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 December 31, 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,” “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 January 29, 2014, there were 70,526,630 outstanding shares of Class A 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 and Six Months Ended December 31, 2013

 

     Page  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

     1   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

     2   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013

     3   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Six Months Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

     4   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity — Six Months Ended December 31, 2012 and 2013

     5   

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     6   

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

     27   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     43   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     44   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     44   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     44   

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

     44   

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     45   

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

     45   

Item 5. Other Information

     45   

Item 6. Exhibits

     46   

Signatures

     47   

Certifications

  


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 December 31,     Six Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Revenue

   $ 888,155      $ 911,021      $ 1,698,094      $ 1,704,256   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs of providing services:

        

Salaries and employee benefits

     526,731        556,179        1,027,150        1,048,259   

Professional and subcontracted services

     69,074        71,168        130,474        126,843   

Occupancy

     34,782        34,669        68,327        72,450   

General and administrative expenses

     85,038        80,504        153,807        156,782   

Depreciation and amortization

     43,296        44,930        86,681        87,804   

Transaction and integration expenses

     808        9,152        808        18,425   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     759,729        796,602        1,467,247        1,510,563   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     128,426        114,419        230,847        193,693   

Loss from affiliates

     —          —          —          (56

Interest income

     560        811        1,089        1,505   

Interest expense

     (2,027     (3,605     (4,463     (6,560

Other non-operating income

     5,652        2,696        5,690        5,048   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     132,611        114,321        233,163        193,630   

Provision for income taxes

     42,283        36,126        57,091        64,395   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     90,328        78,195        176,072        129,235   

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $38,286, $730, $40,837, and $4,537

     (403     2,412        2,041        9,158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME BEFORE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

     89,925        80,607        178,113        138,393   

Less: Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

     3,737        (1,683     3,711        (2,624
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 86,188      $ 82,290      $ 174,402      $ 141,017   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share (attributable to common stockholders):

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 1.22      $ 1.12      $ 2.43      $ 1.85   

Income from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ 0.03      $ 0.03      $ 0.13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1.22      $ 1.15      $ 2.46      $ 1.98   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share (attributable to common stockholders):

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 1.21      $ 1.11      $ 2.42      $ 1.83   

Income from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ 0.04      $ 0.03      $ 0.13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1.21      $ 1.15      $ 2.45      $ 1.96   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, basic (000)

     70,809        71,257        70,805        71,376   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, diluted (000)

     71,213        71,847        71,130        71,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

1


Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Net income before non-controlling interests

   $ 89,925      $ 80,607      $ 178,113      $ 138,393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:

        

Foreign currency translation

     17,825        1,864        88,735        48,723   

Defined pension and post-retirement benefit costs

     3,419        (9,383     6,531        (17,123

Hedge effectiveness

     (12     (246     (1,030     (796

Available-for-sale securities

     36        (108     222        56   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss) before non-controlling interests

     21,268        (7,873     94,458        30,860   

Comprehensive income before non-controlling interests

     111,193        72,734        272,571        169,253   

Comprehensive income/ (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest

     3,321        (1,612     3,097        (1,756
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (attributable to common stockholders)

     107,872        74,346        269,474        171,009   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

2


Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

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

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31,     June 30,  
     2013     2013  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 511,943      $ 532,805   

Fiduciary assets

     12,925        148,414   

Short-term investments

     16,879        56,645   

Receivables from clients:

    

Billed, net of allowances of $9,833 and $12,768

     511,871        519,580   

Unbilled, at estimated net realizable value

     276,797        306,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     788,668        825,838   

Other current assets

     152,492        148,519   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,482,907        1,712,221   

Fixed assets, net

     363,258        346,915   

Deferred income taxes

     80,761        86,313   

Goodwill

     2,312,335        2,218,935   

Intangible assets, net

     655,425        687,758   

Investments of consolidated variable interest entity

     277,070        —     

Other assets

     318,015        279,935   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 5,489,771      $ 5,332,077   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income

   $ 340,337      $ 351,648   

Employee-related liabilities

     352,943        560,831   

Fiduciary liabilities

     12,925        148,414   

Term loan - current

     25,000        25,000   

Other current liabilities

     58,487        26,980   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     789,692        1,112,873   

Revolving credit facility

     35,000        —     

Term loan

     212,500        225,000   

Accrued retirement benefits and other employee-related liabilities

     679,857        771,429   

Professional liability claims reserve

     256,042        251,191   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     268,011        226,750   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     2,241,102        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 65,248,816 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

     1,851,940        1,850,448   

Treasury stock, at cost — 3,929,281 and 3,836,338 shares

     (248,797     (221,643

Retained earnings

     1,558,310        1,394,407   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (204,392     (299,464
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     2,957,807        2,724,494   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

     290,862        20,340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

     3,248,669        2,744,834   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Total Equity

   $ 5,489,771      $ 5,332,077   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

3


Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  

Cash flows (used in)/from operating activities:

    

Net income before non-controlling interests

   $ 178,113      $ 138,393   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in)/from in operating activities:

    

Provision for doubtful receivables from clients

     566        7,824   

Depreciation

     49,097        49,380   

Amortization of intangible assets

     38,022        39,892   

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, pretax

     (18,480     —     

Provision for deferred income taxes

     51,276        27,936   

Stock-based compensation

     11,509        23,260   

Other, net

     (1,619     (2,651

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    

Receivables from clients

     47,340        (19,819

Fiduciary assets

     110,743        53,063   

Other current assets

     (858     (18,865

Other noncurrent assets

     (5,139     589   

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred income

     (44,160     22,717   

Employee-related liabilities

     (224,683     (144,650

Fiduciary liabilities

     (110,743     (53,063

Accrued retirement benefits and other employee-related liabilities

     (104,386     (111,077

Professional liability claims reserves

     2,887        (8,996

Other current liabilities

     (762     1,559   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     (256     9,099   

Income tax related accounts

     1,599        6,780   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows (used in)/from operating activities

   $ (19,934   $ 21,371   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used in investing activities:

    

Cash paid for business acquisitions

     (210,814     (185

Cash transferred with discontinued operations

     (25,066     —     

Proceeds from discontinued operations

     256,953        3,682   

Cash acquired from business acquisitions

     3,949        —     

Fixed assets and software for internal use

     (38,566     (54,493

Purchases of investments of consolidated variable interest entity

     (50,510     —     

Capitalized software costs

     (23,327     (29,007

Purchases of investments

     (31,779     (18,083

Sales and redemptions of investments

     56,580        27,670   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used in investing activities

   $ (62,580   $ (70,416
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities:

    

Borrowings under credit facility

     144,100        376,600   

Repayments under credit facility

     (109,100     (309,600

Repayments of notes payable

     (12,500     —     

Cash received from consolidated variable interest entity

     50,510        —     

Contingent retention liability

     21,746        —     

Cash paid on retention liabilities

     (1,939     —     

Dividends paid

     (613     (48,715

Repurchases of common stock

     (40,533     (36,531

Payroll tax payments on vested shares

     (7,457     (1,750

Excess tax benefits

     9,800        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from/(used in) financing activities

   $ 54,014      $ (19,996
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

   $ 7,638      $ 11,648   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (20,862     (57,393

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     532,805        478,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 511,943      $ 420,786   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 1,931      $ 4,460   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 40,814      $ 32,904   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common stock withheld for taxes associated with vesting of Restricted A Shares

   $ 7,457      $ 1,750   
    
    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transfers into consolidated investment funds

   $ 223,212      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

4


Table of Contents

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

Balance as of June 30, 2012

     63,522      $ 635         11,036       $ 110       $ 1,833,799      $ (168,901   $ 1,117,622      $ (350,745   $ 24,797      $ 2,457,317   

Net income/(loss)

     —          —           —           —           —          —          141,017        —          (2,624     138,393   

Other comprehensive income

     —          —           —           —           —          —          —          29,992        868        30,860   

Repurchases of common stock

     —          —           —           —           —          (36,531     —            —          (36,531

Shares received for employee taxes upon vesting of restricted stock units

     —          —           —           —           —          (1,750     —          —          —          (1,750

Exercises of stock options

     —          —           —           —           (2,178     2,479        —          —          —          301   

Vesting of restricted stock units

     (91     —           —           —           (2,913     987        —          —          —          (1,926

Class A Common Stock:

                       

Cash dividends declared

     —          —           —           —           —          —          (42,588     —          —          (42,588

Stock-based compensation

     —          —           —           —           23,260        —          —          —          —          23,260   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

     63,431      $ 635         11,036       $ 110       $ 1,851,968      $ (203,716   $ 1,216,051      $ (320,753   $ 23,041      $ 2,567,336   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                       
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     —          —           —           —           —          —          174,402        —          3,711        178,113   

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

     —          —           —           —           —          —          —          95,072        (614     94,458   

Repurchases of common stock

     —          —           —           —           —          (40,533     —            —          (40,533

Shares received for employee taxes upon vesting of restricted stock units

     —          —           —           —           —          (7,457     —          —          —          (7,457

Exercises of stock options

     —          —           —           —           (3,443     3,908        —          —          —          465   

Vesting of restricted stock units

     —          —           —           —           (24,128     16,928        —          —          —          (7,200

Acquisitions

     —          —           —           —           6,717        —          —          —          (6,297     420   

Redeemable non-controlling interest from consolidated variable interest entity

     —          —           —           —           —          —          —          —          273,722        273,722   

Class A Common Stock:

                       

Cash dividends declared

     —          —           —           —           —          —          (10,499     —          —          (10,499

Excess tax benefits

     —          —           —           —           9,800        —          —          —          —          9,800   

Stock-based compensation

     —          —           —           —           12,546        —          —          —          —          12,546   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

     69,178      $ 692         5,374       $ 54       $ 1,851,940      $ (248,797   $ 1,558,310      $ (204,392   $ 290,862      $ 3,248,669   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements

 

5


Table of Contents

TOWERS WATSON & CO.

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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

(Unaudited)

Note 1 — Organization and Basis of Presentation.

The accompanying unaudited quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements of Towers Watson & Co. (“Towers Watson”, the “Company” or “we”) and our subsidiaries are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements and results for the interim periods. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read together with the Towers Watson audited 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 and six months ended December 31, 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 – Acquisitions and Divestitures, we have classified the operating results of our reinsurance and property and casualty insurance brokerage business as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Note 2 — Acquisitions and Divestitures.

Acquisition

Our acquisition in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 was not material for the purposes of financial statement disclosures as required by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805. Our acquisition information is included to provide our investors with a better understanding of our strategic acquisitions.

Liazon Corporation Acquisition

On November 22, 2013, Towers Watson purchased Liazon Corporation (“Liazon”), a leader in developing and delivering private benefit exchanges for active employees, for $203.2 million in cash and assumed equity awards valued at $8.0 million. The Liazon business became a new line of business, which complements our existing OneExchange offerings under the Exchange Solutions segment. Together these solutions help organizations, both large and small, deliver self- and fully-insured benefits to both employees as well as pre- and post-65 retirees. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we recorded the tangible assets received and liabilities assumed of $3.7 million and a deferred tax asset of $13.1 million. Management is in the process of determining the fair value of any intangible assets assumed and plans to finalize this assessment in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. We determined that total consideration transferred was $211.2 million and recorded $194.4 million of preliminary goodwill related to the acquisition of Liazon. However, the assessment of the fair value of tangible and intangible assets and deferred taxes separate from goodwill have not been finalized.

Divestitures

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 (“Brokerage”) business to Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc (“JLT”) for cash consideration of $250 million. The

 

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Brokerage business was a component of our Risk and Financial Services segment. The sale closed during our second quarter of fiscal year 2014. 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 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 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 were previously eliminated as intercompany transactions, and are $2.8 million for fiscal year 2014. Additionally, the Company agreed to a Transitional Services Agreement with JLT for a two-year period ending November 5, 2015. The Company expects to incur approximately $6.3 million each year in occupancy or other infrastructure costs, which was prepaid as part of deal consideration or will be repaid by JLT over the next two years. 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 and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively:

 

     Three months ended      Six months ended  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013     2012      2013     2012  

Revenue from discontinued operations

   $ 22,564      $ 35,224       $ 63,762      $ 76,237   

Income from discontinued operations before taxes

     9,894        3,142         24,398        13,695   

Tax expense on discontinued operations

     3,692        730         8,801        4,537   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from discontinued operations

     6,202        2,412         15,597        9,158   

Gain from sale of discontinued operations

     27,989        —           18,480        —     

Tax expense on gain from sale of discontinued operations

     34,594        —           32,036        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss from sale of discontinued operations

     (6,605     —           (13,556     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net (loss)/income from discontinued operations

   $ (403   $ 2,412       $ 2,041      $ 9,158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

In addition to the stated $250 million cash consideration stipulated in the sale agreement, a preliminary purchase price adjustment of $28.7 million was paid to the Company by JLT representing the preliminary value of net assets transferred in the sale. The completion accounts and this purchase price adjustment are expected to be finalized during the Company’s third fiscal quarter.

As part of the sale, the Company agreed to repay JLT for retention payments made to certain employees of Brokerage if they remain with the business on the 30-day anniversary of the sale and the first and second anniversary of the sale. The value ascribed to this portion of the obligation is $21.7 million at the time of the sale. The remaining liability at December 31, 2013 is carried at fair value on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (see Note 5 – Fair Value Measurements). The total amount has been classified as current or non-current liabilities based on the expected payment dates.

 

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The obligation for retention payments and certain other negotiated terms reduced total consideration received at close to $212.4 million. Total transaction and integration costs were approximately $6.3 million. We expect to finalize the completion accounts and the purchase price adjustments during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Our pre-tax preliminary gain on the sale is $18.5 million. The sale of our Brokerage business resulted in a significant taxable gain since the disposal of the goodwill and intangible assets associated with the business is not deductible for tax.

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 material trading or held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, investments related to our variable interest entities are consolidated on the balance sheet, but are excluded from this disclosure. See Note 9 – Variable Interest Entities for additional information around the consolidation of these investments.

Additional information on available-for-sale security balances is provided in the following table as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013:

 

     December 31, 2013      June 30, 2013  
     Amortized      Unrealized      Unrealized     Estimated      Amortized      Unrealized      Unrealized     Estimated  
     Cost      Gains      Losses     Fair Value      Cost      Gains      Losses     Fair Value  

Fixed income securities (a)

   $ —         $ —         $ —        $ —         $ 56,602       $ 15       $ (2   $ 56,615   

Equity securities (a)

     91         10         —          101         853         476         (1     1,328   

Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (b)

     41,637         1,663         (8     43,292         26,666         14         (97     26,583   

 

(a) Classified as short-term investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively. Certain liquid short-term investments, such as term deposits and certificates of deposits, are classified as short-term investments on the balance sheet but are not available-for-sale investments and therefore, are not included in the table above.
(b) Classified as other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively.

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 six months ended December 31, 2013 were $58.2 million, resulting in immaterial realized gains. For the six months ended December 31, 2013, $1.6 million of the proceeds related to the sale of investments as part of the divestiture of our Brokerage business. Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of available-for-sale securities during the six months ended December 31, 2012 were $26.5 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 December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013 were $10.0 million and $36.3 million, respectively.

Note 4 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets.

The components of goodwill and intangible assets are outlined below for the six months ended December 31, 2013:

 

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

Balance as of June 30, 2013

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

Goodwill related to acquisitions

     —           —          —           194,384         —           194,384   

Goodwill related to disposals

     —           (167,822     —           —           —           (167,822

Translation adjustment

     43,243         20,087        3,508         —           —           66,838   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

   $ 1,276,515       $ 386,415      $ 112,358       $ 535,833       $ 1,214       $ 2,312,335   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Included in the Risk and Financial Services activity is a $167.8 million reduction in goodwill related to the disposal of our Brokerage business, which was completed on November 6, 2013. See Note 2 for additional information regarding the sale of this business.

Included in the Exchange Solutions goodwill acquired is $194.4 million of goodwill related to the acquisition of Liazon, which closed on November 22, 2013. We recorded the consideration less the tangible assets and liabilities as goodwill as of December 31, 2013. We have not yet finalized the preliminary assessment of the fair value of tangible assets and intangible assets separate from goodwill, but we expect to do so in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014. See Note 2 for additional information regarding this acquisition.

The following table reflects changes in the net carrying amount of the components of finite-lived intangible assets for the six months ended December 31, 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

     (23,028     (14,994     (474     (38,496

Intangibles related to disposal

     (8,254     —          —          (8,254

Translation adjustment

     5,534        675        (1     6,208   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

   $ 220,499      $ 55,196      $ 3,090      $ 278,785   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $18.7 million and $38.0 million, respectively, of amortization related to our intangible assets, exclusive of favorable lease agreements. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $20.3 million and $39.9 million, respectively, of amortization related to our intangible assets. 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 $8.3 million associated with the sale of our Brokerage business, which closed on November 6, 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. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $1.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, of amortization expense and an additional $1.7 million and $3.8 million of amortization for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, respectively.

Our indefinite-lived non-amortizable intangible assets consist of acquired trade names. The carrying value of these assets were $376.6 million and $368.4 million as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively. The change during the period was due to foreign currency translation.

Our acquired unfavorable lease liabilities were $11.9 million and $13.5 million as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively, and are recorded in the other noncurrent liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The change for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was comprised of a reduction to rent expense of $1.6 million.

 

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The following table reflects the carrying value of finite-lived intangible assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013:

 

     As of December 31, 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

     387,111         166,612         390,027         143,780   

Core/developed technology

     141,177         85,981         164,762         95,247   

Favorable lease agreements

     6,493         3,403         6,496         2,931   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finite-lived intangible assets

   $ 535,151       $ 256,366       $ 561,655       $ 242,328   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unfavorable lease agreements

     26,021         14,162         25,591         12,122   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finite-lived intangible liabilities

   $ 26,021       $ 14,162       $ 25,591       $ 12,122   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 December 31, 2013 was 5.5 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

   $ 32,909       $ (1,158

2015

     61,754         (2,023

2016

     52,337         (1,562

2017

     47,884         (1,862

2018

     37,587         (1,981

Thereafter

     43,224         (183
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 275,695       $ (8,769
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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.

 

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The following presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013:

 

                                                                   
     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis at
December 31, 2013
 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Available-for-sale securities:

           

Equity securities (a)

   $ 101       $ —         $ —         $ 101   

Mutual funds / exchange traded funds (b)

     43,292         —           —           43,292   

Derivatives:

           

Foreign exchange forwards (c)

     —           776         —           776   

Liabilities:

           

Derivatives:

           

Foreign exchange forwards (c)

   $ —         $ 1,737       $ —         $ 1,737   

Contingent Liabilities:

           

Retention bonus liability (d)

     —           —           19,807         19,807   

 

                                                                   
     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 (a)

     1,328         —           —           1,328   

Mutual funds / exchange-traded funds (b)

     26,583         —           —           26,583   

Derivatives:

           

Foreign exchange forwards (c)

     —           546         —           546   

Liabilities:

           

Derivatives:

           

Foreign exchange forwards (c)

   $ —         $ 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 on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(c) 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.
(d) These liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow model.

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 and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded gains of $0.3 and $0.9, respectively, for instruments still held at December 31, 2013. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded gains of $1.8 million and $2.6 million for instruments still held at December 31, 2012. There were no material gains or losses recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for available-for-sale securities still held at December 31, 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.

 

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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 and six months ended December 31, 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.

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 December 31, 2013, the longest outstanding maturity was 15 months. As of December 31, 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 and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recognized no material gains or losses due to hedge ineffectiveness.

As of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, we had cash flow and economic hedges with a notional value of $78.9 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 December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013 was a liability of $1.0 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 December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013 and their location in the condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows:

 

     Derivative assets      Derivative liabilities  
     Balance sheet
location
   Fair value      Balance sheet
location
   Fair value  
          December 31,
2013
     June 30,
2013
          December 31,
2013
    June 30,
2013
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

                

Foreign exchange forwards

   Other current assets    $ 237       $ 395       Accounts payable,
accrued liabilities
and deferred income
   $ (1,725   $ (159

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

                

Foreign exchange forwards

   Other current assets      539         151       Accounts payable,
accrued liabilities
and deferred income
     (12     (194
     

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative assets (liabilities)

      $ 776       $ 546          $ (1,737   $ (353
     

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The effects of derivative instruments that are designated as hedging instruments on the consolidated statement of operations and the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

Derivatives designated as hedging
instruments for the three months ended
December 31, 2013 and 2012:

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

Foreign exchange Forwards

   $ (431   $ (374   General and
administrative
expenses
   $ (394   $ 35       General and
administrative
expenses
   $ 2       $ 1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (431   $ (374      $ (394   $ 35          $ 2       $ 1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging
instruments for the six months ended
December 31, 2013 and 2012:

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

Foreign exchange forwards

   $ (2,062   $ (1,058   General and
administrative
expenses
   $ (332   $ 266       General and
administrative
expenses
   $ 3       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (2,062   $ (1,058      $ (332   $ 266          $ 3       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in the notional values above are $27.4 million and $33.6 million as of December 31, 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 and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

          (Loss) gain recognized in income  
     Location of (Loss) gain    Three Months Ended
December 31,
     Six Months Ended
December 31,
 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

   recognized in income    2013     2012      2013      2012  

Foreign exchange forwards

   General and administrative expenses    $ (85   $ 2,455       $ 520       $ 2,074   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ (85   $ 2,455       $ 520       $ 2,074   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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.

All expenses and contributions presented in this note are inclusive of amounts classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

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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 and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     North
America
    Europe     North
America
    Europe  

Service cost

   $ 17,538      $ 3,074      $ 17,802      $ 3,231   

Interest cost

     35,212        10,249        34,036        9,734   

Expected return on plan assets

     (47,181     (11,532     (47,000     (10,859

Amortization of net loss

     5,475        2,250        11,593        1,510   

Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost

     (2,095     11        (2,094     10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 8,949      $ 4,052      $ 14,337      $ 3,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Six Months Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     North
America
    Europe     North
America
    Europe  

Service cost

   $ 35,326      $ 6,039      $ 35,696      $ 6,463   

Interest cost

     70,566        20,096        67,983        19,467   

Expected return on plan assets

     (94,407     (22,589     (93,234     (21,719

Amortization of net loss

     11,124        4,419        23,068        3,021   

Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost

     (4,189     21        (4,188     21   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 18,420      $ 7,986      $ 29,325      $ 7,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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 and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Six Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Service cost

   $ 366      $ 444      $ 734      $ 887   

Interest cost

     2,220        2,206        4,442        4,412   

Expected return on plan assets

     (28     (33     (56     (65

Amortization of net (gain) loss

     (433     99        (863     198   

Amortization of prior service credit

     (1,751     (2,062     (3,503     (4,123
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 374      $ 654      $ 754      $ 1,309   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Employer Contributions to Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company made $61.1 million in contributions to the North American plans during the first six months of fiscal year 2014 and anticipates making $12.1 million in contributions over the remainder of the fiscal year. The Company made $19.7 million in contributions to European plans during the first six months of fiscal year 2014 and anticipates making $18.3 million in contributions over the remainder of the fiscal year. Of the amount contributed for the European plans, $10.1 million was a contribution to the German pension plan which was previously unfunded. The Company expects to fund the German plan obligation over the next 10 years.

 

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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 December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $7.5 million and $7.4 million, respectively. The cost of the Company’s contributions to the plans for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $13.5 million and $13.0 million, respectively.

The cost of the Company’s contributions to the various U.K. defined contribution plans for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $4.1 million and $5.7 million, respectively. The cost of the Company’s contributions to the plans for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $9.9 million and $11.2 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 six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility was 1.98% and 1.51%, 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 December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with our covenants.

As of December 31, 2013, Towers Watson had borrowings of $35.0 million outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility.

Letters of Credit under the Senior Credit Facility

As of December 31, 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 six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was 1.43% and 1.49%, 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 December 31, 2013, the balance on the Term Loan was $237.5 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 on May 29, 2012.

 

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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 December 31, 2013, we had a $183.2 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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Table of Contents

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. On January 16, 2014, the Company and TWIS filed an amended answer and counterclaim asserting that Acument Global Technologies, Inc. failed to fulfill its fiduciary duties to the Acument Pension Plan with respect to its investment in the Westridge Funds. The dispute remains extant. At this time, no material loss is probable in excess of amounts currently accrued.

Note 9 — 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 subsidiaries, Towers Watson Investment Management Limited and Towers Watson Investment Management, Ireland, we manage approximately $1.5 billion of assets in investment funds that are considered VIEs and for which our management fee is considered a variable interest. We have determined that these funds qualify for the deferral to certain provisions of ASC Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation – Overall, afforded by ASU 2010-10, Consolidation – Amendments for Certain Investment Funds. In accordance with this deferral, we determine whether we consolidate the fund based on whether we absorb a majority of the fund’s expected losses or receive a majority of the fund’s expected returns.

Nonconsolidated VIEs

We do not consolidate those funds in which we do not absorb a majority of the fund’s expected losses or receive a majority of the fund’s expected returns. Our maximum exposure to loss of these unconsolidated VIEs is limited to collection of any unpaid management fees (which are not material).

Consolidated VIEs

Some of the investments in these funds are held by the Company’s defined benefit retirement plans, which are considered related parties. In addition, because of contractual language that restricts the investors’ ability to exercise its economic interests in the funds, the other investors’ interests are also considered related parties. While the Company does not absorb a majority of the expected losses or receive a majority of the expected returns of any of the funds through our management fee, we must combine this interest with the interests of our related parties for purposes of performing the primary beneficiary test. The party within the related party group that is most closely associated with the VIE must consolidate the VIE. We determined that the Company is the party most closely associated with these funds.

 

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Included within our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 is $277.1 million classified within Investments of consolidated variable interest entities and Non-controlling interests. The non-controlling interest balance is considered temporary equity as the units held by the investors are redeemable. The changes of the redeemable non-controlling interests balance for the six months ended December 31, 2013 is as follows:

 

Balance as of June 30, 2013

   $ —     

Redeemable non-controlling interest from consolidated variable interest entity

     273,722   

Mark-to-market gains on investments held by consolidated variable interest entity

     3,348   
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2013

   $ 277,070   
  

 

 

 

Our maximum exposure to loss of these consolidated VIEs is limited to collection of any unpaid management fees (which are not material) and any potential increase to our pension funding obligation due to losses incurred by the funds. The assets of each of the consolidated funds may only be used to settle obligations of that respective fund. In addition, there is no recourse to the Company for the consolidated VIEs liabilities and the Company is not required to provide financial or other support to any of the consolidated VIEs.

The consolidated investment funds are carried at fair value in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 5 for a description of the fair value levels. All investments are valued at the net asset value as determined and reported by the fund manager. The Company classifies these investments as Level 2 or Level 3 based upon the redemption restrictions of each fund. Funds with a significant redemption restriction from the measurement date are classified as Level 3. The Company believes redemption restrictions, including notice periods, lock-up terms or gates, of greater than one year represent a significant restriction. The following presents our investments as of December 31, 2013:

 

     Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis at
December 31, 2013
 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Fund Strategy:

           

Commodities

   $ —         $ 8,339       $ —         $ 8,339   

Credit Long/Short

     —           —           18,775         18,775   

Currency

     —           6,822         —           6,822   

Discretionary Macro

     —           29,924         —           29,924   

Equity Long/Short

     —           29,347         17,170         46,517   

Managed Futures

     —           12,296         —           12,296   

Multi Asset

     —           20,244         —           20,244   

Multi Strategy

     —           24,550         —           24,550   

Reinsurance

     —           35,974         5,263         41,237   

SmartBeta

     —           28,064         —           28,064   

Statistical Arbitrage

     —           15,892         —           15,892   

Systemic Trading

     —           24,411         —           24,411   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total consolidated investment funds

   $ —         $ 235,863       $ 41,208       $ 277,071   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were no transfers in or out of Level 3 since the initial investment in the funds. The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the plan’s Level 3 assets for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013:

 

     Credit
Long/Short
     Equity
Long/Short
     Reinsurance      Total  

Beginning balance at June 30, 2013

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Net actual return on assets still held at the end of the year

     677         1,084         112         1,873   

Net purchases, sales and settlements

     18,098         16,086         5,151         39,335   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance at December 31, 2013

   $ 18,775       $ 17,170       $ 5,263       $ 41,208   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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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.

 

     Foreign
currency
    Hedge effectiveness (2)     Available-for-sale
securities (1)
     Defined pension and
post-retirement benefit costs (3)
 
     translation
(1)
    Before
Tax
    Tax     After
Tax
    Before
Tax
     Tax     After
Tax
     Before
Tax
    Tax     After
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

     89,346        (2,062     836        (1,226     298         (73     225         —          —          —     

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

     —          332        (136     196        —           —          —           8,383        (1,852     6,531   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income

     89,346        (1,730     700        (1,030     298         (73     225         8,383        (1,852     6,531   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013

   $ (41,750   $ (1,493   $ 595      $ (898   $ 845       $ (207   $ 638       $ (225,434   $ 63,052      $ (162,382
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income are included in Income from discontinued operations
(2) Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income are included in General and administrative expenses (see Note 6 – Derivative Financial Instruments for additional details)
(3) 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 converted 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 and six months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $4.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of non-cash share-based compensation expense in connection with the issuance of Towers Watson Restricted Class A common stock to Towers Perrin RSU holders in the Merger. In our results of operations, $0.5 million and $1.0 million is classified as discontinued operations for the Brokerage employees’ awards relating to non-cash stock based compensation recorded for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, respectively. The service period of this award was complete at January 1, 2013; there was no stock-based compensation related to this award recorded in fiscal year 2014.

 

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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.

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 and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $1.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively, 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 and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.2 million and $1.0 million of stock-based compensation related to these grants, respectively. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $2.8 million and $2.8 million of stock-based compensation related to these grants, respectively.

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 and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded ($1.0) million and ($0.5) million, respectively, of stock-based compensation related to these grants as we adjusted the cumulative expense recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 according to the performance metric. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, 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

 

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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. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of non-cash stock based compensation in the Exchange Solutions business segment.

Liazon RSUs. In November 2013, in connection with the acquisition, we assumed the Liazon Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and converted the outstanding unvested restricted stock units into 70,533 Towers Watson restricted stock units using a conversion ratio stated in the agreement for the exercise price and number of options. The fair value of these restricted stock units was calculated using the fair value share price of Towers Watson’s closing share price on the date of acquisition. We determined the fair value of the portion of the 70,533 outstanding RSUs related to pre-acquisition employee service using Towers Watson graded vesting methodology from the date of grant to the acquisition date to be $5.7 million which was added to the transaction consideration. The fair value of the remaining portion of RSUs related to the post-acquisition employee services was $2.1 million, and will be recorded over the future vesting periods. We recorded non-cash stock based compensation related to these awards of $0.3 million for both the three and six months ended December 31, 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 vest annually over a three-year period. We assumed a 5% forfeiture rate with these awards. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $1.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively, 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 vest annually over a three-year period. We assumed a 5% forfeiture rate with these awards. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of non-cash stock based compensation related to these grants. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $1.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively, 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 payments. The remaining 288,595 RSUs vest annually over a three-year period. We assumed a 5% forfeiture rate with these awards. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded $0.4 million and $0.8 million of non-cash stock based compensation related to these grants, respectively. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded $1.1 million and $2.2 million of non-cash stock based compensation related to these grants, respectively.

We classified $1.0 million and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, to discontinued operations related to non-cash stock based compensation for the Brokerage employees awards under our SEP Plan. We classified $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012, respectively, 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 $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, and $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012.

Stock Options

Liazon Options. In November 2013, in connection with the acquisition, we assumed the Liazon Corporation 2011 Equity Incentive Plan and converted the outstanding unvested employee stock options into 37,162 Towers Watson stock options 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 Liazon options; accordingly, no compensation expense was recorded. We determined the fair value of the portion of the 37,162 outstanding options relating to the pre-acquisition employee service using Towers Watson graded vesting methodology from the date of grant to the acquisition date to be $2.2 million, which was added to the transaction consideration. The fair value of the remaining portion of unvested options related to the post-acquisition employee service was $1.7 million, which will be recorded over the future vesting periods. We recorded non-cash stock based compensation related to these awards of $0.1 million for both the three and six months ended December 31, 2013.

 

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Extend Health Options. 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. We determined the fair value of the portion of the 377,614 outstanding options related to pre-acquisition employee service using Towers Watson graded vesting methodology from the date of grant to the acquisition date was $11.2 million, which was added to the transaction consideration. The fair value of the remaining portion of the 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 $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and $1.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012.

Note 13 — Income Taxes.

Provision for income taxes on continuing operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 was $42.3 million and $57.1 million, respectively, compared to $36.1 million and $64.4 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2012. The effective tax rate was 24.5% for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 33.3% for the six months ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the six months is primarily due to current year income tax benefits on the release of uncertain tax positions of 7.2% related to the lapses in statute of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions, primarily the U.S., and an income tax benefit of 1.5% in connection with the enacted statutory tax rate reduction in the U.K. The impact of these current year income tax benefits were recognized discretely in the three months ended September 30, 2013. There were no significant discrete adjustments recorded to income tax expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. 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.

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 $2.2 million to $16.1 million, excluding interest and penalties.

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 but believes that the impact of these new regulations will not be material to the financial statements.

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).

 

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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 December 31, 2013:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial Services
     Talent and
Rewards
     Exchange
Solutions
    Total  

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

   $ 487,337       $ 161,178       $ 170,323       $ 35,736      $ 854,574   

Net operating income

     148,349         34,442         53,096         (7,223     228,664   

The table below presents specified information about the continuing operations of the reported segments for the three months ended December 31, 2012:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial Services
     Talent and
Rewards
     Exchange
Solutions
    Total  

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

   $ 519,418       $ 172,405       $ 176,185       $ 15,720      $ 883,728   

Net operating income

     185,817         41,268         60,078         (10,128     277,035   

The table below presents specified information about the continuing operations of the reported segments for the six months ended December 31, 2013:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial Services
     Talent and
Rewards
     Exchange
Solutions
    Total  

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

   $ 944,366       $ 302,961       $ 323,892       $ 71,126      $ 1,642,345   

Net operating income

     285,887         56,929         97,160         (767     439,209   

The table below presents specified information about the continuing operations of the reported segments for the six months ended December 31, 2012:

 

     Benefits      Risk and
Financial Services
     Talent and
Rewards
     Exchange
Solutions
    Total  

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

   $ 976,546       $ 321,905       $ 316,420       $ 29,638      $ 1,644,509   

Net operating income

     321,671         64,524         85,869         (15,893     456,171   

The table below presents a reconciliation of the information reported by segment to the consolidated amounts reported from continuing operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Six Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Revenue:

        

Total segment revenue

   $ 854,574      $ 883,728      $ 1,642,345      $ 1,644,509   

Reimbursable expenses and other

     33,581        27,293        55,749        59,747   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue

   $ 888,155      $ 911,021      $ 1,698,094      $ 1,704,256   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Operating Income:

        

Total segment net operating income

   $ 228,664      $ 277,035      $ 439,209      $ 456,171   

Differences in allocation methods (1)

     6,869        (8,881     16,855        5,994   

Amortization of intangibles

     (18,691     (19,727     (37,583     (38,822

Transaction and integration expenses

     (808     (9,152     (808     (18,425

Stock-based compensation (2)

     (1,782     (10,204     (5,345     (17,828

Discretionary compensation

     (74,085     (98,202     (150,207     (170,782

Payroll tax on discretionary compensation

     (4,075     (5,378     (8,643     (9,684

Other, net

     (7,666     (11,072     (22,631     (12,931
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

   $ 128,426      $ 114,419      $ 230,847      $ 193,693   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(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 December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     Income      Shares      Per Share
Amount
     Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
 

Basic EPS

                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 90,328             $ 78,195        

Less: Income/(Loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

     3,737               (1,683     
  

 

 

          

 

 

      

Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

     86,591               79,878        

Less: Income allocated to participating securities

     —                 1,846        

Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

   $ 86,591         70,809       $ 1.22       $ 78,032        69,594       $ 1.12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

                

Share-based compensation awards

     —           404            —          590      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income available to common shareholders

   $   86,591         71,213       $ 1.21       $   78,032        70,184       $ 1.11   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Six Months Ended December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     Income      Shares      Per Share
Amount
     Income     Shares      Per Share
Amount
 

Basic EPS

                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 176,072             $ 129,235        

Less: Income/(Loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

     3,711               (2,624     
  

 

 

          

 

 

      

Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

     172,361               131,859        

Less: Income allocated to participating securities

     —                 3,074        

Income from continuing operations attributable to common stockholders

   $ 172,361         70,805       $ 2.43       $ 128,785        69,700       $ 1.85   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted EPS

                

Share-based compensation awards

     —           325            —          545      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 172,361         71,130       $ 2.42       $ 128,785        70,245       $ 1.83   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Note 16 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

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 January 23, 2014, Towers Watson announced plans to unite the company-wide expertise and resources dedicated to health care exchanges and administration within its Exchange Solutions segment. The expansion of the Exchange Solutions segment will consist of combining certain of the operations and associates of TAS North America, with the newly-acquired Liazon entity and our existing Exchange Solutions LOB to align their respective strategic goals under the existing Exchange Solutions Segment. The result will be a much larger and broader business unit dedicated to helping employers deliver health care benefits to their employees and retirees through private exchanges and administration. We are conducting an evaluation of the infrastructure of our business and reporting to align with this initiative.

 

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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 14,500 full-time associates as of both December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013 in the following segments:

 

     December 31,      June 30,  
     2013      2013  

Benefits

     7,000         6,900   

Risk and Financial Services

     2,000         2,500   

Talent and Rewards

     2,400         2,400   

Exchange Solutions

     700         300   

Other

     300         300   

Business Services (incl. Corporate and field support)

     2,100         2,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total associates

     14,500         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 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 six months ended December 31, 2013, the Benefits segment contributed 58% of our segment revenue. For the same period, approximately 43% 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 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 six months ended December 31, 2013. Approximately 78% of the segment’s revenue for the six months ended December 31, 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 closed 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 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 six months ended December 31, 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 47% of the segment’s revenue for the six months ended December 31, 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 two lines of business:

 

    Exchange Solutions and

 

    Liazon.

The Exchange Solutions segment accounted for 4% of our segment revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2013. In November 2013, the segment was expanded through the acquisition of Liazon Corporation, a leader in developing and delivering private benefit exchanges for active employees. The Liazon solution complements the existing OneExchange offering by helping organizations of all sizes deliver self- and fully-insured benefits to both employees as well as pre- and post-65 retirees in new and cost-effective ways. 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 term of the policy whereas the costs are incurred during our corporate clients’ open enrollment period typically in our fiscal year first and second quarters. We will hire additional seasonal benefits advisors to supplement our full-time benefit advisors and we expect to incur higher costs during our client’s busiest enrollment periods.

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 second quarter of fiscal year 2014 (December 31, 2013) and as of the end of fiscal year 2013 (June 30, 2013), Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and a Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2013.

 

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Shown below are Towers Watson’s top five markets based on percentage of consolidated revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. For the six months ended December 31, 2013, the information provided excludes the Brokerage business.

 

     Six Months Ended     Fiscal Year  
     December 31, 2013     2013     2012  

United States

     53     53     48

United Kingdom

     20        22        23   

Canada

     6        6        6   

Germany

     5        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.

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 six months ended December 31, 2013, approximately 36% 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 December 31,     Six Months Ended December 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012  

Revenue

  $ 888,155        100   $ 911,021        100   $ 1,698,094        100   $ 1,704,256        100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs of providing services:

               

Salaries and employee benefits

    526,731        59     556,179        61     1,027,150        60     1,048,259        62

Professional and subcontracted services

    69,074        8     71,168        8     130,474        8     126,843        7

Occupancy

    34,782        4     34,669        4     68,327        4     72,450        4

General and administrative expenses

    85,038        10     80,504        9     153,807        9     156,782        9

Depreciation and amortization

    43,296        5     44,930        5     86,681        5     87,804        5

Transaction and integration expenses

    808        —        9,152        1     808        —        18,425        1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    759,729        86     796,602        87     1,467,247        86     1,510,563        89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

    128,426        14     114,419        13     230,847        14     193,693        11

Loss from affiliates

    —          —        —          —        —          —        (56     —   

Interest income

    560        —        811        —        1,089        —        1,505        —   

Interest expense

    (2,027     —        (3,605     —        (4,463     —        (6,560     —   

Other non-operating income

    5,652        1     2,696        —        5,690        —        5,048        —   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    132,611        15     114,321        13     233,163        14     193,630        11

Provision for income taxes

    42,283        5     36,126        4     57,091        3     64,395        4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

    90,328        10     78,195        9     176,072        10     129,235        8

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $38,286, $730, $40,837, and $4,537

    (403     —        2,412        —        2,041        —        9,158        1

NET INCOME BEFORE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

    89,925        10     80,607        9     178,113        10     138,393        8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

    3,737        —        (1,683     —        3,711        —        (2,624     —   

NET INCOME (attributable to common stockholders)

    86,188        10     82,290        9     174,402        10     141,017        8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2013

Compared to the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2012

Revenue

Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was $888.2 million compared to $911.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012, a decrease of $22.9 million, or 2.5%. Revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $1.7 billion, a decrease of $6.2 million, or less than 1%. The second quarter of fiscal year 2014 was a challenging quarter due to the tough comparable from the prior year. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, there were a significant number of bulk-lump sum de-risking projects. 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; the operations of our Brokerage business for the current and prior year are classified as discontinued operations. On an organic basis, which excludes the effects of foreign currency exchange rates, acquisition and divestitures, revenue decreased 2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2013. On an organic basis, revenue was flat for the first half of fiscal 2014 compared to the first half of fiscal 2013.

 

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The average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in British pounds sterling was 1.6192 for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to 1.6057 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, and the average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in Euros was 1.3613 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to 1.2975 for the second 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 December 31, 2013 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2012, is as follows:

 

    Benefits revenue was $487.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, compared to $519.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of 6%. Our Retirement business revenue, which makes up a majority of the segment, decreased 8% on a constant currency basis. While we continue to perform bulk lump sum projects, we have not had the level of project work and revenue that we attained in our first and second quarter of fiscal year 2013. In addition, we had anticipated some special project and strategy work that did not materialize. Our Health and Group Benefits business revenue decreased 5%. We saw a decline in general consulting work as clients assessed the exchange options while delaying consulting projects. We deployed resources to the exchange sales effort and also to prepare for the OneExchange enrollment season during our first and second fiscal quarters, which impacted our consulting revenue. Our Technology and Administration Solutions business experienced 3% revenue growth due to new client work in EMEA and the Americas. Our International business experienced 5% decrease in revenue.

 

    Risk and Financial Services revenue, excluding our Brokerage business, was $161.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, compared to $172.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of 6.5%. The operations of our Brokerage business have been classified as discontinued operations for fiscal years 2014 and 2013. On a constant currency basis, our Risk and Financial Services segment revenue decreased 6%, primarily resulting from a 11% decrease in Risk Consulting and Software business revenue across all regions, particularly in EMEA. There has been low client demand for discretionary projects, prompting the restructuring efforts that began in fiscal year 2013. While we experienced a decrease in consulting revenue, our property and casualty software revenue continues to remain strong. Our Investment business experienced 3% revenue growth primarily in EMEA, due to increased project work and performance fees.

 

    Talent and Rewards revenue was $170.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, compared to $176.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, a 3% decrease. Data, Surveys and Technology business revenue increased 5% as demand for human resource software implementations and employee surveys drove revenue growth in EMEA and Asia-Pacific. Rewards, Talent and Communication revenue, which is primarily project-oriented, decreased 11%. While economic conditions that typically drive this business are solid and client demand remains steady, a number of factors contributed to softer revenues. Our results were impacted as our communications consultants were redeployed to support OneExchange product development and sales. Our Executive Compensation business experienced a 4% decrease in revenue, primarily from EMEA.

 

    Exchange Solutions revenue was $35.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, compared to $15.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, a $20.0 million increase, or 127%. Our acquisition of Liazon was finalized in our second quarter of fiscal year 2014 and the operations are included in our Exchange Solutions segment. During the first and second fiscal quarters, we are focused on enrollment activities as this is the annual enrollment period for most of our corporate clients. We completed a very successful annual enrollment process, where we enrolled a record number of members on both the retiree and Liazon exchanges.

A comparison of segment revenue for the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the first half of fiscal year 2013 is as follows:

 

    Benefits revenue was $944.4 million for the first half of fiscal year 2014, compared to $976.5 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of 3%. Our Retirement business revenue, which makes up a majority of the segment, decreased 5% on a constant currency basis. While we continue to perform bulk lump sum projects, we have not had the level of project work and revenue that we attained in our first and second quarter of fiscal year 2013. In our third and fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, we anticipate a return to modest revenue growth due to expected increases in strategy and bulk-lump sum work compared to the same periods in fiscal year 2013. Our Health and Group Benefits business had a 1% revenue decrease. We deployed our consulting resources for both the exchange sales effort and for the open enrollment season in our first and second quarters. This was a necessary investment as the development of the exchange market is critical to our long-term success. Our Technology and Administration Solutions business experienced 4% revenue growth due to new client work. Our International business experienced a 1% increase in revenue from growth in the Americas, partially offset by decreases in EMEA. We expect that the Benefits segment will have modest growth for the second half of fiscal year 2014.

 

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    Risk and Financial Services revenue, excluding our Brokerage business, was $303.0 million for the first half of fiscal year 2014, compared to $321.9 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of 6%. The operations of our Brokerage business have been classified as discontinued operations in fiscal years 2014 and 2013. On a constant currency basis, our Risk and Financial Services segment revenue decreased 5%, primarily resulting from a 12% decrease in Risk Consulting and Software business revenue across all regions, particularly in EMEA. There has been low client demand for discretionary projects, prompting the restructuring efforts that began in fiscal year 2013. We have completed most of the restructuring efforts in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. While we experienced a decrease in consulting revenue, our property and casualty software revenue continues to remain strong. Our Investment business experienced 6% revenue growth, primarily in EMEA, due to increased project work and performance fees. The pipeline for our Investment business looks promising but results will be challenging due to a significant one-time project performed in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2013.

 

    Talent and Rewards revenue was $323.9 million for the first half of fiscal year 2014, compared to $316.4 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013, a 2% increase. Data, Surveys and Technology business revenue increased 10% as demand for human resources software implementations and employee surveys drove revenue growth across all regions. Rewards, Talent and Communication revenue, which is primarily project-oriented, decreased 3%. The economic conditions that typically drive our business are solid and client demand remains steady. Our results were impacted as our communications consultants were redeployed to support OneExchange product development and sales. Our Executive Compensation business experienced a 1% increase in revenue, primarily from the Americas. The demand for consulting services remains solid in our Executive Compensation business. Talent and Rewards is expected to have revenue growth in the second half of fiscal year 2014.

 

    Exchange Solutions revenue was $71.1 million for the first half of fiscal year 2014, compared to $29.6 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013, a 140% increase. Our acquisition of Liazon was finalized in our second quarter of fiscal year 2014 and the operations are included in our Exchange Solutions segment. We completed a very successful annual enrollment process, where we enrolled a record number of members on both the retiree and Liazon exchanges. When we acquired Extend Health in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, we had approximately 200,000 retiree members. As of the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, the number of OneExchange participants across our active, retiree and access platforms has grown to approximately 700,000. We are experiencing higher enrollments from our clients that opt for off-cycle enrollments, as well. The sales pipeline for our retiree offering is strong and we are seeing good momentum in the market. The active exchanges are also gaining momentum in terms of exposure but the rate at which companies will digest the advantages and knowledge to make the decision to adopt private exchanges will vary and is hard to predict.

Salaries and Employee Benefits

Salaries and employee benefits were $526.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, a decrease of $29.4 million, or 5%, compared to $556.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. 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 second quarter of fiscal year 2014 decreased $23.2 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. Our pension expense decreased $5.0 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 returns. Stock-based compensation decreased $8.2 million in the current quarter, primarily due to the reduction of expense from the restricted stock units issued to employees in the Merger; the service period ended and the restricted stock units were fully vested on January 1, 2013. These decreases in expense were partially offset by a $14.6 million increase in base salary for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. This increase was driven by a 3% increase in headcount and our annual salary merit increase of 3%. The increase in headcount in our Americas and APAC operations was partially offset by reductions in EMEA headcount as of December 31, 2013, compared to December 31, 2012. As a percentage of revenue, salaries and employee benefits were 59% for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to 61% for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Salaries and employee benefits decreased $21.1 million, or 2%, and were $1.0 billion for the first half of fiscal year 2014 and 2013. 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 half of fiscal year 2014 decreased by $17.4 million compared to the first half of fiscal year 2013. Our pension expense decreased $10.3 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 returns. Stock-based compensation decreased $11.7 million, 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 were fully vested on January 1, 2013. These decreases in expense were partially offset by a $19.9 million increase in base salary for the first half of fiscal year 2014. This increase was driven by a 3% increase in headcount and our annual salary merit increase of 3%. The increase in headcount in our Americas and APAC operations was partially offset by reductions in EMEA headcount as of December 31, 2013, compared to December 31, 2012. As a percentage of revenue, salaries and employee benefits decreased to 60% for the first half of fiscal year 2014 from 62% for the first half of fiscal year 2013.

 

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Professional and Subcontracted Services

Professional and subcontracted services for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $69.1 million, compared to $71.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 3%. Professional and subcontracted services for the first half of fiscal year 2014 was $130.5 million, compared to $126.8 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013, an increase of $3.6 million, or 3%. Our pass-through expenses, which are reimbursable under our contracts, decreased $0.5 million in the second quarter and increased $1.9 million for the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the prior year. In addition, our external service provider fees, which supplements our day-to-day operations, decreased by $1.6 million in the second quarter and increased by $1.6 million in the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, professional and subcontracted services were 8% for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 and 2013. As a percentage of revenue, professional and subcontracted services was 8% for first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to 7% in the first half of fiscal year 2013.

Occupancy

Occupancy expense was $34.8 million and $34.7 million for the second quarters of fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. As a percentage of revenue, occupancy expense was 4% for the second quarters of fiscal years 2014 and 2013. Occupancy expense was $68.3 million for the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to $72.5 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of $4.1 million, or 6%. 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 first half of fiscal years 2014 and 2013.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $85.0 million, compared to $80.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, an increase of $4.5 million, or 6%. The increase is primarily from increases in travel costs and office expenses. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses was 10% for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, compared to 9% for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

General and administrative expenses for the first half of fiscal year 2014 was $153.8 million, compared to $156.8 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of $3.0 million, or 2%. The decrease is attributable to a $4.9 million decrease in our professional liability expense resulting from reduced IBNR due to favorable claims experience, partially offset by increases in travel and software maintenance costs. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses was 9% for the first half of fiscal years 2014 and 2013.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $43.3 million, compared to $44.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 4%. Depreciation and amortization expense for the first half of fiscal year 2014 was $86.7 million, compared to $87.8 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 1%. The decrease in depreciation and amortization is primarily due to a reduction in our amortization from acquired intangibles. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization expense was 5% for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Transaction and Integration

Transaction and integration expense for the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2014 was $0.8 million compared to $9.2 million and $18.4 million for the second quarter and first half of fiscal year 2013. These expenses relate to our acquisition activities in fiscal year 2014 and to our information technology integration project in fiscal year 2013.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes on continuing operations for the second quarter fiscal 2014 was $42.3 million, compared to $36.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. The effective tax rate was 31.9% for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and 31.6% for the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

Provision for income taxes on continuing operations for the first half of fiscal year 2014 was $57.1 million with an effective tax rate of 24.5%, compared to $64.4 million with an effective tax rate of 33.3% for the first half of fiscal year 2013. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to current year income tax benefits on the release of uncertain tax positions of 7.2% related to the lapses in statute of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions, primarily the U.S., and an income tax benefit of 1.5% in connection with the enacted statutory tax rate reduction in the U.K. The impact of these current year income tax benefits were recognized discretely in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. There were no significant discrete adjustments recorded to income tax expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

 

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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.

(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, net of income tax

Loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was $0.4 million, compared to income from discontinued operations for the three months ended December 31, 2012 of $2.4 million. Income from discontinued operations for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $2.0 million, compared to $9.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2012. The operations of our Brokerage business, formerly part of our Risk and Financial Services segment, have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented as a result of our Board of Directors committing to a plan of action to sell the business in our first quarter of fiscal year 2014. During our second quarter, we closed on the sale of the business to JLT. Included in income from discontinued operations for the six months ended December 31, 2013 is a preliminary pre-tax gain on the sale of $18.5 million. This gain results from the adjusted consideration of $212.4 million offset by transaction costs of $6.3 million, accelerated stock-based compensation awards of $1.0 million, and a preliminary $186.5 million disposal of the Brokerage net assets not transferred in the deal. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, $9.5 million of transaction and other discretionary costs were accrued, therefore the preliminary pre-tax gain recorded upon sale during the three months ended December 31, 2013 is $28.0 million. The sale of our Brokerage business resulted in a significant taxable gain since the disposal of the goodwill and intangible assets associated with the business is not deductible for tax purposes. The following selected financial information relates to the Brokerage business’s operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three months ended      Six months ended  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013     2012      2013     2012  

Revenue from discontinued operations

   $ 22,564      $ 35,224       $ 63,762      $ 76,237   

Income from discontinued operations before taxes

     9,894        3,142         24,398        13,695   

Tax expense on discontinued operations

     3,692        730         8,801        4,537   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income from discontinued operations

     6,202        2,412         15,597        9,158   

Gain from sale of discontinued operations

     27,989        —           18,480        —     

Tax expense on gain from sale of discontinued operations

     34,594        —           32,036        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss from sale of discontinued operations

     (6,605     —           (13,556     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net (loss)/income from discontinued operations

   $ (403   $ 2,412       $ 2,041      $ 9,158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (attributable to common stockholders)

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $86.2 million, compared to $82.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. Net income for the first half of fiscal year 2014 was $174.4 million, compared to $141.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Diluted Earnings Per Share (attributable to common stockholders)

Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 was $1.21, compared to $1.15 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. Diluted earnings per share for the first half of fiscal year 2014 was $2.45, compared to $1.96 for the first half 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.

 

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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 December 31, 2013 totaled $511.9 million, compared to $532.8 million at June 30, 2013. The decrease in cash from June 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013 was primarily due to contributions to our qualified pension plans, the payment of annual bonuses, and repurchases of common stock, partially offset by cash from operations and a small net contribution of cash from our acquisition and discontinued operations activities over the period.

Our cash and cash equivalents balance included $54.2 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 $457.7 million of cash that is available for our general use.

Our fiduciary assets totaled $12.9 million at December 31, 2013, $5.4 million of which was related to our reinsurance brokerage business and $7.5 million of which 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.

We consolidate the investments of a variable interest entity for which we are the investment manager and we receive a management fee. The current contractual language that governs the parties in the entity restricts the investors’ ability to exercise its economic interests in the funds. As a result, we determined that we are the party most closely related to the entity and $277.1 of investments and a corresponding amount of non-controlling interest is recorded on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. We proposed technical corrections to the fund documents of the consolidated variable interest entity and we will potentially deconsolidate these funds in our fiscal third quarter.

Our non-U.S. operations are substantially self-sufficient for their working capital needs. As of December 31, 2013, $450.0 million of Towers Watson’s total cash and cash equivalents balance of $511.9 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 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 December 31, 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)/From Operating Activities.

Cash flows used in operating activities was $19.9 million for the first half of fiscal year 2014 compared to cash flows from operating activities of $21.4 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013. This decrease is primarily the result of a reduction of employee related liabilities resulting from a larger payout of employee bonus during our first quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared to fiscal year 2013, a decrease in the bonus accrual due to lower performance and the divestiture of our brokerage business in fiscal year 2014. This decrease was offset by increased cash collections from client receivables.

The allowance for doubtful accounts decreased $2.9 million from June 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013. The number of days of sales outstanding decreased to 75 days at December 31, 2013, compared to 83 days at June 30, 2013.

 

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Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities.

Cash flows used in investing activities for the first half of fiscal year 2014 were $62.6 million, compared to $70.4 million of cash flows used in investing activities for the first half of fiscal year 2013. The increase in cash flows used in investing activities is partially due to purchases of investments of our consolidated variable interest entity. Offsetting this increase are decreases in cash flows used in investing activities from the sale of available-for-sale securities in anticipation of our annual bonus payments and net proceeds from acquisitions and divestitures.

Cash Flows From/ (Used In)Financing Activities.

Cash flows from financing activities for the first half of fiscal 2014 were $54.0 million, compared to cash flows used in financing activities of $20.0 million for the first half of fiscal year 2013. The increase in cash from financing activities is due to a cash inflow from our consolidated variable interest entity. In addition, we paid lower dividends in fiscal year 2014, as calendar year 2013 dividends were accelerated and paid in December 2012.

During the six months ended December 31, 2013, the average outstanding balance on our Senior Credit Facility was $11.1 million and the largest outstanding balance was $57.5 million.

Capital Commitments

Capital expenditures were $38.6 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2014. Anticipated commitments of capital funds are estimated around $60 million for the remainder of fiscal year 2014. We expect cash from operations to adequately provide for these cash needs.

Dividends

During the quarter ended December 31, 2013, our board of directors approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.14 per share, which was paid in January 2014. Total dividends paid in the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $0.6 million and $48.7 million, respectively.

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.

Pension Contributions. Remaining contributions to our various pension plans for fiscal year 2014 are projected to be approximately $30.4 million.

Uncertain Tax Positions. We have liabilities for uncertain tax positions under ASC 740, Income Taxes. The expected settlement period for the $22.7 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 $2.2 million to $16.1 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 six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the weighted-average interest rate on

 

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borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility was 1.98% and 1.51%, 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 December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with our covenants.

As of December 31, 2013, Towers Watson had borrowings of $35.0 million outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility.

Letters of Credit under the Senior Credit Facility

As of December 31, 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 six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was 1.43% and 1.49%, 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 December 31, 2013, the balance on the Term Loan was $237.5 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.

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 income from continuing operations (attributable to common stockholders), and (3) Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations (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 income from continuing operations (attributable to common stockholders), the numerator, for the purpose of calculating Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations 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 consider Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share from continuing operations 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 from continuing operations are important in illustrating what our operating results would have been had we not incurred these acquisition-related expenses.

 

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We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (attributable to common stockholders) adjusted for discontinued operations, net of tax, provision for income taxes, interest, net, depreciation and amortization, transaction and integration expenses, stock-based compensation, and other non-operating income excluding income from variable interest entity. 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 from continuing operations to diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are included in the tables below.

 

     Three Months Ended  
     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

NET INCOME (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 86,188      $ 82,290   

Less: (Loss)/ income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (403     2,412   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 86,591      $ 79,878   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

     42,283        36,126   

Interest, net

     1,467        2,794   

Depreciation and amortization

     43,296        44,930   

Other non-operating income (a)

     (2,304     (2,696

Transaction and integration expenses

     808        9,152   

Stock-based compensation (b)

     —          5,548   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 172,141      $ 175,732   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Six Months Ended  
     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

NET INCOME (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 174,402      $ 141,017   

Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     2,041        9,158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 172,361        131,859   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

     57,091        64,395   

Interest, net

     3,374        5,055   

Depreciation and amortization

     86,681        87,804   

Other non-operating income (a)

     (2,342     (4,992

Transaction and integration expenses

     808        18,425   

Stock-based compensation (b)

     —          11,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 317,973        314,466   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Other non-operating income includes income from affiliates and other non-operating income excluding income from variable interest entity of $3.3 million.
(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  
     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     (In thousands, except share and  
     per share amounts)  

NET INCOME (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 86,188      $ 82,290   

Less: (Loss)/ income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (403     2,412   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations (attributable to common stockholders)

     86,591        79,878   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted for certain acquisition related items (c):

    

Amortization of intangible assets

     12,731        13,493   

Transaction and integration expenses including severance

     550        6,260   

Stock-based compensation (d)

     —          3,795   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Income from continuing operations

   $ 99,872      $ 103,426   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock — diluted (000)

     71,213        71,847   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share, as reported from continuing operations

   $ 1.21      $ 1.11   

Adjusted for certain acquisition related items:

    

Amortization of intangible assets

     0.18        0.19   

Transaction and integration expenses including severance

     0.01        0.09   

Stock-based compensation

     —          0.05   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 1.40      $ 1.44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Six Months Ended  
     December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     (In thousands, except share and  
     per share amounts)  

NET INCOME (attributable to common stockholders)

   $ 174,402       $ 141,017   

Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     2,041         9,158   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations (attributable to common stockholders)

     172,361         131,859   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted for certain acquisition related items (c):

     

Amortization of intangible assets

     28,841         25,782   

Transaction and integration expenses including severance

     550         12,228   

Stock-based compensation (d)

     —           7,896   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Income from continuing operations

   $ 201,752       $ 177,765   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock — diluted (000)

     71,130         71,920   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share, as reported from continuing operations

   $ 2.42       $ 1.83   

Adjusted for certain acquisition related items:

     

Amortization of intangible assets

     0.40         0.36   

Transaction and integration expenses including severance

     0.01         0.17   

Stock-based compensation

     —           0.11   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 2.83       $ 2.47   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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. The ETR was 31.9% and 31.6% for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 24.5% and 33.3% for the six months ended December 31, 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.

 

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Risk Management

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

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 December 31, 2013, we had a $183.2 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

 

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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 ability to protect client data and our information systems;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    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;

 

    the acquisitions of Extend Health and Liazon Corporation are not profitable or are 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;

 

    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;

 

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

 

    our Exchange Solutions or One Exchange businesses fail to maintain good relationships with insurance carriers, become dependent upon a limited number of insurance carriers or fail 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;

 

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and other factors as discussed under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as supplemented in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. 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.

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 six months ended December 31, 2013, 47% 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 December 31, 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 $14.8 million, or 8%, for the six months ended December 31, 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 condensed consolidated financial position as well as our condensed 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 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.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the chief executive officer, or CEO, and chief financial officer, or CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 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 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 December 31, 2013.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Except as described below, 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.

The performance of our Exchange Solutions segment could have a disproportionate impact on our stock price.

Our Exchange Solutions business was formed in 2012 with our acquisition of Extend Health. We have since added to that segment with our Liazon acquisition, and are moving certain other legacy operations to that segment. While we expect further significant expansion of our Exchange Solutions business over time, that segment’s current revenue is substantially lower than that of our three other segments. Given the heightened focus on changes in the U.S. health care market and acceleration in the development and use of private health care insurance exchanges, and the current size of our Exchange Solutions segment, the short- and medium-term performance of the Exchange Solutions segment, or any factor that has a real or perceived impact on that segment, could have a disproportionate impact on our stock price.

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.

 

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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 December 31, 2013, 445,289 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 December 31, 2013, $120.5 million remained available for repurchase of shares under this authority.

There are no expiration dates for any of these repurchase plans or programs. The table below presents specified information about the Company’s Class A Common Stock repurchases in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 and the Company’s repurchase plans.

 

Period

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

October 1, 2013 through October 31, 2013

     —         $ —           —           1,569,324   

November 1, 2013 through November 30, 2013

     90,000         111.91         90,000         1,479,324   

December 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013

     252,900         120.10         252,900         1,389,324   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     342,900         117.95         342,900         1,389,324   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

(a) All of the shares of Class A Common Stock repurchased in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 were repurchased under the anti-dilution plan approved by the Board of Directors.
(b) The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under our two stock repurchase plans is 1,389,324. 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 December 31, 2013 of $127.61.

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

  10.1    Amendment No. 2 dated as of January 13, 2014 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. 2 dated as of January 13, 2014 to Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of June 2, 2012, among Towers Watson & Co., as borrower, each lender from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.*
  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 December 31, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012,(iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements*.

 

* Filed or furnished herewith.
** Designates management contracts and compensation plans.

 

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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

    February 6, 2014
Name:   John J. Haley     Date
Title:   Chief Executive Officer    

/s/ Roger F. Millay

    February 6, 2014
Name:   Roger F. Millay     Date
Title:   Chief Financial Officer    

/s/ Michael M. Thomson

    February 6, 2014
Name:   Michael M. Thomson     Date
Title:   Controller (Chief Accounting Officer)    

 

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