Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 001-34594

 

 

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   27-0676603

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

875 Third Avenue

New York, NY

  10022
(Address of principal executive offices)   (zip code)

(212) 725-7550

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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 Web site, 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer” and “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

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 October 31, 2011 there were 53,115,332 outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and 2,864,551 outstanding shares of Restricted Class A Common Stock at a par value of $0.01 per share; 5,547,733 outstanding shares of Class B-2 Common Stock at a par value of $0.01; 5,661,591 outstanding shares of Class B-3 Common Stock at a par value of $0.01; and 5,381,794 outstanding shares of Class B-4 Common Stock at a par value of $0.01.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

     Page  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

     3   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011

     4   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

     5   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity — Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

     6   

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     7   

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

     23   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     36   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     37   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     37   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     37   

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

     38   

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     38   

Item 4. Removed and Reserved

     38   

Item 5. Other Information

     38   

Item 6. Exhibits

     39   

Signatures

     40   

Certifications

     46   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2011     2010  

Revenue

   $ 810,351     $ 751,441  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs of providing services:

    

Salaries and employee benefits

     497,473       491,657  

Professional and subcontracted services

     64,272       58,068  

Occupancy

     35,371       35,472  

General and administrative expenses

     62,812       58,484  

Depreciation and amortization

     34,507       30,880  

Transaction and integration expenses

     20,907       17,690  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     715,342       692,251  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     95,009       59,190  

Income from affiliates

     292       164  

Interest income

     1,316       1,295  

Interest expense

     (2,674     (3,353

Other non-operating income

     1,844       1,563  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     95,787       58,859  

Provision for income taxes

     35,501       25,130  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before non-controlling interests

     60,286       33,729  

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

     582       487  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to controlling interests

   $ 59,704     $ 33,242  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

    

Net income attributable to controlling interests — basic

   $ 0.82     $ 0.45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to controlling interests — diluted

   $ 0.82     $ 0.45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, basic (000)

     73,090       74,235  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, diluted (000)

     73,253       74,306  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2011
    June 30,
2011
 

Assets

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 364,069     $ 528,923  

Restricted cash

     167,501       153,154  

Short-term investments

     45,264       43,682  

Receivables from clients:

    

Billed, net of allowances of $13,185 and $12,636

     451,258       502,910  

Unbilled, at estimated net realizable value

     308,774       276,020  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     760,032       778,930  

Other current assets

     140,037       145,862  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,476,903       1,650,551  

Fixed assets, net

     263,193       252,343  

Deferred income taxes

     160,661       188,569  

Goodwill

     1,877,689       1,943,574  

Intangible assets, net

     673,312       694,922  

Other assets

     350,337       368,991  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 4,802,095     $ 5,098,950  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income

   $ 250,153     $ 285,793  

Employee-related liabilities

     360,047       573,214  

Fiduciary liabilities

     167,501       147,902  

Notes payable

     99,848       99,341  

Other current liabilities

     17,509       71,944  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     895,058       1,178,194  

Revolving credit facility

     75,071       —     

Accrued retirement benefits and other employee-related liabilities

     787,472       811,779  

Professional liability claims reserve

     298,380       312,258  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     195,558       194,049  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     2,251,539       2,496,280  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ Equity

    

Class A Common Stock — $0.01 par value: 300,000,000 shares authorized; 57,954,879 and 57,897,889 issued and 56,285,100 and 56,949,548 outstanding

     579       579  

Class B Common Stock — $.01 par value: 93,500,000 shares authorized; 16,593,873 and 16,651,890 issued and 16,593,873 and 16,651,890 outstanding

     166       167  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,789,289       1,773,285  

Treasury stock, at cost — 1,669,779 and 948,341 shares

     (95,321     (52,360

Retained earnings

     936,831       883,161  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (92,647     (13,305
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     2,538,897       2,591,527  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

     11,659       11,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

     2,550,556       2,602,670  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Total Equity

   $ 4,802,095     $ 5,098,950  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2011     2010  

Cash flows used in operating activities:

    

Net income before non-controlling interests

   $ 60,286     $ 33,729  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Provision for doubtful receivables from clients

     8,484       4,370  

Depreciation

     21,194       19,110  

Amortization of intangible assets

     13,313       11,770  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     22,455       4,403  

Equity from affiliates

     212       (202

Stock-based compensation

     16,004       24,225  

Other, net

     2,107       (1,643

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of business acquisitions)

    

Receivables from clients

     (12,879     (34,422

Restricted cash

     (15,952     (2,535

Other current assets

     (6,952     (7,345

Other noncurrent assets

     (13,437     (2,262

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income

     (27,671     14,308  

Employee-related liabilities

     (179,690     (68,981

Fiduciary liabilities

     21,204       2,535  

Accrued retirement benefits and other employee-related liabilities

     (2,765     (30,597

Professional liability claims reserves

     (41,582     (16,593

Other current liabilities

     143       4,103  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     (6,403     4,630  

Income tax related accounts

     (4,798     6,982  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used in operating activities

   $ (146,727   $ (34,415
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used in investing activities:

    

Cash paid for business acquisitions

     —          (3,491

Purchases of fixed assets

     (33,317     (6,290

Capitalized software costs

     (5,323     (5,588

Purchases of held-to-maturity securities

     —          (14,295

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     —          (20,201

Redemption of available-for-sale securities

     28,328       17,691  

Proceeds from divestitures

     —          1,318  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used in investing activities

   $ (10,312   $ (30,856
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities:

    

Borrowings under credit facility

     75,000       164  

Dividends paid

     (5,376     (5,248

Repurchases of common stock

     (54,765     —     

Tax payment on vested shares

     (6,046     —     

Issuances of common stock and excess tax benefit

     1,276       1,337  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities

   $ 10,089     $ (3,747
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

   $ (17,904   $ 14,576  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (164,854     (54,442

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     528,923       435,927  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 364,069     $ 381,485  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 110     $ 933  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 19,747     $ 12,505  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common stock issued upon the vesting of our SEP plan restricted stock units

   $ 16,574     $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands of U.S. Dollars and numbers of shares in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Class A
Common
Stock
Outstanding
     Class A
Common
Stock
     Class B
Common
Stock
Outstanding
    Class B
Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
     Treasury
Stock, at
Cost
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Non-
Controlling
Interest
    Total  

Balance as of June 30, 2011

     57,898      $ 579        16,652     $ 167     $ 1,773,285      $ (52,360   $ 883,161     $ (13,305   $ 11,143     $ 2,602,670  

Comprehensive income/(loss)

                       

Net income

     —           —           —          —          —           —          59,704       —          582       60,286  

Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax

     —           —           —          —          —           —          —          7,448       —          7,448  

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

     —           —           —          —          —           —          —          (85,925     —          (85,925

Unrealized loss on available for sale securities, net of tax

     —           —           —          —          —           —          —          (345     (66     (411

Hedge effectiveness, net of tax

     —           —           —          —          —           —          —          (520     —          (520
                       

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss

        —           —          —          —                   (19,122

Repurchases of common stock

     —           —           —          —          —           (54,765     —          —          —          (54,765

Shares received for employee taxes upon conversion of Restricted A shares

     —           —           —          —          —           (39     —          —          —          (39

Exercises of stock options and purchases under our ESPP

     —           —           —          —          —           1,237       —          —          —          1,237  

Restricted stock unit vesting

     —           —           —          —          —           10,606       —          —          —          10,606  

Class A Common Stock:

                       

Cash dividends declared

     —           —           —          —          —           —          (6,034     —          —          (6,034

Stock-based compensation

     —           —           —          —          16,004        —          —          —          —          16,004  

Acceleration of Class B shares to Class A shares

     57        —           (58     (1     —           —          —          —          —          (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2011

     57,955      $ 579        16,594     $ 166     $ 1,789,289      $ (95,321   $ 936,831     $ (92,647   $ 11,659     $ 2,550,556  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

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Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular amounts are in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Note 1 — Organization and Basis of Presentation.

The accompanying unaudited quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements of Towers Watson & Co. (“Towers Watson”, the “Company” or “we”) and our subsidiaries are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements and results for the interim periods. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read together with the Towers Watson audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, which was filed with the SEC and may be accessed via EDGAR on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Balance sheet data as of June 30, 2011 was derived from Towers Watson’s audited financial statements.

Towers Watson was formed on January 1, 2010, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended by Amendment No. 1 (the “Merger Agreement”). Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (“Watson Wyatt”) and Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc. (“Towers Perrin”) combined their businesses through two simultaneous mergers (the “Merger”) and became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Jupiter Saturn Holding Company, which subsequently changed its name to Towers Watson & Co. Since the consummation of the Merger, Towers Perrin changed its name to Towers Watson Pennsylvania Inc., and Watson Wyatt changed its name to Towers Watson Delaware Holdings Inc. However, for ease of reference, we continue to use the legacy Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt names throughout this Report.

Our fiscal year 2012 began July 1, 2011 and ends June 30, 2012.

The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 are not indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending June 30, 2012. The results reflect certain estimates and assumptions made by management including those estimates used in calculating consideration and fair value of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, estimated bonuses and anticipated tax liabilities that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — We consider all instruments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates, to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash — Our restricted cash balance as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011 includes $164.4 million and $147.9 million, respectively, of cash primarily received from our clients and reinsurers in connection with our reinsurance brokerage business. This cash is under our control such that we direct the investment of this cash and retain the interest income but is restricted to the current operation of this business, consisting of the payment of reinsurance premiums, refund of overpayments and reinsurer payments on claims. According to regulations governing our reinsurance business, we are unable to use the cash in a way that deviates from these activities. In addition, at September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011 we had $3.1 million and $5.3 million, respectively, of restricted cash from our clients for the payment of our client’s health and welfare premiums. The change in restricted cash from period to period is included in the cash flows from operating activities on our statement of cash flows.

Change to Presentation of our Balance Sheet and Cash flows — We have changed the presentation of our cash received from our clients and reinsurers in connection with our reinsurance brokerage business to restricted cash from cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2010. As a result of the balance sheet change, we decreased total ending cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2010 by $169.6 million related to the amount of reinsurance cash received from Towers Perrin in the Merger. In addition, the change in restricted cash for the three months ended September 30, 2010 is included as an increase in restricted cash in the cash flows from operating activities of $2.5 million, which is offset by an increase in fiduciary payables.

Change to Presentation of our Employee-Related Liabilities—To provide enhanced disclosure of our employee-related liabilities we have changed the presentation in our consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2011 and 2010. We disaggregated and reduced the other current liabilities by $175.5 million and accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income by $398.0 million and combined the amounts associated with employee-related liabilities of $573.2 million in a separate line item. In addition, we reclassified $27.1 million of noncurrent employee-related liabilities from the other noncurrent liabilities line item to the accrued retirement benefits and other employee-related liabilities line item which previously did not exist. In addition, the same changes are represented in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

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Note 2 — Acquisitions.

In conjunction with the Merger of Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin on January 1, 2010, consideration in the form of shares of Towers Watson common stock issued to Towers Perrin shareholders had been divided among four series of non-transferable Towers Watson common stock, Classes B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4. The outstanding shares listed in our Restricted Stock footnote reflect a reduction of shares through our tender offer and our secondary public offering, by the acceleration of vesting due to involuntary associate terminations and by the conversion of Class B-1 shares to Class A shares on January 1, 2011. The Class B-2, B-3 and B-4 common stock will generally convert into freely tradable Class A common stock on January 1, 2012, January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, respectively.

During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2011, we completed two acquisitions. These acquisitions individually or combined were insignificant for pro forma and other disclosures required by Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). The following summary is provided to give our investors better understanding of our recent strategic acquisitions.

On December 31, 2010, Towers Watson purchased Aliquant, a privately-held, full-service health and welfare benefits administration outsourcing firm for $67.7 million. The Aliquant business complements our Technology and Administration Solutions practice in our Benefits segment. The estimate of consideration transferred and allocation of the fair value to tangible and intangible assets received and liabilities assumed included fixed assets, customer related intangibles, developed technology and non-compete agreements at their estimated acquisition date fair values. Our estimate of fair value was developed using income approach valuation models such as the multi-period excess earnings method for the customer related intangibles of $13.9 million and the relief from royalty method for the developed technology intangible of $4.0 million. Significant assumptions used in the valuation were: revenue growth rate, retention rate, expense and contributory asset charges, royalty rate and discount rate. As of June 30, 2011, we finalized our accounting for the acquisition of Aliquant and had recorded $49.5 million of goodwill related to the acquisition of Aliquant. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, we reversed into non operating income a $1.0 million contingent liability established for earn-out provisions when it was determined that achievement of these provisions was not probable.

On January 31, 2011, Towers Watson purchased EMB, a large specialist property/casualty consulting and software company. The EMB business complements our Risk Consulting and Software line of business in our Risk and Financial Services segment. We paid $69.8 million cash and issued common stock valued at $11.4 million consisting of 113,858 shares of Class B-3 and 113,858 shares of Class B-4 common stock, which convert to Towers Watson Class A common stock on January 1, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Asian put model was used to calculate the discounts on the restrictions of the underlying stock. We have included an estimated earn-out payment of $16.9 million in consideration. The purchase agreement calls for deferred cash payments totaling $27.9 million which are recorded as compensation expense over the period earned by the former partners subject to continued employment. During the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2011, we recorded the tangible assets received and liabilities assumed and the preliminary fair value of deferred revenue and intangibles: $13.5 million of customer related intangibles, $12.1 million of developed technology, $1.6 million of in-process technology and $0.6 million of unfavorable lease agreements. We estimated that a discount of $9.6 million was required to record the fair value of the deferred maintenance revenue acquired based on the cost of maintenance plus a modest profit over the remaining contract period. We finalized our initial assessment of deferred income tax amounts and recorded $2.9 million of deferred tax liabilities. As a result, we determined that total consideration transferred was $101.9 million and goodwill was $59.0 million.

Note 3 — Fixed Income Securities.

We hold available-for-sale fixed income securities comprised of U.S. treasury securities and obligations of the U.S. government, government agencies and authorities; corporate bonds; and obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions. The fixed income securities are classified either as short-term investments or non-current assets (within other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet) depending on the date of their maturity. Additional information on fixed income security balances is provided in the following table as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011:

 

     September 30, 2011      June 30, 2011  
     Amortized
Cost
     Unrealized
Gains
     Estimated
Fair Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Unrealized
Gains
     Estimated
Fair Value
 

Short-term investments: due in one year or less

   $ 44,898      $ 319      $ 45,217      $ 43,227      $ 430      $ 43,657  

Non-current assets: due in one through five years

     22,097        519        22,616        49,625        769        50,394  

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments for fixed income securities during the three months ended September 30, 2011 were $28.3 million, resulting in insignificant realized losses. Proceeds from the sales and maturities of fixed income securities during the three months ended September 30, 2010 were $17.7 million, resulting in a realized gain of $0.1 million. There were no investments that have been in a continuous loss position for more than one year, and there have been no other-than-temporary impairments recognized.

 

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Note 4 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets.

The components of goodwill and intangible assets are outlined below for the three months ended September 30, 2011:

 

     Benefits     Risk and
Financial
Services
    Talent and
Rewards
    All Other      Total  

Balance as of June 30, 2011

   $ 1,288,359     $ 538,764     $ 115,237     $ 1,214      $ 1,943,574  

Deferred tax adjustment

     —          8,247       —          —           8,247  

Translation adjustment

     (37,340     (33,370     (3,422     —           (74,132
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2011

   $ 1,251,019     $ 513,641     $ 111,815     $ 1,214      $ 1,877,689  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The $8.2 goodwill adjustment in Risk and Financial Services reflects the modification of deferred tax amounts related to the acquisition of EMB, which was completed on January 31, 2011.

The following table reflects changes in the net carrying amount of the components of finite-lived intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2011:

 

     Customer
related
intangible
    Core/
developed
technology
    Favorable
lease
agreements
    Total  

Balance as of June 30, 2011

   $ 202,155     $ 113,767     $ 5,438     $ 321,360  

Intangible assets disposed of during the period

     —          —          (508     (508

Amortization

     (7,105     (6,208     (208     (13,521

Translation adjustment

     (7,547     2,918       (87     (4,716
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2011

   $ 187,503     $ 110,477     $ 4,635     $ 302,615  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded $ 13.3 million of amortization related to our intangible assets. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded $11.8 million of amortization related to our intangible assets.

Our indefinite-lived non-amortizable intangible assets consist of acquired trademarks and trade names. The carrying value of these assets was $ 370.7 million and $373.6 million as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively. The change during the period was due to foreign currency translation adjustment.

In conjunction with the Merger, we estimated the fair value of acquired leases and recorded an unfavorable lease liability in accordance with ASC 805. As of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, this liability was $ 20.1 million and $ 21.3 million, respectively. The change for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was comprised of a reduction to rent expense of $1.0 million and translation of $0.2 million.

Components of the change in the gross carrying amount of trademark and trade name, customer related intangibles, core/developed technology and favorable and unfavorable lease agreements reflect foreign currency translation adjustments between June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2011. Certain of the intangible assets and liabilities are denominated in the currencies of our subsidiaries outside the United States, and are translated into our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, based on exchange rates at the balance sheet date.

The following table reflects the carrying value of finite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011:

 

     As of September 30, 2011      As of June 30, 2011  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
 

Finite-lived intangible assets:

           

Customer related intangibles

   $ 271,841      $ 84,338      $ 280,547      $ 78,392  

Core/developed technology

     169,161        58,684        166,110        52,343  

Favorable lease agreements

     6,075        1,440        6,808        1,370  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

   $ 447,077      $ 144,462      $ 453,465      $ 132,105  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Certain trademark and trade-name intangible assets have indefinite useful lives and are not amortized. The weighted average remaining life of amortizable intangible assets and liabilities at September 30, 2011, was 7.9 years.

The following table reflects:

1) future estimated amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets consisting of customer related intangibles, core/developed technology and non-compete agreements.

2) the rent offset resulting from the amortization of the net lease intangible assets and liabilities for the remainder of fiscal 2012 and for subsequent fiscal years:

 

Fiscal year ending June 30,

   Amortization      Rent Offset  

2012

   $ 45,848      $ (2,314

2013

     52,185        (2,788

2014

     44,868        (2,476

2015

     37,326        (2,161

2016

     32,343        (1,645

Thereafter

     85,410        (4,089
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 297,980      $ (15,473
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 5 — Fair Value Measurements.

We have categorized our financial instruments into a three-level fair value hierarchy. 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.

Financial assets recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs in the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market.

Level 2 — Financial 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;

 

  c) Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; 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.

Level 3 — Financial 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. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

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The following presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011:

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis at
September 30, 2011
 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           
Available-for-sale securities:            

U.S. treasury securities and obligations of the U.S government, government agencies and authorities (a)

   $ 2,053      $ 13,206      $ —         $ 15,259  

Corporate bonds (a)

     —           40,824        —           40,824  

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions (a)

     —           11,750        —           11,750  

Equity securities (b)

     1,207        —           —           1,207  

Mutual funds (c)

     5,214        —           —           5,214  
Derivatives:            

Foreign exchange forwards (d)

     —           1,767        —           1,767  

Liabilities:

           
Derivatives:            

Foreign exchange forwards (d)

   $ —         $ 985      $ —         $ 985  

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis at
June 30, 2011
 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           
Available-for-sale securities:            

U.S. treasury securities and obligations of the U.S government, government agencies and authorities (a)

   $ 2,043      $ 31,304      $ —         $ 33,347  

Corporate bonds (a)

     —           46,085        —           46,085  

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions (a)

     —           14,620        —           14,620  

Equity securities (b)

     1,383        —           —           1,383  

Mutual funds (c)

     7,138        —           —           7,138  
Derivatives:            

Foreign exchange forwards (d)

     —           2,665        —           2,665  

Liabilities:

           
Derivatives:            

Foreign exchange forwards (d)

   $ —         $ 137      $ —         $ 137  

 

(a) These assets are included in short-term investments or other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note 3 for the classification of all fixed income securities as current or non-current.
(b) These assets are included in short-term investments or other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(c) These assets are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(d) These derivative investments are included in other current assets or accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note 6 for further information on our derivative investments.

We recorded losses of $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations related to the changes in the fair value of our financial instruments for foreign exchange forward contracts accounted for as foreign currency hedges, which are still held at September 30, 2011. There was no material gain or loss recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for available-for-sale securities still held at September 30, 2011.

To determine the fair value of our derivative positions, we use valuations from the counterparty of each hedge. This is a Level 2 valuation based on observable rates in the market. Counterparties use proprietary models to obtain valuations calculate values and are not actual quotes that could be used to terminate the contracts, but we believe the valuations are very close to the value of each

 

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contract if terminated since we review the valuations and compare these valuations against our own calculated fair value. We monitor the counterparty default risk both before the hedge is placed and prospectively throughout the life of the contract and would adjust fair values if asset impairment was deemed significant.

The U.S. Treasury securities, equity securities and mutual funds are valued using quoted market prices as of the end of the trading day. Corporate bonds and certain obligations of government agencies or states, municipalities and political subdivisions are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. We monitor the value of the investments for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis.

The availability of observable market data is monitored to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Note 6 — Derivative Financial Instruments.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To manage this exposure, we enter into various derivative transactions. These instruments have the effect of reducing our exposure to unfavorable changes in foreign currency rates. We do not enter into derivative transactions for trading purposes.

Our reinsurance intermediary subsidiary in the United Kingdom receives revenues in currencies (primarily in U.S. dollars) that differ from its functional currency. As a result, the foreign subsidiary’s functional currency revenue will fluctuate as the currency exchange rates change. To reduce this variability, we use foreign exchange forward contracts and over-the-counter options to hedge the foreign exchange risk of the forecasted collections. We have designated these derivatives as cash flow hedges of its forecasted foreign currency denominated collections. We also use derivative financial contracts, principally foreign exchange forward contracts, to hedge non-functional currency obligations. Primarily, these exposures arise from intercompany lending between entities with different functional currencies. At September 30, 2011, the longest outstanding maturity was fourteen months. As of September 30, 2011, a net $1.1 million pretax gain has been deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income. A pretax gain of $0.7 million is expected to be recognized in general and administrative expenses during the next twelve months when the hedged revenue is recognized. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we recognized no material gains or losses due to hedge ineffectiveness.

As of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, we had cash flow hedges with a notional value of $114.9 million and $69.3 million, respectively, to hedge revenue cash flows. We determine the fair value of our foreign currency derivatives based on quoted prices received from the counterparty for each contract, which we evaluate using pricing models whose inputs are observable. The net fair value of all derivatives held as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011 was an asset of $0.8 million and $2.5 million, respectively. See Note 5 Fair Value Measurements, for further information regarding the determination of fair value.

The fair value of our derivative instruments held as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011 and their location in the condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows:

 

    

Asset derivatives

    

Liability derivatives

 
    

Balance sheet

location

   Fair value     

Balance sheet

location

   Fair value  
          September 30,
2011
     June 30,
2011
          September 30,
2011
    June 30,
2011
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

                

Foreign exchange forwards

   Other current assets    $ 1,376      $ 2,073      Other current liabilities    $ (232   $ (114

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

                

Foreign exchange forwards

   Other current assets      391        592      Other current liabilities      (753     (23
     

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative assets (liabilities)

      $ 1,767      $ 2,665         $ (985   $ (137
     

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The effect of derivative instruments that are designated as hedging instruments on the condensed consolidated statement of operations and the condensed consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

Derivatives designated as

hedging instruments for

the three months ended
September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   (Loss) gain
recognized in OCI
(effective portion)
    

Location

of loss reclassified

from OCI into income

(effective portion)

   Loss reclassified
from OCI into income
(effective portion)
   

Location of gain (loss)
recognized in income
(ineffective portion and

amount excluded from
effectiveness testing)

   (Loss) gain
recognized in
income (ineffective)
portion and amount
excluded from
effectiveness testing)
 
     2011     2010           2011     2010          2011     2010  

Foreign exchange forwards

   $ (892   $ 3,323     

General and administrative

expenses

   $ (26   $ (555  

General and administrative

expenses

   $ (9   $ 40  

Foreign exchange options

     —          —        

General and administrative

expenses

     —          (207  

General and administrative

expenses

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (892   $ 3,323         $ (26   $ (762      $ (9   $ 40  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, we had $77.9 million and $22.5 million, respectively, of notional value of derivatives held as economic hedges primarily to hedge intercompany loans denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. The effect of derivatives that have not been designated as hedging instruments on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

          Gain (loss) recognized in income  
Derivatives not designated as hedging    Location of gain (loss)    Three Months Ended
September 30,
 

instruments:

  

recognized in income

   2011      2010  

Foreign exchange forwards

   General and administrative expenses    $ 3      $ (1,001

Foreign exchange options

   General and administrative expenses      —           83  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 3      $ (918
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 7 — Retirement Benefits.

Defined Benefit Plans

Towers Watson sponsors both qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan or “OPEB” plans in North America and Europe. As of June 30, 2011, these funded and unfunded plans represented 98 percent of total Towers Watson’s pension obligations and as a result are disclosed herein. Towers Watson also sponsors funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans in certain other countries as well, representing the remaining 2 percent of the liability.

Under the legacy Watson Wyatt plans in North America, benefits are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s compensation during the five highest paid consecutive years of service. The non-qualified plan, included only in North America, provides for pension benefits that would be covered under the qualified plan but are limited by the Internal Revenue Code. The non-qualified plan has no assets and therefore is an unfunded arrangement. Beginning January 2008, Watson Wyatt made changes to the plan in the U.K. related to years of service used in calculating benefits for associates. Benefits earned prior to January 2008 are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s compensation during the three years before leaving the plan and benefits earned after January 2008 are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s average compensation during the associate’s term of service since that date. The plan liabilities in Germany were a result of Watson Wyatt’s acquisition of Heissmann GmbH in 2007. A significant percentage of the liabilities represent the grandfathered pension benefit for employees hired prior to a July 1991 plan amendment. The pension plan for those hired after July 1991 is a defined contribution type arrangement. In the Netherlands, the pension benefit is a percentage of service and average salary over the working life of the employee, where salary includes allowances and bonuses up to a set maximum salary and is offset by the current social security benefit. The benefit liability is reflected on the balance sheet. The measurement date for each of the plans is June 30.

The legacy Towers Perrin pension plans in the U.S. accrue benefits under a cash-balance formula for associates hired or rehired after 2002 and for all associates for service after 2007. For associates hired prior to 2003 and active as of January 2003, benefits prior to 2008 are based on a combination of a cash balance formula, for the period after 2002, and a final average pay formula based on years of plan service and the highest five consecutive years of plan compensation prior to 2008. Under the cash balance formula benefits are based on a percentage of each year of the employee’s plan compensation. The Canadian Retirement Plan provides a choice of a defined benefit approach or a defined contribution approach. The non-qualified plans in North America provide for pension benefits that would be covered under the qualified plan in the respective country but are limited by statutory maximums. The non-qualified

 

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plans have no assets and therefore are unfunded arrangements. The U.K. Plan provides predominantly lump sum benefits. Benefit accruals under the U.K. plan ceased on March 31, 2008. The plans in Germany mostly provide benefits under a cash balance benefit formula. Benefits under the Netherlands plan accrue on a final pay basis on earnings up to a maximum amount each year. The benefit assets and liabilities are reflected on the balance sheet. The measurement date for each of the plans had historically been December 31 but has been changed to June 30 as a result of the Merger.

The compensation committee of our board of directors approved an amendment to the terms of the existing U.S. qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, postretirement benefit plans and defined contribution plans which was communicated in September 2010. Effective December 31, 2010, the existing U.S. qualified and non-qualified pension plans were frozen to new participants, and benefit accruals will be frozen under the current benefit formulas effective December 31, 2011. New pension benefits will accrue beginning on January 1, 2012 under a new stable value pension design for qualified and non-qualified pension plans maintained for U.S. associates, including U.S. named executive officers. Retiree medical benefits provided under our U.S. postretirement benefit plans were frozen to new hires effective January 1, 2011. Life insurance benefits under the same plans will be frozen with respect to service, eligibility and amounts as of January 1, 2012 for active associates. As a result of these changes to the U.S. pension and post-retirement benefit plans, there were remeasurements of the legacy Watson Wyatt U.S. plans and the legacy Towers Perrin post-retirement benefit plan as of September 30, 2010. The legacy Towers Perrin pension plan was not required to be remeasured due to the plan design.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The following tables set forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit pension plan for North America and Europe for the three month period ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2011     2010  
     North
America
    Europe     North
America
    Europe  

Service cost

   $ 16,872     $ 2,108     $ 15,522     $ 3,291  

Interest cost

     35,530       9,695       35,535       9,422  

Expected return on plan assets

     (42,181     (11,254     (38,551     (9,799

Settlement

     —          —          2,223       —     

Amortization of net loss/(gain)

     4,991       (612     6,330       1,364  

Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost

     (2,084     10       (405     10  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost/(income)

   $ 13,128     $ (53   $ 20,654     $ 4,288  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Employer Contributions

The Company made $9.9 million in contributions to the North American plans during the first three months of fiscal year 2012 and anticipates making $5.0 million in contributions over the remainder of the fiscal year. The Company made $4.4 million in contributions to Europe plans during the first three months of fiscal year 2012 and anticipates making $13.6 million in contributions over the remainder of the fiscal year.

Defined Contribution Plans

Under the legacy Watson Wyatt plan, we sponsor a savings plan that provides benefits to substantially all legacy Watson Wyatt U.S. associates. We match associate contributions at a rate of 50% of the first 6% up to $60,000 of associates’ eligible compensation. We recorded expense related to matching contributions of $2.1 million and $2.2 million to the plan during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The legacy Watson Wyatt U.K. pension plan has a money purchase section to which we make core contributions plus additional contributions matching those of the participating associates up to a maximum rate. Contribution rates are dependent upon the age of the participant and on whether or not they arise from salary sacrifice arrangements through which an individual has taken a reduction in salary and we have paid an equivalent amount as pension contributions. Core contributions amount to 2-6% of pensionable salary with additional matching contributions of a further 2-6%. Expense recorded related to the Company contributions to the plan amounted to $3.6 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The legacy Towers Perrin plans consist of sponsoring savings plans in 21 countries that provide benefits to substantially all legacy Towers Perrin associates within those countries. Certain of these plans provide for a Company match to associate contributions at various rates. In the United States, we provide a matching contribution of 100% of the first 5% of associate contributions. Expense recorded related to Company contributions to the plan amounted to $3.8 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We make contributions of 10% of pay to the legacy Towers Perrin U.K. plan. Expense recorded related to Company contributions to the plan amounted to $1.6 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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Effective January 1, 2011, all eligible employees hired subsequent to that date participate in a new savings plan design which provides for 100% match on the first 2% of pay and 50% match on the next 4% of pay, and vesting at 100% upon two years of service for employer contributions. All other associates will continue participating in their respective legacy plans until January 1, 2012 at which time the legacy plans will be frozen to new contributions and the associates will begin participation in the new savings plan design.

Postretirement Benefits

Under both the legacy Watson Wyatt and legacy Towers Perrin plans, we provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired associates. The principal plans cover associates in the U.S. and Canada who have met certain eligibility requirements. Our principal post-retirement benefit plans are primarily unfunded. We accrue a liability for these benefits. Retiree medical benefits provided under our U.S. postretirement benefit plans were frozen to new hires effective January 1, 2011. Life insurance benefits under the same plans will be frozen with respect to service, eligibility and amounts as of January 1, 2012 for active associates.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Other Postretirement Plans

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s healthcare and post-retirement plans for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010  

Service cost

   $ 744     $ 1,553  

Interest cost

     2,759       3,549  

Expected return on plan assets

     (33     (33

Curtailment

     —          (2,102

Amortization of net loss

     577       88  

Amortization of prior service credit

     (2,182     (129
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 1,865     $ 2,926  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note 8 — Debt, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

The debt, commitments and contingencies described below are currently in effect and would require Towers Watson, or domestic subsidiaries, including Towers Watson Delaware (legacy Watson Wyatt) and Towers Watson Pennsylvania (legacy Towers Perrin), to make payments to third parties under certain circumstances. In addition to commitments and contingencies specifically described below, Towers Watson and its historical predecessor companies, Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin, have historically provided guarantees on an infrequent basis to third parties in the ordinary course of business.

Subordinated Notes due March 2012

On June 15, 2010, in connection with an offer to exchange shares of Class B-1 Common Stock for unsecured subordinated notes, Towers Watson entered into an indenture with the trustee for the issuance of Towers Watson Notes due March 2012 in the aggregate principal amount of $99.8 million. The Towers Watson Notes due March 2012 were issued on June 29, 2010, bearing interest from June 15, 2010 at a fixed per annum rate, compounded quarterly on the “interest reset dates,” equal to the greater of (i) 2.0%, or (ii) 120.0% of the short-term applicable federal rate listed under the quarterly column, in effect at the applicable “interest reset date.” The Towers Watson Notes due March 2012 will mature on March 15, 2012 and are included in the notes payable balance on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011. Obligations under the Towers Watson Notes due March 2012 are subordinated to and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt (as defined in the indenture).

Towers Watson Senior Credit Facility

On January 1, 2010, in connection with the Merger, Towers Watson and certain subsidiaries entered into a three-year, $500 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks (the “Senior Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a spread to either Libor or the Prime Rate. We are charged a quarterly commitment fee, currently 0.5% of the Senior Credit Facility, which varies with our financial leverage and is paid on the unused portion of the Senior Credit Facility. Obligations under the Senior Credit Facility are guaranteed by Towers Watson and all of its domestic subsidiaries (other than PCIC and SMIC) and are secured by a pledge of 65% of the voting stock and 100% of the non-voting stock of Towers Perrin Luxembourg Holdings S.A.R.L.

 

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The Senior Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. The Senior Credit Facility requires Towers Watson to maintain certain financial covenants that include a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio and a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (which terms in each case are defined in the Senior Credit Facility). In addition, the Senior Credit Facility contains restrictions on the ability of Towers Watson to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends; make distributions; create liens on assets; make investments, loans or advances; make acquisitions; dispose of property; engage in sale-leaseback transactions; engage in mergers or consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and make changes in lines of businesses. As of September 30, 2011, we were in compliance with our covenants.

As of September 30, 2011, Towers Watson had borrowings and interest of $75.1 million outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility.

Letters of Credit under the Senior Credit Facility

As of September 30, 2011, Towers Watson had standby letters of credit totaling $24.9 million associated with our captive insurance companies in the event that we fail to meet our financial obligations. Additionally, Towers Watson had $2.4 million of standby letters of credit covering various other existing or potential business obligations. The aforementioned letters of credit are issued under the Senior Credit Facility, and therefore reduce the amount that can be borrowed under the Senior Credit Facility by the outstanding amount of these standby letters of credit.

Indemnification Agreements

Towers Watson has various agreements which provide that it may be obligated to indemnify the other party to the agreement with respect to certain matters. Generally, these indemnification provisions are included in contracts arising in the normal course of business and in connection with the purchase and sale of certain businesses. Although it is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments that may become due under these indemnification agreements because of the conditional nature of Towers Watson’s obligations and the unique facts of each particular agreement, Towers Watson does not believe any potential liability that might arise from such indemnity provisions is probable or material. There are no provisions for recourse to third parties, nor are any assets held by any third parties that any guarantor can liquidate to recover amounts paid under such indemnities.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, Towers Watson and its subsidiaries, including Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin, are parties to various lawsuits, arbitrations or mediations that arise in the ordinary course of business. The matters reported on below are the most significant pending or potential claims against Towers Watson and its subsidiaries. We also receive subpoenas in the ordinary course of business and, from time-to-time, receive requests for information in connection with governmental investigations.

Towers Watson carries substantial professional liability insurance which, effective July 1, 2010, has been provided by Stone Mountain Insurance Company (“SMIC”), a wholly-owned captive insurance company. For the policy period beginning July 1, 2011 and ending July 1, 2012, our professional liability insurance includes a self-insured retention of $1 million per claim. For this policy period, Towers Watson also retains $10 million in the aggregate above the $1 million self-insured retention per claim. SMIC provides us with $40 million of coverage per claim and in the aggregate, above the retentions. SMIC secured $25 million of reinsurance from unaffiliated reinsurance companies in excess of the $15 million SMIC retained layer. Excess insurance attaching above the SMIC coverage is provided by various unaffiliated commercial insurance companies.

This structure effectively results in self-insurance by Towers Watson for the first $25 million of loss per occurrence or in the aggregate above the $1 million per claim self-insured retention. As a wholly-owned captive insurance company, SMIC is consolidated into our financial statements. Excess insurance attaching above the SMIC coverage is provided by various unaffiliated commercial insurance companies.

Before the Merger, Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin each obtained substantial professional liability insurance from an affiliated captive insurance company, Professional Consultants Insurance Company (“PCIC”). A limit of $50 million per claim and in the aggregate was provided by PCIC subject to a $1 million per claim self insured retention. PCIC secured reinsurance of $25 million attaching above the $25 million PCIC retained layer from unaffiliated reinsurance companies. Post-Merger, Towers Watson has a 72.86% ownership interest in PCIC and, as a result, PCIC’s results are consolidated in Towers Watson’s operating results. The PCIC insurance policies will continue to cover professional liability claims above a $1 million per claim self-insured retention for claims reported during the periods these policies were in effect, effectively resulting in self-insurance for the first $25 million of aggregate loss for each of Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin above the $1 million per claim self-insured retention. As a result of consolidating PCIC’s results of operations in our consolidated financial statements, the impact of PCIC’s reserve development may result in fluctuations in Towers Watson’s earnings.

We reserve for contingent liabilities based on ASC 450, Contingencies, when it is determined that a liability, inclusive of defense costs, is probable and reasonably estimable. The contingent liabilities recorded are primarily developed actuarially. Litigation is subject to many factors which are difficult to predict so there can be no assurance that in the event of a material unfavorable result in one or more claims, we will not incur material costs.

 

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Former Towers Perrin shareholder litigation

A putative class action lawsuit filed by certain former shareholders of Towers Perrin (the “Dugan Action”) previously was reported in Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A (File No. 333-161705) filed on November 9, 2009 by the Jupiter Saturn Holding Company (the “Registration Statement”). As reported in the Registration Statement, the complaint was filed on November 5, 2009 against Towers Perrin, members of its board of directors, and certain members of senior management in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Plaintiffs in this action are former members of Towers Perrin’s senior management, who left Towers Perrin at various times between 1995 and 2000. The Dugan plaintiffs seek to represent a class of former Towers Perrin shareholders who separated from service on or after January 1, 1971, and who also meet certain other specified criteria. The complaint does not contain a quantification of the damages sought.

On December 9, 2009, Watson Wyatt was informed by Towers Perrin of a settlement demand from the plaintiffs in the Dugan Action. Although the complaint in the Dugan Action does not contain a quantification of the damages sought, plaintiffs’ settlement demand, which was orally communicated to Towers Perrin on December 8, 2009 and in writing on December 9, 2009, sought a payment of $800 million to settle the action on behalf of the proposed class. Plaintiffs requested that Towers Perrin communicate the settlement demand to Watson Wyatt.

On December 17, 2009, four other former Towers Perrin shareholders, all of whom voluntarily left Towers Perrin in May or June 2005 and all of whom are excluded from the proposed class in the Dugan Action, commenced a separate legal proceeding (the “Allen Action”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging the same claims in substantially the same form as those alleged in the Dugan Action. A fifth plaintiff has joined this action. These plaintiffs are proceeding in their individual capacities and do not seek to represent a proposed class.

On January 15, 2010, another former Towers Perrin shareholder who separated from service with Towers Perrin in March 2005 when Towers Perrin and EDS launched a joint venture that led to the creation of a corporate entity known as ExcellerateHRO (“eHRO”), commenced a separate legal proceeding (the “Pao Action”) in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging the same claims in substantially the same form as those alleged in the Dugan Action. Towers Perrin contributed its Towers Perrin Administrative Solutions (“TPAS”) business to eHRO and formerly was a minority shareholder (15%) of eHRO. Pao seeks to represent a class of former Towers Perrin shareholders who separated from service in connection with Towers Perrin’s contribution to eHRO of its TPAS business and who are excluded from the proposed class in the Dugan Action. Towers Watson is also named as a defendant in the Pao Action.

Pursuant to the Towers Perrin Bylaws in effect at the time of their separations, the Towers Perrin shares held by all plaintiffs were redeemed by Towers Perrin at book value at the time these individuals separated from employment. The complaints allege variously that there either was a promise that Towers Perrin would remain privately owned in perpetuity (Dugan Action) or that in the event of a change to public ownership plaintiffs would receive compensation (Allen and Pao Actions). Plaintiffs allege that by agreeing to sell their shares back to Towers Perrin at book value upon separation, they and other members of the putative classes relied upon these alleged promises, which they claim were breached as a result of the consummation of the Merger between Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin. The complaints assert claims for breach of contract, breach of express trust, breach of fiduciary duty, promissory estoppel, quasi-contract/unjust enrichment, and constructive trust, and seek equitable relief including an accounting, disgorgement, rescission and/or restitution, and the imposition of a constructive trust. On January 20, 2010, the court consolidated the three actions for all purposes.

On February 22, 2010, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaints in their entireties. By order dated September 30, 2010, the court granted the motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ claim for a constructive trust and denied the motion with respect to all other claims alleged. Pursuant to the court’s September 30 order, defendants also filed answers to plaintiffs’ complaints on October 22, 2010. The parties are currently engaged in fact discovery. Given the stage of the proceedings, the Company has concluded that a loss is neither probable nor estimable, and that the Company is unable to estimate a reasonably possible loss or range of loss.

Towers Watson continues to believe the claims in these lawsuits are without merit and intends to continue to defend against them vigorously. However, the cost of defending against the claims could be substantial and the outcome of these legal proceedings is inherently uncertain and could be unfavorable to Towers Watson.

Acument Global Technologies, Inc.

In a letter to the Company dated January 26, 2011, Acument Global Technologies, Inc. (“Acument”) and the Acument Global Technologies, Inc. Pension Plan (the “Plan”) claim that Towers Watson breached its fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement

 

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Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) in connection with advice provided to Acument relating to investment of certain assets of the Plan in the Westridge Capital Management Enhancements Funds (the “Westridge Funds”). Acument and the Plan demand that the Company make the Plan whole for losses and damages allegedly sustained as a result of Acument’s decision to invest in the Westridge Funds. Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting, Inc. (“WWIC”), now known as Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc., provided investment consulting services to Acument between December 1, 2007 and April 30, 2010. In connection with those services, WWIC recommended an investment in the Westridge Funds. In July 2008, Acument made a $47.0 million investment in the Westridge Funds. During the period December 1, 2008 through January 22, 2009, Acument made additional investments of $9.5 million, bringing the aggregate investment of the Plan’s assets in the Westridge Funds to $56.5 million.

As the result of information obtained during an investigation of Westridge Capital Management, its affiliates WG Trading Investors, L.P. and WG Trading Company, L.P. (collectively referred to as “Westridge”) and their principals, commenced by the National Futures Association on February 5, 2009, the Commodities Future Trading Commission filed suit against Westridge and its principals alleging violations of the Commodity Exchange Act. This resulted in a court-supervised receivership of the assets of Westridge. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed a separate suit on February 25, 2009 against Westridge and its principals alleging violations of the federal securities laws. In its complaint, the SEC alleges that Westridge had become a fraudulent investment scheme by which its principals purportedly misappropriated approximately $553 million from a number of highly sophisticated institutional investors, including public pension and retirement plans and educational institutions, some of which were investing in Westridge as late as February 6, 2009. To date, Acument has recovered approximately $38.2 million of its investment in the Westridge Funds from the receivership. The Company has declined Acument’s demand for compensation and plans to defend vigorously against any legal proceedings that may ensue. Accordingly, a loss is neither probable nor estimable, and we are unable to estimate a reasonably possible loss or range of loss.

Note 9 — Comprehensive (Loss)/Income.

Comprehensive (loss)/income includes net income, additional minimum pension liability, unrealized loss on available for sale securities, hedge effectiveness and changes in the cumulative translation adjustment gain or loss. For the three months ended September 30, 2011, comprehensive loss totaled $19.1 million compared with comprehensive income of $207.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010.

Note 10 — Restricted Stock.

In conjunction with the Merger, shares of Towers Watson common stock issued to Towers Perrin shareholders have been divided among four series of non-transferable Towers Watson common stock, Classes B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4, each with a par value of $0.01 per share. The shares listed in the table below reflect a reduction of shares through our tender offer and our secondary public offering and by the acceleration of vesting due to involuntary associate terminations detailed below. In addition, on January 31, 2011, we completed the acquisition of EMB and issued 113,858 Class B-3 and 113,858 Class B-4 common stock to the sellers as consideration. The Class B-3 and B-4 common stock, par value $0.01 per share, will generally convert into freely tradable Class A common stock on January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014, respectively.

On January 1, 2011, 5,642,302 shares of Class B-1 common stock converted to freely tradable Class A common stock. The remaining outstanding shares of Towers Watson Class B common stock generally will automatically convert on a one-for-one basis into shares of freely transferable shares of Towers Watson Class A common stock on the following timetable:

 

Stock Class    Number of Shares    Conversion Date
B-2    5,547,733    January 1, 2012
B-3    5,661,591    January 1, 2013
B-4    5,384,549    January 1, 2014

On June 29, 2010, we completed a tender offer to exchange shares of our Class B-1 common stock, par value $.01 per share, for unsecured subordinated notes in the aggregate principal amount of $97.3 million due March 15, 2012. Each note had a principal amount equal to the product of the number of shares of Class B-1 common stock tendered and $43.43, the exchange ratio.

The purpose of the tender offer was to enable us to acquire shares of Class B-1 common stock in an orderly fashion to reduce the impact of any sales or potential sales that may occur in the future on the market price of Class A common stock. As a result of the tender offer, we repurchased 2,267,265 shares of Class B-1 common stock in exchange for notes payable to Class B-1 shareholders in the aggregate principal amount of $97.3 million.

The Towers Perrin restricted stock unit (“RSU”) holders received 10% of the total consideration issued to Towers Perrin shareholders in conjunction with the Merger. The RSUs were converted into 4,248,984 shares of Towers Watson Restricted Class A Common Stock (“Restricted Class A shares”), of which an estimated 10%, or 424,898 shares, are expected to be forfeited by current associate Restricted Class A shareholders who are subject to a service condition. The service condition is fulfilled from grant date through each

 

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of the three annual periods from January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2012. The restriction lapses annually on January 1 and the Restricted Class A shares become freely tradable shares of Class A common stock on such dates. Forfeited shares will be distributed after January 1, 2013 to Towers Perrin shareholders as of December 31, 2009 in proportion to their ownership in Towers Perrin on the date of the Merger. Shareholders of Restricted Class A shares have voting rights and receive dividends upon annual vesting of the shares. Dividends on forfeited shares are distributed with the associated shares after January 1, 2013. The shares listed in the table below reflect a reduction of shares for forfeitures and acceleration of vesting due to voluntary and involuntary associate terminations and reflect the outstanding Restricted Class A shares as of September 30, 2011.

 

Stock    Number of Shares    Vesting Date
Restricted A    1,186,274    January 1, 2012
Restricted A    1,186,274    January 1, 2013

For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recorded $9.8 million and $23.7 million, respectively, of non-cash share-based compensation expense in connection with the issuance of Towers Watson Restricted Class A common stock to Towers Perrin RSU holders in the Merger. The graded method of expense methodology assumes that the restricted shares are issued to Towers Perrin RSU holders in equal amounts of shares which vest as separate awards over one, two and three years.

Note 11 — Share-Based Compensation.

Restricted Stock Units

Executives and Employees

In September 2010, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved the form of performance-vested restricted stock unit award agreement, pursuant to the 2009 Plan. RSUs are designed to provide us an opportunity to offer long-term incentives and to provide key executives with a long-term stake in our success. RSUs are notional, non-voting units of measurement based on our common stock. Under the RSU agreement, participants become vested in a number of RSUs based on the achievement of specified levels of financial performance during the performance period set forth in the agreement, provided that the participant remains in continuous service with us through the end of the performance period. The targets reflect an emphasis on continued profitability growth through successful integration, despite the difficult economic environment. Any RSUs that become vested are payable in shares of our Class A Common Stock. Dividend equivalents will accrue on RSUs and vest to the same extent as the underlying shares. In September 2011, the Compensation Committee amended the form of performance-vested restricted stock unit award agreement to include a provision whereby the committee could provide for continuation of vesting of restricted stock units upon an employee’s termination under certain circumstances such as a qualified retirement.

2011 SEP. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, 577,191 RSUs were granted to certain employees under our Select Equity Plan, of which 288,595 were vested immediately in conjunction with our annual fiscal year 2011 performance bonus. The remaining 288,595 RSUs will vest annually over a three-year period. We assumed a 10% forfeiture rate with these awards. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 we recorded $3.7 million of non-cash stock based compensation related to these grants.

2011 LTIP. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, 86,188 RSUs were granted to certain of our executive officers for the 2011 to 2014 performance period. Awards are based on the value of the executive officer’s annual base salary and a multiplier, which is then converted into a target number of RSUs based on our closing stock price as of the date of grant of $57.99. Between 0% and 204% of the target number of RSUs will vest based on the extent to which specified performance metrics are achieved over the three year performance period from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2014, subject to their continued employment with us through the end of the performance period, except in the case of a qualified retirement. The Compensation Committee approved the grants and established adjusted EBITDA margin and revenue growth during the performance period as the performance metrics for the awards. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 we recorded $0.6 million of stock-based compensation related to these grants.

2010 LTIP. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, 125,192 RSUs were granted to certain of our executive officers for the 2010 to 2013 performance period. Awards are based on the value of the executive officer’s annual base salary and a multiplier, which is then converted into a target number of RSUs based on our closing stock price as of the date of grant of $45.25. Between 0% and 204% of the target number of RSUs will vest based on the extent to which specified performance metrics are achieved over the three year performance period from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013, subject to their continued employment with us through the end of the performance period. The Compensation Committee approved the grants and established adjusted EBITDA margin for the six-month period ending June 30, 2013 and revenue growth during the performance period (based on fiscal year 2013 revenue versus fiscal year 2010 revenue) as the performance metrics for the awards. The Compensation Committee amended the award agreements for two participants, in exchange for the participants entering into non-competition agreements, to provide for the continuation of vesting upon their qualified retirement. We accelerated the expense for these two participants and recorded the remaining non-cash stock based compensation for their awards as they would not be providing service. In addition, the participants would not receive the shares until the end of the performance period and based upon the level of performance achieved. For the three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded $1.2 million of stock-based compensation related to these grants.

 

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Outside Directors

In May 2010, the board of directors approved the Towers Watson & Co. Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which provides for cash and stock compensation for outside directors. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, 12,783 restricted stock units were granted for the annual award for outside directors for service on the board of directors in equal quarterly installments over the fiscal year 2012. In fiscal year 2010, 22,149 restricted stock units were granted for the initial award for outside directors for service on the board of directors, which vest in equal annual installments over a three year period ending January 1, 2013. We recorded non-cash stock based compensation related to these awards for outside directors of $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Stock Options

There were no grants of stock options during the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Note 12 — Income Taxes.

Provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $35.5 million compared to $25.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The effective tax rate was 37.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 42.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The prior year effective tax rate was higher primarily due to the impact of tax restructuring in Canada for 2.9% and the impact of tax return true-ups for our legacy Towers Perrin subsidiaries for 2.0%. Towers Watson records a tax benefit on net operating loss carryovers and net deferred tax assets only if it is more likely than not that a benefit will be realized.

Note 13 — Segment Information.

Towers Watson has three reportable operating segments or practice areas:

 

  (1) Benefits

 

  (2) Risk and Financial Services

 

  (3) Talent and Rewards

Towers Watson’s chief operating decision maker is the chief executive officer. It was determined that Towers Watson operational data used by the chief operating decision maker is that of the new segments. Management bases strategic goals and decisions on these segments and the data presented below is used to assess the adequacy of strategic decisions, the method of achieving these strategies and related financial results.

Management evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on net operating income on a pre-bonus, pre-tax basis. Revenue includes amounts that were directly incurred on behalf of our clients and reimbursed by them (reimbursable expenses).

As a result of the Merger integration, certain associates and related revenues have moved between segments. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current classification.

The table below presents specified information about reported segments as of and for the three months ended September 30, 2011:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial Services
     Talent and
Rewards
     Total  

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

   $ 454,506      $ 194,138      $ 139,791      $ 788,435  

Net operating income

     144,280        49,512        25,214        219,006  

The table below presents specified information about reported segments as of and for the three months ended September 30, 2010:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial Services
     Talent and
Rewards
     Total  

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

   $ 424,740      $ 166,351      $ 136,238      $ 727,329  

Net operating income

     125,930        39,165        29,407        194,502  

 

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A reconciliation of the information reported by segment to the consolidated amounts follows for the three months ended September 30 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010  

Revenue:

    

Total segment revenue

   $ 788,435     $ 727,329  

Reimbursable expenses and other

     21,916       24,112  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue

   $ 810,351     $ 751,441  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Operating Income:

    

Total segment net operating income

   $ 219,006     $ 194,502  

Differences in allocation methods (1)

     14,623       9,786  

Amortization of intangibles

     (13,313     (11,739

Transaction and integration expenses

     (20,907     (17,690

Stock-based compensation and Restricted A shares

     (11,134     (23,725

Discretionary compensation

     (90,733     (88,475

Other, net

     (2,533     (3,469
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

   $ 95,009     $ 59,190  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Depreciation, general and administrative, pension, and medical costs are allocated to our segments based on budgeted expenses determined at the beginning of the fiscal year, as management believes that these costs are largely uncontrollable to the segment. To the extent that the actual expense base upon which allocations are made differs from the forecast/budget amount, a reconciling item will be created between internally allocated expenses and the actual expense that we report for GAAP purposes.

Note 14 — Earnings Per Share.

We present EPS using the two-class method. This method addresses whether awards granted in share-based transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earning allocation in computing earnings per share using the two-class method. This method requires non-vested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents to be treated as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. Our participating securities include non-vested restricted stock. The components of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2011      2010  
     Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
     Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
 

Basic EPS

               

Net income attributable to controlling interests

   $ 59,704           $ 33,242       

Less: Income allocated to participating securities

     (2,343           (1,891     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 57,361       70,223      $ 0.82      $ 31,351       70,012      $ 0.45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

               

Share-based compensation awards

     —          163           —          71     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 57,361       70,386      $ 0.82      $ 31,351       70,083      $ 0.45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 15 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

Adopted

On December 17, 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2010-28, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), which (1) does not prescribe a specific method of calculating the carrying value of a reporting unit in the performance of step 1 of the goodwill impairment test and (2) requires entities with a zero or negative carrying value to assess, considering qualitative factors such as but not limited to those listed in ASC 350-20-35-30 whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. If an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that an impairment of goodwill exists, the entity must perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. These provisions are effective for impairment tests performed

 

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during the fourth quarter in our current fiscal year. During that impairment test, if any of our reporting units have a zero or negative carrying value, we will assess, on the basis of current facts and circumstances, whether it is more likely than not that an impairment of our goodwill exists. If so, we will perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test and record the impairment charge, if any, as a cumulative-effect adjustment through beginning retained earnings. At this time, there is no impact expected on our financial position or results of operations as a result of adopting this provision.

Not yet adopted

On June 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which revised the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance removes the presentation options in ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, and requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements. The ASU does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. We are still evaluating the impact of the change in presentation to our consolidated statement of operations and our consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and will adopt the new presentation in our fiscal 2013 filings.

On September 15, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which gives entities testing goodwill for impairment the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit in Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying amount, the two-step impairment test would be required. Otherwise, further testing would not be needed. The ASU is effective for all entities for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted and the Company intends to implement this guidance in our fiscal 2012 impairment test performed during the fourth quarter. We are still evaluating the impact of this pronouncement upon our upcoming impairment test.

Note 16 — Subsequent Events.

Towers Watson New Senior Credit Facility maturing November 2016

On November 7, 2011, Towers Watson and certain subsidiaries entered into a new five-year, $500 million revolving credit facility, which amount may be increased by an aggregate amount of $250 million, subject to the satisfaction of customary terms and conditions, with a syndicate of banks (the “New Senior Credit Facility”), replacing the existing facility due to expire in December 2012. Borrowings under the new Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a spread to either LIBOR or the Prime Rate. We are charged a quarterly commitment fee, currently 0.175% of the New Senior Credit Facility, which varies with our financial leverage and is paid on the unused portion of the New Senior Credit Facility. Obligations under the New Senior Credit Facility are guaranteed by Towers Watson and all of its domestic subsidiaries (other than PCIC and SMIC).

The New Senior Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. The New Senior Credit Facility requires Towers Watson to maintain certain financial covenants that include a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio and a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (which terms in each case are defined in the New Senior Credit Facility). In addition, the New Senior Credit Facility contains restrictions on the ability of Towers Watson to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends; make distributions; create liens on assets; make acquisitions; dispose of property; engage in sale-leaseback transactions; engage in mergers or consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and make changes in lines of businesses.

 

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ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Executive Overview

General

Towers Watson’s history, which is primarily that of our predecessor companies since the Merger occurred on January 1, 2010, is summarized below.

Watson Wyatt traces its roots back to the actuarial firm R. Watson & Sons, founded in 1878 in the U.K. In 1946, The Wyatt Company was established as an actuarial consulting firm in the U.S. Over the next few decades, the U.S.-based firm branched out into such other services as health care and compensation consulting and broadened its global reach, establishing offices throughout Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia. In 1995, the two firms formed a global alliance and began operating as Watson Wyatt Worldwide. In 2000, the U.S.-based arm of the alliance completed a successful initial public offering and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WW. In August 2005, the two firms formally combined into one.

Towers Perrin’s predecessor firm, Henry W. Brown & Co., was founded in 1871. Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc. was incorporated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 13, 1934. The firm opened for business with 26 employees and initially operated a Reinsurance Division and Life Division. The firm eventually began to specialize in pensions and other employee benefit plans. Over the decades, the firm grew, diversified, globalized and was renamed Towers Perrin in 1987.

At Towers Watson, we bring together professionals from around the world — experts in their areas of specialty — to deliver the perspectives that give organizations a clear path forward. We do this by working with clients to develop solutions in the areas of employee benefits, risk and capital management, and talent and rewards.

We help our clients enhance business performance by improving their ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees. We focus on delivering consulting services that help organizations anticipate, identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities in human capital management. We also provide independent financial advice regarding all aspects of life insurance and general insurance, as well as investment advice to help our clients develop disciplined and efficient strategies to meet their investment goals.

As leading economies worldwide become more service-oriented, human resources and financial management have become increasingly important to companies and other organizations. The heightened competition for skilled employees, unprecedented changes in workforce demographics, regulatory changes related to compensation and retiree benefits, and rising employee-related costs have increased the importance of effective human capital management. Insurance and investment decisions have become increasingly complex and important in the face of changing economies and dynamic financial markets. Towers Watson helps its clients address these issues by combining expertise in human capital and financial management with consulting and technology solutions, to improve the design and implementation of various human resources and financial programs, including compensation, retirement, health care, and insurance and investment plans.

The human resources consulting industry, although highly fragmented, is highly competitive. It is composed of major human capital consulting firms, specialty firms, consulting arms of accounting firms and information technology consulting firms.

In the short term, Towers Watson’s revenue is driven by many factors, including the general state of the global economy and the resulting level of discretionary spending, the continuing regulatory compliance requirements of its clients, changes in investment markets, the ability of our consultants to attract new clients or provide additional services to existing clients, the impact of new regulations in the legal and accounting fields and the impact of our ongoing cost saving initiatives. In the long term, we expect that our financial results will depend in large part upon how well we succeed in deepening our existing client relationships through thought leadership and a focus on developing cross-practice solutions, actively pursuing new clients in our target markets, cross selling and making strategic acquisitions. We believe that the highly fragmented industry in which we operate offers us growth opportunities, because we provide a unique business combination of benefits and human capital consulting, as well as risk and capital management and strategic technology solutions.

 

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Overview of Towers Watson

Towers Watson is a global professional services firm focusing on providing human capital and financial consulting services. Towers Watson provides services in three principal practice areas: Benefits, Risk and Financial Services, and Talent and Rewards operating from 151 offices in 36 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Towers Watson employed approximately 13,500 and 13,100 full-time associates as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively, in the following practice areas:

 

     September 30,
2011
     June 30,
2011
 

Benefits

     6,500        6,300  

Risk and Financial Services

     2,400        2,300  

Talent and Rewards

     2,200        2,100  

Other

     300        300  

Business Services (incl. Corporate and field support)

     2,100        2,100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total associates

     13,500        13,100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segments

We provide services in three business segments: Benefits; Risk and Financial Services; and Talent and Rewards.

Benefits Segment. The Benefits segment is our largest and most established segment. This segment has grown through business combinations as well as strong organic growth. It helps clients create and manage cost-effective benefits programs that help them attract, retain and motivate a talented workforce.

The Benefits segment provides benefits consulting and administration services through four primary lines of business:

 

   

Retirement;

 

   

Health and Group Benefits;

 

   

Technology and Administration Solutions; and

 

   

International Consulting.

Retirement supports organizations worldwide in designing, managing, administering and communicating all types of retirement plans. Health and Group Benefits provides advice on the strategy, design, financing, delivery, ongoing plan management and communication of health and group benefit programs. Through our Technology and Administration Solutions line of business, we deliver cost-effective benefit outsourcing solutions. The International Consulting Group provides expertise in dealing with international human capital management and related benefits and compensation advice for corporate headquarters and their subsidiaries. A significant portion of the revenue in this segment is from recurring work, driven in large part by the heavily regulated nature of employee benefits plans and our clients’ annual needs for these services. For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the Benefits segment contributed 58% of our segment revenue. For the same period, approximately 41% of the Benefits segment’s revenue originated from outside the United States and is thus subject to translation exposure resulting from foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Risk and Financial Services Segment. Within the Risk and Financial Services segment, our second largest segment, we have three primary lines of business:

 

   

Risk Consulting and Software (“RCS”);

 

   

Investment Consulting and Solutions (“Investment”); and

 

   

Reinsurance and Insurance Brokerage (“Brokerage”).

The Risk and Financial Services segment accounted for 25% of our segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Approximately 67% of the segment’s revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011 originated from outside the United States and is thus subject to translation exposure resulting from foreign exchange rate fluctuations. The segment has a strong base of recurring revenue, driven by long-term client relationships in reinsurance brokerage services, retainer investment consulting relationships, consulting services on financial reporting, and actuarial opinions on property/casualty loss reserves. Some of these relationships have been in place for more than 20 years. A portion of the revenue is related to project work, which is more heavily dependent on the overall level of discretionary spending by clients. This work is favorably influenced by strong client relationships,

 

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particularly related to mergers and acquisitions consulting. Major revenue growth drivers include changes in regulations, the level of mergers and acquisitions activity in the insurance industry, growth in pension and other asset pools, and reinsurance retention and pricing trends.

Talent and Rewards Segment. Our third largest segment, Talent and Rewards, is focused on three primary lines of business:

 

   

Executive Compensation;

 

   

Rewards, Talent and Communication; and

 

   

Data, Surveys and Technology.

The Talent and Rewards segment accounted for approximately 18% of our segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Few of the segment’s projects have a recurring element. As a result, this segment is most sensitive to changes in discretionary spending due to cyclical economic fluctuations. Approximately 44% of the segment’s revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011 originated from outside the United States and is thus subject to translation exposure resulting from foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Revenue for Talent and Rewards consulting has minimal seasonality, with a small degree of heightened activity in the second half of the fiscal year during the annual compensation, benefits and survey cycles. Major revenue growth drivers in this group include demand for workforce productivity improvements and labor cost reductions, focus on high performance culture, globalization of the workforce, changes in regulations and benefits programs, mergers and acquisitions activity, and the demand for universal metrics related to workforce engagement.

Financial Statement Overview

Towers Watson’s fiscal year ends June 30.

The financial statements contained in this quarterly report reflect Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 (September 30, 2011) and as of the end of fiscal year 2011 (June 30, 2011), Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and a Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Shown below are Towers Watson’s top five markets based on percentage of consolidated revenue. The three months ended September 30, 2011 and the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011 include data of Towers Watson’s geographic regions.

 

     Three Months     Fiscal Year  
     2012     2011     2010  

United States

     59     49     52

United Kingdom

     24       22       22  

Canada

     6       6       6  

Germany

     4       4       4  

Netherlands

     2       3       3  

We derive the majority of our revenue from fees for consulting services, which generally are billed at standard hourly rates and expense reimbursement, which we refer to as time and expense, or on a fixed-fee basis. Management believes the approximate percentages for time and expense and fixed-fee engagements are 60% and 40%, respectively. Clients are typically invoiced on a monthly basis with revenue generally recognized as services are performed. No single client accounted for more than 1% of our consolidated revenues for any of our three most recent fiscal years.

Our most significant expense is compensation to associates, which typically comprises approximately 70% of total costs of providing services. We compensate our directors and select executives with incentive stock-based compensation plans from time to time. When granted, awards are governed by the Towers Watson & Co. 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan, which provides for the awards to be valued at their grant date fair value which is amortized over the expected term of the awards, generally three years. In connection with the issuance of Towers Watson Restricted Class A common stock to Towers Perrin RSU holders in the Merger, we expect the total non-cash compensation expense relating to Towers Watson Restricted Class A common stock for the three year period will be $158.5 million. This estimate was determined assuming a 10% annual forfeiture rate based on actual and expected attrition and the graded method of expense methodology. This expense methodology assumes that the restricted shares were issued to Towers Perrin RSU holders in equal amounts of shares that vest over one year, two years and three years giving the effect of more expense in the first year than the second and third. In the event that an associate is involuntarily terminated other than for cause, vesting is accelerated and expense is recorded immediately.

 

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Salaries and employee benefits are comprised of wages paid to associates, related taxes, severance, benefit expenses such as pension, medical and insurance costs, and fiscal year-end incentive bonuses.

Professional and subcontracted services represent fees paid to external service providers for employment, marketing and other services. For the three most recent fiscal years, approximately 40 to 60% of the professional and subcontracted services for Towers Watson were directly incurred on behalf of clients and were reimbursed by them, with such reimbursements being included in revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2011 for Towers Watson, approximately 30% of professional and subcontracted services represent these reimbursable services.

Occupancy includes expenses for rent and utilities.

General and administrative expenses include legal, marketing, human resources, finance, research, technology support, supplies, telephone and other costs to operate office locations as well as professional fees and insurance, including premiums on excess insurance and losses on professional liability claims, non-client-reimbursed travel by associates, publications and professional development. This line item also includes miscellaneous expenses, including gains and losses on foreign currency transactions.

Depreciation and amortization includes the depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets and internally-developed software.

Transaction and integration expenses include fees and charges associated with the Merger and with our other acquisitions. Transaction and integration expenses principally consist of investment banker fees, contract termination fees, regulatory filing expenses, integration consultants, as well as legal, accounting, marketing, and information technology integration expenses.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There are no material changes from the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates as previously disclosed in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on August 29, 2011.

 

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Results of Operations

The table below sets forth our condensed consolidated statements of operations, on a historical basis, and data as a percentage of revenue for the period indicated:

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2011     2010  

Revenue

   $ 810,351       100   $ 751,441       100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs of providing services:

        

Salaries and employee benefits

     497,473       61     491,657       65

Professional and subcontracted services

     64,272       8     58,068       8

Occupancy

     35,371       4     35,472       5

General and administrative expenses

     62,812       8     58,484       8

Depreciation and amortization

     34,507       4     30,880       4

Transaction and integration expenses

     20,907       3     17,690       2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     715,342       88     692,251       92
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     95,009       12     59,190       8

Income from affiliates

     292       —       164       —  

Interest income

     1,316       —       1,295       —  

Interest expense

     (2,674     —       (3,353     —  

Other non-operating income

     1,844       —       1,563       —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     95,787       12     58,859       8

Provision for income taxes

     35,501       4     25,130       3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before non-controlling interests

     60,286       7     33,729       4

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

     582       —       487       —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income attributable to controlling interests

   $ 59,704       7   $ 33,242       4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010.

Revenue

Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $810.4 million, an increase of $58.9 million, or 7.8%, compared to $751.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. Our revenue growth reflects increased revenue from both new and existing clients. Revenue from our two recent acquisitions, Aliquant and EMB also contributed to the increase in revenue. On an organic basis, which excludes the effects of acquisitions and currency, revenue increased 2% for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011.

The average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in British pounds sterling increased to 1.6078 for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 from 1.5425 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, and the average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in Euros increased to 1.4164 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 from 1.2901 for the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Constant currency is calculated by translating prior year revenue at the current year average exchange rate.

 

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A comparison of segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2010 is as follows:

 

   

Benefits revenue increased 7% and was $454.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to $424.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. On a constant currency basis, our Benefits segment revenue increased 4% due to revenue growth in all of our practices. Our Retirement practice revenue, which represents the majority of the segment’s revenue, increased 2% on a constant currency basis primarily as a result of increased activity on client engagements in North America. Our Technology and Administration Solutions practice experienced double digit constant currency growth largely due to the addition of Aliquant, a health and welfare benefits administration outsourcing firm, that we acquired in December 2010. The pipeline for Technology and Administration Solutions also continues to look strong. Revenue increased in our Health and Group Benefits practice in the U.S. driven by an increase in client demand for some of our high value solutions and health care strategy work. Revenue in our Benefits segment increased 2% on an organic basis, which excludes the effects of acquisitions and currency.

 

   

Risk and Financial Services revenue increased 17% and was $194.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to $166.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. Our Risk Consulting and Software practice revenue growth is largely due to the addition of EMB, a non-life consulting and software company that we acquired in January 2011. We also experienced revenue growth due to continued demand resulting from regulatory changes and mergers and acquisitions activity. Our Brokerage practice revenue increase was due to growth in the Americas and Europe. Revenue from our Investment practice increased slightly this quarter in the Americas and Asia Pacific while Europe continues to experience softness. Revenue in our Risk and Financial Services segment increased 3% on an organic basis, which excludes the effects of acquisitions and currency.

 

   

Talent and Rewards revenue increased 3% and was $139.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to $136.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. This growth is due to increases in Rewards, Talent and Communication practice revenue in all regions as companies prepare for the annual benefits open enrollment period and focus on helping their employees understand the value of their health and benefit packages. Our Executive Compensation practice revenue continued to experience the impact of regulatory changes as clients seek assistance in ensuring that their compensation programs are aligned with new rules and their strategic objectives. Talent and Rewards experienced 2% organic revenue growth.

Salaries and Employee Benefits

Salaries and employee benefits were $497.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to $491.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, an increase of $5.8 million, or 1%. On a constant currency basis, salaries and employee benefits decreased by 1.5% primarily from decreased pension expense, post-employment benefits and fringe benefits as well as decreases in our stock based compensation. These decreases were offset by an increase in base salaries due to a 7% increase in staffing. As a percentage of revenue, salaries and employee benefits decreased to 61% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 from 65% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.

Professional and Subcontracted Services

Professional and subcontracted services for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 were $64.3 million, compared to $58.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, an increase of $6.2 million, or 11%. The increase, inclusive of currency, was due to recruitment fees from additional staffing this quarter and also increased use of external service providers to supplement our day-to-day operations. As a percentage of revenue, professional and subcontracted services remained constant at 8% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.

Occupancy

Occupancy expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 was consistent and was $35.4 million compared to $35.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. On a constant currency basis, occupancy decreased 4% due to rent reductions from amortization of the fair value of acquired lease intangibles and tenant improvement allowances offset by the end of a co-location agreement with Pay Governance. As a percentage of revenue, occupancy expense decreased to 4% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 from 5% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 were $62.8 million, compared to $58.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, an increase of $4.3 million, or 7%. The increase, inclusive of currency, was principally due to increased non-billable travel costs and office expenses to support an expanded employee base, offset by reductions relative to our professional liability claims during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses were consistent at 8% for both periods.

 

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Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 was $34.5 million, compared to $30.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, an increase of $3.6 million, or 12%. The increase, inclusive of currency, was principally due to purchases of technology assets as well as increased amortization of intangibles offset by a reduction in leasehold amortization. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization expenses were consistent at 4% for both periods.

Transaction and Integration Expenses

Transaction and integration expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 was $20.9 million, compared to $17.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011, an increase of $3.2 million, or 18%. The increase was principally due to ERP implementation costs and IT infrastructure transformation costs. As a percentage of revenue, transaction and integration expenses were 3% and 2%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Income from Affiliates

Income from affiliates for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 was $0.3 million compared $0.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, these amounts reflect our additional 20% ownership in Fifth Quadrant and as a result, 40% of Fifth Quadrant’s operating results are included in our income from affiliates as compared to 20% in the prior reporting period.

Interest Income

Interest income was $1.3 million for both the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and fiscal year 2011.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $2.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, compared to $3.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.

Other Non-Operating Income

Other non-operating income for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 was $1.8 million, compared to $1.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes for three months ended September 30, 2011 was $35.5 million, compared to $25.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The effective tax rate was 37.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 42.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The prior year effective tax rate was higher primarily due to the impact of tax restructuring in Canada for 2.9% and the impact of tax return true-ups for our legacy Towers Perrin subsidiaries for 2.0%. Beginning in fiscal year 2012, the Company no longer provides deferred taxes on current or future earnings with respect to the acquired Towers Perrin Canadian Subsidiary. If future events, including material changes in estimates of cash, working capital and long-term investments requirements, necessitate that foreign earnings be distributed, an additional provision for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes, net of foreign tax credits, may be necessary. Towers Watson records a tax benefit on net operating loss carryovers and net deferred tax assets only if it is more likely than not that a benefit will be realized.

Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests

Net income attributable to controlling interests for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $59.7 million, an increase of $26.5 million, or 79.6%, compared to $33.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010.

Earnings Per Share

Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2011 was $0.82, compared to $0.45 for the three months ended September 30, 2010.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our most significant sources of liquidity are funds generated by operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents, and our credit facility. Consistent with our liquidity position, management considers various alternative strategic uses of cash reserves including acquisitions, dividends and stock buybacks, or any combination of these options.

We believe that we have sufficient resources to fund operations beyond the next 12 months, including a $99.8 million payable in March 2012 in principal and interest on the notes issued in connection with the tender offer we completed in June 2010. The key variables that we manage in response to current and projected capital resource needs include credit facilities and short-term borrowing arrangements, working capital and our stock repurchase program.

Our cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2011 totaled $364.1 million, compared to $528.9 million at June 30, 2011. The decrease in cash from June 30, 2011 to September 30, 2011 was due to the payment of our annual bonus accrual.

Our cash and cash equivalents balance includes $79.7 million from the consolidated balance sheets of PCIC and SMIC, which is available for payment of professional liability claims reserves. As a result, we have a net $284.4 million of cash that is available for our general use.

As we discussed in Note 1, we have changed the presentation of our cash received from our clients and reinsurers in connection with our reinsurance brokerage business to restricted cash from cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2010. As a result of the balance sheet change, we decreased total ending cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2010 by $169.6 million related to the amount of reinsurance cash received from Towers Perrin in the Merger. In addition, the change in restricted cash from the June 30, 2010 to September 30, 2010 is included as an increase in restricted cash in the cash flows from operating activities of $2.5 million, which is offset by an increase in reinsurance payables.

Our restricted cash at September 30, 2011 totaled $167.5 million, compared to $153.2 million at June 30, 2011, of which $164.4 million is available for payment of reinsurance premiums on behalf of reinsurance clients and an additional $3.1 million is held for payment of health and welfare premiums on behalf of our clients.

Our non-U.S. operations are substantially self-sufficient for their working capital needs. As of September 30, 2011, $272.3 million of Towers Watson’s total cash balance of $364.1 million was held outside of the United States. While we currently do not foresee a need to repatriate funds, should we require more capital in the U.S. than is generated by our operations locally, we could elect to repatriate funds held in foreign jurisdictions or raise capital in the U.S. through debt or equity issuances. These alternatives could result in higher effective tax rates or increased interest expense. We do not expect restrictions or taxes on repatriation of cash held outside of the United States to have a material effect on the Company’s overall liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

Assets and liabilities associated with non-U.S. entities have been translated into U.S. dollars as of September 30, 2011, at U.S. dollar rates that fluctuate compared to historical periods. As a result, cash flows derived from changes in the consolidated balance sheets include the impact of the change in foreign exchange translation rates.

Events that could temporarily change the historical cash flow dynamics discussed above include significant changes in operating results, material changes in geographic sources of cash, unexpected adverse impacts from litigation or future pension funding during periods of severe downturn in the capital markets.

Cash Flows From/(Used in) Operating Activities.

Cash flows used in operating activities was $146.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 compared to cash flows used in operating activities of $34.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. This decrease is primarily attributable to a larger bonus payment this year compared to the prior year.

The allowance for doubtful accounts increased $0.5 million from June 30, 2011 to September 30, 2011. The number of days of accounts receivable decreased to 79 at September 30, 2011 compared to 80 at June 30, 2011.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities.

Cash flows used in investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 were $10.3 million, compared to $30.9 million of cash flows used in investing activities for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. The increase reflects larger redemptions of available for sale securities offset by greater purchases of fixed assets.

 

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Cash Flows From/(Used in) Financing Activities.

Cash flows from financing activities for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 were $10.1 million, compared to cash flows used in financing activities of $3.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011. This change was primarily attributable to the $75 million borrowing under the credit facility during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, which was offset by a $55 million increase in repurchases of common stock.

Capital Commitments

Expenditures of capital funds were $38.6 million for the first three months of fiscal year 2012. Anticipated commitments of capital funds for Towers Watson are estimated at $62.7 million for the remainder of fiscal year 2012. We expect cash from operations to adequately provide for these cash needs.

Dividends

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, our board of directors approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.10 per share. Total dividends paid in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were $5.4 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

 

     Remaining payments by fiscal year due as of September 30, 2011  
Contractual Cash Obligations (in thousands)    Total      Less than
1 Year
     1-3 Years      3-5 Years      More Than
5 Years
 

Notes Payable and accrued interest due March 2012

   $ 99,760      $ 99,760      $ —         $ —         $ —     

Lease Commitments (as of June 30, 2011)

     601,225        105,107        180,236        132,370        183,512  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 700,985      $ 204,867      $ 180,236      $ 132,370      $ 183,512  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Leases. We lease office space, furniture, cars and selected computer equipment under operating lease agreements with terms typically ranging from one to ten years. We have determined that there is not a large concentration of leases that will expire in any one fiscal year. Consequently, management anticipates that any increase in future rent expense on leases will be mainly market driven. An intangible asset and liability was recognized for the difference between the contractual cash obligations shown above and the estimated market rates at the time of the acquisition. The resulting intangibles will amortize to rent expense but do not impact the amounts shown above since there is no change to our contractual cash obligations.

Pension Contributions. Remaining contributions to our various pension plans for fiscal year 2012 are projected to be approximately $18.6 million.

Uncertain Tax Positions. The table above does not include liabilities for uncertain tax positions under ASC 740, Income Taxes. The settlement period for the $40.4 million noncurrent portion of the liability cannot be reasonably estimated since it depends on the timing and possible outcomes of tax examinations with various tax authorities.

Subordinated Notes due March 2012

On June 15, 2010, in connection with an offer to exchange shares of Class B-1 Common Stock for unsecured subordinated notes, Towers Watson entered into an indenture with the trustee for the issuance of Towers Watson Notes due March 2012 in the aggregate principal amount of $99.8 million. The Towers Watson Notes due March 2012 were issued on June 29, 2010, bearing interest from June 15, 2010 at a fixed per annum rate, compounded quarterly on the “interest reset dates,” equal to the greater of (i) 2.0%, or (ii) 120.0% of the short-term applicable federal rate listed under the quarterly column, in effect at the applicable “interest reset date.” The Towers Watson Notes due March 2012 will mature on March 15, 2012 and are included in the notes payable balance on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011. Obligations under the Towers Watson Notes due March 2012 are subordinated to and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt (as defined in the indenture).

Towers Watson Senior Credit Facility

On January 1, 2010, in connection with the Merger, Towers Watson and certain subsidiaries entered into a three-year, $500 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks (the “Senior Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a spread to either LIBOR or the Prime Rate. We are charged a quarterly commitment fee, currently 0.5% of the Senior Credit Facility, which varies with our financial leverage and is paid on the unused portion of the Senior Credit Facility. Obligations

 

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under the Senior Credit Facility are guaranteed by Towers Watson and all of its domestic subsidiaries (other than PCIC and SMIC) and are secured by a pledge of 65% of the voting stock and 100% of the non-voting stock of Towers Perrin Luxembourg Holdings S.A.R.L.

The Senior Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. The Senior Credit Facility requires Towers Watson to maintain certain financial covenants that include a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio and a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (which terms in each case are defined in the Senior Credit Facility). In addition, the Senior Credit Facility contains restrictions on the ability of Towers Watson to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends; make distributions; create liens on assets; make investments, loans or advances; make acquisitions; dispose of property; engage in sale-leaseback transactions; engage in mergers or consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and make changes in lines of businesses. As of September 30, 2011, we were in compliance with our covenants.

As of September 30, 2011, Towers Watson had borrowings and interest of $75.1 million outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility.

Letters of Credit under the Senior Credit Facility

As of September 30, 2011, Towers Watson had standby letters of credit totaling $24.9 million associated with our captive insurance companies in the event that we fail to meet our financial obligations. Additionally, Towers Watson had $2.4 million of standby letters of credit covering various other existing or potential business obligations. The aforementioned letters of credit are issued under the Senior Credit Facility, and therefore reduce the amount that can be borrowed under the Senior Credit Facility by the outstanding amount of these standby letters of credit.

Towers Watson New Senior Credit Facility maturing November 2016

On November 7, 2011, Towers Watson and certain subsidiaries entered into a new five-year, $500 million revolving credit facility, which amount may be increased by an aggregate amount of $250 million, subject to the satisfaction of customary terms and conditions, with a syndicate of banks (the “New Senior Credit Facility”), replacing the existing facility due to expire in December 2012. Borrowings under the new Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a spread to either LIBOR or the Prime Rate. We are charged a quarterly commitment fee, currently 0.175% of the New Senior Credit Facility, which varies with our financial leverage and is paid on the unused portion of the New Senior Credit Facility. Obligations under the New Senior Credit Facility are guaranteed by Towers Watson and all of its domestic subsidiaries (other than PCIC and SMIC).

The New Senior Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. The New Senior Credit Facility requires Towers Watson to maintain certain financial covenants that include a minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio and a maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (which terms in each case are defined in the New Senior Credit Facility). In addition, the New Senior Credit Facility contains restrictions on the ability of Towers Watson to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends; make distributions; create liens on assets; make acquisitions; dispose of property; engage in sale-leaseback transactions; engage in mergers or consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and make changes in lines of businesses.

Non-U.S. GAAP Measures

Diluted earnings per share exclusive of the certain Merger-related items: amortization of intangible assets, transaction and integration expenses (deductible and non-deductible for taxes), stock-based compensation related to Restricted Class A shares (recorded in salaries and employee benefits) and a deferred payment from divestiture, resulted in adjusted diluted earnings per share, a non-generally accepted accounting principle in the U.S. (“non-U.S. GAAP measure”), for the three months ended September 30, 2011 of $1.19.

We use EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share, non-U.S. GAAP measures, to evaluate our financial performance and separately evaluate our performance of the transaction and integration activities as well as changes in tax law. We believe these measures are useful in evaluating our results of operations and in providing a baseline for the evaluation of future operating results. We define EBITDA as net income before non-controlling interests adjusted for provision for income taxes, interest, net and depreciation and amortization. Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income before non-controlling interests, Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Controlling Interests to net income attributable to controlling interests and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share to diluted earnings per share are included in the tables below. These non-U.S. GAAP measures are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

Non-U.S. GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the information contained within our financial statements.

 

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     Three Months  Ended
September 30,
 
     2011     2010  
     (in thousands)  

Reconciliation of net income before non-controlling interests to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:

    

Net income before non-controlling interests

   $ 60,286     $ 33,729  

Provision for income taxes

     35,501       25,130  

Interest, net

     1,358       2,058  

Depreciation and amortization

     34,507       30,880  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

     131,652       91,797  

Transaction and integration expenses

     20,907       17,690  

Stock-based compensation (a)

     11,134       23,725  

Other non-operating income (b)

     (2,136     (1,727
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 161,557     $ 131,485  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Stock-based compensation is included in salary and employee benefits expense and relates to Towers Watson Restricted Class A shares held by our current associates which were awarded to them in connection with the Merger.
(b) Other non-operating income includes income from affiliates and other non-operating income.

A reconciliation of net income attributable to controlling interests, as reported under generally accepted accounting principles, to adjusted net income attributable to controlling interests, and of diluted earnings per share as reported under generally accepted accounting principles to adjusted diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

     Three Months  Ended
September 30, 2011
 
    

(In thousands, except share and

per share amounts)

 

Net income attributable to controlling interests

   $ 59,704  

Adjusted for certain Merger-related items (c):

  

Amortization of intangible assets

     8,854  

Transaction and integration expenses including severance

     12,691  

Stock-based compensation (d)

     7,283  

Release of acquisition-related liability

     (601

Other Merger-related tax item

     (698
  

 

 

 

Adjusted net income attributable to controlling interests

   $ 87,233  
  

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock — diluted (000)

     73,253  
  

 

 

 

Earnings per share — diluted, as reported

   $ 0.82  

Adjusted for certain Merger-related items:

  

Amortization of intangible assets

     0.12  

Transaction and integration expenses including severance

     0.17  

Stock-based compensation

     0.10  

Release of acquisition-related liability

     (0.01

Other Merger-related tax item

     (0.01
  

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings per share — diluted

   $ 1.19  
  

 

 

 

 

(c) The adjustments to net income attributable to controlling interests and diluted earnings per share of certain Merger-related items are net of tax. In calculating the net of tax amounts, the effective tax rate for amortization of intangible assets was 33.5%, transaction and integration expenses including severance was 39.3% and stock-based compensation was 34.6%. The effective tax rate for release of other acquisition related liability included in other non-operating income was 39.9%
(d) Stock-based compensation relates to Towers Watson Restricted Class A shares held by our current associates which were awarded to them in connection with the Merger.

 

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Risk Management

As a part of our risk management program, we purchase customary commercial insurance policies, including commercial general liability and claims-made professional liability insurance. Our professional liability insurance currently includes a self-insured retention of $1 million per claim, and covers professional liability claims against us, including the cost of defending such claims.

Effective July 1, 2010 through July 1, 2011, Stone Mountain Insurance Company (“SMIC”), a wholly-owned captive insurance company, provided us with $50 million of professional liability insurance coverage per claim and in the aggregate, including the cost of defending such claims, above the $1 million self-insured retention. SMIC secured $25 million of reinsurance coverage from unaffiliated reinsurance companies in excess of the $25 million SMIC retained layer. Excess insurance attaching above the SMIC coverage is provided by various unaffiliated commercial insurance companies. Because we have a self-insured retention for each claim and because Stone Mountain is wholly-owned by us, our primary errors and omissions risk is self-insured. As stated above, commencing July 1, 2010, Towers Watson obtained primary insurance for errors and omissions professional liability risks from SMIC on a claims-made basis. SMIC has issued a policy of insurance substantially similar to the policies historically issued by PCIC.

For the policy period beginning July 1, 2011 and ending July 1, 2012, our professional liability insurance includes a self-insured retention of $1 million per claim. For this policy period, Towers Watson also retains $10 million in the aggregate above the $1 million self-insured retention per claim. SMIC provides us with $40 million of coverage per claim and in the aggregate, above these retentions. SMIC secured $25 million of reinsurance from unaffiliated reinsurance companies in excess of the $15 million SMIC retained layer. Excess insurance attaching above the SMIC coverage is provided by various unaffiliated commercial insurance companies. Because of the $1 million self-insured retention per claim and the additional $10 million aggregate retention above, and because Stone Mountain is wholly-owned by us, our primary errors and omissions risk is self-insured. We reserve for contingent liabilities based on ASC 450, Contingencies, when it is determined that a liability, inclusive of defense costs, is probable and reasonably estimable. The contingent liabilities recorded are primarily developed actuarially.

Before the Merger, Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin each obtained substantial professional liability insurance from an affiliated captive insurance company, Professional Consultants Insurance Company (“PCIC”). A limit of $50 million per claim and in the aggregate was provided by PCIC subject to a $1 million per claim self-insured retention. PCIC secured reinsurance of $25 million attaching above the $25 million PCIC retained layer. In addition, both legacy companies carried excess insurance from unaffiliated commercial insurance companies above the self-insured retention and the coverage provided by PCIC.

Before the Merger, Watson Wyatt accounted for its share of PCIC’s earnings using the equity method. Our ownership interest in PCIC is 72.86% post-Merger. As a consequence, PCIC’s results of operations are consolidated into our results of operations. Although the PCIC insurance policies for Towers Watson’s fiscal year 2010 continue to cover professional liability claims above a $1 million per claim self-insured retention, the consolidation of PCIC will effectively net PCIC’s premium income against our premium expense for the first $25 million of loss above the self-insured retention for each legacy company. Accordingly, the impact of PCIC’s reserve development may result in fluctuations in our earnings. PCIC ceased issuing insurance policies effective July 1, 2010 and at that time entered into a run-off mode of operation. Our shareholder agreements with PCIC could require additional payments to PCIC if development of claims significantly exceeds prior expectations.

We provide for the self-insured retention where specific estimated losses and loss expenses for known claims are considered probable and reasonably estimable. Although we maintain professional liability insurance coverage, this insurance does not cover claims made after expiration of our current policies of insurance. Generally accepted accounting principles require that we record a liability for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) professional liability claims if they are probable and reasonably estimable, and for which we have not yet contracted for insurance coverage. We use actuarial assumptions to estimate and record our IBNR liability. As of September 30, 2011, we had a $269.0 million IBNR liability balance. To the extent our captive insurance companies, PCIC and SMIC, expect losses to be covered by a third party, they record a receivable for the amount expected to be recovered. This receivable is classified in other current or other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheet.

Insurance market conditions for us and our industry have varied in recent years, but the long-term trend has been increasing premium cost. Although the market for professional liability insurance is presently reasonably accessible, trends toward higher self-insured retentions, constraints on aggregate excess coverage for this class of professional liability risk and financial difficulties which have, over the past few years, been faced by several longstanding E&O carriers, are anticipated to recur periodically, and to be reflected in our future annual insurance renewals. As a result, we will continue to assess our ability to secure future insurance coverage, and we cannot assure that such coverage will continue to be available in the event of adverse claims experience, adverse loss trends, market capacity constraints or other factors.

In light of increasing litigation worldwide, including litigation against professionals, we have a policy that all client relationships be documented by engagement letters containing specific risk mitigation clauses that were not included in all historical client agreements. Certain contractual provisions designed to mitigate risk may not be legally enforceable in litigation involving breaches of fiduciary duty or certain other alleged errors or omissions, or in certain jurisdictions. We may incur significant legal expenses in defending against litigation. With the exception of our brokerage business, nearly 100% of our U.S. and U.K. corporate clients have signed engagement letters including some if not all of our preferred risk mitigation clauses, and processes to maintain that protocol in the United States and the United Kingdom, and to complete it elsewhere, are underway.

 

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Disclaimer Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This filing contains a number of “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to the following: following: Note 7 — Retirement Benefits; Note 4 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets; Note 8 — Debt, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities; Note 10 — Restricted Stock; Note 12 — Income Taxes; Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Executive Overview; — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates; the discussion of our capital expenditures; — Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations; — Liquidity and Capital Resources; — Risk Management; and Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings”. You can identify these statements and other forward-looking statements in this filing by words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “plan”, “intend”, “continue”, or similar words, expressions or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. You should read these statements carefully because they contain projections of our future results of operations or financial condition, or state other “forward-looking” information. A number of risks and uncertainties exist which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results reflected in these forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to:

 

   

the Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt businesses will not be integrated successfully;

 

   

anticipated cost savings and any other synergies from the merger of Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected;

 

   

our ability to reduce our effective tax rate through the restructuring of certain foreign operations of Towers Perrin;

 

   

our ability to make profitable acquisitions, on which our growth depends;

 

   

our ability to integrate acquired businesses into our own business, processes and systems, and achieve the anticipated results;

 

   

the acquisitions of EMB or Aliquant Corporation are not profitable or are not otherwise successfully integrated;

 

   

foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations;

 

   

general economic and business conditions, including a significant or prolonged economic downturn, that adversely affect us or our clients;

 

   

our continued ability to recruit and retain qualified associates, particularly given recent changes in our associate compensation programs;

 

   

the success of our marketing, client development and sales programs after our acquisitions;

 

   

our ability to maintain client relationships and to attract new clients after our acquisitions;

 

   

declines in demand for our services;

 

   

recently implemented SEC rules, and newly proposed SEC rules (if implemented), concerning compensation consultant independence and disclosure of compensation consultant fees, and the potential impact of losses of clients and associates;

 

   

outcomes of pending or future litigation and the availability and capacity of professional liability insurance to fund the outcome of pending cases or future judgments or settlements;

 

   

our ability to obtain professional liability insurance;

 

   

a significant decrease in the demand for the consulting, actuarial and other services we offer as a result of changing economic conditions or other factors;

 

   

actions by competitors, including public accounting and consulting firms, technology consulting firms, insurance consulting firms and Internet/intranet development firms;

 

   

our ability to achieve cost reductions after acquisitions;

 

   

exposure to liabilities that have not been expressly assumed in our acquisition transactions;

 

   

the ability to successfully address issues surrounding the number of company shares that will become freely tradable on January 1, 2012;

 

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our ability to respond to rapid technological changes;

 

   

the level of capital resources required for future acquisitions and business opportunities;

 

   

regulatory developments abroad and domestically that impact our business practice;

 

   

legislative and technological developments that may affect the demand for or costs of our services;

and other factors as discussed under “Risk Factors” in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 29, 2011. These statements are based on assumptions that may not come true. All forward-looking disclosure is speculative by its nature. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information included in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed expectations or otherwise.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Towers Watson is exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of business. These risks include interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange and translation risk.

Interest Rate Risk

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, we maintain our portfolio in mainly short term securities that are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.

Towers Watson’s pension and postretirement plan liabilities and expenses are affected by discount rates that are market-driven. The Company is sensitive to movements in the discount rates, the impact of which are shown in the critical accounting policies and estimates section.

Foreign Currency Risk

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, 52% of our revenue was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, typically in the local currency of our foreign operations. These operations also incur most of their expenses in the local currency. Accordingly, our foreign operations use the local currency as their functional currency and our primary international operations use the British pound sterling, Canadian dollar and the Euro. Our international operations are subject to risks typical of international operations, including, but not limited to, differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions, and foreign exchange rate volatility. Accordingly, our future results could be adversely impacted by changes in these or other factors. As of September 30, 2011, a uniform 10% strengthening in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the currencies in which our transactions are denominated would result in a decrease in net income attributable to controlling interests of $0.4 million, or 1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2011. This theoretical calculation assumes that each exchange rate would change in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar. This calculation is not indicative of our actual experience in foreign currency transactions.

Translation Exposure

Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may adversely impact our consolidated financial position as well as our consolidated results of operations and may adversely impact our financial position as the assets and liabilities of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars in preparing our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may adversely impact our condensed consolidated results of operations as exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than our functional currencies result in gains and losses that are reflected in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. Certain of Towers Watson’s foreign brokerage subsidiaries, primarily in the United Kingdom, receive revenue in currencies (primarily in U.S. dollars) that differ from their functional currencies. To reduce this variability, Towers Watson uses foreign exchange forward contracts and over-the-counter options to hedge the foreign exchange risk of the forecasted collections for up to a maximum of two years in the future.

We consolidate our international subsidiaries by converting them into U.S. dollars in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of foreign currency translation. The results of operations and our financial position will fluctuate when there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the chief executive officer, or CEO, and chief financial officer, or CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2011.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we began a phased implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system to be used as our accounting system. The implementation is expected to be completed in multiple phases through our fiscal year 2013. The transition to the new information system includes a significant effort in the testing of the system prior to implementation, training of associates who will be using the system and updating of our internal control process and procedures that will be impacted by the implementation. During each phase of the implementation, we will test the results from the system and perform an appropriate level of monitoring of the system’s results. As a result of the implementation of the system, our management will update the system of internal control over the impacted areas. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, our Canadian associates were migrated to the new system.

In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the company began moving towards a finance shared service center model, pursuant to which accounts payable, project set-up and billing-related activities will be centralized in three centers, rather than in individual offices or countries, as was the case previously. Our Canadian associates began to operate under the new shared service center model during the first quarter of fiscal 2012. This migration and shared service center model did not materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. With respect to the migration, this was the case in part because of the relatively low level of activity being performed in the new system.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will necessarily prevent all error and all fraud. However, management does expect that the control system provides reasonable assurance that its objectives will be met. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. In addition, the design of such internal controls must take into account the costs of designing and maintaining such a control system. Certain inherent limitations exist in control systems to make absolute assurances difficult, including the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake, and that individuals can circumvent controls. The design of any control system is based in part upon existing business conditions and risk assessments. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in business conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. As a result, they may require change or revision. Because of the inherent limitations in a control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected. Nevertheless, the disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their stated objectives, and the CEO and CFO have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

From time to time, we are a party to various lawsuits, arbitrations or mediations that arise in the ordinary course of business. The disclosure called for by Part II, Item 1, regarding our legal proceedings is incorporated by reference herein from Note 8 “Debt, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities,” of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

There are no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on August 29, 2011. We urge you to read the risk factors contained in such Reports.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Towers Watson will periodically repurchase shares of common stock, one purpose of which is to offset potential dilution from shares issued in connection with its benefit plans. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, our Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 750,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $100 million of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an additional 1,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. This repurchase is also part of the ongoing stock repurchase program initiated by the Company to offset dilution from employee benefit plans. There are no expiration dates for either of these repurchase plans or programs. The table below presents specified information about the Company’s Class A Common Stock repurchases in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and the Company’s repurchase plans:

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (a)
     Average
Price Paid
per Share
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
     Maximum Number of
Shares that  May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (b)
 

July 1, 2011 through July 31, 2011

     251,159      $ 62.90         251,159        2,649,500  

August 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011

     338,351        57.73        338,351        2,311,149  

September 1, 2011 through September 30, 2011

     331,514        58.54        331,514        1,979,635  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    
     921,024           921,024     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

(a) Of the 921,024 shares of Class A Common Stock repurchased in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, 142,831 shares were repurchased under the plan approved by our Board of Directors during the third quarter of fiscal year 2010. The remaining 778,193 shares were repurchased under the plan approved by our Board of Directors during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011.
(b) The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under our plans includes the remaining shares under our two stock repurchase plans. An estimate of the maximum number of shares under the repurchase of up to $100 million of 1,979,635 shares was determined using the closing price of our stock on September 30, 2011 of $59.78.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4. REMOVED AND RESERVED.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

    3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Towers Watson & Co. (1)
  10.15    Amended Towers Watson & Co. Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors*
  10.20    Towers Watson & Co. Incentive Compensation Plan*
  31.1    Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer, John J. Haley, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.*
  31.2    Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer, Roger F. Millay, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.*
  32.1    Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer, John J. Haley, and Chief Financial Officer, Roger F. Millay, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101    The following materials from Towers Watson & Co.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended September 30, 2011, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements**.

 

* Filed herewith.
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the Company on September 28, 2011.

 

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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.

 

Towers Watson & Co.    
(Registrant)    

/s/ John J. Haley

    November 9, 2011
Name: John J. Haley     Date
Title: Chief Executive Officer    

/s/ Roger F. Millay

    November 9, 2011
Name: Roger F. Millay     Date
Title: Chief Financial Officer    

/s/ Peter L. Childs

    November 9, 2011
Name: Peter L. Childs     Date
Title: Principal Accounting Officer    

 

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