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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)  

ý

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

For the quarter ended March 31, 2003

or

o

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

Commission file number: 001-16503


WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  98-0352587
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

c/o Willis Group Limited
Ten Trinity Square, London EC3P 3AX, England

(Address of principal executive offices)

(011) 44-20-7488-8111
(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 ý    No o

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ý    No o

        As of April 30, 2003, there were outstanding 152,177,494 shares of common stock, par value $0.000115 per share of the registrant.





WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2003


Table of Contents

 
   
   
  Page
PART I       Financial Information    

Item 1

 


 

Financial Statements

 

2

Item 2

 


 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

24

Item 3

 


 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

26

Item 4

 


 

Controls and Procedures

 

26


PART II


 




 


Other Information


 


 

Item 6

 


 

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

28

Certifications

 

29


INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        We have included in this document forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that state our intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, depending on a variety of factors such as general economic conditions in different countries around the world, fluctuations in global equity and fixed income markets, changes in premium rates, the competitive environment and the actual cost of resolution of contingent liabilities. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. All forward-looking statements contained in this document are qualified by reference to this cautionary statement.

1



PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1    Financial Statements


WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended March 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
REVENUES:              
  Commissions and fees   $ 540   $ 436  
  Interest income     15     15  
   
 
 
    Total revenues     555     451  
   
 
 
EXPENSES:              
  General and administrative expenses (excluding non-cash compensation)     351     297  
  Non-cash compensation—performance options     8     18  
  Depreciation expense     9     8  
  Amortization of intangible assets     1      
   
 
 
    Total expenses     369     323  
   
 
 
OPERATING INCOME     186     128  
  Interest expense     15     17  
   
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES, EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF ASSOCIATES AND MINORITY INTEREST     171     111  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

 

61

 

 

43

 
   
 
 
INCOME BEFORE EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF ASSOCIATES AND MINORITY INTEREST     110     68  

EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF ASSOCIATES

 

 

10

 

 

6

 

MINORITY INTEREST

 

 

(3

)

 

(6

)
   
 
 
NET INCOME   $ 117   $ 68  
   
 
 
NET INCOME PER SHARE (Note 4)              
  —Basic   $ 0.79   $ 0.46  
  —Diluted   $ 0.69   $ 0.43  
   
 
 
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING (Note 4)              
  —Basic     149     147  
  —Diluted     169     159  
   
 
 

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

2



WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(millions, except share data)

(unaudited)

 
  March 31,
2003

  December 31,
2002

 
ASSETS              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 189   $ 211  
  Fiduciary funds—restricted     1,554     1,369  
  Short-term investments     57     54  
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $30 in 2003 and $30 in 2002     8,268     6,589  
  Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $135 in 2003 and $129 in 2002     212     213  
  Goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $119 in 2003 and $118 in 2002     1,314     1,262  
  Investments in associates     118     108  
  Deferred tax assets     153     151  
  Other assets     172     188  
   
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 12,037   $ 10,145  
   
 
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Accounts payable   $ 9,609   $ 7,725  
  Deferred revenue and accrued expenses     197     233  
  Income taxes payable     189     169  
  Long-term debt     499     567  
  Provisions     121     129  
  Other liabilities     432     443  
   
 
 
    Total liabilities     11,047     9,266  
   
 
 
  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 5)              
 
MINORITY INTEREST

 

 

20

 

 

25

 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
    Common shares, $0.000115 par value; Authorized: 4,000,000,000;              
    Issued and outstanding, 151,940,741 shares in 2003 and 148,249,419 shares in 2002          
    Additional paid-in capital     985     960  
    Retained earnings     140     42  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 7)     (137 )   (131 )
    Treasury stock, at cost, 894,215 shares in 2003 and 886,255 shares in 2002     (18 )   (17 )
   
 
 
    Total stockholders' equity     970     854  
   
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   $ 12,037   $ 10,145  
   
 
 

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

3



WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(millions)
(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended March 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:              
  Net income   $ 117   $ 68  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Depreciation     9     8  
    Amortization of intangible assets     1      
    Provision for doubtful accounts     3     1  
    Minority interest     1     6  
    Provisions     (7 )   (3 )
    Provision for deferred income taxes     1     (4 )
    Non-cash compensation expense attributable to performance options     8     18  
    Other     (12 )   (7 )
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase of subsidiaries:              
    Fiduciary funds—restricted     (173 )   (80 )
    Accounts receivable     (1,733 )   (1,689 )
    Accounts payable     1,919     1,765  
    Other     (39 )   5  
   
 
 
    Net cash provided by operating activities     95     88  
   
 
 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Proceeds on disposal of fixed assets     1      
  Additions to fixed assets     (9 )   (5 )
  Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired     (48 )   6  
  Purchase of short-term investments     (3 )   (18 )
  Proceeds on sale of short-term investments         10  
   
 
 
    Net cash used in investing activities     (59 )   (7 )
   
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:              
  Repayments of debt     (68 )   (20 )
  Purchase of treasury stock, net of sale proceeds         (2 )
  Proceeds from issue of shares     10      
   
 
 
    Net cash used in financing activities     (58 )   (22 )
   
 
 
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS     (22 )   59  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents         (4 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR     211     128  
   
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD   $ 189   $ 183  
   
 
 

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

4



WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.     THE COMPANY AND ITS OPERATIONS

        Willis Group Holdings Limited ("Willis Group Holdings") and subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") provide a broad range of value-added risk management consulting and insurance brokerage services, both directly and indirectly through its associates, to a diverse base of clients internationally. The Company provides specialized risk management advisory and other services on a global basis to clients in various industries, including the construction, aerospace, marine and energy industries. In its capacity as an advisor and insurance broker, the Company acts as an intermediary between clients and insurance carriers by advising clients on risk management requirements, helping clients determine the best means of managing risk, and negotiating and placing insurance risk with insurance carriers through the Company's global distribution network. The Company also provides other value-added services.

2.     BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements (hereinafter referred to as the "Interim Financial Statements") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP").

        The Interim Financial Statements are unaudited but include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which the Company's management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position as of such dates and the operating results and cash flows for those periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2003 may not necessarily be indicative of the operating results that may be incurred for the entire fiscal year.

        The December 31, 2002 balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by US GAAP. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These Interim Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Willis Group Holdings applies the intrinsic value method allowed by Accounting Practices Board Opinion No.25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25") in accounting for its stock option plans. Under APB 25, compensation expense resulting from awards under variable plans, is measured as the difference between the quoted market price at the date when the number of shares is known (the date the performance conditions are satisfied) and the exercise price; the cost is recognized over the period the employee performs related services.

5



        The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee compensation.

 
  Three months ended March 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
Net income, as reported   $ 117   $ 68  
Add: Non-cash compensation expense—performance options included in reported net income, net of related tax     6     15  
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax     (1 )   (1 )
   
 
 
Pro forma net income   $ 122   $ 82  
   
 
 
Net income per share:              
  — Basic, as reported   $ 0.79   $ 0.46  
   
 
 
  — Basic, pro forma   $ 0.82   $ 0.56  
   
 
 
  — Diluted, as reported   $ 0.69   $ 0.43  
   
 
 
  — Diluted, pro forma   $ 0.72   $ 0.52  
   
 
 

3.     DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

        The financial risks the Company manages through the use of financial instruments are interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The Company's Board of Directors reviews and agrees on policies for managing each of these risks. The Company has applied SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ("SFAS 133") in accounting for these financial instruments.

        Interest rate contracts—The fair values of interest rate contracts are recorded in other assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. Changes in fair value of contracts that are effective cashflow hedges as defined by SFAS 133 are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income with a gain of $1 million recorded for the three month period ended March 31, 2003 (2002: loss $1 million). Amounts are reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings.

        For interest rate contracts which were not effective for hedge accounting as defined in SFAS 133, the Company has recorded a loss of $1 million in general and administrative expenses, representing the change in fair value for the three month period ended March 31, 2003 (2002: loss $1 million).

        Foreign currency contractsThe fair values of foreign currency contracts are recorded in other assets and liabilities, with changes in fair value of effective cashflow hedges recorded in other comprehensive income and changes in fair value of ineffective hedges recorded in general and administrative expenses. Amounts are reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings.

6



        For the three month period ended March 31, 2003, the Company has recorded a loss of $6 million in other comprehensive income relating to changes in fair value on contracts which are effective cashflow hedges as defined in SFAS 133 (2002: $nil). For contracts which were not effective for hedge accounting as defined in SFAS 133, the Company has recorded $nil in general and administrative expenses, representing the change in fair value for the three month period ended March 31, 2003 (2002: $nil).

4.     NET INCOME PER SHARE

        Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the average number of shares outstanding during each period. The computation of diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities and other contracts to issue shares were exercised or converted into shares or resulted in the issue of shares that then shared in the net income of the Company.

        For the three month period ended March 31, 2003, time-based and performance-based options to purchase 19.9 million and 9.2 million (2002: 19.0 million and 11.2 million) shares, respectively, and 0.3 million restricted shares (2002: 0.1 million), were outstanding. Basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:

 
  Three months ended March 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
 
  (millions, except per share data)

 
Basic average number of shares outstanding     149     147  
Dilutive effect of potentially issuable shares     20     12  
   
 
 
Diluted average number of shares outstanding     169     159  
   
 
 
Basic net income per share   $ 0.79   $ 0.46  
Dilutive effect of potentially issuable shares     (0.10 )   (0.03 )
   
 
 
Diluted net income per share   $ 0.69   $ 0.43  
   
 
 

5.     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

        In common with many companies involved in selling personal pension plans in the United Kingdom ("UK"), the Company's financial advisory business, Willis Corroon Financial Planning Limited ("WCFP"), is required by the Financial Services Authority ("the Regulator"), which regulates these matters, to review certain categories of personal pension plans sold to individuals between 1988 and 1994. WCFP is required to compensate those individuals who transferred from, opted out or did not join their employer-sponsored pension plan if the expected benefits from their personal pension plan did not equal the benefits that would have been available from their employer-sponsored pension plan. Whether compensation is due to a particular individual, and the amount thereof, is dependent upon the subsequent performance of the personal pension plan sold and the net present value of the benefits that would have been available from the employer-sponsored pension plan calculated using financial and demographic assumptions prescribed by the Regulator.

7



        At March 31, 2003, the Company had a provision of $17 million relating to this issue. Although the Company considers these provisions to be prudent, there remains some uncertainty as to the ultimate exposure relating to the review.

        At March 31, 2003, the Company had a provision of $19 million for discontinued operations that includes estimates for future costs of administering the run-off of the Company's former US and UK underwriting operations. The US underwriting operation was disposed of in 1986 and put into liquidation in 1994. In the UK, Willis Faber (Underwriting Management) Limited ("WFUM"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company provided underwriting agency and other services to certain insurance companies including Sovereign Marine & General Insurance Company Limited ("Sovereign") (in Scheme of Arrangement) (collectively, the "stamp companies") and in 1991 ceased arranging new business on behalf of the stamp companies. Willis Faber Limited has agreed with certain of the stamp companies to fund certain costs of the run-off, subject to agreed guidelines as to timing and amount. Although the Company expects the run-off to be conducted in an orderly manner, it may ultimately prove to be a lengthy and expensive process. The amounts to be funded under the run-off arrangements are currently within the aggregate of the provisions made.

        The Company is subject to various actual and potential claims, lawsuits and proceedings relating principally to alleged errors and omissions in connection with the placement of insurance and reinsurance in the ordinary course of business. Similar to other corporations, the Company is also subject to a variety of other claims, including those relating to the Company's employment practices. Some of those claims, lawsuits and proceedings seek damages in amounts which could, if assessed, be significant.

        The Company acted as insurance broker, but not as underwriter, for the placement of both property and casualty insurance for a number of entities that were directly impacted by the September 11, 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center complex, including Silverstein Properties L.L.C., which acquired a 99-year leasehold interest in the twin towers and related facilities from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in July 2001. There are a number of lawsuits pending in the US between the insured parties and the insurers. Although the Company is not a party to any of these lawsuits, other disputes may arise with respect to the destruction of the World Trade Center complex which could affect the Company.

        Most of the claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business are covered by professional indemnity or other appropriate insurance. In respect of self-insured deductibles, the Company has established provisions against these items which are believed to be adequate in the light of current information and legal advice, and the Company adjusts such provisions from time to time according to developments. On the basis of current information, the Company does not expect that the outcome of the actual claims, lawsuits and proceedings to which the Company is subject or potential claims, lawsuits and proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

8



6.     SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

        Supplemental disclosures regarding cash flow information and non-cash flow investing and financing activities are as follows:

 
  Three months ended March 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
 
  (millions)

 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:              
  Cash payments for income taxes   $ 37   $ 10  
  Cash payments for interest   $ 24   $ 28  
   
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash flow investing and financing activities:              
  Purchase of fixed assets   $ 1      
  Issue of stock on acquisition of subsidiaries     6      
  Deferred payments on acquisitions of subsidiaries     4      
  Acquisitions:              
  Fair value of assets acquired     5     72  
  Less: liabilities assumed         (71 )
           cash acquired         (19 )
   
 
 
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired   $ 5   $ (18 )
   
 
 

7.     ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

        The components of other comprehensive income are as follows:

 
  Three months ended March 31,
 
 
  2003
  2002
 
 
  (millions)

 
Net income   $ 117   $ 68  
  Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:              
    Foreign currency translation adjustment         2  
    Unrealized holding gains     (1 )   (1 )
    Net loss on derivative instruments (net of tax of $2 in 2003)     (5 )   (1 )
   
 
 
  Other comprehensive loss (net of tax of $2 in 2003)     (6 )    
   
 
 
Comprehensive income   $ 111   $ 68  
   
 
 

9


        The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

 
  March 31,
2003

  December 31,
2002

 
 
  (millions)

 
Net foreign currency translation adjustment   $ (8 ) $ (8 )
Net cumulative effect of accounting change     8     8  
Net unrealized holding gains     2     3  
Net minimum pension liability adjustment     (167 )   (167 )
Net gain on derivative instruments     28     33  
   
 
 
    $ (137 ) $ (131 )
   
 
 

8.     SEGMENT INFORMATION

        The Company conducts its worldwide insurance brokerage activities through three operating segments: Global, North America and International. Each operating segment exhibits similar economic characteristics, provides similar products and services and distributes same through common distribution channels to a common type or class of customer. In addition, the regulatory environment in each region is similar. Consequently, for financial reporting purposes the Company has aggregated these three operating segments into one reportable segment.

9.     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The Willis North America Inc. ("Willis North America") debt securities registered in April 2003 will be, if issued, jointly and severally, irrevocably and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Willis Group Holdings, Willis Group Limited, Willis Partners, Trinity Acquisition Limited, TA I Limited, TA II Limited, TA III Limited and TA IV Limited.

        Presented below is condensed consolidating financial information for: i) Willis Group Holdings, which will be a guarantor, on a parent company only basis; ii) the Other Guarantors, which are all wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent; iii) the Issuer, Willis North America; iv) Other, which are the non-guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis; v) Eliminations; and vi) Consolidated Company and subsidiaries. The equity method has been used for all investments in subsidiaries.

        The entities included in the Other Guarantors column are Willis Group Limited, Willis Partners, Trinity Acquisition Limited, TA I Limited, TA II Limited, TA III Limited and TA IV Limited.

10



Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

 
  Three months ended March 31, 2003
 
 
  Willis Group
Holdings

  The Other
Guarantors

  The Issuer
  Other
  Eliminations
  Consolidated
 
 
  (millions)

 
REVENUES:                                      
  Commissions and fees   $   $   $   $ 540   $   $ 540  
  Interest income             2     17     (4 )   15  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Total revenues             2     557     (4 )   555  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
EXPENSES:                                      
  General and administrative expenses (excluding non-cash compensation)     1     3     (5 )   349     3     351  
  Non-cash compensation—performance options                 8         8  
  Depreciation expense             2     7         9  
  Amortization of intangible assets               &n