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, 2013

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, 2013, there were 65,562,296 outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock at a par value of $0.01 per share, and 5,374,070 outstanding shares of Class B-4 Common Stock at a par value of $0.01 per share.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

     Page  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

     1   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Three Months Ended September  30, 2013 and 2012

     2   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013

     3   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

     4   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity — Three Months Ended September  30, 2013

     5   

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     6   

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

     24   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     37   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     38   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     39   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     39   

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

     39   

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     39   

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

     39   

Item 5. Other Information

     39   

Item 6. Exhibits

     40   

Signatures

     41   

Certifications

     55   


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,
 
     2013     2012  

Revenue

   $ 809,939      $ 793,235   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs of providing services:

    

Salaries and employee benefits

     500,419        492,080   

Professional and subcontracted services

     61,400        55,675   

Occupancy

     33,545        37,781   

General and administrative expenses

     68,769        76,278   

Depreciation and amortization

     43,385        42,874   

Transaction and integration expenses

     —          9,273   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     707,518        713,961   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     102,421        79,274   

Loss from affiliates

     —          (56

Interest income

     529        694   

Interest expense

     (2,436     (2,955

Other non-operating income

     38        2,352   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     100,552        79,309   

Provision for income taxes

     14,808        28,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     85,744        51,040   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $2,551 and $3,807, respectively

     2,444        6,746   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME BEFORE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

     88,188        57,786   

Less: Loss attributable to non-controlling interests

     (26     (941
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 88,214      $ 58,727   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share (attributable to common stockholders):

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 1.21      $ 0.73   

Income from discontinued operations

     0.04        0.09   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1.25      $ 0.82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share (attributable to common stockholders):

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 1.21      $ 0.72   

Income from discontinued operations

     0.03        0.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1.24      $ 0.82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, basic (000)

     70,801        71,494   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, diluted (000)

     71,046        71,993   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

Net income before non-controlling interests

   $ 88,188      $ 57,786   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

    

Foreign currency translation

     70,910        46,859   

Defined pension and post-retirement benefit costs

     3,112        (7,740

Hedge effectiveness

     (1,018     (550

Available-for-sale securities

     186        164   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income before non-controlling interests

     73,190        38,733   

Comprehensive income before non-controlling interests

     161,378        96,519   

Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest

     (224     (144
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (attributable to common stockholders)

     161,602        96,663   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

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

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,     June 30,  
     2013     2013  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 424,822      $ 532,805   

Fiduciary assets

     113,378        148,414   

Short-term investments

     2,244        56,645   

Receivables from clients:

    

Billed, net of allowances of $13,033 and $12,768

     475,024        519,580   

Unbilled, at estimated net realizable value

     313,856        306,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     788,880        825,838   

Other current assets

     150,360        148,519   

Current assets held for sale

     56,434        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,536,118        1,712,221   

Fixed assets, net

     359,681        346,915   

Deferred income taxes

     80,192        86,313   

Goodwill

     2,109,848        2,218,935   

Intangible assets, net

     671,091        687,758   

Other assets

     289,490        279,935   

Noncurrent assets held for sale

     181,784        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 5,228,204      $ 5,332,077   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income

   $ 321,967      $ 351,648   

Employee-related liabilities

     336,417        560,831   

Fiduciary liabilities

     113,378        148,414   

Term loan—current

     25,000        25,000   

Other current liabilities

     18,371        26,980   

Current liabilities held for sale

     63,071        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     878,204        1,112,873   

Revolving credit facility

     30,000        —     

Term loan

     218,750        225,000   

Accrued retirement benefits and other employee-related liabilities

     706,982        771,429   

Professional liability claims reserve

     249,125        251,191   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     234,207        226,750   

Noncurrent liabilities held for sale

     2,195        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     2,319,463        2,587,243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ Equity

    

Class A Common Stock — $0.01 par value: 300,000,000 shares authorized; 69,178,097 and 69,178,097 issued and 65,555,805 and 65,341,759 outstanding

     692        692   

Class B Common Stock — $0.01 par value: 93,500,000 shares authorized; 5,374,070 and 5,374,070 issued and 5,374,070 and 5,374,070 outstanding

     54        54   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,842,387        1,850,448   

Treasury stock, at cost — 3,622,292 and 3,836,338 shares

     (210,440     (221,643

Retained earnings

     1,482,008        1,394,407   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (226,076     (299,464
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     2,888,625        2,724,494   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

     20,116        20,340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

     2,908,741        2,744,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Total Equity

   $ 5,228,204      $ 5,332,077   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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,
 
     2013     2012  

Cash flows used in operating activities:

    

Net income before non-controlling interests

   $ 88,188      $ 57,786   

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

    

Provision for doubtful receivables from clients

     1,469        10,605   

Depreciation

     24,492        23,986   

Amortization of intangible assets

     19,330        19,622   

Provision for deferred income taxes

     48,796        45,899   

Stock-based compensation

     6,641        10,340   

Other, net

     797        (1,036

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    

Receivables from clients

     40,636        (11,040

Fiduciary assets

     (1,913     16,146   

Other current assets

     (4,264     (23,145

Other noncurrent assets

     (567     (2,483

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income

     (17,790     (16,214

Employee-related liabilities

     (233,084     (200,398

Fiduciary liabilities

     1,913        (16,146

Accrued retirement benefits and other employee-related liabilities

     (75,548     (79,016

Professional liability claims reserves

     (4,681     3,015   

Other current liabilities

     1,787        19   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     (638     8,266   

Income tax related accounts

     (47,428     (17,889
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used in operating activities

   $ (151,864   $ (171,683
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from/(used in) investing activities:

    

Fixed assets and software for internal use

     (25,760     (30,662

Capitalized software costs

     (10,408     (14,157

Purchases of investments

     (326     (17,129

Sales and redemptions of investments

     54,580        10,545   

Proceeds from divestitures

     —          1,927   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from/(used in) investing activities

   $ 18,086      $ (49,476
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Borrowings under credit facility

     30,000        309,200   

Repayments under credit facility

     —          (177,800

Repayments of notes payable

     (6,250     —     

Dividends paid

     (613     (7,056

Repurchases of common stock

     (80     (16,875

Payroll tax payments on vested shares

     (6,965     —     

Excess tax benefits

     9,065        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

   $ 25,157      $ 107,469   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

   $ 638      $ 13,338   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (107,983     (100,352

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     532,805        478,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 424,822      $ 377,827   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 955      $ 1,999   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 12,172      $ 3,656   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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, 2013

    69,178      $ 692        5,374      $ 54      $ 1,850,448      $ (221,643   $ 1,394,407      $ (299,464   $ 20,340      $ 2,744,834   

Net income/(loss)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          88,214        —          (26     88,188   

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          73,388        (198     73,190   

Repurchases of common stock

    —          —          —          —          —          (80     —            —          (80

Shares received for employee taxes upon vesting of restricted shares

    —          —          —          —          —          (6,965     —          —          —          (6,965

Exercises of stock options

    —          —          —          —          (2,553     2,913        —          —          —          360   

Vesting of restricted stock units

    —          —          —          —          (21,214     15,335        —          —          —          (5,879

Class A Common Stock:

                   

Cash dividends declared

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (613     —          —          (613

Excess tax benefits

    —          —          —          —          9,065        —          —          —          —          9,065   

Stock-based compensation

    —          —          —          —          6,641        —          —          —          —          6,641   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2013

    69,178      $ 692        5,374      $ 54      $ 1,842,387      $ (210,440   $ 1,482,008      $ (226,076   $ 20,116      $ 2,908,741   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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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 condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on August 15, 2013, and may be accessed via EDGAR on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Balance sheet data as of June 30, 2013 was derived from Towers Watson’s audited financial statements.

Towers Watson was formed on January 1, 2010, upon the merger (the “Merger”) of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (“Watson Wyatt”) and Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc. (“Towers Perrin”).

Our fiscal year 2014 began July 1, 2013 and ends June 30, 2014.

The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for the entire fiscal year ending June 30, 2014. The results reflect certain estimates and assumptions made by management including those estimates used in calculating acquisition consideration and fair value of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, professional liability claims, estimated bonuses, valuation of billed and unbilled receivables, and anticipated tax liabilities that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes.

As discussed further in Note 2 – Discontinued Operations, we have classified the operating results of our insurance and reinsurance brokerage business as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. We have also included the current and long-term assets and current liabilities of this business as held for sale in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013.

Note 2 —Discontinued Operations.

Sale of our Brokerage business.

On September 19, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Reinsurance and Property and Casualty Insurance Brokerage business (“Brokerage”) to Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc (“JLT”) for cash consideration of $250 million. The Brokerage business was a component of our Risk and Financial Services segment. We divested this business as part of our strategy to focus on the businesses where we are market leaders. We continue to focus on risk consulting, software and other services for the insurance industry. The business will be branded for a transitional period of 15 months as JLT Towers Re.

As part of the transaction, we entered into an Alliance Agreement with JLT that will ensure clients have continued access to our risk consulting and software services. This agreement will also provide JLT Towers Re with continued use of Towers Watson’s proprietary actuarial models and software. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in our second quarter of fiscal year 2014.

The Company assessed the guidance under Accounting Standards Codification 205 to determine if the Alliance Agreement or any other terms of the sale agreement constituted significant continuing direct cash flows or significant continuing involvement with the Brokerage business after the sale. The Company compared the cash flows expected to be recognized from the Brokerage business as a result of the continuation or migration of activities after the disposal transaction to the projected generation of cash flows by the Brokerage business that we could have expected absent the disposal transaction. Based on this analysis, the expected annual cash inflows or outflows related to the portion of revenues shared or commissions received or paid and software sales under the Alliance Agreement are each expected to represent approximately 1% or less of the annual revenues generated by our Brokerage business operations prior to the disposal. This was deemed not significant.

The Company also calculated the expected cash flows associated with the placement of its insurance and reinsurance arrangements. The Company has agreed to use JLT as its broker-of-record for all insurance and reinsurance transactions to which the Company’s wholly-owned captive insurance company, Stone Mountain Insurance Company, is a party for the next five years. These amounts

 

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were previously eliminated as intercompany transactions, and are $2.8 million for fiscal year 2014. Additionally, the Company has agreed to a Transitional Services Agreement with JLT for a two-year period following the close of the transaction. The Company expects to incur approximately $6.3 million each year in occupancy or other infrastructure costs which will be prepaid or repaid by JLT during that time. The cash flows associated with these arrangements represent approximately 7.4% of the annual expenses generated by our Brokerage operations prior to the disposal, which was deemed not significant.

The Company noted that none of the aforementioned agreements or arrangements constituted significant continuing involvement because they do not afford the Company the ability to influence the financial or operating decisions of JLT. Accordingly, we concluded that the continuing cash flows expected after the sale of our Brokerage business do not preclude discontinued operations presentation, and the Company has therefore reclassified the results of our Brokerage business’s operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The following selected financial information relates to the Brokerage business’s operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012  

Revenue from discontinued operations

   $ 41,198       $ 41,014   

Net income from discontinued operations before taxes

     4,995         10,553   

We have presented the current and noncurrent assets and liabilities of the disposal group as held for sale in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2013
 

Assets held for sale:

  

Fiduciary assets

   $ 40,155   

Receivables, net

     11,964   

Other current assets

     4,315   
  

 

 

 

Current assets held for sale

     56,434   

Fixed assets, net

     2,135   

Deferred income taxes

     557   

Goodwill

     168,769   

Intangible assets, net

     8,230   

Other assets

     2,093   
  

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets held for sale

     181,784   
  

 

 

 

Total assets held for sale

   $ 238,218   
  

 

 

 

Liabilities held for sale:

  

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income

   $ 11,359   

Employee-related liabilities

     10,448   

Fiduciary liabilities

     40,155   

Other current liabilities

     1,109   
  

 

 

 

Current liabilities held for sale

     63,071   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     2,195   
  

 

 

 

Noncurrent liabilities held for sale

     2,195   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities held for sale

   $ 65,266   
  

 

 

 

Only the fiduciary assets and liabilities associated with the European businesses being sold have been reclassified to held for sale. North American fiduciary assets and liabilities have not been reclassified due to certain legal restrictions which do not permit the transfer of these assets and liabilities.

 

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We estimate that the total consideration received at close will be $215 million. Total transaction and integration costs are expected to be approximately $5 million.

Note 3 — Investments.

We hold available-for-sale investments comprised of fixed income securities, equity securities and mutual funds / exchange-traded funds (See Note 5 – Fair Value Measurements for the investments by type of security). The fixed income securities all mature within twelve months of the balance sheet date and are classified as short-term investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. We held no trading or held-to-maturity securities as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013. Additional information on available-for-sale security balances is provided in the following table as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013:

 

    September 30, 2013     June 30, 2013  
    Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Gains
    Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
    Amortized
Cost
    Unrealized
Gains
    Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
 

Fixed income securities

  $ 2,002      $ 5      $ —        $ 2,007      $ 56,602      $ 15      $ (2   $ 56,615   

Equity securities (a)

    853        753        —          1,606        853        476        (1     1,328   

Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds

    26,769        976        —          27,745        26,666        14        (97     26,583   

 

(a) Classified as other assets held for sale on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013.

For all investments, other than fixed income securities, amortized cost represents the cost basis of the investment as of the purchase or Merger date. Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of available-for-sale securities during the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $54.6 million, resulting in no realized gains/losses. Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of available-for-sale securities during the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $9.3 million, resulting in no realized gains/losses.

There were no material investments that have been in a continuous loss position for more than six months, and there have been no other-than-temporary impairments recognized. The aggregate fair value of investments with unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013 were zero and $36.3 million, respectively.

Note 4 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets.

The components of goodwill and intangible assets are outlined below for the three months ended September 30, 2013:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial
Services
    Talent and
Rewards
     Exchange
Solutions
     All Other      Total  

Balance as of June 30, 2013

   $ 1,233,272       $ 534,150      $ 108,850       $ 341,449       $ 1,214       $ 2,218,935   

Reclassified to held for sale

     —           (168,769     —           —           —           (168,769

Translation adjustment

     37,994         18,398        3,290         —           —           59,682   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2013

   $ 1,271,266       $ 383,779      $ 112,140       $ 341,449       $ 1,214       $ 2,109,848   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Included in the Risk and Financial Services segment is the reduction of $168.8 million of goodwill associated with the impending sale of our Brokerage business at September 2013 and expected to be completed in the second quarter of our fiscal 2014 year. This amount has been classified as non-current assets held-for-sale on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013.

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, 2013:

 

     Customer     Core/     Favorable        
     related     developed     lease        
     intangible     technology     agreements     Total  

Balance as of June 30, 2013

   $ 246,247      $ 69,515      $ 3,565      $ 319,327   

Amortization

     (11,637     (7,693     (237     (19,567

Reclassified to held for sale

     (8,230     —          —          (8,230

Translation adjustment

     4,689        485        12        5,186   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2013

   $ 231,069      $ 62,307      $ 3,340      $ 296,716   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded $19.3 million and $19.6 million, respectively, of amortization related to our intangible assets, exclusive of favorable lease agreements. These amounts include amortization that has been classified within income from discontinued operations on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Included in the change in customer related intangible assets is the reduction of $8.2 million associated with the impending sale of our Brokerage business at September 2013 and expected to be completed in the second quarter of our fiscal 2014 year. This amount has been classified as non-current assets held-for-sale on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013.

As part of the integration of our Retirement business, during the second quarter of fiscal 2012, management decided to discontinue the use of an application that was acquired in the Merger with an expected useful life of ten years. We calculated no impairment associated with this application and we shortened the life of the intangible asset and accelerated the amortization in the same pattern in which our clients are transitioned to the surviving application, which is expected to occur predominantly over the next two to three years. To develop our estimated useful remaining life of the application, we are using client engagement revenue and the planned transition developed by our business management. As a result, we recorded an additional $0.9 million of amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2013, and an additional $2.0 million of amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Our indefinite-lived non-amortizable intangible assets consist of acquired trade names. The carrying value of these assets were $374.4 million and $368.4 million as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively. The change during the period was due to foreign currency translation.

Our acquired unfavorable lease liabilities were $12.7 million and $13.5 million as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively, and are recorded in the other noncurrent liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The change for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was comprised of a reduction to rent expense of $0.8 million.

The following table reflects the carrying value of finite-lived intangible assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013:

 

     As of September 30, 2013      As of June 30, 2013  
     Gross             Gross         
     Carrying      Accumulated      Carrying      Accumulated  
     Amount      Amortization      Amount      Amortization  

Finite-lived intangible assets and liabilities:

           

Trade name

   $ 370         370       $ 370         370   

Customer related intangibles

     384,938         153,869         390,027         143,780   

Core/developed technology

     165,598         103,291         164,762         95,247   

Favorable lease agreements

     6,523         3,183         6,496         2,931   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finite-lived intangible assets

   $ 557,429       $ 260,713       $ 561,655       $ 242,328   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unfavorable lease agreements

     26,024         13,348         25,591         12,122   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finite-lived intangible liabilities

   $ 26,024       $ 13,348       $ 25,591       $ 12,122   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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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, 2013 was 5.8 years.

The following table reflects:

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

2) the rent offset resulting from the amortization of the net lease intangible assets and liabilities for the remainder of fiscal 2014 and for subsequent fiscal years:

 

            Rent (Offset)  

Fiscal year ending June 30,

   Amortization      Expense  

2014

   $ 50,944       $ (2,283

2015

     61,319         (1,846

2016

     52,437         (1,621

2017

     47,922         (1,916

2018

     37,619         (1,823

Thereafter

     43,135         153   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 293,376       $ (9,336
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 and liabilities 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 quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date.

Level 2 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The following presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013:

 

    Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis at
September 30, 2013
 
    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)

  $ 2,007      $ —        $ —        $ 2,007   

Equity securities (b)

    1,606        —          —          1,606   

Mutual funds / exchange traded funds (c)

    27,745        —          —          27,745   

Derivatives:

       

Foreign exchange forwards (d)

    —          778        —          778   

Liabilities:

       

Derivatives:

       

Foreign exchange forwards (d)

  $ —        $ 1,670      $ —        $ 1,670   

 

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     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis at
June 30, 2013
 
     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)

   $ 2,014       $ —         $ —         $ 2,014   

U.S. Corporate bonds (a)

     —           53,100         —           53,100   

Foreign corporate bonds (a)

     —           1,501         —           1,501   

Equity securities (b)

     1,328         —           —           1,328   

Mutual funds / exchange-traded funds (c)

     26,583         —           —           26,583   

Derivatives:

           

Foreign exchange forwards (d)

     —           546         —           546   

Liabilities:

           

Derivatives:

           

Foreign exchange forwards (d)

   $ —         $ 353       $ —         $ 353   

 

(a) These assets are included in short-term investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(b) These assets are included in other assets held for sale and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively.
(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 record gains or losses related to the changes in the fair value of our financial instruments for foreign exchange forward contracts accounted for as foreign currency hedges in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a gain of $0.6 million for instruments still held at September 30, 2013. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a gain of $1.0 million for instruments still held at September 30, 2012. There were no material gains or losses recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for available-for-sale securities still held at September 30, 2013 or 2012.

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 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 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, exchange traded funds 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, 2013.

Note 6 — Derivative Financial Instruments.

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Where possible, we identify exposures in our business that can be offset internally. Where no natural offset is identified, we may choose to 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.

 

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A number of our foreign subsidiaries receive revenues (through either internal or external billing) in currencies other than their 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 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 other non-functional currency obligations. These exposures primarily arise from intercompany lending and other liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. At September 30, 2013, the longest outstanding maturity was 11 months. As of September 30, 2013, a net $1.5 million pretax loss was deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income and is expected to be recognized in general and administrative expenses during the next 12 months when the hedged revenue is recognized. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized no material gains or losses due to hedge ineffectiveness.

As of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, we had cash flow and economic hedges with a notional value of $90.1 million and $107.2 million, respectively, to hedge cash flow and balance sheet exposures. 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, 2013 and June 30, 2013 was a liability of $0.9 million and an asset of $0.2 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, 2013 and June 30, 2013 and their location in the condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows:

 

   

Derivative assets

   

Derivative liabilities

 
    Balance sheet               Balance sheet            
   

location

  Fair value    

location

  Fair value  
        September 30,     June 30,         September 30,     June 30,  
        2013     2013         2013     2013  

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

           

Foreign exchange forwards

  Other current assets   $ 213      $ 395      Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income   $ (1,667   $ (159

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

           

Foreign exchange forwards

  Other current assets     565        151      Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income     (3     (194
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative assets (liabilities)

    $ 778      $ 546        $ (1,670   $ (353
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The effects 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, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

Derivatives designated as

hedging instruments for

the three months ended

September 30, 2013 and 2012:

   Loss
recognized in OCI
(effective portion)
    Location of gain
reclassified from
OCI into income
(effective portion)
   Gain reclassified
from OCI into
income
(effective portion)
     Location of gain
(loss) recognized
in income (ineffective
portion and amount
excluded from
effectiveness testing)
   Gain (loss) recognized
in income (ineffective
portion and amount
excluded from
effectiveness testing)
 
     2013     2012          2013      2012           2013      2012  

Foreign exchange forwards

   $ (1,632   $ (684   General and
administrative
expenses
   $ 62       $ 230       General and
administrative
expenses
   $ 1       $ (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (1,632   $ (684      $ 62       $ 230          $ 1       $ (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in the notional values above are $32.4 million and $33.6 million as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively, of derivatives held as economic hedges primarily to hedge intercompany loans denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. The effects of derivatives that have not been designated as hedging instruments on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

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

hedging instruments:

  

recognized in income

   2013      2012  

Foreign exchange forwards

   General and administrative expenses    $ 1,147         (381
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,147         (381
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 7 — Retirement Benefits.

Defined Benefit Plans

Towers Watson sponsors both qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans in North America and Europe. As of June 30, 2013, these funded and unfunded plans represented 98 percent of Towers Watson’s pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations and are disclosed herein. Towers Watson also sponsors funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans in certain other countries as well, representing the remaining two percent of the liability.

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 months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2013     2012  
    

North
America

    Europe     North
America
    Europe  

Service cost

   $ 17,788      $ 2,965      $ 17,938      $ 3,210   

Interest cost

     35,354        9,847        33,997        9,693   

Expected return on plan assets

     (47,226     (11,056     (46,286     (10,838

Amortization of net loss

     5,649        2,169        11,508        1,499   

Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost

     (2,095     10        (2,094     10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost/(credit)

   $ 9,470      $ 3,935      $ 15,063      $ 3,574   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The decrease in our North American pension expense was due to a decrease in the amortization of actuarial losses. This decrease was driven primarily by an increase in the discount rate from fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2014. Additionally, favorable investment returns during fiscal year 2013 combined with the recognition of the majority of our previously deferred actuarial losses during fiscal year 2013 have resulted in reduced actuarial losses being recognized in fiscal year 2014.

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 post-retirement plans for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

Service cost

   $ 367        445   

Interest cost

     2,223        2,210   

Expected return on plan assets

     (28     (33

Amortization of net (gain)/loss

     (430     105   

Amortization of prior service credit

     (1,752     (2,066
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 380      $ 661   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Employer Contributions to Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company made $56.8 million in contributions to the North American plans during the first three months of fiscal year 2014 and anticipates making $16.5 million in contributions over the remainder of the fiscal year. The Company made $4.7 million in contributions to European plans during the first three months of fiscal year 2014 and anticipates making $22.6 million in contributions over the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

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Defined Contribution Plans

The cost of the Company’s contributions to the various U.S. defined contribution plans for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $6.0 million and $5.6 million, respectively.

The cost of the Company’s contributions to the various U.K. defined contribution plans for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $5.8 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

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, to make payments to third parties under certain circumstances. In addition to commitments and contingencies specifically described below, Towers Watson has historically provided guarantees on an infrequent basis to third parties in the ordinary course of business.

Towers Watson Senior Credit Facility

On November 7, 2011, Towers Watson and certain subsidiaries entered into a 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 “Senior Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a spread to either LIBOR or the Prime Rate. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility was 1.43% and 1.53%, respectively. We are charged a quarterly commitment fee, currently 0.175% 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 Professional Consultants Insurance Company (“PCIC”), a majority-owned captive insurance company, and Stone Mountain Insurance Company (“SMIC”), a wholly-owned captive insurance company).

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 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, 2013, we were in compliance with our covenants.

As of September 30, 2013, Towers Watson had borrowings of $30.0 million outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility.

Letters of Credit under the Senior Credit Facility

As of September 30, 2013, Towers Watson had standby letters of credit totaling $21.4 million associated with our captive insurance companies in the event that we fail to meet our financial obligations. Additionally, Towers Watson had $1.5 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.

Term Loan Agreement Due June 2017

On June 1, 2012, the Company entered into a five-year $250 million amortizing term loan facility (“the Term Loan”) with a consortium of banks. The interest rate on the term loan is based on the Company’s choice of one, three or six month LIBOR plus a spread of 1.25% to 1.75%, or alternatively the bank base rate plus 0.25% to 0.75%. The spread to each index is dependent on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The weighted-average interest rate on the Term Loan during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 1.44% and 1.50%, respectively. The Term Loan amortizes at a rate of $6.25 million per quarter, beginning in September 2013, with a final maturity date of June 1, 2017. The Company has the right to prepay a portion or all of the outstanding Term Loan balance on any interest payment date without penalty. At September 30, 2013, the balance on the Term Loan was $243.75 million.

This agreement contains substantially the same terms and conditions as our Senior Credit Facility, including guarantees from all of the domestic subsidiaries of Towers Watson (other than PCIC and SMIC). The Company entered into the Term Loan as part of the financing of our acquisition of Extend Health.

 

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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 material pending claims against Towers Watson and its subsidiaries. We do not expect the impact of claims not described below to be material to Towers Watson’s financial statements. 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 SMIC. For the policy period beginning July 1, 2011 certain changes were made to our professional liability insurance program. These changes remain in-force for the policy periods beginning July 1, 2011 and ending July 1, 2014. Our professional liability insurance includes a $10 million aggregate self-insured retention above the $1 million self-insured retention per claim, including the cost of defending such claims. SMIC provides us with $40 million of coverage per claim and in the aggregate, above the retentions, including the cost of defending such claims. 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 Towers Watson and SMIC bearing 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.

Before the Merger, Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin each obtained substantial professional liability insurance from 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. Our ownership interest in PCIC is 72.86%. As a consequence, PCIC’s results are consolidated in Towers Watson’s operating results. 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, 2013, we had a $187.2 million IBNR liability balance, net of recoverable receivables of our captive insurance companies. This net liability was $184.1 million as of June 30, 2013. 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 condensed consolidated balance sheet.

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.

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.

 

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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 joined this action on August 29, 2011. 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 when 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, 2010 order, defendants also filed answers to plaintiffs’ complaints on October 22, 2010. The parties have completed fact discovery. Neither the plaintiffs in Dugan nor the plaintiff in Pao have moved for class certification. Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment on all claims in all actions on December 23, 2011. The court heard argument on June 19, 2012, and on December 11, 2012 granted defendants’ motion, and entered judgment in favor of defendants on all claims. On January 10, 2013, plaintiffs filed a joint notice of their intent to appeal the court’s judgment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On February 13, 2013, the parties were notified that the appeal had been assigned for mediation pursuant to the Third Circuit’s mediation program. During the mediation held on May 7, 2013, the parties reached agreement on settlement terms that include payment of an aggregate $10 million to an agreed settlement class estimated to potentially include more than 1,000 former Towers Perrin shareholders, which payment would also cover legal fees of plaintiffs’ attorneys, as determined by the court, and expenses incurred to administer the settlement.

On September 24, 2013, the court preliminarily certified the settlement class and preliminarily approved the parties’ proposed settlement. The settlement remains subject to several conditions, including sufficient participation of the individual settlement class members and final judicial approval of the settlement terms.

Towers Watson continues to believe the claims in these lawsuits are without merit. Given the stage of the proceedings, the Company has concluded that a material loss beyond accrued amounts is neither probable nor estimable.

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”) claimed that Towers Watson breached its fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement 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

 

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demanded 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. (“TWIS”), 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. We believe that, to date, Acument has recovered approximately $39.7 million of its investment in the Westridge Funds from the receivership. The Company declined Acument’s demand for compensation.

On January 20, 2012, Acument and the Acument Pension Plan (referred to together as “Acument”) filed suit against the Company and TWIS in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint alleges four counts of breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA, claiming principally alleged deficiencies in the Company’s due diligence relating to Westridge and in the disclosures made to Acument concerning Westridge and the nature of the investment. Acument seeks to recover an unspecified amount comprised primarily of loss of principal, investment losses, fees paid for consulting services, and attorney’s fees. The Company has filed an answer to the complaint denying all claims and asserting affirmative defenses and plans to continue to defend vigorously against these legal proceedings. The discovery phase of these legal proceedings has commenced. A mediation took place on September 5, 2012. The dispute remains extant. At this time, no material loss is probable in excess of amounts currently accrued.

Note 9 — Nonconsolidated Variable Interest Entities.

Variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity and therefore require a different approach in determining which party involved with the VIE should consolidate the entity. With a VIE, either the entity does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or the entity has equity investors that do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity’s operations through voting rights. The entity that has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is referred to as the primary beneficiary and is required to consolidate the VIE.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Towers Watson Investment Management Limited, we manage approximately $1 billion of assets in funds that are considered VIEs and for which our management fee is considered a variable interest. We evaluated these funds and determined that we are not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the funds are not consolidated. Our maximum exposure to loss of these unconsolidated VIEs is limited to collection of any unpaid management fees, which were not material at September 30, 2013.

Note 10 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss).

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of non-controlling interests, are provided in the following table. The difference between the amounts presented in this table and the amounts presented in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income are the corresponding components attributable to non-controlling interests, which are not material for further disclosure.

 

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    Foreign     Hedge effectiveness (1)     Available-for-sale
securities
    Defined pension and post-
retirement benefit costs (2)
 
    currency     Before           After     Before           After     Before           After  
    translation     Tax     Tax     Tax     Tax     Tax     Tax     Tax     Tax     Tax  

As of June 30, 2013

  $ (131,096   $ 237      $ (105   $ 132      $ 547      $ (134   $ 413      $ (233,817   $ 64,904      $ (168,913

Other comprehensive income/(loss) before reclassifications

    71,108        (1,632     651        (981     203        (17     186        —          —          —     

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

    —          (62     25        (37     —          —          —          3,972        (860     3,112   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income

    71,108        (1,694     676        (1,018     203        (17     186        3,972        (860     3,112   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2013

  $ (59,988   $ (1,457   $ 571      $ (886   $ 750      $ (151   $ 599      $ (229,845   $ 64,044      $ (165,801
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income are included in General and administrative expenses (see Note 6 – Derivative Financial Instruments for additional details)
(2) Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 7 – Retirement Benefits for additional details)

Note 11 — Restricted Stock.

In conjunction with the Merger, shares of Towers Watson common stock issued to Towers Perrin shareholders were 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. In addition, on January 31, 2011, we completed the acquisition of EMB and issued 113,858 shares of Class B-3 and 113,858 shares of Class B-4 common stock, par value $0.01 per share, to the sellers as consideration. The shares were reduced through our tender offer, our secondary public offering and by the restriction lapsing and conversion to Class A common stock annually on January 1, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The remaining 5,374,070 outstanding shares of Towers Watson Class B-4 common stock will convert on a one-for-one basis into freely transferable shares of Towers Watson Class A common stock on January 1, 2014.

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”). The service condition was fulfilled from the grant date through each of the three annual periods from January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2012. The restriction lapsed annually on January 1 and the Restricted Class A shares became freely tradable shares of Class A common stock on such dates. The shares were reduced by forfeitures and shares withheld for tax purposes.

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded $4.0 million 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. In our results of operations, $0.5 million is classified as discontinued operations for the Brokerage employees’ awards relating to non-cash stock based compensation recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The service period of this award was complete as January 1, 2013, there was no stock-based compensation related to this award recorded in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014.

Note 12 — Share-Based Compensation.

Restricted Stock Units

Executives and Employees

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approves performance-vested restricted stock unit awards pursuant to the Towers Watson & Co. 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan. RSUs are designed to provide us an opportunity to offer our long-term incentive program (LTIP) 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. 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. The form of performance-vested restricted stock unit award agreement includes 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. This definition of qualified retirement is age 55 and with 15 years of experience at the company and a minimum of one year of service in the performance period.

 

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2014 LTIP. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a grant of 62,651 RSUs to certain of our executive officers. Awards were 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 $105.90. 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, 2013 to June 30, 2016, subject to the executive officers’ 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 three-year average EPS and revenue growth during the performance period as the performance metrics for the awards. For participants that met the requirement for qualified retirement, we record the expense of their awards over the one year service period as performed. We will adjust the stock-based compensation for their awards during the performance period based upon the level of performance achieved. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $1.2 million of stock-based compensation related to these grants.

2013 LTIP. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a grant of 121,075 RSUs to certain of our executive officers. Awards were 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 $54.59. 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, 2012 to June 30, 2015, subject to the executive officers’ 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 three-year average EPS and revenue growth during the performance period as the performance metrics for the awards. For participants that met the requirement for qualified retirement, we record the expense of their awards over the one year service period as performed. We will adjust the stock-based compensation for their awards during the performance period based upon the level of performance achieved. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $0.8 million of stock-based compensation related to these grants.

2012 LTIP. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, 86,188 RSUs were granted to certain of our executive officers. 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 which was between $63.73 and $63.94. 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 the executive officers’ 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 participants that met the requirement for qualified retirement, we record the expense of their awards over the one year service period as performed. We will adjust the stock-based compensation for their awards during the performance period based upon the level of performance achieved. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $0.5 million of stock-based compensation related to these grants. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded $0.3 million of stock-based compensation related to these grants.

2014 ES LTIP. In August 2013, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors awarded 30,192 RSUs under the 2009 Plan to select executives of our Exchange Solutions segment with a grant date fair value of $81.73, based on our closing stock price. 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 two-year performance period from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015, subject to continued employment with us through the end of the performance period. The Compensation Committee approved the grants and established EBITDA margin and revenue growth during the performance period as the performance metrics for the awards. We recorded $0.4 of non-cash stock based compensation in the Exchange Solutions business segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

2013 SEP. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, 131,286 RSUs were granted to certain employees under our Select Equity Plan with a grant date fair value of $91.43, based on our closing stock price. The RSUs will vest annually over a three-year period. We assumed a 5% forfeiture rate with these awards. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $1.7 million of non-cash stock based compensation related to these grants.

2012 SEP. During the quarter ended September 30, 2012, 147,503 RSUs were granted to certain employees under our Select Equity Plan with a grant date fair value of $53.93, based on our closing stock price. The RSUs will vest annually over a three-year period. We assumed a 5% forfeiture rate with these awards. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $0.5 million of non-cash stock based compensation related to these grants. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded 1.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation related to these grants.

2011 SEP. During the quarter 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 vest annually over a three-year period. We assumed a 5% forfeiture rate with these awards. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $0.4 million of non-cash stock based compensation related to these grants. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded $1.1 million of non-cash stock based compensation related to these grants.

 

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We classified $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectfully, to discontinued operations related to non-cash stock based compensation for the Brokerage employees awards under our SEP Plan.

Outside Directors

The Towers Watson & Co. Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors provides for cash and stock compensation for outside directors. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, 10,251 RSUs were granted for the annual award for outside directors for service on the board of directors in equal quarterly installments over fiscal year 2014. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, 16,027 restricted stock units were granted for the annual award for outside directors for service on the board of directors in equal quarterly installments over fiscal year 2013. 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 $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, and $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Stock Options

There were no grants of stock options during the three months ended September 30, 2013.

In May 2012, we assumed the Extend Health, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan and converted the outstanding unvested employee stock options into 377,614 Towers Watson’s stock option awards using a conversion ratio stated in the agreement for the exercise price and number of options. The fair value of the vested stock options was calculated using the Black-Scholes model with a volatility and risk-free interest rate over the expected term of each group of options using the fair value share price of Towers Watson’s closing share price on the date of acquisition. The fair value of the new awards was less than the acquisition date fair value of the replaced Extend Health options; accordingly, no compensation expense was recorded. The fair value of 199,620 of the 377,614 outstanding options using Towers Watson graded vesting methodology from the date of grant to the acquisition date, representing the employee service provided to date, was $11.2 million and was added to the transaction consideration. The fair value of the remaining 177,994 unvested options, less 10% estimated forfeitures, was $7.9 million, and will be recorded over the future vesting periods. We recorded non-cash stock based compensation related to these awards of $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Note 13 — Income Taxes.

Provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $14.8 million compared to $28.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The effective tax rate was 14.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 35.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to current year income tax benefits on the release of uncertain tax positions of 16.7% related to the lapses in statute of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions, primarily the U.S., and income tax benefits of 3.6% in connection with an enacted statutory tax reduction in the U.K. 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.

During the first quarter, the Company reduced the amount of unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions by approximately $21.7 million, excluding interest and penalties, as a result of the expiration of applicable statute of limitations.

It is reasonably possible that during the next 12 months the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions may change by a significant amount. The Company may settle certain U.S. tax examinations or have lapses in statute of limitations for different amounts than the Company has accrued as uncertain tax positions. The Company may need to accrue and ultimately pay additional amounts for tax positions that previously met a more likely than not standard if such positions are not upheld. Conversely, the Company could settle positions with the tax authorities for amounts lower than have been accrued or extinguish a position through payment. The Company believes the outcomes which are reasonably possible within the next 12 months may result in a reduction in the liability for uncertain tax positions in the range of approximately $1.3 million to $11.3 million, excluding interest and penalties.

 

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Note 14 — Segment Information.

Towers Watson has four reportable operating segments or business areas:

 

    Benefits

 

    Risk and Financial Services

 

    Talent and Rewards

 

    Exchange Solutions

Towers Watson’s chief operating decision maker is its chief executive officer. It was determined that Towers Watson operational data used by the chief operating decision maker is that of the 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).

All periods presented have been recast to exclude the operating results of our Brokerage business, which has been classified as discontinued operations.

The table below presents specified information about the continuing operations of the reported segments for the three months ended September 30, 2013:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial
Services
     Talent and
Rewards
     Exchange
Solutions
     Total  

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

   $ 457,029       $ 141,783       $ 153,569       $ 35,390       $ 787,771   

Net operating income

     137,538         22,487         44,064         6,456         210,545   

The table below presents specified information about the continuing operations of the reported segments for the three months ended September 30, 2012:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial
Services
     Talent and
Rewards
     Exchange
Solutions
    Total  

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

   $ 457,128       $ 149,500       $ 140,235       $ 13,918      $ 760,781   

Net operating income

     135,854         23,256         25,791         (5,765     179,136   

 

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The table below presents a reconciliation of the information reported by segment to the consolidated amounts reported from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

Revenue:

    

Total segment revenue

   $ 787,771      $ 760,781   

Reimbursable expenses and other

     22,168        32,454   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue

   $ 809,939      $ 793,235   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Operating Income:

    

Total segment net operating income

   $ 210,545      $ 179,136   

Differences in allocation methods (1)

     9,986        14,875   

Amortization of intangibles

     (18,892     (19,095

Transaction and integration expenses

     —          (9,273

Stock-based compensation (2)

     (3,563     (7,624

Discretionary compensation

     (76,122     (72,580

Payroll tax on discretionary compensation

     (4,568     (4,306

Other, net

     (14,965     (1,859
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

   $ 102,421      $ 79,274   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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.
(2) Stock-based compensation excludes RSUs granted in conjunction with our performance bonus, which are included in discretionary compensation.

Note 15 — Earnings Per Share.

We present earnings per share (“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. On January 1, 2013, all remaining outstanding shares of this restricted stock vested and were converted to freely tradable shares of Towers Watson Class A common stock. The components of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2013     2012  
                Per Share                 Per Share  
    Income     Shares     Amount     Income     Shares     Amount  

Basic EPS

           

Income from continuing operations

  $ 85,744          $ 51,040       

Less: Loss attributable to non-controlling interests

    (26         (941    
 

 

 

       

 

 

     

Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

    85,770            51,981       

Less: Income allocated to participating securities

    —              (1,228    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

  $ 85,770        70,801      $ 1.21      $ 50,753        69,805      $ 0.73   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

           

Share-based compensation awards

    —          245          —          499     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

  $ 85,770        71,046      $ 1.21      $ 50,753        70,304      $ 0.72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Note 16 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

Adopted

On February 5, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires entities to disclose additional information about items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The requirements include by component disclosures of changes in AOCI balances along with the related income tax benefit or expense and significant items reclassified out of AOCI. ASU 2013-2 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012, and the amendments are to be applied prospectively. The provisions of ASU 2013-02 have been adopted within this filing. There was no material impact to our financial statements as a result of this adoption.

On July 18, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” which requires an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent the tax benefit is not available at the reporting date under the governing tax law or if the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and not combined with deferred tax assets. ASU 2013-11 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The amendments are to be applied to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist as of the effective date and may be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented. The requirements of ASU 2013-11 have been adopted within this filing and there was no material impact to the provision as a result of this adoption.

Not yet adopted

On June 7, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-08, “Financial Services – Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements,” which amends the criteria an entity would need to meet to qualify as an investment company under ASC 946. The ASU (1) introduces new disclosure requirements that apply to all investment companies and (2) amends the measurement criteria for certain interests in other investment companies. The ASU also amends the requirements in ASC 810 related to qualifying for the “investment-company deferral” in ASU 2010-10 as well as the requirements in ASC 820 related to qualifying for the “net asset value practical expedient” in ASU 2009-12. We manage certain funds that are considered variable interest entities and for which our management fee is considered a variable interest. These funds qualify for the “investment-company deferral” in ASU 2010-10 and therefore are subject to the consolidation guidance prior to the issuance of ASU 2009-17. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods that begin after December 15, 2013, and early adoption is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating whether these funds will continue to qualify for the “investment-company deferral” based on the amended investment company criteria proscribed by ASU 2013-08.

Note 17 — Subsequent Events.

On November 6, 2013, Towers Watson completed the sale of our Brokerage business to Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc for cash consideration of $250 million. The transaction will be recorded in our second quarter. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, the operations of the Brokerage business was classified as discontinued operations in all periods presented. See Note 2 for further information.

 

 

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

Executive Overview

General

Towers Watson is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management. Towers Watson was formed on January 1, 2010 from the merger (the “Merger”) of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. and Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc., two leading professional services firms that traced their roots back more than 100 years.

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 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. We operate the largest private Medicare exchange in the United States. Through this exchange, we help our clients to move to a more sustainable economic model by capping and controlling the costs associated with retiree healthcare benefits.

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, our 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 our 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-business 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 four principal areas: Benefits, Risk and Financial Services, Talent and Rewards and Exchange Solutions, operating from 113 cities in 37 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Towers Watson employed approximately 14,900 and 14,500 full-time associates as of September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively, in the following segments:

 

     September 30,      June 30,  
     2013      2013  

Benefits

     7,000         6,900   

Risk and Financial Services (incl. Brokerage)

     2,500         2,500   

Talent and Rewards

     2,400         2,400   

Exchange Solutions

     600         300   

Other

     300         300   

Business Services (incl. Corporate and field support)

     2,100         2,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total associates

     14,900         14,500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segments

We provide services in four business segments: Benefits, Risk and Financial Services, Talent and Rewards and Exchange Solutions.

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, 2013, the Benefits segment contributed 58% of our segment revenue. For the same period, approximately 39% 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 two primary lines of business:

 

    Risk Consulting and Software (“RCS”); and

 

    Investment Consulting and Solutions (“Investment”).

The Risk and Financial Services segment, exclusive of our Reinsurance and Property and Casualty Insurance Brokerage business (“Brokerage”), accounted for 18% of our segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013. Approximately 72% of the segment’s revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 originated from outside the United States and is thus subject to translation exposure resulting from foreign exchange rate fluctuations. The segment has a base of recurring revenue, driven by long-term client relationships in 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 which can

 

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fluctuate based on demand and market factors. Major revenue growth drivers include changes in regulations, the level of mergers and acquisitions activity in the insurance industry and growth in pension and other asset pools. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell our Brokerage business to JLT and we expect to close the transaction in our second quarter. We have reclassified the operating results of Brokerage as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for fiscal years 2014 and 2013.

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 20% of our segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013. 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 42% of the segment’s revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 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 last quarter 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.

Exchange Solutions Segment. Our fourth largest segment, Exchange Solutions, has one line of business:

 

    Extend Health.

We established our fourth segment, Exchange Solutions, when we acquired Extend Health in May 2012, and our first quarter of fiscal year 2013 was our first full quarter of operations. The Exchange Solutions segment accounted for 4% of our segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013. Exchange Solutions operates the largest private Medicare insurance exchange in the United States. Our core solution enables employers to transition their retirees to individual, defined contribution health plans at an annual cost that the employer controls — versus group-based, defined benefit health plans, which have uncertain annual costs. By moving to a defined contribution approach, our clients can provide their retirees with the same or better health care benefits at a lower overall cost. Most Exchange Solutions’ revenues come from the commissions we receive from insurance carriers for enrolling individuals into their health plans. This revenue increases as the number of enrolled members grows. Exchange Solutions experiences seasonality due to timing of the commissions we receive from our carriers and the costs incurred to enroll members. Most of our revenue is recognized over the calendar year member policy period whereas the costs are incurred during our corporate clients’ open enrollment period typically in our fiscal year first and second quarter. In addition, the annual enrollment period for Medicare-eligible individuals coincides with this period. Although we have been successful in attracting corporations with off-peak annual enrollment periods and member policies that do not coincide with the calendar year, it is expected that the majority of enrollments will occur in our second quarter. We will hire additional seasonal benefits advisors to supplement our full-time benefit advisors and we expect to incur higher costs in that period.

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 2014 (September 30, 2013) and as of the end of fiscal year 2013 (June 30, 2013), Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and a Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

Shown below are Towers Watson’s top five markets based on percentage of consolidated revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the information provided excludes the Brokerage business.

 

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     Three Months Ended     Fiscal Year  
     September 30, 2013     2013     2012  

United States

     55     53     48

United Kingdom

     20        22        23   

Canada

     6        6        6   

Germany

     4        4        5   

Netherlands

     2        2        3   

We derive the majority of our revenue from fees for consulting services, which generally are billed at standard hourly rates and expenses, 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. 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. We compensate our directors and select executives with incentive stock-based compensation plans. 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. We also have non-cash stock based compensation related to a plan assumed in the Merger in fiscal year 2010 and a plan assumed in the acquisition of Extend Health in fiscal year 2012.

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 30 to 40% of the professional and subcontracted services 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, 2013, approximately 35% of professional and subcontracted services represent these reimbursable services.

Occupancy includes expenses for rent and utilities, as well as the net reduction to rent related to the amortization of acquired favorable and unfavorable lease agreements.

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 integration consultants, contract termination fees, 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 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on August 15, 2013.

 

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Results of Operations

The table below sets forth our condensed consolidated statements of operations 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,  
     2013     2012  

Revenue

   $ 809,939        100   $ 793,235        100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs of providing services:

        

Salaries and employee benefits

     500,419        62     492,080        62

Professional and subcontracted services

     61,400        8     55,675        7

Occupancy

     33,545        4     37,781        5

General and administrative expenses

     68,769        8     76,278        10

Depreciation and amortization

     43,385        5     42,874        5

Transaction and integration expenses

     —          —        9,273        1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     707,518        87     713,961        90
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     102,421        13     79,274        10

Loss from affiliates

     —          —        (56     —   

Interest income

     529        —        694        —   

Interest expense

     (2,436     —        (2,955     —   

Other non-operating income

     38        —        2,352        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     100,552        12     79,309        10

Provision for income taxes

     14,808        2     28,269        4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     85,744        11     51,040        6

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $2,551 and $3,807, respectively

     2,444        —        6,746        1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME BEFORE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

     88,188        11     57,786        7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Loss attributable to non-controlling interests

     (26     —        (941     —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 88,214        11   $ 58,727        7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

Revenue

Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $809.9 million, an increase of $16.7 million, or 2%, compared to $793.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. During our first quarter of fiscal year 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell our Brokerage business. Our historical statement of operations has been recast with the operations of our Brokerage business for the current and prior year classified as discontinued operations. Had the Brokerage business not been classified as discontinued operations, revenue would have been $851.1 million. On a constant currency basis, which excludes the effects of foreign currency exchange rates, acquisition and divestitures, revenue increased 3% for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

 

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The average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in British pounds sterling was 1.5519 for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to 1.5810 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, and the average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in Euros was 1.3257 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to 1.2522 for the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Constant currency is calculated by translating prior year revenue at the current year average exchange rate.

A comparison of segment revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, is as follows:

 

    Benefits revenue was consistent and was $457.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to $457.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Our Retirement business revenue decreased 2% on a constant currency basis, which makes up a majority of the segment. While we continue to perform bulk lump sum projects, we do not anticipate the level of project work and revenue that we attained in our first and second quarter of fiscal year 2013. Our Health and Group Benefits business had a 3% revenue increase. We continue to deploy resources to prepare for the OneExchange enrollment season during our first and second fiscal quarters, which will impact our consulting revenue. Our Technology and Administration Solutions business experienced 6% revenue growth due to new client work in EMEA and the Americas. Our International business experienced 12% revenue growth in the Americas. We expect that the Benefits segment will have low single-digit growth led by Technology and Administration Solutions while Retirement revenues will be challenged by strong prior year revenue.

 

    Risk and Financial Services revenue, excluding our Brokerage business, was $141.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to $149.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of 5%. The operations of our Brokerage business have been classified as discontinued operations in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 and for the comparable period in fiscal year 2013. On a constant currency basis, our Risk and Financial Services segment revenue decreased 4%, primarily from a 12% decrease in Risk Consulting and Software business revenue across all regions particularly in EMEA. There is low client demand for discretionary projects and while we started restructuring efforts last fiscal year, we are continuing to take action this fiscal year. While we experienced a decrease in consulting revenue, our property and casualty software revenue continues to remain strong. Our Investment business experienced 11% revenue growth this quarter in all regions, especially in EMEA, due to increased project work and performance fees. We expect that our Investment business will deliver strong results, despite a challenging prior year comparable due to a significant one-time project in fiscal year 2013. We anticipate that discretionary spending conditions in EMEA will continue to affect the consulting revenue of our Risk Consulting and Software business.

 

    Talent and Rewards revenue was $153.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, compared to $140.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, a 10% increase. On a constant currency basis, Talent and Rewards revenue increased 11%. Data, Surveys and Technology business revenue increased 17% as demand for software implementations and employee engagement surveys drove revenue growth. Rewards, Talent and Communication revenue, which is primarily project oriented, increased 7%. The increase is due to increased demand for general compensation work, sales of new health care reform education kits and customized benefits communications work as organizations explain their programs in light of health care reform. Our Executive Compensation business had 7% revenue growth led by the Americas. A refined marketing strategy resulted in clients in new industries. All lines of business in Talent and Rewards are expected to have positive momentum and Data, Surveys and Technology is expected to be a driver for growth this fiscal year.

 

    Exchange Solutions revenue was $35.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to $13.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, a $21.5 million increase, or 154%. The increase is $15.3 million, or 76%, exclusive of a $6.2 million acquisition accounting adjustment included in our first quarter fiscal 2013 revenue. We generate revenue from the commissions we receive from insurance carriers for enrolling individuals into their health plans. This revenue increases as the number of enrolled members grows. Included in our revenue for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 are commissions earned from calendar year 2012 and previous years’ enrollments. During the first and second fiscal quarters, Exchange Solutions is focused on enrollment activities as this is the annual enrollment period for most of our corporate clients. We are experiencing higher enrollments from our corporate clients that opt for off-cycle enrollments as well. We are anticipating another very successful enrollment season and an increase in our enrolled members.

Salaries and Employee Benefits

Salaries and employee benefits were $500.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, an increase of $8.3 million, or 2%, compared to $492.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. For the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, our salary expense increase was driven by an increase in base salary of $5.1 million attributable to a 2% increase in headcount. The increase in headcount in our Americas and APAC operations was partially offset by reductions in EMEA headcount as of September 30, 2013, compared to September 30, 2012. Our discretionary annual bonus is based on pre-bonus profitability and fluctuates based on the operating results of the Company, and as a result, our bonus expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 increased by $5.9 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Our pension expense decreased $5.2 million due to a decrease in the amortization of actuarial losses recorded this quarter compared to the prior year. The decrease is driven by an increase in the discount rate and favorable investment

 

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returns. Stock-based compensation decreased $3.3 million in the current quarter, primarily from the reduction of expense from the restricted stock units issued to employees in the Merger; the service period ended and the restricted stock units vested on January 1, 2013. As a percentage of revenue, salaries and employee benefits remained consistent and was 62% for the first quarter of fiscal years 2014 and 2013.

Professional and Subcontracted Services

Professional and subcontracted services for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $61.4 million, compared to $55.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, an increase of $5.7 million, or 10%. Our external service provider fees, which supplements our day-to-day operations, increased by $2.9 million. In addition, pass-through expenses, which are reimbursable under our contracts, increased by $2.4 million. As a percentage of revenue, professional and subcontracted services were 8% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to 7% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Occupancy

Occupancy expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $33.5 million, compared to $37.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of $4.2 million, or 11%. The decrease in base rent relates to cost savings for office closures and a charge in the prior year for sublease loss accruals. As a percentage of revenue, occupancy expense was 4% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 5% for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $68.8 million, compared to $76.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of $7.5 million, or 10%. Our professional liability expense decreased $3.1 million in our first quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to 2012 due primarily to reduced IBNR due to favorable claims experience. The remaining decrease is from general cost cutting measures in general and administrative expenses including travel costs, office expenses and marketing costs. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses were 8% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 10% for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $43.4 million, compared to $42.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, an increase of $0.5 million, or 1%. The increase is due to accelerated amortization for a software application that we acquired in the Merger, as management determined that its use would be primarily discontinued in the next two to three years. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization expenses were 5% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Transaction and Integration

Transaction and integration expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 was $9.3 million, or 1% of revenue. We completed our information technology integration project in fiscal year 2013 and have not incurred fees and charges in fiscal year 2014 similar to those associated with the Merger and other acquisitions in previous fiscal years.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes on continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $14.8 million compared to $28.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The effective tax rate was 14.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 35.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to current year income tax benefits on the release of uncertain tax positions of 16.7% related to the lapses of statute of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions, primarily the U.S., and income tax benefits of 3.6% in connection with an enacted statutory tax reduction in the U.K. 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.

On September 13, 2013, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service released final regulations that provide guidance on the deductibility of amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property. These regulations also provide rules applicable to materials and supplies. The Company is in the process of assessing the impacts of these regulations and believes that the impact of these new regulations will not be material to the financial statements.

 

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Income from Discontinued Operations, net of income tax

Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $2.4 million, compared to $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The operations of our Brokerage business, formerly part of our Risk and Financial Services segment, has been classified as discontinued operations upon our Board of Directors committing to a plan of action to sell the business in our first quarter of fiscal year 2014. We also entered into an agreement to sell the business to JLT which we expect to close in our second quarter. Included in income from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 is an accrual of $5.0 million for transaction costs related to the sale. The following selected financial information relates to the Brokerage business’s operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,  
     2013      2012  

Revenue from discontinued operations

   $ 41,198       $ 41,014   

Net income from discontinued operations before taxes

     4,995         10,553   

Net Income (attributable to common stockholders)

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $88.2 million, compared to $58.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Diluted Earnings Per Share (attributable to common stockholders)

Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $1.24, compared to $0.82 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.

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. 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, 2013 totaled $424.8 million, compared to $532.8 million at June 30, 2013. The decrease in cash from June 30, 2013 to September 30, 2013 was primarily due to contributions to our qualified pension plans and the payment of annual bonuses in September 2013.

Our cash and cash equivalents balance included $67.1 million from the consolidated balance sheets of PCIC and SMIC, which is available for payment of professional liability claims reserves. As a result, we had a net $357.7 million of cash that is available for our general use.

Our fiduciary assets totaled $113.4 million at September 30, 2013, which excludes $40.1 million of fiduciary assets that has been classified as held for sale. Of this amount, $108.3 million was related to our reinsurance brokerage business and $5.1 million was related to our health and welfare benefits administration outsourcing business. While we are permitted to invest such cash in high-quality investments and earn investment income on these holdings, all amounts are held in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of insureds, reinsurers or clients and are not available for other general use by the Company. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, we classified the assets and liabilities, including certain fiduciary assets and liabilities, of our Brokerage business as held for sale pending the close of the sale of the business, which is expected in our second quarter. Only the fiduciary assets and liabilities associated with the European businesses being sold have been reclassified to held for sale. North American fiduciary assets and liabilities have not been reclassified due to certain legal restrictions which do not permit the transfer of these assets and liabilities.

Our non-U.S. operations are substantially self-sufficient for their working capital needs. As of September 30, 2013, $321.4 million of Towers Watson’s total cash and cash equivalents balance of $424.8 million was held outside of the United States. Should we require more capital in the U.S. than is generated by our U.S. operations, we may decide to make additional borrowings under our Senior Credit Facility, 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 the U.S. to have a material effect on the Company’s overall liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

We continue to assert that the historical cumulative earnings of our foreign subsidiaries are reinvested indefinitely and we do not provide U.S. deferred tax liabilities on these amounts. We believe the Company’s current cash position, and access to capital markets (via a supplemental offering, if needed) will allow it to meet its U.S. cash obligations without repatriating historical cumulative

 

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foreign earnings. Further, non-U.S. cash is used for working capital needs of our non-U.S. operations and may be used for foreign restructuring expenses or acquisitions. It is not practicable to estimate the U.S. federal income tax liability that might be payable if such earnings are not reinvested indefinitely. If future events, including material changes in estimates of cash, working capital and long-term investment requirements, necessitate that these earnings be distributed, an additional provision for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes, net of foreign tax credits, may be necessary.

Assets and liabilities associated with non-U.S. entities have been translated into U.S. dollars as of September 30, 2013 at U.S. dollar rates that fluctuate compared to historical periods. As a result, cash flows derived from changes in the condensed consolidated balance sheets include the impact of the change in foreign exchange translation rates.

Events that could change the historical cash flow dynamics discussed above include significant changes in operating results, potential future acquisitions or divestitures, 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 Used in Operating Activities.

Cash flows used in operating activities was $151.9 million for the first three months of fiscal year 2014 compared to cash flows used in operating activities of $171.7 million for the first three months of fiscal year 2013. This decrease is primarily the result of increased cash collections from client receivables.

The allowance for doubtful accounts increased $0.3 million from June 30, 2013 to September 30, 2013. The number of days of sales outstanding remained consistent at 83 days for both September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities.

Cash flows from investing activities for the first three months of fiscal year 2014 were $18.1 million, compared to $49.5 million of cash flows used in investing activities for the first three months of fiscal year 2013. The additional cash provided by investing activities primarily reflects the sale of available-for-sale securities in anticipation of our annual bonus payments.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities.

Cash flows provided by financing activities for the first three months of fiscal 2014 were $25.2 million, compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $107.5 million for the first three months of fiscal year 2013. The primary driver of the decrease in cash provided by financing activities was a lower level of net financing required in the quarter, as higher US cash balances were available to meet our seasonal cash requirements.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the average outstanding balance on our Senior Credit Facility was $5.5 million and the largest outstanding balance was $30 million.

Capital Commitments

Capital expenditures were $25.8 million for the first three months of fiscal year 2014. Anticipated commitments of capital funds are estimated at $70 million for the remainder of fiscal year 2014. We expect cash from operations to adequately provide for these cash needs.

Dividends

During the three months ended December 31, 2012, our board of directors approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.115 per share which was paid in December 2012. Additionally, the board of directors declared an acceleration for calendar year 2013 of dividends otherwise payable in April 2013, July 2013 and October 2013. The $0.345 per share accelerated dividend was paid in December 2012. Since all dividends that would have been otherwise payable in calendar year 2013 were paid in December 2012, there were no dividend payments for Towers Watson shares for the three months ended September 30, 2013. Dividend payments of $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were paid by our consolidated, majority-owned subsidiary, Fifth Quadrant, to its third-party shareholders. Total dividends paid in the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $7.1 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

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. Intangible assets and liabilities were recognized for the difference between the contractual cash obligations and the estimated market rates at the time of the acquisitions. The resulting intangibles amortize to rent expense but do not impact our contractual cash obligations.

 

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Pension Contributions. Remaining contributions to our various pension plans for fiscal year 2014 are projected to be approximately $ 39.1 million.

Uncertain Tax Positions. We have liabilities for uncertain tax positions under ASC 740, Income Taxes. The expected settlement period for the $19.0 million liability, which excludes interest and penalties, cannot be reasonably estimated because it depends on the timing and possible outcomes of tax examinations with various tax authorities.

It is reasonably possible that during the next 12 months the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions may change by a significant amount. The Company may settle certain tax examinations or have lapses in statute of limitations for different amounts than the Company has accrued. The Company may need to accrue and ultimately pay additional amounts for tax positions that previously met a more likely than not standard if such positions are not upheld. Conversely, the Company could settle positions with the tax authorities for amounts lower than have been accrued or extinguish a position through payment. The Company believes the outcomes which are reasonably possible within the next 12 months may result in a reduction in the liability for uncertain tax positions in the range of approximately $1.3 million to $11.3 million, excluding interest and penalties.

Indebtedness

Towers Watson Senior Credit Facility

On November 7, 2011, Towers Watson and certain subsidiaries entered into a 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 “Senior Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest at a spread to either LIBOR or the Prime Rate. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility was 1.43% and 1.53%, respectively. We are charged a quarterly commitment fee, currently 0.175% 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 Professional Consultants Insurance Company (“PCIC”), a majority-owned captive insurance company, and Stone Mountain Insurance Company (“SMIC”), a wholly-owned captive insurance company).

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 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, 2013, we were in compliance with our covenants.

As of September 30, 2013, Towers Watson had borrowings of $30.0 million outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility.

Letters of Credit under the Senior Credit Facility

As of September 30, 2013, Towers Watson had standby letters of credit totaling $21.4 million associated with our captive insurance companies in the event that we fail to meet our financial obligations. Additionally, Towers Watson had $1.5 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.

Term Loan Agreement Due June 2017

On June 1, 2012, the Company entered into a five-year $250 million amortizing term loan facility (“the Term Loan”) with a consortium of banks. The interest rate on the term loan is based on the Company’s choice of one, three or six month LIBOR plus a spread of 1.25% to 1.75%, or alternatively the bank base rate plus 0.25% to 0.75%. The spread to each index is dependent on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The weighted-average interest rate on the Term Loan during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 1.44% and 1.50%, respectively. The Term Loan amortizes at a rate of $6.25 million per quarter, beginning in September 2013, with a final maturity date of June 1, 2017. The Company has the right to prepay a portion or all of the outstanding Term Loan balance on any interest payment date without penalty. At September 30, 2013, the balance on the Term Loan was $243.75 million.

 

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This agreement contains substantially the same terms and conditions as our Senior Credit Facility, including guarantees from all of the domestic subsidiaries of Towers Watson (other than PCIC and SMIC). The Company entered into the Term Loan as part of the financing of our acquisition of Extend Health.

Non-U.S. GAAP Measures

In order to assist readers of our financial statements in understanding the core operating results that the Company’s management uses to evaluate the business and for financial planning, we present (1) Adjusted EBITDA, (2) Adjusted Net income (attributable to common stockholders), and (3) Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (which are all non-U.S. GAAP measures), to eliminate the effect of acquisition-related expenses from the financial results of our operations. We use Adjusted Net income (attributable to common stockholders), the numerator, for the purpose of calculating Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share are relevant and useful information widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in our industry to provide a baseline for evaluating and comparing our operating results.

Since the Merger in January 2010, we have incurred significant acquisition-related expenses related to our merger and integration activities necessary to combine Watson Wyatt and Towers Perrin. These acquisition-related expenses include transaction and integration costs, severance costs, non-cash charges for amortization of intangible assets and merger-related stock-based compensation costs from the issuance of merger-related restricted shares. Included in our acquisition-related transaction and integration costs are integration consultant fees and legal, accounting, marketing and information technology integration expenses. We expect that during the first three years following the merger, these activities and the related expenses will be incurred and be significant, although amortization will continue over the estimated useful lives of the related intangibles. We consider Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share to be important financial measures, which we use to internally evaluate and assess our core operations, and benchmark our operating results against our competitors. We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate and measure our performance-based compensation plans. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share are important in illustrating what our operating results would have been had we not incurred these acquisition-related expenses.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (attributable to common stockholders) adjusted for provision for income taxes, interest, net depreciation and amortization, transaction and integration expenses, stock-based compensation, and other non-operating income. 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 measure 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.

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (attributable to common stockholders), Adjusted income from continuing operations, to net income (attributable to common stockholders) and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share to diluted earnings per share are included in the tables below.

 

     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,  
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

NET INCOME

   $ 88,214      $ 58,727   

Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     2,444        6,746   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 85,770      $ 51,981   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

     14,808        28,269   

Interest, net

     1,907        2,261   

Depreciation and amortization

     43,385        42,874   

Other non-operating income (a)

     (38     (2,296
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ 145,832      $ 123,089   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transaction and integration expenses

       9,273   

Stock-based compensation (b)

       6,372   
    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  

  $ 138,734   
    

 

 

 

 

(a) Other non-operating income includes loss from affiliates and other non-operating income.
(b) 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 and other acquisitions.

 

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     Three Months Ended  
     September 30,  
     2013      2012  
     (In thousands, except share and  
     per share amounts)  

NET INCOME

   $ 88,214       $ 58,727   

Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     2,444         6,746   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations (attributable to common stockholders)

     85,770         51,981   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted for certain acquisition related items (c):

     

Amortization of intangible assets

     16,110         12,289   

Transaction and integration expenses including severance

     —           5,968   

Stock-based compensation (d)

     —           4,101   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Income from continuing operations

   $ 101,880       $ 74,339   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock — diluted (000)

     71,046         71,993   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share, as reported

   $ 1.21       $ 0.72   

Adjusted for certain acquisition related items:

     

Amortization of intangible assets

     0.22         0.17   

Transaction and integration expenses including severance

     —           0.08   

Stock-based compensation

     —           0.06   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

   $ 1.43       $ 1.03   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(c) The adjustments to net income (attributable to common stockholders) and diluted earnings per share of certain acquisition related items are net of tax. In calculating the net of tax amounts, all adjustments were tax effected at the applicable effective tax rate (ETR) for the period, which was 14.7% and 35.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(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 and other acquisitions.

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, together with a self-insured retention of $10 million aggregate, above the $1 million self-insured retention, and covers professional liability claims against us, including the cost of defending such claims.

For the policy period beginning July 1, 2011 certain changes were made to our professional liability insurance program. These changes remain in-force for the annual policy periods beginning July 1, 2011 and ending July 1, 2014. Our professional liability insurance includes a self-insured retention of $1 million per claim. Towers Watson also retains a $10 million aggregate self-insured retention above the $1 million self-insured retention per claim, including the cost of defending such claims. Stone Mountain Insurance Company (“SMIC”) provides us with $40 million of coverage per claim and in the aggregate, above these retentions, including the cost of defending such claims. 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 self-insured retention above, and because Stone Mountain is wholly-owned by us, our primary errors and omissions risk is borne by Towers Watson and the subsidiary SMIC. 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.

 

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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.

Our ownership interest in PCIC is 72.86%. As a consequence, PCIC’s results of operations are consolidated into our results of operations. 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, 2013, we had a $187.2 million IBNR liability balance, net of recoverable receivables of our captive insurance companies. This net liability was $184.1 million as of June 30, 2013. 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 condensed 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.

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 4 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets; Note 7 — Retirement Benefits; Note 8 — Debt, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities; Note 11 — Restricted Stock; Note 13 — 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:

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

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

 

    our ability to make suitable acquisitions and divestitures;

 

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

 

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    the acquisition of Extend Health is not profitable or is not otherwise successfully integrated;

 

    foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations;

 

    recent SEC rules 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, 2014;

 

    potential changes in federal and state health care regulations or future interpretation of existing regulations;

 

    our newly-acquired Extend Health business or our One Exchange business fails to maintain good relationships with insurance carriers, becomes dependent upon a limited number of insurance carriers or fails to develop new insurance carrier relationships;

 

    changes and developments in the health insurance system in the United States;

 

    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 most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 15, 2013 with the SEC. 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.

We are 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

We are primarily exposed to changes in short-term interest rates globally with respect to the return on our cash and short-term investments, and in the United States with respect to our cost of borrowing under our term loan and revolving credit facility.

Because of our desire for flexibility with respect to our investment balances, and our primary objective of preservation of principal, we primarily invest our portfolios in short-term securities that are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.

We monitor our cost of borrowing under our various facilities, taking into account the seasonal nature of our funding requirements, and our expectation for short-term rates in the future.

 

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We have material pension obligations that are impacted by interest rates. In recent years, the declining interest rate environment has resulted in lower discount rates, one of the main assumptions used in valuing a pension plan. As discount rates are determined by corporate bond yields, significant changes in the bond market can adversely affect our discount rate, which in turn increases our pension liabilities.

Foreign Currency Risk

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.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, 45% 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, 2013, a uniform 10% strengthening in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the currencies in which our transactions are denominated would have resulted in a decrease in net income (attributable to common stockholders) of $1.7 million, or 2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2013. 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 subsidiaries, primarily in the United Kingdom, receive revenue in currencies that differ from their functional currencies. To reduce this variability, Towers Watson uses foreign exchange forward contracts and has the ability to use over-the-counter options to hedge the foreign exchange risk of the forecasted collections. See Note 6, “Derivative Financial Instruments” in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q for a further discussion of our foreign currency forwards and their fair market value.

We consolidate our international subsidiaries by converting them into U.S. dollars in accordance with generally acceptable 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.

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, 2013.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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

 

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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, 2013.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

There are no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on August 15, 2013. We urge you to read the risk factors contained in our Form 10-K.

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

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Towers Watson Board has authorized the Company to periodically repurchase shares of common stock under two distinct sets of authority.

The purpose of the first authority is to offset the dilutive effect of issuance of shares under the Company’s equity based compensation plans (“Dilution”). 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 to offset Dilution. 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 to offset Dilution. As of September 30, 2013, 788,189 shares remained available for repurchase under this authority.

The purpose of the second authority is to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock outside of the anti-dilutive authorization. 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 third quarter of fiscal 2012, the $100 million general repurchase authorization was exhausted, and the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an additional $150 million of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. As of September 30, 2013, $120.5 million remained available for repurchase of shares under this authority.

There are no expiration dates for any of these repurchases plans or programs. There were no repurchases in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 under either of the Company’s repurchase plans. The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under our two stock repurchase plans is 1,914,482. An estimate of the maximum number of shares under the repurchase of up to $150 million was determined using the closing price of our stock on September  30, 2013, the last trading day of our fiscal quarter, of $106.96.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

3.1    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Towers Watson & Co. (1)
10.1    Amendment No. 1 dated as of October 9, 2013 to Credit Agreement dated as of November 7, 2011, among Towers Watson & Co. and certain subsidiaries, as borrowers, each lender from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C lender.*
10.2    Amendment No. 1 dated as of October 9, 2013 to Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2012, among Towers Watson & Co., as borrower, each lender from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.*
10.3    Amended 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, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended September 30, 2013, and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements***.

 

* Filed or furnished herewith.
** Designates management contracts and compensation plans.
*** 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 August 19, 2013.

 

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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 12, 2013

  
Name: John J. Haley   

Date

  
Title: Chief Executive Officer      
/s/ Roger F. Millay   

November 12, 2013

  
Name: Roger F. Millay   

Date

  
Title: Chief Financial Officer      
/s/ Michael M. Thomson   

November 12, 2013

  
Name: Michael M. Thomson   

Date

  
Title: Controller (Chief Accounting Officer)      

 

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