (a) the two-class method that assumes that the participating securities have not been exercised or (b) the treasury stock method. Reconciliation of the applicable income components used for diluted earnings per share and basic weighted average common shares outstanding to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is presented below.

 

Basic EPS Calculation

Continuing Operations

   Three Months Ended
June  30,
   Six Months Ended
June  30,

(In millions, except per share figures)

   2010     2009    2010    2009

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ (29   $ 157    $ 245    $ 329

Less: Non-controlling interests

     6        3      10      8
                            

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MMC

     (35     154      235      321

Less: Portion attributable to participating securities

     (1     5      4      10
                            

Income (loss) attributable to common shares for basic earnings per share

   $ (34   $ 149    $ 231    $ 311
                            

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     541        522      537      519
                            

 

Basic EPS Calculation

Net Income

   Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June  30,
 

(In millions, except per share figures)

   2010    2009     2010    2009  

Net income (loss) attributable to MMC

   $ 236    $ (193   $ 484    $ (17

Less: Portion attributable to participating securities

     3      (4     8      —     
                              

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares for basic earnings per share

   $ 233    $ (189   $ 476    $ (17
                              

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     541      522        537      519   
                              

 

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Diluted EPS Calculation

Continuing Operations

   Three Months Ended
June  30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,

(In millions, except per share figures)

   2010     2009    2010    2009

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ (29   $ 157    $ 245    $ 329

Less: Non-controlling interests

     6        3      10      8
                            

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to MMC

     (35     154      235      321

Less: Portion attributable to participating securities (1)

     —          5      4      10
                            

Income (loss) attributable to common shares for diluted earnings per share

   $ (35   $ 149    $ 231    $ 311
                            

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     541        522      537      519

Dilutive effect of potentially issuable common shares

     —          1      4      —  
                            

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     541        523      541      519
                            

Average stock price used to calculate common stock equivalents

   $ 23.16      $ 20.12    $ 23.00    $ 20.23
                            

 

(1)

For the three months ended June 30, 2010 earnings per share was more dilutive under the treasury stock method. Therefore, no amounts are allocated to participating securities in this period.

 

Diluted EPS Calculation

Net Income

   Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

(In millions, except per share figures)

   2010    2009     2010    2009  

Net income (loss) attributable to MMC

   $ 236    $ (193   $ 484    $ (17

Less: Portion attributable to participating securities (2)

     3      —          8      —     
                              

Net income (loss) attributable to common shares for diluted earnings per share

   $ 233    $ (193   $ 476    $ (17
                              

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     541      522        537      519   

Dilutive effect of potentially issuable common shares

     4      —          4      —     
                              

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     545      522        541      519   
                              

Average stock price used to calculate common stock equivalents

   $ 23.16    $ 20.12      $ 23.00    $ 20.23   
                              

 

(2)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, earnings per share was more dilutive under the treasury stock method. Therefore, no amounts are allocated to participating securities in these periods.

There were 45.6 million and 47.4 million stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

5. Supplemental Disclosures to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The following schedule provides additional information concerning acquisitions, interest and income taxes paid for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009  

Assets acquired, excluding cash

   $ 532      $ 194   

Liabilities assumed

     (115     (10

Shares issued (7.4 million and 5.4 million shares in 2010 and 2009, respectively)

     (178     (108

Contingent purchase consideration

     (55     —     

Deferred purchase consideration

     14        (70
                

Net cash outflow for acquisitions

   $ 198      $ 6   
                

 

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(In millions of dollars)

   2010    2009

Interest paid

   $ 113    $ 107

Income taxes paid

   $ 34    $ 56
             

MMC had non-cash issuances of common stock under its share-based payment plan of $132 million and $82 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The consolidated cash flow statements include the cash flow impact by each cash flow category for Kroll, which is reflected as a discontinued operation. The cash flow impact of discontinued operations from the operating, financing and investing cash flow categories is as follows:

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009  

Net cash (used for) provided by operations

   $ (22   $ 45   

Net cash provided by investing activities

   $ (13   $ (26
                

The information above excludes the cash flow impacts of the actual disposal transaction related to discontinued operations because MMC believes the disposal transaction to be cash flows attributable to the parent company, arising from its decision to dispose of the discontinued operation. MMC’s cash flow reflects the cash provided by investing activities of $110 million from the disposal of KLS in 2010 and $70 million from the sale of Kroll Government Services (“KGS”) in 2009. These amounts have been excluded from the information presented in the above chart.

6. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of comprehensive income (loss) for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

 

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009  

Foreign currency translation adjustments net of income tax (credit) expense ($(62) for 2010 and $16 for 2009, respectively)

   $ (360   $ 304   

Unrealized investment holding losses net of income tax (credit) expense ($(3) for 2010 and $0 for 2009, respectively)

     (10     (1

Gains (losses) related to pension/retiree plans net of income tax (credit) expense ($51 for 2010 and $(54) for 2009, respectively)

     135        (129
                

Other comprehensive (loss) income

     (235     174   

Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests

     494        (9
                

Comprehensive income before non-controlling interests

     259        165   

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests

     (10     (8
                

Comprehensive income attributable to MMC

   $ 249      $ 157   
                

7. Acquisitions

In 2010, MMC has made four acquisitions in its Risk and Insurance Services segment, two of which were made in the second quarter of 2010.

On April 1, 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd. This transaction deepens Marsh’s presence in the U.K., Hong Kong, Singapore, China and the Middle East. As part of the acquisition agreement, Marsh also entered into a strategic partnership with HSBC Bank that gives MMC preferred access to provide insurance broking and risk management services to HSBC and their corporate and private clients. On April 30, 2010, Marsh & McLennan Agency acquired the Bostonian Group, one of the largest regional

 

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insurance brokerages in New England. This transaction increases Marsh’s middle market presence. During the first quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired Haake Companies, Inc., one of the largest independent insurance broking firms in the Midwest, and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions in the U.S. These acquisitions were made to expand Marsh’s share in the middle-market through Marsh & McLennan Agency.

Total purchase consideration for the four acquisitions made during 2010 was $472 million which consisted of cash paid of $239 million, the issuance of 7.4 million shares with a fair value of $178 million, and estimated contingent consideration of $55 million. Contingent consideration arrangements are primarily based on EBITDA and revenue targets over two to four years. The fair value of the contingent consideration was based on earnings projections of the acquired entities. Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to adjustment when purchase accounting is finalized.

In 2010, MMC also paid $14 million of deferred purchase consideration and $2 million of contingent purchase consideration related to acquisitions made in prior years.

The following table presents the preliminary allocation of the acquisition costs for the companies acquired by MMC during 2010 to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their fair values, including contingent consideration from prior acquisitions (amounts in millions):

 

Cash

   $ 241

MMC common shares

     178

Contingent consideration

     55
      

Total Consideration

   $ 474
      

Allocation of purchase price:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 57

Accounts receivable, net

     81

Property, plant, and equipment

     5

Other assets

     20

Intangible assets

     138

Goodwill

     288
      

Total assets acquired

     589

Current liabilities

     75

Other liabilities

     40
      

Total liabilities assumed

     115
      

Net assets acquired

   $ 474
      

In the first quarter of 2010, MMC paid deferred purchase consideration of $15 million related to the purchase in 2009 of the minority interest of a previously controlled entity.

Prior Year Acquisitions

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, MMC made one acquisition in its Risk and Insurance Services segment for total purchase consideration of $195 million. The allocation of purchase consideration resulted in acquired goodwill and other intangible assets, amounting to $127 million and $52 million, respectively. MMC also paid $3 million of contingent consideration in 2009 related to prior acquisitions.

In the first quarter of 2009, MMC’s Risk & Insurance Services segment acquired the remaining minority interest of a previously majority owned entity for total purchase consideration of $47

 

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million. The accounting guidance requires that changes in a parent’s ownership interest while retaining financial controlling interest in a subsidiary be accounted for as an equity transaction. Stepping up the acquired assets to fair value or the recording of goodwill is no longer permitted. Therefore, MMC recorded a decrease to additional paid in capital in the first quarter of 2009 of $38 million related to this transaction.

Pro-Forma Information

The following unaudited pro-forma financial data gives effect to the acquisitions made by MMC during 2010, as if they occurred on January 1, 2009. The pro-forma information adjusts for the effects of amortization of acquired intangibles. The pro-forma information also reflects the classification of Kroll’s operating results to discontinued operations for all periods presented. The unaudited pro-forma financial data is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have been achieved if such acquisitions had occurred on the dates indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of future consolidated results.

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30
   Year Ended
December 31

(In millions, except per share data)

   2010    2009    2009

Revenue

   $ 5,320    $ 5,163    $ 10,280
                    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 247    $ 352    $ 560
                    

Net income attributable to MMC

   $ 371    $ 6    $ 256
                    

Basic net income per share:

        

– Continuing operations

   $ 0.43    $ 0.63    $ 1.00

– Net income attributable to MMC

   $ 0.67    $ 0.01    $ 0.47

Diluted net income per share:

        

– Continuing operations

   $ 0.43    $ 0.63    $ 0.99

– Net income attributable to MMC

   $ 0.67    $ 0.01    $ 0.47
                    

The pro-forma information provided above excludes the results of ORC Worldwide which was acquired on July 30, 2010.

Acquisitions Subsequent to the Balance Sheet Date

On July 1, 2010, Mercer completed the acquisition of Innovative Process Administration (“IPA”), a provider of health benefits record keeping and employee enrollment technology to enhance its outsourcing platform.

On July 30, 2010, Mercer completed the acquisition of ORC Worldwide, a human resource knowledge provider, to become an unparalleled provider of global human resource intelligence and to further strengthen related international consulting, conference and educational related international consulting, conference and educational services. MMC paid approximately $45 million for these two acquisitions.

8. Dispositions

On August 3, 2010, MMC completed its sale of Kroll to Altegrity for cash proceeds of $1.13 billion. The account balances and activities of Kroll were segregated and reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. MMC will record the disposal of Kroll in the third quarter of 2010.

MMC’s tax basis in its investment in the stock of Kroll exceeds the recorded amount primarily as a result of prior impairments of goodwill recognized for financial reporting, but not tax. Prior to the second quarter of 2010, a tax benefit was not recorded for this temporary difference because it was not apparent in the foreseeable future that it would reverse in a transaction that would result in a tax benefit. Since Kroll met the criteria for classification as a discontinued operation in the second quarter of 2010, MMC determined that it had the ability to carry back the capital loss realized against prior realized capital gains. Therefore, a $265 million deferred tax benefit was recorded in discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2010 to establish a deferred tax asset.

 

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In the first quarter of 2010, Kroll completed the sale of KLS. The after-tax loss on this disposal is included in discontinued operations in 2010. The operating results of KLS have been reclassified into discontinued operations.

In the second quarter of 2009, Kroll completed the sale of Kroll Government Services (“KGS”). The operating results of KGS for the second quarter of 2009 are included in discontinued operations. Discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2010 and 2009 also includes the accretion of interest related to an indemnity for uncertain tax positions provided as part of the purchase by Great West Lifeco Inc. of Putnam Investments Trust from MMC in August 2007.

Summarized Statements of Income data for discontinued operations is as follows:

 

      Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue

   $ 163      $ 173      $ 325      $ 359   
                                

Income before taxes (a)

   $ 17      $ (309   $ 32      $ (296

Income tax expense

     —          7        15        8   
                                

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     17        (316     17        (304
                                

(Loss) gain on disposal of discontinued operations (b)

     (8     (10     7        (10

Income tax (credit) expense (c)

     (262     21        (225     24   
                                

(Loss) gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

     254        (31     232        (34
                                

Discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ 271      $ (347   $ 249      $ (338
                                

Discontinued operations, net of tax per share

        

– Basic

   $ 0.49      $ (0.64   $ 0.46      $ (0.63

– Diluted

   $ 0.49      $ (0.65   $ 0.45      $ (0.63
                                

 

(a)

Includes goodwill impairment charge of $315 million for the three and six month periods in 2009.

(b)

Includes costs incurred through June 30, 2010 related to the sale of Kroll and in 2009 a loss on the sale of KGS.

(c)

Represents primarily the recognition of estimated deferred tax assets associated with the sale of Kroll in the three and six month periods in 2010. The six months of 2010 also includes a tax provision of $36 million on the sale of KLS.

The assets and liabilities of Kroll are classified as current assets, non-current assets and current liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The assets of Kroll primarily consist of goodwill, other identified intangible assets, commissions and fees receivable and fixed assets.

9. Goodwill and Other Intangibles

MMC is required to assess goodwill and any indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. MMC performs the annual impairment test for each of its reporting units during the third quarter of each year. Fair values of the reporting units are estimated using a market approach or a discounted cash flow model. Carrying values for the reporting units are based on balances at the prior quarter end and include directly identified assets and liabilities as well as an allocation of those assets and liabilities not recorded at the reporting unit level.

As previously reported, in the second quarter of 2009, Kroll completed the sale of KGS, its U.S. government security clearance screening business. As a result of the sale, MMC allocated goodwill between KGS (the portion of the reporting unit sold) and Kroll (the portion of the

 

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reporting unit retained), based on the relative fair value of the two portions. In addition, MMC evaluated the portion of the reporting unit retained for potential impairment. Fair value was estimated using a market approach, based on management’s latest projections and outlook for the businesses in the current environment. This fair value determination was categorized as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. On the basis of the step one impairment test, MMC concluded that goodwill in the reporting unit was impaired and completed the required step two portion of the impairment assessment. A step two impairment test, which under ASC Topic No. 350 (“Intangibles – Goodwill and Other”) is required to be completed after an impairment is indicated in a step one test, requires a complete re-valuation of all assets and liabilities of the reporting units in the same manner as a business combination. MMC recorded a non-cash charge of $315 million to write down Kroll’s goodwill to its estimated fair value. This charge is included in discontinued operations, which also includes the operating results of Kroll.

Other intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite life are amortized over their estimated lives and reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of certain triggering events in accordance with applicable accounting literature.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:

 

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009  

Goodwill recorded

   $ 7,636      $ 7,365   

Accumulated impairment losses related to discontinued operations

     (855     (540
                

Balance as of January 1, as reported

   $ 6,781      $ 6,825   

Goodwill acquired

     288        130   

Goodwill impairment related to discontinued operation

     —          (315

Reclassed to discontinued operations

     (791     (845

Other adjustments (a)

     (121     56   
                

Balance at June 30

   $ 6,157      $ 5,851   
                

 

(a)

Primarily foreign exchange.

The chart above reflects the elimination of goodwill and accumulated goodwill impairment charges in the risk consulting and technology segments, resulting from disposal of Kroll. Goodwill related to Kroll of approximately $.7 billion and $.8 billion at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, is now included in non-current assets of discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill allocable to MMC’s reportable segments is as follows: Risk & Insurance Services, $4.2 billion and Consulting, $2.0 billion.

Amortized intangible assets consist of the cost of client lists, client relationships and trade names acquired. The gross cost and accumulated amortization is as follows:

 

      June 30, 2010    December 31, 2009

(In millions of dollars)

   Gross
Cost
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net
Carrying
Amount
   Gross
Cost
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net
Carrying
Amount

Amortized intangibles

   $ 525    $ 183    $ 342    $ 395    $ 166    $ 229
                                         

 

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Aggregate amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $22 million and $15 million, respectively, and the estimated future aggregate amortization expense is as follows:

 

For the Years Ending December 31,

(In millions of dollars)

   Estimated Expense

2010 (excludes amortization through June 30, 2010)

   $ 21

2011

     42

2012

     40

2013

     35

2014

     28

Subsequent years

     176
      
   $ 342
      

10. Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Hierarchy

MMC has categorized its assets and liabilities that are valued at fair value on a recurring basis into a three-level fair value hierarchy as defined by the FASB in ASC Topic No. 820 (“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”). The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Assets and liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value are categorized based on the inputs in the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1. Assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, most U.S. Government and agency securities, money market mutual funds and certain other sovereign government obligations).

Level 2. Assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:

 

  a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

  b) Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (examples include corporate and municipal bonds, which trade infrequently);

 

  c) Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include most over-the-counter derivatives, including interest rate and currency swaps); and

 

  d) Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full asset or liability (for example, certain mortgage loans).

Level 3. Assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices, or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

 

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These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability (examples include private equity investments, certain commercial mortgage whole loans, and long-dated or complex derivatives including certain foreign exchange options and long-dated options on gas and power).

Valuation Techniques

Equity Securities & Mutual Funds

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the sale price on their principal exchange, or official closing bid price for certain markets. If no sales are reported, the security is valued at its last reported bid price.

Other Sovereign Government Obligations, Municipal Bonds and Corporate Bonds

The investments listed in the caption above are valued on the basis of valuations furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the trustees or dealers selected by Putnam Investment Management LLC (“Putnam Management”), manager of the Putnam mutual funds, a wholly owned subsidiary of Putnam LLC. Such services or dealers determine valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of such securities using methods based on market transactions for comparable securities and various relationships, generally recognized by institutional traders, between securities.

The following fair value hierarchy table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

(In millions of dollars)

   Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total
     6/30/10    12/31/09    6/30/10    12/31/09    6/30/10    12/31/09    6/30/10    12/31/09

Assets:

                       

Financial instruments owned:

                       

Exchange traded equity securities (a)

   $ 1    $ 10    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 1    $ 10

Mutual funds (a)

     127      141      —        —        —        —        127      141

Medium term bond funds and fixed income securities (a)

     —        —        —        6      —        —        —        6

Money market funds (b)

     225      448      —        —        —        —        225      448
                                                       

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 353    $ 599    $ —      $ 6    $ —      $ —      $ 353    $ 605
                                                       

Fiduciary Assets:

                       

State and local obligations (including non U.S. locales)

   $ —      $ —      $ 99    $ 161    $ —      $ —      $ 99    $ 161

Other sovereign government obligations and supranational agencies

     —        —        244      370      —        —        244      370

Corporate and other debt

     —        —        31      46      —        —        31      46

Money market funds

     338      235      —        —        —        —        338      235
                                                       

Total fiduciary assets measured at fair value

   $ 338    $ 235    $ 374    $ 577    $ —      $ —      $ 712    $ 812
                                                       

 

(a) Included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
(b) Included in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets.

There were no assets that transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 between December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

 

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11. Retirement Benefits

MMC maintains qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for its U.S. and non-U.S. eligible employees. MMC’s policy for funding its tax qualified defined benefit retirement plans is to contribute amounts at least sufficient to meet the funding requirements set forth by U.S. law and the laws of the non-U.S. jurisdictions in which MMC offers defined benefit plans.

The target asset allocation for the U.S. Plan was changed recently from 65% equities and 35% fixed income to 55% equities and 45% fixed income. Implementation of the new target asset allocation is underway. At the end of the second quarter of 2010, the actual allocation for the U.S. Plan was 64% equities and 36% fixed income. The target asset allocation for the U.K. Plan, which comprises approximately 83% of non-U.S. Plan assets, is 58% equities and 42% fixed income. At the end of the second quarter of 2010, the actual allocation for the U.K. Plan was 55% equities and 45% fixed income.

The components of the net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit and other postretirement plans are as follows:

 

Combined U.S. and significant non-U.S. Plans

 

 
For the Three Months Ended June 30,    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 48      $ 45      $ 2      $ 2   

Interest cost

     141        138        4        4   

Expected return on plan assets

     (200     (194     —          —     

Amortization of prior service credit

     (5     (13     (4     (4

Recognized actuarial loss

     37        17        —          1   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

   $ 21      $ (7   $ 2      $ 3   
                                

 

Combined U.S. and significant non-U.S. Plans

 

 
For the Six Months Ended June 30,    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 98      $ 91      $ 3      $ 3   

Interest cost

     286        268        7        8   

Expected return on plan assets

     (404     (381     —          —     

Amortization of prior service credit

     (10     (25     (7     (7

Recognized actuarial loss

     72        34        —          1   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

   $ 42      $ (13   $ 3      $ 5   
                                

 

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U.S. Plans only

 

  

For the Three Months Ended June 30,    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 19      $ 18      $ 1      $ 1   

Interest cost

     57        56        3        3   

Expected return on plan assets

     (74     (73     —          —     

Amortization of prior service credit

     (5     (12     (4     (4

Recognized actuarial loss

     19        13        —          1   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 16      $ 2      $ —        $ 1   
                                

 

U.S. Plans only

 

  

For the Six Months Ended June 30,    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 38      $ 38      $ 2      $ 2   

Interest cost

     113        110        5        6   

Expected return on plan assets

     (147     (146     —          —     

Amortization of prior service credit

     (9     (24     (7     (7

Recognized actuarial loss

     36        26        —          1   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 31      $ 4      $ —        $ 2   
                                

 

Significant non-U.S. Plans only

 

  
For the Three Months Ended June 30,    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010    2009

Service cost

   $ 29      $ 27      $ 1    $ 1

Interest cost

     84        82        1      1

Expected return on plan assets

     (126     (121     —        —  

Amortization of prior service cost

     —          (1     —        —  

Recognized actuarial loss

     18        4        —        —  
                             

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

   $ 5      $ (9   $ 2    $ 2
                             

 

Significant non-U.S. Plans only

 

  
For the Six Months Ended June 30,    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010    2009

Service cost

   $ 60      $ 53      $ 1    $ 1

Interest cost

     173        158        2      2

Expected return on plan assets

     (257     (235     —        —  

Amortization of prior service cost

     (1     (1     —        —  

Recognized actuarial loss

     36        8        —        —  
                             

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

   $ 11      $ (17   $ 3    $ 3
                             

 

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The weighted average actuarial assumptions utilized to calculate the net periodic benefit costs for the U.S. and significant non-U.S. defined benefit plans are as follows:

 

Combined U.S. and significant non-U.S. Plans  
     Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Weighted average assumptions:

        

Expected return on plan assets

   8.1   8.2   —        —     

Discount rate

   6.0   6.5   6.3   6.7

Rate of compensation increase

   4.2   3.7   —        —     
                        

MMC made $121 million of contributions to its U.S. non-qualified and non-U.S. pension plans through the second quarter of 2010 and expects to contribute approximately $150 million for the remainder of 2010 for these plans.

12. Debt

MMC’s outstanding debt is as follows:

 

     

June 30,

  

December 31,

(In millions of dollars)

   2010    2009

Short-term:

     

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 558    $ 558
             

Long-term:

     

Senior notes – 6.25% due 2012 (5.1% effective interest rate)

   $ 254    $ 255

Senior notes – 4.850% due 2013

     250      249

Senior notes – 5.875% due 2033

     296      296

Senior notes – 5.375% due 2014

     648      648

Senior notes – 5.15% due 2010

     550      549

Senior notes – 5.75% due 2015

     747      747

Senior notes – 9.25% due 2019

     397      398

Mortgage – 5.70% due 2035

     443      447

Other

     3      3
             
     3,588      3,592

Less current portion

     558      558
             
   $ 3,030    $ 3,034
             

On October 23, 2009, MMC and certain of its foreign subsidiaries entered into a new $1.0 billion multi-currency three-year unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced the $1.2 billion facility discussed below. The interest rate on this facility varies based upon MMC’s credit ratings and MMC’s credit default swap levels subject to floors and caps. The facility requires MMC to maintain certain coverage and leverage ratios which are tested quarterly. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at June 30, 2010.

MMC and certain of its foreign subsidiaries previously maintained a $1.2 billion multi-currency five-year revolving credit facility. The facility was previously due to expire in December 2010 and was in effect until October 2009. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at the time it was terminated.

 

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13. Restructuring Costs

Actions Initiated in 2010

For the first six months of 2010, MMC implemented restructuring actions which resulted in costs totaling $41 million, primarily related to severance and benefits. Approximately $25 million of these costs related to cost reduction activities for recent acquisitions. These costs were incurred as follows: Marsh - $22 million, Guy Carpenter - $15 million, Mercer - $2 million and MMC - $2 million. These activities resulted in the elimination of approximately 150 positions at Marsh, 70 positions at Guy Carpenter, 40 positions at Mercer and 50 positions at MMC.

Actions Initiated Prior to 2010

Prior to 2010, MMC implemented several restructuring and cost-saving initiatives related to firm-wide infrastructure, organization structure and operating company business processes. These initiatives resulted in staff reductions and consolidations of facilities. MMC incurred restructuring costs of $16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 in connection with actions initiated in prior years, primarily due to severance and related benefits and adjustments to the estimated future rent and real estate costs related to previously vacated space.

As of June 30, 2010, the remaining liability for all restructuring initiatives described above was approximately $211 million, primarily related to future severance and benefit payments ($49 million) and future lease agreements ($133 million). MMC made $89 million of payments during the six months of 2010 related to its restructuring plans.

The expenses associated with the above initiatives are included in Compensation and benefits and Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The liabilities associated with these initiatives are classified on the consolidated balance sheets as Accounts payable, Other liabilities, or Accrued compensation, depending on the nature of the items.

14. Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of MMC’s significant financial instruments is provided below. Certain estimates and judgments were required to develop the fair value amounts. The fair value amounts shown below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that MMC would realize upon disposition, nor do they indicate MMC’s intent or need to dispose of the financial instrument.

 

     June 30, 2010    December 31, 2009

(In millions of dollars)

   Carrying
Amount
   Fair
Value
   Carrying
Amount
   Fair
Value

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,475    $ 1,475    $ 1,707    $ 1,707

Long-term investments

   $ 74    $ 69    $ 109    $ 102

Short-term debt

   $ 558    $ 558    $ 558    $ 572

Long-term debt

   $ 3,030    $ 3,166    $ 3,034    $ 3,174
                           

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The estimated fair value of MMC’s cash and cash equivalents approximates their carrying value.

Long-term Investments: Long-term investments include available for sale securities recorded at quoted market prices, certain investments carried at cost and unrealized gains related to available for sale investments in insurance fiduciary funds as discussed below.

 

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MMC has certain long-term investments, for which there are no readily available market prices, amounting to $38 million and $53 million at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, which are carried on a cost basis. These investments are included in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. MMC monitors these investments for impairment and makes appropriate reductions in carrying values when necessary.

MMC had available for sale securities with an aggregate fair value of $24 million and $38 million at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, which are carried at market value under ASC Topic No. 320. MMC had gross unrealized gains (pre-tax) on these securities of $8 million and $15 million included in accumulated other comprehensive income at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. MMC recorded the following net unrealized gains and (losses) related to its available for sale securities for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

(In millions of dollars)

   Three Months Ended
June  30,
   Six Months Ended
June  30,
 
     2010    2009    2010    2009  

Unrealized gains (pre-tax)

   $ 1    $ 3    $ 1    $ 3   

Unrealized losses (pre-tax)

   $  —      $  —      $ —      $ (2
                             

These amounts have been excluded from earnings and reported, net of deferred income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a component of stockholders’ equity.

MMC has a portion of insurance fiduciary funds described in Note 3 that are invested in high quality debt securities and classified as available for sale. Gross unrealized gains (pre-tax) on these securities that are included in other assets and accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets was $11 million and $17 million at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. MMC had no gross unrealized gains on these securities for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, MMC recorded gross unrealized losses (pre-tax) of $6 million and $2 million, respectively, related to these investments. These amounts have been excluded from earnings and reported, net of deferred income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a component of stockholders’ equity.

Proceeds from the sale of available for sale investments were as follows:

 

(In millions of dollars)

   Three Months Ended
June  30,
   Six Months Ended
June  30,
      2010    2009    2010    2009

Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities

   $  —      $ 4    $ 14    $ 6
                           

The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method for equity securities.

 

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MMC also holds investments in certain private equity fund partnerships which are accounted for using the equity method and other investments that are held at cost. MMC recorded the following gains (losses) related to these investments:

 

(In millions of dollars)

   Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June  30,
 
     2010    2009     2010    2009  

Equity method gains (losses)

   $ 18    $ (33   $ 17    $ (51

Gains on cost method investments

     —        1        1      4   
                              

Gains (losses) from equity and cost method investments

     18      (32     18      (47

Realized gains on available for sale securities

     —        —          8      —     
                              

Investment income (loss)

   $ 18    $ (32   $ 26    $ (47
                              

Short-term and Long-term Debt: The fair value of MMC’s short-term debt, which consists primarily of term debt maturing within the next year, approximates its carrying value. The estimated fair value of MMC’s long-term debt is based on discounted future cash flows using current interest rates available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

15. Common Stock

MMC did not purchase any treasury shares in 2010 or 2009.

16. Claims, Lawsuits and Other Contingencies

Governmental Inquiries and Claims

 

 

In December 2007, the Alaska Retirement Management Board filed a civil lawsuit against Mercer (US) Inc. in Alaska state court. Plaintiff, represented by the Alaska Law Department (through the Alaska Attorney General) and the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, filed an amended complaint in May 2009. The amended complaint alleged professional negligence and malpractice, breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, negligent misrepresentation, unfair trade practices and fraud and misrepresentation related to actuarial services that Mercer provided to the Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits relating to two State pension and benefit plans, the Alaska Public Employees Retirement System and the Alaska Teachers Retirement System. The amended complaint sought damages of “at least $2.8 billion” plus treble damages related to the unfair trade practices claim, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and interest. The parties resolved this matter in June 2010. Mercer has agreed to pay $500 million, of which $100 million will be covered by insurance. The cost of this settlement and the related insurance receivable have been reflected in MMC’s consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

 

 

In October 2007, the State of Connecticut brought a civil action against Guy Carpenter in Connecticut state court alleging that Guy Carpenter violated the state’s antitrust and unfair trade practices laws by engaging in allocation of markets, price-fixing and other allegedly improper conduct by taking part in the operation of several reinsurance facilities over a period of decades. An amended complaint was filed in October 2009. The amended complaint alleges damages to Guy Carpenter’s insurance company clients and their customers, as well as to the general economy of Connecticut, and seeks monetary damages, civil penalties, attorneys’ fees, costs and injunctive and other equitable relief. Discovery is underway in this matter.

 

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Our activities are regulated under the laws of the United States and its various states, the European Union and its member states, and the other jurisdictions in which we operate. In the ordinary course of business, in addition to private party lawsuits, we may be subject to investigations, lawsuits and/or other regulatory actions undertaken by governmental authorities.

Errors and Omissions Claims

MMC and its subsidiaries are subject to a significant number of other claims, lawsuits and proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Such claims and lawsuits consist principally of alleged errors and omissions in connection with the performance of professional services. Certain of these claims seek damages, including punitive and treble damages, in amounts that could, if awarded, be significant. In establishing liabilities for errors and omissions claims in accordance with FASB ASC Subtopic No. 450-20 (Contingencies—Loss Contingencies), MMC utilizes internal actuarial and other estimates, and case level reviews by inside and outside counsel. A liability is established when a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. The liability is reviewed quarterly and adjusted as developments warrant. In many cases, MMC has not recorded a liability, other than for legal fees to defend the claim, because MMC is unable, at the present time, to make a determination that a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable.

To the extent that expected losses exceed MMC’s deductible in any policy year, MMC also records an asset for the amount that MMC expects to recover under any available third-party insurance programs. MMC has varying levels of third-party insurance coverage, with policy limits and coverage terms varying significantly by policy year. MMC is not aware of coverage defenses or other obstacles to coverage that would limit recoveries through policy year 2001-2002 in a material amount. From 2002 to 2008, the availability of third-party insurance declined significantly.

Brokerage Compensation Practices Settlement and Related Actions

In January 2005, MMC and its subsidiary Marsh Inc. entered into a settlement agreement with the New York State Attorney General (“NYAG”) and the New York State Insurance Department to settle a civil complaint and related citation alleging that Marsh’s use of market service agreements with various insurance companies entailed fraudulent business practices, bid-rigging, illegal restraint of trade and other statutory violations. The parties subsequently entered into an amended and restated settlement agreement in February 2010. The new agreement helps restore a level playing field for Marsh, allowing Marsh to compete on the same terms as other intermediaries in the insurance industry.

Following the filing of the NYAG complaint in October 2004, various state regulators and attorneys general initiated investigations relating to the conduct alleged in that complaint. MMC and Marsh have entered into settlements with authorities in ten of those states. One action filed in August 2007 by the Attorney General of the State of Ohio against MMC, Marsh, certain Marsh subsidiaries and other parties remains pending.

 

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Numerous private party lawsuits based on similar allegations to those made in the NYAG complaint were commenced against MMC, one or more of its subsidiaries, and their current and former directors and officers. The status of the lawsuits that remain outstanding is as follows:

 

 

In February 2009, the trial court approved a settlement of the claims against MMC, Marsh and certain Marsh subsidiaries in two consolidated putative class actions that were pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (one on behalf of a purported class of “commercial” policyholders and the second on behalf of a purported class of “employee benefit” policyholders). The court’s approval of the settlement has been appealed. In addition, nine actions instituted by individual policyholders against MMC, Marsh and certain Marsh subsidiaries are pending in federal and state courts.

 

 

MMC, Marsh and certain Marsh subsidiaries were named as additional defendants in a shareholder derivative suit pending in the Delaware Court of Chancery against the directors and officers of American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”) and others. The suit alleged that MMC, Marsh and the Marsh subsidiaries engaged in conspiracy and fraud with respect to the alleged misconduct described in the NYAG complaint, and that they aided and abetted current and former directors and officers of AIG in breaching their fiduciary duties to AIG with respect to AIG’s participation in the alleged misconduct. In June 2009, the Delaware court granted a motion to dismiss all claims against MMC and the Marsh defendants. An appeal of this dismissal is currently pending in the Delaware Supreme Court.

Other Contingencies—Guarantees

 

 

In connection with its acquisition of U.K.-based Sedgwick Group in 1998, MMC acquired several insurance underwriting businesses that were already in run-off, including River Thames Insurance Company Limited (“River Thames”), which MMC sold in 2001. Sedgwick guaranteed payment of claims on certain policies underwritten through the Institute of London Underwriters (the “ILU”) by River Thames. The policies covered by this guarantee are reinsured up to £40 million by a related party of River Thames. Payment of claims under the reinsurance agreement is collateralized by segregated assets held in a trust. As of June 30, 2010, the reinsurance coverage exceeded the best estimate of the projected liability of the policies covered by the guarantee. To the extent River Thames or the reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations under those policies, a claimant may seek to recover from MMC under the guarantee.

 

 

From 1980 to 1983, MMC owned indirectly the English & American Insurance Company (“E&A”), which was a member of the ILU. The ILU required MMC to guarantee a portion of E&A’s obligations. After E&A became insolvent in 1993, the ILU agreed to discharge the guarantee in exchange for MMC’s agreement to post an evergreen letter of credit that is available to pay claims by policyholders on certain E&A policies issued through the ILU and incepting between July 3, 1980 and October 6, 1983. Certain claims have been paid under the letter of credit and MMC anticipates that additional claimants may seek to recover against the letter of credit.

Putnam-related Matters

Under the terms of a stock purchase agreement with Great-West Lifeco Inc. (“GWL”) related to GWL’s purchase of Putnam Investments Trust from MMC in August 2007, a copy of which was included as an exhibit to MMC’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2007, MMC agreed to indemnify GWL with respect to certain Putnam-related litigation and regulatory matters. Two putative class actions by investors in certain Putnam Funds pending against Putnam in the District of Maryland are based on similar allegations as those at issue in Putnam’s 2003 and 2004 settlements with the SEC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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regarding excessive short-term trading by certain former Putnam employees in shares of the Putnam mutual funds (the “Putnam Funds”), and directly involve MMC and/or may be subject to MMC’s indemnification obligations. The first action asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The second action purports to assert derivative claims under Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act. Both suits seek to recover unspecified damages allegedly suffered by the Putnam Funds and their investors as a result of purported market-timing and late trading activity in certain Putnam Funds. In the first action, the parties have entered into a settlement agreement. That agreement is subject to final approval by the district court. In the derivative action, the court denied Putnam’s motion for summary judgment.

Kroll-related Matters

Under the terms of a stock purchase agreement with Altegrity, Inc. (“Altegrity”) related to Altegrity’s purchase of Kroll from MMC in August 2010, a copy of which is attached as exhibit 2.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, MMC agreed to provide a limited indemnity to Altegrity with respect to certain Kroll-related litigation and regulatory matters.

The pending proceedings and other matters described in this Note 16 on Claims, Lawsuits and Other Contingencies may expose MMC or its subsidiaries to liability for significant monetary damages and other forms of relief. Where a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable, MMC establishes liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC Subtopic No. 450-20 (Contingencies—Loss Contingencies). Except as described above, MMC is not able at this time to provide a reasonable estimate of the range of possible loss attributable to these matters or the impact they may have on MMC’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. This is primarily because these matters are still developing and involve complex issues subject to inherent uncertainty. Adverse determinations in one or more of these matters could have a material impact on MMC’s consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows in a future period.

17. Segment Information

MMC is organized based on the types of services provided. Under this organizational structure, MMC’s business segments are:

 

   

Risk and Insurance Services, comprising insurance services (Marsh) and reinsurance services (Guy Carpenter);

 

   

Consulting, comprising Mercer and Oliver Wyman Group; and

 

   

Risk Consulting & Technology, which is comprised of Kroll. The results of this segment are now included in discontinued operations due to the sale of Kroll.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those used for the consolidated financial statements described in Note 1 to MMC’s 2009 10-K. Segment performance is evaluated based on segment operating income, which includes directly related expenses, and charges or credits related to integration and restructuring but not MMC corporate-level expenses. Revenues are attributed to geographic areas on the basis of where the services are performed.

 

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Selected information about MMC’s operating segments for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

(In millions of dollars)

   Revenue     Operating
Income  (Loss)
    Revenue     Operating
Income  (Loss)
 

2010 -

        

Risk and Insurance Services

   $ 1,459 (a)    $ 258      $ 2,951 (c)    $ 605   

Consulting

     1,168 (b)      (275     2,323 (d)      (159
                                

Total Operating Segments

     2,627        (17     5,274        446   

Corporate / Eliminations

     (21     (33     (33     (71
                                

Total Consolidated

   $ 2,606      $ (50   $ 5,241      $ 375   
                                

2009 -

        

Risk and Insurance Services

   $ 1,343 (a)    $ 245      $ 2,715 (c )    $ 542   

Consulting

     1,143 (b)      96        2,226 (d )      169   
                                

Total Operating Segments

     2,486        341        4,941        711   

Corporate / Eliminations

     (16     (47     (28     (100
                                

Total Consolidated

   $ 2,470      $ 294      $ 4,913      $ 611   
                                

 

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(a)

Includes inter-segment revenue of $1million and $5 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, interest income on fiduciary funds of $11 million and $13 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and equity method income of $7 million and $6 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(b)

Includes inter-segment revenue of $20 million and $11 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and interest income on fiduciary funds of $1 million in both 2010 and 2009.

(c)

Includes inter-segment revenue of $2 million and $7 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, interest income on fiduciary funds of $22 million and $28 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and equity method income of $8 million in both 2010 and 2009.

(d)

Includes inter-segment revenue of $31 million and $21 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and interest income on fiduciary funds of $2 million in both 2010 and 2009.

Details of operating segment revenue for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Risk and Insurance Services

        

Marsh

   $ 1,214      $ 1,114      $ 2,389      $ 2,202   

Guy Carpenter

     245        229        562        513   
                                

Total Risk and Insurance Services

     1,459        1,343        2,951        2,715   
                                

Consulting

        
                                

Mercer

     838        832        1,687        1,635   

Oliver Wyman Group

     330        311        636        591   
                                

Total Consulting

     1,168        1,143        2,323        2,226   
                                

Total Operating Segments

     2,627        2,486        5,274        4,941   

Corporate/Eliminations

     (21     (16     (33     (28
                                

Total

   $ 2,606      $ 2,470      $ 5,241      $ 4,913   
                                

18. New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2009, MMC adopted the guidance for calculating EPS using the two-class method with retroactive application to prior periods. The impact of adopting the guidance is discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance issued by the FASB for Business Combinations. The guidance requires entities in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose all information needed by investors and other users to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the new guidance issued by the FASB for Consolidation – Non-controlling Interests, which did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it did impact the presentation and disclosure of non-controlling (minority) interests in our consolidated financial statements. The effects of this change are reflected herein.

The new guidance also requires adjustment of net income to include the net income attributable to the non-controlling interests and a new separate caption for net income attributable to MMC to be presented in the consolidated statement of earnings.

 

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In February 2008, the FASB issued guidance related to Fair Value Measurements which delayed until the second quarter of 2009, fair value measurement for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The Company has applied the provision of this new guidance to its financial statement disclosures beginning in the second quarter of 2009.

On April 1, 2009, the FASB issued guidance for “Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies”, to address application issues raised by preparers, auditors and attorneys. The guidance requires recognition of contingent assets or liabilities (arising from a business combination contingency) at fair value, at the acquisition date if the acquisition-date fair value of the asset or liability can be determined during the measurement period, or if certain criteria are met. Otherwise, the acquirer should not recognize an asset or liability as of the acquisition date. The guidance is effective for business combinations occurring on or after January 1, 2009. This new guidance did not have a material impact on MMC’s financial condition or reported results.

In the second quarter of 2009, MMC adopted the guidance issued by the FASB for interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments. The guidance, which is effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, requires disclosures about the fair values of financial instruments in interim period reports of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on MMC’s financial condition or reported results.

In the second quarter of 2009, MMC adopted the guidance issued by the FASB for Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments. It amends GAAP guidance including SEC SAB Topic 5M and other authoritative literature that allow the holders of debt securities not to recognize other-than-temporary impairments based on their intent and ability to hold a security until recovery in fair value to its amortized cost. The other-than-temporary impairment model applies only to debt securities and not equity securities. The guidance requires recognition of a credit loss (the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis) through earnings. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on MMC’s financial condition or reported results.

In December 2008, the FASB issued guidance for Employers’ Disclosures About Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefit Plan Assets. The guidance requires fair value plan asset disclosures for an employer’s assets in defined benefit pension and postretirement plans similar to the guidance on Fair Value Measurements, as well as (a) how investment allocation decisions are made, (b) the major categories of plan assets, and (c) significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The Company has applied the provision of this new guidance to its financial statement disclosures beginning December 31, 2009.

In December 2009, the FASB issued new guidance related to the Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”) and transfer of assets. The new guidance focuses on ‘controlling financial interests’ and requires companies to perform qualitative analysis to determine whether they must consolidate a VIE by assessing whether the variable interests give them controlling financial interests in the VIE. This guidance is effective for transfers occurring on or after November 15, 2009. Provisions must be applied in annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009 and interim periods within that annual period. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Also, effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted new guidance that indefinitely defers the above changes relating to the Company’s interests in entities that have all the attributes of an

 

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investment company or for which it is industry practice to apply measurement principles for financial reporting that are consistent with those applied by an investment company. As a result, the above guidance did not apply to certain investment management trusts managed by Mercer.

In January 2010, the FASB issued new guidance that adds additional disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 items and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements related to Level 3 measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Further, the new guidance amends the requirements on employer’s disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets to require disclosures be provided by classes of assets instead of by major categories of assets. This guidance is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 31, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In October 2009, the FASB amended its guidance on revenue recognition regarding multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. The guidance is effective prospectively for arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance.

On April 29, 2010, the FASB issued guidance which establishes a revenue recognition model for contingent consideration that is payable upon the achievement of an uncertain future event, referred to as a milestone. The scope of this guidance is limited to research or development arrangements and requires an entity to record the milestone payment in its entirety in the period received if the milestone meets all the necessary criteria to be considered substantive. However, entities would not be precluded from making an accounting policy election to apply another appropriate accounting policy that results in the deferral of some portion of the arrangement consideration. This is effective for fiscal years (and interim periods within those fiscal years) beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early application is permitted. Entities can apply this guidance prospectively to milestones achieved after adoption. However, retrospective application to all prior periods is also permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance.

In May 2010, the FASB issued guidance for foreign currency issues and Venezuela’s highly inflationary status. The guidance states that Venezuela’s economy should be considered highly inflationary as of January 1, 2010 and therefore a U.S. dollar reporting entity must remeasure the financial statements of its Venezuelan subsidiaries as if the subsidiaries’ functional reporting currency were the entity’s reporting currency (i.e., the U.S. dollar). Any differences between the U.S. dollar denominated balances recorded by the Venezuelan subsidiaries and the amounts reported in the entity’s consolidated financial statements must be recognized in earnings or as part of its cumulative translation adjustment. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries (“MMC”) is a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and human capital. MMC’s subsidiaries include Marsh, which provides risk and insurance services; Guy Carpenter, which provides reinsurance services; Mercer, which provides human resource and related financial advice and services; and Oliver Wyman Group, which provides management consulting and other services. Following the sale of Kroll, as discussed below, MMC has approximately 50,000 employees worldwide who provide analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries.

MMC’s business segments are based on the services provided. Risk and Insurance Services includes risk management and insurance and reinsurance broking and services, provided primarily by Marsh and Guy Carpenter. Consulting, which comprises the activities of Mercer and Oliver Wyman Group, includes human resource consulting and related investment and outsourcing services, and specialized management, economic and brand consulting services. Risk Consulting & Technology, conducted through Kroll, includes risk consulting and related investigative, intelligence, financial, security and technology services. On August 3, 2010, MMC completed the sale of Kroll and in the first quarter of 2010, completed the sale of Kroll Laboratory Specialists (“KLS”). The account balances and activities of Kroll and KLS were segregated and reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. The net after-tax loss on the disposal of KLS is included in discontinued operations in 2010. During the second quarter of 2009, Kroll sold Kroll Government Services (“KGS”). KGS’s results of operations for 2009 and the after-tax loss on the disposal are included in discontinued operations.

In the first quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired Haake Companies, Inc., one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the Midwest and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. On April 1, 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd., an international provider of risk intermediary and risk advisory services. On April 30, 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of the Bostonian Group Insurance Agency, Inc. and Bostonian Solutions, Inc. (collectively the “Bostonian Group”), one of the largest regional insurance brokerages in New England.

In April 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of John B. Collins Associates, Inc., previously the fifth-largest reinsurance intermediary in the U.S. and seventh-largest in the world. In October 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of London-based specialty reinsurance broker Rattner Mackenzie Limited from HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. In September 2009, Marsh acquired International Advisory Services Ltd., the largest independent manager of captives and third-party insurance companies in Bermuda. In December 2009, Marsh acquired the NIA Group, LLC, one of the largest, independent insurance agencies in the Northeast and the 34th largest agency in the U.S.

A reconciliation of segment operating income to total operating income is included in Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The accounting policies used for each segment are the same as those used for the consolidated financial statements.

 

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This MD&A contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See “Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” at the outset of this report.

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

      Second Quarter     Six Months  

(In millions, except per share figures)

   2010     2009     2010    2009  

Revenue

   $ 2,606      $ 2,470      $ 5,241    $ 4,913   
                               

Expense:

         

Compensation and Benefits

     1,614        1,528        3,189      3,020   

Other Operating Expenses

     1,042        648        1,677      1,282   
                               

Operating Expenses

     2,656        2,176        4,866      4,302   
                               

Operating (Loss) Income

     (50     294        375      611   
                               

(Loss) Income From Continuing Operations

     (29     157        245      329   

Discontinued Operations, net of tax

     271        (347 )      249      (338 ) 
                               

Net Income (Loss) Before Non-Controlling Interest

     242        (190 )      494      (9 ) 
                               

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to MMC

   $ 236      $ (193   $ 484    $ (17
                               

(Loss) Income From Continuing Operations Per Share:

         

Basic

   $ (0.06   $ 0.28      $ 0.43    $ 0.60   
                               

Diluted

   $ (0.06 )    $ 0.28      $ 0.43    $ 0.60   
                               

Net Income (Loss) Per Share Attributable to MMC:

         

Basic

   $ 0.43      $ (0.36   $ 0.89    $ (0.03
                               

Diluted

   $ 0.43      $ (0.37   $ 0.88    $ (0.03
                               

Average Number of Shares Outstanding:

         

Basic

     541        522        537      519   
                               

Diluted

     545        523        541      519   
                               

Shares Outstanding at June 30,

     542        523        542      523   
                               

MMC reported a consolidated operating loss of $(50) million in the second quarter of 2010 compared with operating income of $294 million in the prior year. On June 11, 2010, MMC announced that it had resolved litigation brought by the Alaska Retirement Management Board (“ARMB”) on behalf of two Alaska benefit plans against Mercer, relating to work in the period 1992 to 2004. This settlement, in which Mercer expressly denies liability, resolves all claims against Mercer by the ARMB and the State of Alaska related to this matter. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Mercer has agreed to pay $500 million, of which $100 million will be covered by insurance. The second quarter results include a net charge of $400 million in the Consulting segment, which after the effect of income taxes, reduced earnings by approximately $0.44 per share. In 2009, Mercer recorded incremental professional liability costs of approximately $30 million relating to a professional liability settlement.

MMC reported consolidated operating income of $375 million for the first six months of 2010 compared with $611 million in the prior year. Excluding the charges in Mercer discussed above, operating income would have been $775 million or 21% above last year. This reflects a $63 million increase in the Risk and Insurance Services segment, a $42 million increase in Consulting and a reduction in Corporate and other expenses of $29 million, primarily related to lower restructuring costs in 2010 versus 2009.

 

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The devaluation of Venezuela’s bolivar currency in January of 2010 did not have a material impact on MMC’s results of operations or financial position.

Consolidated Revenue and Expense

MMC conducts business in many countries, as a result of which the impact of foreign exchange rate movements may distort period-to-period comparisons of revenue. Similarly, the revenue impact of acquisitions and dispositions, including transfers among businesses, may impact period-to-period comparisons of revenue. Underlying revenue measures the change in revenue from one period to another by isolating these impacts. The impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations and acquisitions and dispositions, including transfers among businesses, on MMC’s operating revenues by segment is as follows:

 

(In millions of dollars)

   Three Months  Ended
June 30,
    %
Change

GAAP
Revenue
    Components of Revenue Change*  
       Currency
Impact
    Acquisitions/
Dispositions
Impact
    Underlying
Revenue
 
   2010     2009          

Risk and Insurance Services

            

Marsh

   $ 1,205      $ 1,103      9   1   7   1

Guy Carpenter

     243        227      7   1   4   2
                        

Subtotal

     1,448        1,330      9   1   7   1

Fiduciary Interest Income

     11        13      (22 )%    1   —        (22 )% 
                        

Total Risk and Insurance Services

     1,459        1,343      9   1   7   1
                        

Consulting

            

Mercer

     838        832      1   2   —        (1 )% 

Oliver Wyman Group

     330        311      6   (2 )%    —        8
                        

Total Consulting

     1,168        1,143      2   1   —        2
                        

Corporate/Eliminations

     (21     (16        
                        

Total Revenue

   $ 2,606      $ 2,470      6   1   4   1
                                        

 

* Components of revenue change may not add across due to rounding.

 

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The following table provides more detailed revenue information for certain of the components presented above:

 

(In millions of dollars)

   Three Months  Ended
June 30,
   %  Change
GAAP
Revenue
    Components of Revenue Change*  
        Currency
Impact
    Acquisitions/
Dispositions
Impact
    Underlying
Revenue
 
   2010    2009         

Marsh:

              

EMEA

   $ 397    $ 365    9   (2 )%    8   3

Asia Pacific

     139      109    28   9   8   12

Latin America

     66      57    17   5   —        13
                      

Total International

     602      531    14   1   7   6

U.S. / Canada

     603      572    6   2   8   (4 )% 
                      

Total Marsh

   $ 1,205    $ 1,103    9   1   7   1
                      

Mercer:

              

Retirement

   $ 259    $ 271    (4 )%    1   —        (5 )% 

Health and Benefits

     227      224    2   —        —        2

Rewards, Talent & Communications

     102      110    (8 )%    2   —        (9 )% 
                      

Total Mercer Consulting

     588      605    (3 )%    1   —        (3 )% 

Outsourcing

     161      154    5   4   —        —     

Investment Consulting & Management

     89      73    21   4   —        17
                      

Total Mercer

   $ 838    $ 832    1   2   —        (1 )% 
                                      

 

(In millions of dollars)

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
    %  Change
GAAP

Revenue
    Components of Revenue Change*  
       Currency
Impact
    Acquisitions/
Dispositions

Impact
    Underlying
Revenue
 
   2010     2009          

Risk and Insurance Services

            

Marsh

   $ 2,371      $ 2,179      9   3   5   1

Guy Carpenter

     558        508      10   2   6   1
                        

Subtotal

     2,929        2,687      9   3   5   1

Fiduciary Interest Income

     22        28      (25 )%    4   —        (29 )% 
                        

Total Risk and Insurance Services

     2,951        2,715      9   3   5   —     
                        

Consulting

            

Mercer

     1,687        1,635      3   4   —        (1 )% 

Oliver Wyman Group

     636        591      7   1   —        7
                        

Total Consulting

     2,323        2,226      4   3   —        1
                        

Corporate/Eliminations

     (33     (28        
                        

Total Revenue

   $ 5,241      $ 4,913      7   3   3   1
                                        

 

* Components of revenue change may not add across due to rounding.

 

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                     Components of Revenue Change*  
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   %  Change
GAAP
Revenue
    Currency
Impact
    Acquisitions/
Dispositions
Impact
    Underlying
Revenue
 

(In millions of dollars)

   2010    2009         

Marsh:

              

EMEA

   $ 924    $ 865    7   3   3   1

Asia Pacific

     238      195    22   11   3   7

Latin America

     118      104    14   7   (1 )%    8
                      

Total International

     1,280      1,164    10   5   3   3

U.S. / Canada

     1,091      1,015    8   2   8   (2 )% 
                      

Total Marsh

   $ 2,371    $ 2,179    9   3   5   1
                      

Mercer:

              

Retirement

   $ 539    $ 547    (1 )%    4   —        (5 )% 

Health and Benefits

     452      436    4   2   —        2

Rewards, Talent & Communications

     195      215    (9 )%    3   —        (12 )% 
                      

Total Mercer Consulting

     1,186      1,198    (1 )%    3   —        (4 )% 

Outsourcing

     323      296    9   8   —        1

Investment Consulting & Management

     178      141    26   9   —        17
                      

Total Mercer

   $ 1,687    $ 1,635    3   4   —        (1 )% 
                                      

 

* Components of revenue change may not add across due to rounding.

Revenue

Consolidated revenue for the second quarter of 2010 was $2.6 billion, an increase of 6% compared with the same period in the prior year, or 1% on an underlying basis.

Revenue in the Risk and Insurance Services segment for the second quarter of 2010 increased 9% from the same period in 2009, or 1% on an underlying basis. Within the Risk and Insurance Services segment, a 2% increase in underlying revenue at Guy Carpenter and 1% in Marsh were partly offset by a 22% decline in fiduciary interest income. Consulting revenue increased 2%, resulting from increases of 1% in Mercer and 6% in Oliver Wyman. On an underlying basis, Consulting revenue increased 2% reflecting an increase of 8% in Oliver Wyman, partly offset by a 1% decline at Mercer.

For the first six months of 2010, risk and insurance services revenue increased 9% from the same period in 2009, and was flat on an underlying basis consulting revenue increased 4%, resulting from a 3% increase in Mercer and a 7% increase in Oliver Wyman. On an underlying basis, consulting revenue increased 1%, resulting from a 7% increase in Oliver Wyman, partly offset by a 1% decrease in Mercer.

Operating Expense

Consolidated operating expense in the second quarter of 2010 increased 22% from the same period in 2009. This reflects a 1% increase due to the impact of foreign exchange, a 4% increase due to the impact of acquisitions, and a 17% increase in underlying expense. This reflects the impact of the $400 million charge related to the Alaska settlement, partly offset by a 1% decrease in all other expenses on an underlying basis.

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, operating expenses increased 13% compared with the same period in 2009. This increase reflects the $400 million net settlement at Mercer which represented 9% of the increase, and increases of 3% due to the impact of foreign exchange and 3% due to the impact of acquisitions, partly offset by a decrease of 2% in underlying expenses.

 

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Restructuring

Actions Initiated in 2010

For the first six months of 2010, MMC implemented restructuring actions which resulted in costs totaling $41 million, primarily related to severance and benefits. Approximately $25 million of these costs related to cost reduction activities for recent acquisitions. Total costs were incurred as follows: Marsh - $22 million, Guy Carpenter - $15 million, Mercer - $2 million and MMC - $2 million. These activities resulted in the elimination of approximately 150 positions at Marsh, 70 positions at Guy Carpenter, 40 positions at Mercer and 50 positions at MMC.

The annualized cost savings from these actions are expected to be approximately $35 million.

Actions Initiated Prior to 2010

Prior to 2010, MMC implemented several restructuring and cost-saving initiatives related to firm-wide infrastructure, organization structure and operating company business processes. These initiatives resulted in staff reductions and consolidations of facilities. MMC incurred restructuring costs of $16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 in connection with actions initiated in prior years, primarily due to severance and related benefits and adjustments to the estimated future rent and real estate costs related to previously vacated space.

The expenses associated with the above initiatives are included in Compensation and benefits and Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The liabilities associated with these initiatives are classified on the consolidated balance sheets as Accounts payable, Other liabilities, or Accrued compensation, depending on the nature of the items.

Risk and Insurance Services

The results of operations for the Risk and Insurance Services segment are presented below:

 

      Second Quarter     Six Months  

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue

   $ 1,459      $ 1,343      $ 2,951      $ 2,715   
                                

Compensation and Benefits

     834        762        1,615        1,484   

Other Expenses

     367        336        731        689   
                                

Expense

     1,201        1,098        2,346        2,173   
                                

Operating Income

   $ 258      $ 245      $ 605      $ 542   
                                

Operating Income Margin

     17.7 %      18.2     20.5 %      20.0
                                

Revenue

Revenue in the Risk and Insurance Services segment in the second quarter of 2010 increased 9%, or 1% on an underlying basis compared with the same period in 2009. This performance was achieved in continued soft market conditions for commercial property-casualty insurance and a decline in the volume of net written premiums in the property-casualty industry, which has been adversely affected by recessionary conditions over the past two years.

In Marsh, revenue in the second quarter of 2010 was $1.2 billion, an increase of 9% from the same quarter of the prior year reflecting a 7% increase from acquisitions and a 1% increase resulting from the impact of foreign currency translation. Revenue increased 1% on an underlying basis, reflecting the economic environment and the downward pressure on commercial insurance premium rates.

 

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Despite these difficult market conditions, Marsh increased revenues in several geographies, showing strong new business growth for the quarter. Underlying revenue increases of 3% in EMEA, 13% in Latin America, and 12% in Asia Pacific were mostly offset by a 4% decrease in U.S. / Canada.

In the first quarter of 2010, Marsh acquired Haake Companies, Inc., one of the largest insurance agencies in the Midwest and Thomas Rutherfoord, Inc., one of the largest insurance broking firms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. On April 1, 2010, Marsh completed the acquisition of HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd., an international provider of risk intermediary and risk advisory services. On April 30, 2010, Marsh acquired the Bostonian Group, one of the largest regional insurance brokerages in New England.

Guy Carpenter’s revenue increased 7% to $243 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, or 2% on an underlying basis. The increase in underlying revenue was primarily due to continued strong new business. In April 2009, Guy Carpenter acquired John B. Collins Associates, Inc., previously the fifth-largest reinsurance intermediary in the U.S. and seventh-largest in the world. In October 2009, Guy Carpenter completed the acquisition of London-based specialty reinsurance broker Rattner Mackenzie Limited from HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Fiduciary interest income was $11 million in the second quarter of 2010, a decrease of 22% compared with the same period of 2009, driven by lower interest rates, partly offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates.

Revenue in the Risk and Insurance Services segment increased 9% for the first six months of 2010 compared with the same period of 2009 and was flat on an underlying basis.

Expense

Expenses in the Risk and Insurance Services segment increased 9% in the second quarter of 2010, compared with the same period in the prior year, reflecting a 1% increase related to the impact of foreign currency, a 7% increase from acquisitions and a 1% increase in underlying expenses. The increase in underlying expenses is primarily due to higher pension related expenses.

Expenses for the six-month period in 2010 increased 8% compared with prior year. On an underlying basis, expenses decreased 1% versus 2009. The decrease in underlying expenses reflects lower restructuring related activities partly offset by higher pension related expenses.

Consulting

The results of operations for the Consulting segment are presented below:

 

      Second Quarter     Six Months  

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue

   $ 1,168      $ 1,143      $ 2,323      $ 2,226   
                                

Compensation and Benefits

     721        710        1,458        1,422   

Other Expenses

     722        337        1,024        635   
                                

Expense

     1,443        1,047        2,482        2,057   
                                

Operating Income

   $ (275   $ 96      $ (159   $ 169   
                                

Operating Income Margin

     N/A        8.4     N/A        7.6
                                

 

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Revenue

Consulting revenue in the second quarter of 2010 increased 2% compared with the same period in 2009, or 2% on an underlying basis. Mercer’s revenue was $838 million in the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 1%. On an underlying basis, Mercer’s revenue decreased 1%. Within Mercer’s consulting lines, revenue decreased 3% on an underlying basis compared with the second quarter of 2009, reflecting a decrease of 9% in other consulting lines, a 5% decline in retirement, partly offset by an increase of 2% in health and benefits. The growth in health and benefits resulted from increases in Canada, EMEA and Asia Pacific, partly offset by a reduction in the U.S. due to a near-term disruption in demand as Congress debated significant legislation changes to the U.S. healthcare system. Outsourcing revenue remained flat on an underlying basis, driven by growth in Asia Pacific and the U.S. Investment Consulting & Management revenue increased 17% on an underlying basis, due to strong growth in the U.S., EMEA and Asia Pacific, primarily reflecting an increase in assets under management and advisory assets. Oliver Wyman’s revenue increased 6% to $330 million in the second quarter of 2010, or 8% on an underlying basis, driven by double-digit revenue growth within its financial services practice.

Consulting revenue in the first six months of 2010 increased 4% compared with the same period in 2009, or 1% on an underlying basis. Mercer’s revenue increased 3% but decreased 1% on an underlying basis; reflecting an underlying revenue decrease in consulting of 4%, offset by an increase in outsourcing of 1% and investment consulting and management of 17%. Within Mercer’s consulting lines, underlying revenue in retirement decreased 5% versus prior year and other consulting lines decreased 12%, partly offset by a 2% increase in health and benefits. Oliver Wyman’s revenue increased 7% on an underlying basis, compared with the same period last year.

Expense

Consulting expenses increased 38% in the second quarter of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, reflecting a 1% increase from the impact of foreign exchange rates, and a 37% increase of underlying expenses. Mercer recorded a net $400 million charge related to the Alaska settlement in 2010 and incremental costs of $30 million related to a professional liability settlement in 2009. Excluding these charges, underlying expenses increased 2%. The increase in expense reflects higher pension related costs and asset based fees in Mercer’s Investment Consulting and Management operations, partly offset by lower severance costs.

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, expenses increased 21% reflecting a 3% increase from the impact of foreign exchange rates and were 1% lower on an underlying basis, excluding the impact of the professional liability charges noted above. This reflects the impact of higher pension related costs offset by lower base salary.

Goodwill Impairment Tests

In its 2009 10-K, MMC disclosed that the fair value of its Oliver Wyman (“OW”) reporting unit, as measured in the third quarter 2009 goodwill impairment test (the “2009 test”) had declined substantially compared with the prior year. MMC did not conclude the reporting unit was at substantial risk of failing, but disclosure of the decline in fair value was made to highlight the increased risk of possible goodwill impairment compared with prior tests. In the 2009 test, the fair value of OW exceeded its carrying value by 20%. Goodwill allocable to the OW reporting unit was approximately $500 million at June 30, 2010.

MMC principally used a market approach to estimate the fair value of OW in the 2009 test.

 

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Under this method, projected revenue, net operating income and EBITDA for 2009 (actual results through June 30, 2009 and projected results thereafter), as well as market multiples of comparable companies are key elements that go into the fair value determination. OW’s aggregate performance for the last four quarters (third and fourth quarters of 2009 and first and second quarters of 2010), has exceeded the projected amounts used in the 2009 test. However, the fair value estimate that will be prepared and used for the third quarter 2010, goodwill impairment test will be dependent on assumptions about OW’s future revenue and performance, market multiples of comparable companies and OW’s performance in relation to those comparable companies. Movements in any or all or those variables could result in a fair value estimate for OW that is lower than its carrying value.

Corporate Expenses and Other

Corporate expenses in the second quarter of 2010 were $33 million compared with $47 million in the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to lower restructuring and related charges in 2010 compared with 2009. Corporate expenses for the six-months of 2010 decreased $29 million from 2009 due to lower restructuring charges and consulting fees.

Interest

Interest income earned on corporate funds amounted to $3 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared with $4 million in the second quarter of 2009. The decrease in interest income is due to lower average interest rates in 2010 compared with the prior year. Interest expense of $60 million in the second quarter of 2010 decreased $5 million from the same period in the prior year. This decrease is primarily due to lower average debt from a note that matured in June 2009.

Investment Income (Loss)

Net investment income in the second quarter of 2010 was $18 million primarily due to mark-to-market increases on private equity investments. This compares with investment losses of $32 million in the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to mark-to-market decreases on private equity fund investments. For the six months of 2010, investment income was $26 million compared with $47 million of losses in the prior period.

Income Taxes

MMC reported a net income tax benefit of $60 million in continuing operations in the second quarter of 2010 on a pretax loss of $89 million, an effective tax rate of 67.4%. The high tax benefit rate primarily reflects the combination of the tax benefit related to the Alaska settlement, determined at U.S. tax rates, with other pretax income that is subject to lower average effective tax rates applicable worldwide. Excluding the impact of the Alaska settlement, the effective tax rate for the quarter was 32.3%. The 14.9% effective tax rate for the first six months of 2010 also primarily reflects the benefit associated with the Alaska settlement. Excluding the effect of the settlement, the effective tax rate for the first six months was 29.5%. The increase in effective tax rates compared to 2009, excluding the Alaska settlement, primarily reflects a change in the worldwide mix of earnings.

MMC’s 21.9% effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2009 primarily reflects a favorable adjustment from reducing the forecasted, full-year effective tax rate compared with the estimate as of the first quarter. The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2009 was 27.4%.

 

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The combination of ordinary income and related tax, which MMC is able to reasonably estimate, with certain items which cannot be estimated and therefore are reported in the interim period in which they occur, results in highly variable effective tax rates that do not represent long term operating trends. The items which cannot be estimated include non-deductible goodwill impairments and accruals for severance, restructuring, and professional liability. We expect the effective tax rate to continue to be highly variable over the short term as items that cannot be estimated continue, and then to moderate.

Nevertheless, we expect the effective tax rate to remain significantly variable for the foreseeable future. The rate is sensitive to the geographic mix and repatriation of MMC’s earnings, which may have a favorable or unfavorable impact on the rate. Losses in certain jurisdictions cannot be offset by earnings from other operations, and may require valuation allowances affecting the rate, depending on estimates of the realizability of associated deferred tax assets. The tax rate is also sensitive to changes in unrecognized tax benefits, including the impact of settled tax audits and expired statutes of limitation.

Changes in tax laws or tax rulings may have a significant adverse impact on our effective tax rate. For example, proposals for fundamental U.S. international tax reform, such as the recent proposal by President Obama’s Administration, if enacted, could have a significant adverse impact on the effective tax rate.

A $265 million deferred tax benefit was recorded in discontinued operations during the second quarter of 2010 to establish a deferred tax asset in connection with classifying Kroll as a discontinued operation. MMC’s tax basis in its investment in the stock of Kroll exceeds the recorded amount primarily as a result of prior impairments of goodwill recognized for financial reporting but not tax. Prior to the second quarter of 2010, the tax benefit was not recorded for this temporary difference because it was not apparent in the foreseeable future that it would reverse in a transaction that would result in tax benefit. Kroll was classified as a discontinued operation in the second quarter of 2010. ASC 740-30-25-10 provides that deciding that a subsidiary meets the requirements for measurement and display as a discontinued operation makes it apparent that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future. Entering into an agreement to sell the stock of Kroll in the second quarter of 2010, coupled with MMC’s ability to carry back the capital loss realized against its 2007 capital gain from the sale of Putnam, made it apparent that in the foreseeable future the temporary difference would reverse in a transaction structure that would realize a tax benefit.

Dispositions

On August 3, 2010, MMC completed its sale of Kroll to Altegrity for cash proceeds of $1.13 billion. In the first quarter of 2010, Kroll completed the sale of KLS. The account balances and activities of Kroll and KLS were segregated and reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. The after-tax loss on this disposal is included in discontinued operations in 2010. The operating results of KLS have been reclassified into discontinued operations.

In the second quarter of 2009, Kroll completed the sale of Kroll Government Services (“KGS”). The financial results of KGS for the second quarter of 2009 are included in discontinued operations. Discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2010 and 2009 also includes the accretion of interest related to an indemnity for uncertain tax positions provided as part of the purchase by Great West Lifeco Inc. of Putnam Investments Trust from MMC in August 2007.

 

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Summarized Statements of Income data for discontinued operations is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June  30,
 

(In millions of dollars)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue

   $ 163      $ 173      $ 325      $ 359   
                                

Income before provision for income tax

   $ 17      $ (309   $ 32      $ (296

Provision for income tax

     —          7        15        8   
                                

Income from discontinued operations

     17        (316     17        (304
                                

(Loss) gain on disposal of discontinued operations

     (8     (10     7        (10

Provision (credit) for income tax

     (262     21        (225     24   
                                

(Loss) gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

     254        (31     232        (34
                                

Discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ 271      $ (347   $ 249      $ (338
                                

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Cash Flows

MMC provided $272 million of cash from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $236 million used for the same period in 2009. These amounts reflect the net income of MMC during those periods, excluding gains or losses from investments and 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.

On June 11, 2010, MMC announced that it has resolved litigation brought by the Alaska Retirement Management Board (ARMB) on behalf of two Alaska benefit plans against Mercer, relating to work in the period 1992 to 2004. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Mercer has agreed to pay $500 million, of which $100 million will be covered by insurance. The Company expects to fund this payment from cash on hand in the third quarter of 2010. The Company has recorded a tax benefit of $265 million related to the disposition of Kroll and a $160 million tax benefit related to the Alaska Settlement. MMC expects to realize approximately 80% of these tax benefits within the next twelve months.

Financing Cash Flows

Net cash used for financing activities was $265 million for the period ended June 30, 2010 compared with $238 million provided for the same period in 2009.

MMC paid dividends on its common shares of $221 million ($0.40 per share) during the first six months of 2010, as compared with $207 million ($0.40 per share) during the first six months of 2009.

In the first quarter of 2009, MMC issued $400 million of 9.25% ten-year fixed rate senior notes to refinance the senior notes that matured in June 2009.

The Company expects to use cash received from the Kroll disposition to fund the maturity of $550 million of senior notes in the third quarter of 2010.

 

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On October 23, 2009, MMC and certain of its foreign subsidiaries entered into a new $1.0 billion multi-currency three-year unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced the $1.2 billion facility that was previously in place. The interest rate on this facility varies based upon MMC’s credit ratings and MMC’s credit default swap levels subject to floors and caps. The facility requires MMC to maintain certain coverage and leverage ratios which are tested quarterly. There were no borrowings outstanding under this facility at June 30, 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010, MMC paid deferred purchase consideration of $15 million related to the purchase in 2009 of the minority interest of a previously controlled entity.

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-3 by Standard & Poor’s. MMC carries a stable outlook from Moody’s and a negative outlook from Standard & Poor’s.

Investing Cash Flows

Cash used for investing activities amounted to $153 million in the first six months of 2010, compared with $60 million for the same period in 2009.

MMC made four acquisitions during the first six months of 2010. Cash used for these acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was approximately $164 million compared with $6 million in 2009. In addition, MMC issued approximately 7.4 million shares of common stock with an acquisition date value of $178 million, and recorded a liability of $55 million for estimated contingent purchase consideration related to the acquisitions completed in the second quarter of 2010. In 2010, MMC also paid $14 million of deferred purchase consideration and $2 million of contingent purchase consideration related to acquisitions made in prior years. Remaining deferred cash payments of $209 million for acquisitions completed in the second quarter of 2010 and in prior years are recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities or other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2010. Cash generated from the disposition of KLS was $110 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $70 million related to the disposition of KGS in 2009.

MMC’s additions to fixed assets and capitalized software amounted to $143 million for both six month periods ended 2010 and 2009, primarily related to computer equipment purchases, the refurbishing and modernizing of office facilities and software development costs.

The company received $1.13 billion from its disposition of Kroll, which closed on August 3, 2010. The cash from the Kroll disposition is not included in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the period ended June 30, 2010.

MMC has committed to potential future investments of approximately $81 million in connection with its investments in Trident II and other funds managed by Stone Point Capital. The majority of MMC’s investment commitments for funds managed by Stone Point are related to Trident II, the investment period for which is now closed for new investments and follow-on investments. Any remaining capital calls for Trident II would relate to management fees or other partnership expenses, if necessary. Significant future capital calls related to Trident II are not expected. Although it is anticipated that Trident II will be harvesting its remaining portfolio, the timing of any portfolio company sales and capital distributions is unknown and not controlled by MMC.

 

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Commitments and Obligations

MMC’s contractual obligations of the types identified in the table below were of the following amounts as of June 30, 2010 (dollars in millions):

 

     Payment due by Period

Contractual Obligations

   Total    Within
1 Year
   1-3 Years    4-5 Years    After
5 Years

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 558    $ 558    $ —      $ —      $ —  

Long-term debt

     3,038      —        520      670      1,848

Interest on long-term debt

     1,619      200      354      294      771

Net operating leases

     2,232      343      569      413      907

Service agreements

     380      94      121      84      81

Other long-term obligations

     210      76      120      14      —  
                                  

Total

   $ 8,037    $ 1,271    $ 1,684    $ 1,475    $ 3,607
                                  

The above does not include unrecognized tax benefits of $211 million as MMC is unable to reasonably predict the timing of settlement of these liabilities, other than approximately $15 million that may become payable within one year. The above does not include liabilities established relating to guarantees from indemnities as MMC is unable to reasonably predict the timing of settlement of these liabilities. The above does not include pension liabilities of $887 million because the timing and amount of ultimate payment of such liability is dependent upon future events, including, but not limited to, future returns on plan assets, and changes in the discount rate used to measure the liabilities.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements contains a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact or potential future impact on MMC’s financial results, if determinable.

 

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Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk and Credit 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 and Credit Risk

MMC has historically managed its interest rate exposures by utilizing both variable and fixed rate borrowings to finance MMC’s asset base. In past years, MMC has had some variable rate borrowings in its debt portfolio and has also utilized interest rate swaps to convert a portion of its fixed rate borrowings to variable rate. Currently, virtually all of MMC’s borrowings are fixed rate borrowings.

Interest income generated from MMC’s cash investments as well as invested fiduciary funds will vary with the general level of interest rates.

In addition to interest rate risk, our cash investments and fiduciary fund investments are subject to potential loss of value due to counterparty credit risk. To minimize this risk, MMC and its subsidiaries invest pursuant to a Board approved investment policy. The policy mandates the preservation of principal and liquidity and requires broad diversification with counterparty limits assigned based primarily on credit rating and type of investment. MMC carefully monitors its cash and fiduciary fund investments and will further restrict the portfolio as appropriate to market conditions. The majority of cash and fiduciary fund investments are invested in short-term bank deposits and liquid money market funds.

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.

Equity Price Risk

MMC holds investments in both public and private companies as well as certain private equity funds managed by Stone Point Capital. Publicly traded investments of $24 million are classified as available for sale under ASC Topic No. 320 (“Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”). Non-publicly traded investments of $38 million are accounted for using the cost method and $180 million are accounted for under ASC Topic No. 323 (“Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures”). 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 16 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

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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 16 to the consolidated 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, readers should consider carefully 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, 2009. If any of the risks described in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K or such other risks actually occur, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

MMC did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the second quarter of 2010. Pursuant to an August 2007 authorization by MMC’s Board of Directors, MMC remains authorized to repurchase shares of its common stock up to a dollar value of $700 million. There is no time limit on this authorization.

 

Period

  

(a)

Total Number

of Shares (or

Units)

Purchased

  

(b)

Average Price

Paid per Share

(or Unit)

  

(c)

Total Number of

Shares (or Units)
Purchased as

Part of Publicly
Announced

Plans or

Programs

  

(d)

Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares (or
Units) that May Yet

Be Purchased Under

the Plans or

Programs

April 1-30, 2010

   __    __    __    $700 million

May 1-31, 2010

   __    __    __    $700 million

June 1-30, 2010

   __    __    __    $700 million

Total Q2 2010

   __    __    __    $700 million

 

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

See the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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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.

 

Date: August 6, 2010      

/s/ Vanessa A. Wittman

      Vanessa A. Wittman
      Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Date: August 6, 2010      

/s/ Robert J. Rapport

      Robert J. Rapport
      Senior Vice President & Controller
      (Chief Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Exhibit Name

  2.1    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2010, by and between Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and Altegrity, Inc.*
10.1    Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award, dated as of May 3, 2010, under the 2000 Senior Executive Incentive and Stock Award Plan and the 2000 Employee Incentive and Stock Award Plan
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
    101.INS     XBRL Instance Document**
    101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema**
    101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase**
    101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase**
    101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase**
    101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase**

 

* Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. MMC undertakes to furnish supplementally copies of any of the omitted schedules and exhibits upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Stock Purchase Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to provide you with information regarding the terms of the agreement and is not intended to modify or supplement any factual disclosures about MMC in our public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Stock Purchase Agreement were made solely for the purposes of such agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such Stock Purchase Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to such Stock Purchase Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to stockholders. Stockholders are not third-party beneficiaries under the Stock Purchase Agreement and should not rely on the representations, warranties or covenants of any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or conditions of MMC.

 

** To be furnished within 30 days in accordance with Rule 405(a)(2) of Regulation S-T.