Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) Beats On Q1 Earnings And Revenues

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG) reported first-quarter 2018 adjusted net earnings of $1.52 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by about 0.7%. Also, the bottom line improved 10.9% on a year-over-year basis.

The company’s performance was driven by solid organic growth, outstanding revenue improvement from the tuck-in mergers and acquisitions and a strong margin expansion. The company also witnessed a sturdy performance across all segments.

Net income rose 16.5% year over year to $1.48 per share.

Operational Update

Total revenues were $1.8 billion, up 11.6% year over year. This upside was driven by higher total revenues in the Brokerage, Risk Management as well as Corporate segments. Moreover, the top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.4%.

Total commissions and fees earned increased nearly 10.4% year over year to $1.3 billion in the quarter under review.

Arthur J. Gallagher’s total expense rose 10.3% year over year to $1.6 billion in the reported quarter. Expenses escalated due to a rise in compensation costs, operating costs, reimbursements, interest expenses, cost of revenues from clean coal activities plus higher depreciation and amortization expenses.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization and change in estimated acquisition earnout payables (EBITDAC) increased 13.3% to $379.8 million.

Segment Results

Brokerage: Adjusted revenues of $1.2 billion grew 7.7% year over year on higher fees, commissions, supplemental revenues and investment income plus gains realized on books of business sales. Total expense shot up nearly 8.4% year over year to $876.7 million.

Adjusted EBITDAC rose 9.2% to $415.2 million.

Risk Management: Adjusted revenues were up 9.5% year over year to $195.1 million, mainly owing to higher fees. Total expenses increased 10.9% year over year to $208.3 million.

Adjusted EBITDAC climbed 4.9% year over year to $32.1 million.

Corporate: Total revenues came in at $412.2 million, up 17.2% year over year. Total expenses increased 13.3% year over year to $510.4 million.

EBITDAC was at a loss of $59.9 million, wider than the loss of $52.4 million in the prior-year quarter.

Financial Update

As of Mar 31, 2018, total assets were $16.1 billion, up 8.2% from year-end 2017.

Cash and cash equivalents at the year-end rose 2.5% from the 2017-level to $681.2 million.

Shareholders’ equity increased about 6.6% from the 2017-end level to $4.6 billion as of Mar 31, 2018.

Acquisition Update

In the first quarter, the company closed six acquisitions with annualized revenues of about $26.7 million.

Business Update

Effective Jan 1, 2018, the company adopted a new revenue recognition accounting standard. As a result, the prior-year restated figures have been recognized.

Zacks Rank

Currently, Arthur J. Gallagher carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Performance of Other Insurers

Among other players from the insurance industry having already reported first-quarter earnings, the bottom line of The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) , MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE:MTG) and RLI Corp. (NYSE:RLI) surpassed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.

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