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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

Commission File Number 0-15981

 


 

HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Virginia   54-1194795

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4951 Lake Brook Drive, Suite 500

Glen Allen, Virginia

  23060
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(804) 747-6500

(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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes    X      No              

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class


 

Outstanding at October 29, 2004


Common Stock, no par value

  35,976,179

 



Table of Contents

HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY

 

INDEX

 

     Page

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1. Financial Statements

    

Statement of Consolidated Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

   3

Consolidated Balance Sheet September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

   4

Statement of Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

   5

Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

   6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7-9

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

   10-14

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   14

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   14

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

    

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

   15

Item 6. Exhibits

   15

Signatures

   16

 

2


Table of Contents

HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


   Nine Months Ended
September 30,


(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Revenues

                           

Commissions and fees

   $ 151,622    $ 137,133    $ 453,692    $ 415,500

Investment income

     788      775      2,099      2,253

Other

     1,290      1,466      3,891      3,146
    

  

  

  

       153,700      139,374      459,682      420,899

Operating expenses

                           

Compensation and employee benefits

     81,474      73,856      244,344      225,515

Other operating expenses

     28,313      24,051      80,290      71,482

Depreciation

     2,136      2,322      6,465      6,902

Amortization of intangibles

     3,444      2,353      9,125      6,708

Interest expense

     2,546      2,556      7,460      8,095

Integration costs

     176      3,174      1,803      3,174

Retirement benefit

     —        —        —        5,195
    

  

  

  

       118,089      108,312      349,487      327,071
    

  

  

  

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     35,611      31,062      110,195      93,828

Income taxes

     14,262      12,677      44,108      38,280
    

  

  

  

NET INCOME

   $ 21,349    $ 18,385    $ 66,087    $ 55,548
    

  

  

  

Net Income Per Share:

                           

Basic

   $ 0.60    $ 0.52    $ 1.85    $ 1.62

Assuming Dilution

   $ 0.58    $ 0.50    $ 1.81    $ 1.53

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

(in thousands)    September 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (UNAUDITED)        
ASSETS                 

CURRENT ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents, including $57,883 and $58,233, respectively, of restricted funds

   $ 181,357     $ 126,464  

Receivables:

                

Premiums and commissions, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,861 and $4,243, respectively

     207,847       223,431  

Other

     38,357       31,820  
    


 


       246,204       255,251  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     24,499       14,603  
    


 


TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     452,060       396,318  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

     25,179       25,487  

GOODWILL

     628,931       565,023  

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     150,775       112,414  

Less accumulated amortization

     72,295       63,191  
    


 


       707,411       614,246  

OTHER ASSETS

     18,280       13,176  
    


 


     $ 1,202,930     $ 1,049,227  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

CURRENT LIABILITIES

                

Premiums payable to insurance companies

   $ 311,961     $ 308,533  

Accounts payable

     10,340       9,089  

Accrued expenses

     32,001       37,434  

Premium deposits and credits due customers

     48,079       34,290  

Current portion of long-term debt

     10,724       9,321  
    


 


TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     413,105       398,667  

LONG-TERM DEBT

     233,317       174,012  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     28,728       19,208  

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     30,127       23,073  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Common Stock, no par value; authorized 100,000 shares; outstanding 35,926 and 35,446 shares, respectively

     236,343       228,357  

Retained earnings

     260,418       205,184  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

                

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of deferred tax benefit of $179 and $334 respectively

     (269 )     (502 )

Other

     1,161       1,228  
    


 


       497,653       434,267  
    


 


     $ 1,202,930     $ 1,049,227  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)    Common
Stock


    Retained
Earnings


    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)


 

Balance at January 1, 2004

   $ 228,357     $ 205,184     $ 726  

Issuance of 982 shares of Common Stock

     17,987                  

Repurchase of 503 shares of Common Stock

     (17,300 )                

Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     7,299                  

Payment of dividends ($0.3025 per share)

             (10,853 )        

Net income

             66,087          

Derivative gain, net of tax

                     233  

Other

                     (67 )
    


 


 


Balance at September 30, 2004

   $ 236,343     $ 260,418     $ 892  
    


 


 


Balance at January 1, 2003

   $ 168,558     $ 143,005     $ (915 )

Issuance of 2,515 shares of Common Stock

     71,268                  

Repurchase of 278 shares of Common Stock

     (8,339 )                

Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     3,681                  

Payment of dividends ($0.2750 per share)

             (9,512 )        

Net income

             55,548          

Derivative gain, net of tax

                     695  

Retirement benefit

     906                  

Other

                     349  
    


 


 


Balance at September 30, 2003

   $ 236,074     $ 189,041     $ 129  
    


 


 


 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
(in thousands)    2004

    2003

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                

Net income

   $ 66,087     $ 55,548  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Integration costs

     1,803       3,174  

Retirement benefit

     —         5,195  

Depreciation

     6,465       6,902  

Amortization of intangibles

     9,125       6,708  

Provision for losses on receivables

     991       1,025  

Provision for deferred income taxes

     3,675       3,964  

Gain on sale of assets

     (560 )     (531 )

Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     7,299       3,681  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects from integration costs, retirement costs and insurance agency acquisitions and dispositions:

                

Decrease in receivables

     17,133       1,113  

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses

     (9,261 )     6,506  

(Decrease) increase in premiums payable to insurance companies

     (18,397 )     6,478  

Increase in premium deposits and credits due customers

     13,790       6,489  

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable

     (388 )     1,190  

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (12,043 )     (12,070 )

Other operating activities

     724       4,153  
    


 


Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     86,443       99,525  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                

Purchase of property and equipment

     (6,570 )     (8,485 )

Purchase of insurance agencies, net of cash acquired

     (45,128 )     (45,895 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

     4,872       831  

Other investing activities

     (478 )     976  
    


 


Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (47,304 )     (52,573 )

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                

Proceeds from long-term debt

     50,000       5,000  

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (5,419 )     (29,556 )

Debt issuance costs

     (300 )     (557 )

Repurchase of Common Stock

     (17,300 )     (8,339 )

Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock (net of tax payments for options exercised)

     (374 )     (686 )

Dividends

     (10,853 )     (9,512 )
    


 


Net Cash Provided by (Used in) by Financing Activities

     15,754       (43,650 )
    


 


Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     54,893       3,302  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     126,464       134,692  
    


 


Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

   $ 181,357     $ 137,994  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

September 30, 2004

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE A—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company (the Company) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

NOTE B—ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has three stock-based compensation plans. The Company continues to account for its stock options using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. No stock-based compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (Statement 123), as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, establishes accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair value based method of accounting for stock options.

 

In October 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) continued its redeliberations on the proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (Proposed Statement 123R). Proposed Statement 123R would require all companies to measure compensation costs for all share-based payments (including stock options) at fair value. The proposed statement would be effective for all public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005, and retroactive application of the requirements of Statement 123 to the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the effective date would be permitted, but not required. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of this proposed statement on its financial position and results of operations.

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement 123 to stock-based compensation.

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net income—as reported

   $ 21,349     $ 18,385     $ 66,087     $ 55,548  

Deduct: Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (1,447 )     (2,109 )     (4,103 )     (5,102 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 19,902     $ 16,276     $ 61,984     $ 50,446  
    


 


 


 


Net income per share:

                                

Basic—as reported

   $ 0.60     $ 0.52     $ 1.85     $ 1.62  

Basic—pro forma

   $ 0.55     $ 0.46     $ 1.73     $ 1.47  

Assuming dilution—as reported

   $ 0.58     $ 0.50     $ 1.81     $ 1.53  

Assuming dilution—pro forma

   $ 0.55     $ 0.45     $ 1.70     $ 1.39  

 

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HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

September 30, 2004

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE C—INCOME TAXES

 

Deferred taxes result from temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The Company’s effective rate varies from the statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes.

 

NOTE D—ACQUISITIONS

 

During the first nine months of 2004, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities of six insurance agencies and other accounts for approximately $91.9 million ($60.1 million in cash, $18.0 million in guaranteed future payments and 387,438 shares of common stock). The purchase price may be increased based on agency profitability per the contracts. These acquisitions are not material to the consolidated financial statements individually or in aggregate.

 

The Company has two September 2004 acquisitions, with a cumulative purchase price of approximately $65.3 million, for which the purchase price allocations are preliminary, pending the receipt of asset appraisals. The purchase price allocations for the remaining current year acquisitions are also preliminary, pending the completion of internal asset valuations.

 

NOTE E—SALE OF ASSETS AND OTHER GAINS

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company sold certain insurance agencies and accounts and other assets resulting in gains of $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Revenues, expenses and assets related to these dispositions were not material to the consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE F—NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share.

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Numerator for basic and dilutive net income per share—net income

   $ 21,349    $ 18,385    $ 66,087    $ 55,548

Denominator

                           

Weighted average shares

     35,562      34,707      35,525      33,988

Effect of guaranteed future shares to be issued in connection with agency acquisitions

     310      324      268      220
    

  

  

  

Denominator for basic net income per share

     35,872      35,031      35,793      34,208

Effect of dilutive securities:

                           

Employee stock options

     352      658      437      740

Employee non-vested stock

     130      111      123      113

Contingent stock—acquisitions

     166      729      127      1,131
    

  

  

  

Dilutive potential common shares

     648      1,498      687      1,984
    

  

  

  

Denominator for diluted net income per share—adjusted weighted average shares

     36,520      36,529      36,480      36,192
    

  

  

  

Net Income Per Share:

                           

Basic

   $ 0.60    $ 0.52    $ 1.85    $ 1.62

Assuming Dilution

   $ 0.58    $ 0.50    $ 1.81    $ 1.53

 

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HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

September 30, 2004

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE G—INTEGRATION COSTS

 

The Company began the integration of Hobbs with the rest of the Company subsequent to June 30, 2003 with the completion of the Hobbs earn-out. In the first nine months of 2004, the Company recognized integration costs of $1.8 million and related income taxes of $0.7 million. These amounts represent costs such as severance and other employee-related costs, facility and lease termination costs, and branding expenses.

 

NOTE H—LONG-TERM DEBT

 

The Company has a credit agreement which provides a term loan facility and revolving credit facility. Borrowings under this credit agreement bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR plus a negotiated spread. Effective March 31, 2004, the Company amended the credit agreement to reduce the negotiated spread applicable to the term loan. In addition, the Company modified certain covenants, including increasing the annual limit for repurchases of its common stock from $20.0 million to $50.0 million. Effective October 28, 2004, the Company further amended the credit agreement to modify certain restrictive covenant requirements.

 

NOTE I—CHANGE IN METHOD OF ACCOUNTING

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46) and subsequently revised FIN 46 in December 2003. Effective January 1, 2004, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 46. The Company did not identify any variable interest entities (VIEs) of which the Company is the primary beneficiary, thus, the Company was not required to consolidate any VIE.

 

NOTE J—RETIREMENT BENEFIT

 

In March 2003, Andrew L. Rogal, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, announced his decision to retire for personal reasons following the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders on May 6, 2003. In the first quarter of 2003, the Company recorded a one-time retirement benefit charge, net of tax, of $3.2 million, or $0.09 per share, representing a contractual retirement benefit for Mr. Rogal. The charge consists primarily of compensation and the accelerated vesting of stock options and non-vested stock. The Company’s board of directors elected Martin L. (Mell) Vaughan, III to succeed Mr. Rogal as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

 

9


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

 

Results of Operations:

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $21.3 million, or $0.58 per share, compared with $18.4 million, or $0.50 per share, for the comparable period last year. Net income for the 2004 quarter included integration costs, net of tax, of $0.1 million, or $0.01 per share. Integration costs represent costs such as severance and other employee-related costs. In addition, non-operating gains, net of tax, were $51 thousand and $391 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

Commissions and fees were $151.6 million, an increase of 10.6%, from commissions and fees of $137.1 million during the comparable period of the prior year. Approximately $14.0 million of commissions were derived from acquisitions of new insurance agencies in 2004 and 2003. This increase was offset by decreases of approximately $1.2 million from the sale of certain offices and accounts in 2004 and 2003. Excluding the effect of acquisitions and dispositions, commissions and fees increased 1.2%. This increase principally reflects an increase in new business production and higher contingent commissions, partially offset by the effects of a continued softening of property and casualty premium rates and the elimination of under performing producers, resulting in the loss of some business.

 

Expenses for the quarter increased $9.8 million, or 9.0%. The 2004 quarter includes Hobbs integration costs of $0.2 million. Compensation and benefits and other operating expenses increased $7.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Approximately $7.4 million of the increase in compensation and benefits can be attributed to acquisitions of insurance agencies. These increased costs from acquired agencies and investments in new talent were partially offset by decreases in performance-based compensation and the aforementioned elimination of underperforming producers. Other operating expenses increased mainly due to acquisitions and higher litigation and regulatory costs. Amortization of intangibles increased approximately $1.1 million due primarily to intangible assets acquired in 2004 and 2003 acquisitions.

 

The Company’s overall tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was 40.1%, which was comparable to 40.8% for the same period of the prior year.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased to $66.1 million, or $1.81 per share, from $55.5 million, or $1.53 per share, for the prior year period. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 included a one-time retirement benefit charge, net of tax, of $3.2 million, or $0.09 per share, and Hobbs integration costs, net of tax, of $1.9 million, or $0.06 per share. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 included integration costs, net of tax, of $1.1 million, or $0.03 per share. Integration costs represent costs such as severance and other employee-related costs, facility and lease termination costs and branding expenses. In addition, non-operating gains, net of tax, were $0.3 million for both nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

 

Commissions and fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased 9.2% to $453.7 million from $415.5 million during the prior year period. Approximately $33.6 million of commissions were derived from acquisitions of new insurance agencies in 2004 and 2003. This increase was offset by decreases of approximately $4.0 million from the sale of certain offices and accounts in 2004 and 2003. Excluding the effect of acquisitions and dispositions, commissions and fees from operations owned during both periods increased 2.1%. This organic growth principally reflects similar trends as noted for the three-month period in addition to higher contingent commissions, which are heavily weighted in the first quarter.

 

Expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased $22.4 million, or 6.9%, from the prior year period. For the 2004 nine-month period, expenses include Hobbs integration costs of $1.8 million. For the

 

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2003 nine-month period, expenses include a one-time retirement benefit charge of $5.2 million and Hobbs integration costs of $3.2 million. Compensation and benefits and other operating expenses increased $18.8 million and $8.8 million, respectively. Approximately $17.8 million of the increase in compensation and benefits can be attributed to acquisitions of insurance agencies. These increased costs from acquired agencies and investments in new talent were partially offset by reductions for performance based compensation and the elimination of underperforming producers. The increase in other operating expenses can be attributed to similar trends as noted for the three month period in addition to higher facility costs due to relocations. Depreciation expense decreased $0.4 million due to the impact of fully depreciated and disposed assets. Amortization of intangibles increased approximately $2.4 million due primarily to intangible assets acquired in 2004 and 2003 acquisitions. Interest expense decreased $0.6 million as average borrowings and interest rates on the credit agreement declined slightly compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

The Company’s overall tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 40.0%, which was comparable to 40.8% for the same period of the prior year.

 

Other

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2004, net income as a percentage of revenues did not vary significantly from the three months ended June 30, 2004. Commission income increased $5.9 million, or 4.1%, between the two periods primarily as a result of current quarter acquisitions, organic growth and the timing of policy renewals. In addition, net income for the three months ended September 30, 2004 included integration costs, net of tax, of $0.1 million.

 

The timing of contingent commissions, policy renewals and acquisitions may cause revenues, expenses and net income to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. As a result of the factors described above, operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 should not be considered indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year ending December 31, 2004.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

 

Net cash provided by operations totaled $86.4 million and $99.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and is primarily dependent upon the timing of the collection of insurance premiums from clients and payment of those premiums to the appropriate insurance underwriters.

 

The Company has historically generated sufficient funds internally to finance capital expenditures for property and equipment. Cash expenditures for the acquisition of property and equipment were $6.6 million and $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The timing and extent of the purchase and sale of investments is dependent upon cash needs and yields on alternate investments and cash equivalents. The purchase of insurance agencies utilized cash of $45.1 million and $45.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash balances utilized to acquire insurance agencies have been primarily funded through operations and long-term borrowings. In addition, a portion of the purchase price in such acquisitions may be paid through the Company’s common stock and/or deferred cash and common stock payments. The Company did not have any material capital expenditure commitments as of September 30, 2004.

 

Financing activities provided cash of $15.8 million and utilized cash of $43.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash received from current year financing activities is primarily attributed to current year borrowings against the Company’s revolving credit facility to fund acquisitions, partially offset by cash used to repurchase common stock and make dividend and scheduled debt payments. The Company has annually increased its dividend rate and anticipates the continuance of its dividend policy. The Company repurchased 502,700 shares of its common stock for $17.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The Company is currently authorized to purchase up to $50.0 million annually of its common stock in 2004 subject to market conditions and other factors.

 

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As of September 30, 2004, the Company has a credit agreement with outstanding term loans of $153.1 million, which are due in various amounts through 2007, including $149.6 million due in 2007, and outstanding revolving credit facility borrowings of $60.0 million, with $70.0 million available under the revolving credit facility for future borrowings. Borrowings bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR plus a negotiated spread. Effective July 1, 2004, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to fix the interest rate on $30.0 million of variable rate debt through June 30, 2007 at 3.7%. The Company designated this interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” This interest rate swap replaces two interest rate swaps that expired on June 30, 2004. In addition, effective March 31, 2004, the Company amended the credit agreement to reduce the negotiated spread applicable to the term loan and modify certain covenants, including increasing the annual limit for repurchases of its common stock. Effective October 28, 2004, the Company further amended the credit agreement to modify certain restrictive covenant requirements.

 

The Company had a current ratio (current assets to current liabilities) of 1.09 to 1.00 as of September 30, 2004. Shareholders’ equity of $497.7 million at September 30, 2004 is improved from $434.3 million at December 31, 2003. The debt to equity ratio at September 30, 2004 of 0.47 to 1.00 has increased from the ratio at December 31, 2003 of 0.40 to 1.00 due to current year borrowings which have been utilized to finance acquisitions.

 

The Company believes that cash generated from operations, together with proceeds from borrowings, will provide sufficient funds to meet the Company’s short and long-term funding needs.

 

Market Risk

 

The Company has certain investments and utilizes derivative financial instruments (on a limited basis) which are subject to market risk; however, the Company believes that exposure to market risk associated with these instruments is not material.

 

Change in Accounting Method

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46) and subsequently revised FIN 46 in December 2003. Effective January 1, 2004, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 46. The Company did not identify any VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, thus, the Company was not required to consolidate any VIE.

 

In October 2004, the FASB continued its redeliberations on the proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (Proposed Statement 123R). Proposed Statement 123R would require all companies to measure compensation costs for all share-based payments (including stock options) at fair value. The proposed statement would be effective for all public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005, and retroactive application of the requirements of Statement 123 to the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the effective date would be permitted, but not required. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of this proposed statement on its financial position and results of operations.

 

Recent Industry Developments

 

On October 14, 2004, the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York (NYAG) filed a lawsuit against Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and its subsidiary Marsh Inc. (collectively Marsh), the world’s largest insurance broker, alleging statutory and common law fraud, securities fraud, bid-rigging and other antitrust violations in the placement of insurance business. The NYAG’s issuance of subpoenas to various companies in the insurance industry concerning the compensation of brokers and agents by underwriters was first publicized in April 2004. As of the date of this report, the Company has not received a subpoena from the

 

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NYAG. Management is not aware of, nor does it condone, any of the fraudulent, anti-competitive or manipulative practices alleged by the NYAG, including bid-rigging or utilizing fictitious quotes to create the illusion of competitive pricing. The Company has engaged outside legal counsel to perform an independent review concerning its practices in the areas that are the subject of the NYAG’s allegations against Marsh.

 

As a result of the NYAG’s lawsuit against Marsh, controversy now surrounds the longstanding insurance industry practice of contingent and override commissions paid to agents and brokers by underwriters. In addition to the ongoing investigation by the NYAG, other state attorneys general and insurance departments have been making inquiries into, among other things, the industry’s commission payment practices. As previously disclosed, the Company has contingent and override commission agreements with certain underwriters. Contingent commissions are commissions paid by underwriters based on the estimated profit that the underwriter makes and/or the overall volume of business that the Company places with the underwriter. Override commissions are commissions paid by underwriters in excess of the standard commission rates on specific classes of business.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company recognized $39.4 million in contingent and override commissions: approximately 85% from standard contingency agreements maintained at the local office level and approximately 15% from specially negotiated volume-based national override agreements which are also in keeping with industry norms. Contingent commissions are heavily weighted in the first quarter. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of the governmental inquiries into the insurance industry’s commission payment practices, any decrease in the Company’s contingent and override commissions may have a negative effect on the results of its operations.

 

In October 2004, the Company received a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut (CTAG), as part of the CTAG’s investigation of possible antitrust violations. The CTAG’s subpoena requests information concerning various business practices, including contingent commissions. In November 2004, the Company was notified that it will receive a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida requesting information regarding business practices. Additionally, the Company has received requests for information from certain state insurance departments, and the Company may receive additional subpoenas and/or requests for information in the future from attorneys general and/or insurance departments of other states. It is the Company’s understanding that numerous others in the insurance industry have also received such subpoenas and requests for information. The Company will evaluate, and intends to cooperate fully in connection with, all such subpoenas and requests.

 

In November 2004, the Company was sued in a purported class action, originally filed in August 2004 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, brought by OptiCare Health Systems Inc. against the 10 largest U.S. insurance brokers and four of the largest commercial insurers. The amended complaint alleges unlawful conduct by all defendants in connection with the pricing and placing of insurance, including antitrust violations, deceptive trade practices, breach of fiduciary duty and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute. The Company believes the suit is without merit, and intends to defend itself vigorously.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The Company cautions readers that the foregoing discussion and analysis includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created by that Act. These forward-looking statements are believed by the Company to be reasonable based upon management’s current knowledge and assumptions about future events, but are subject to the uncertainties generally inherent in any such forward-looking statement, including factors discussed above as well as other factors that may generally affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results. Reference is made to the discussion of “Forward-Looking Statements” contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 regarding important risk factors and uncertainties that

 

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could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of the Company.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company believes that its exposure to market risk associated with transactions using certain investments and derivative financial instruments is not material.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that evaluation date. Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Company’s financial reporting. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2004, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

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

 

  c) The following table sets forth the details of purchases of common stock under the publicly announced share-repurchase program (the 2004 Program) that occurred in the third quarter of 2004:

 

Period


   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased


   Average Price
Paid per
Share


   Total Number
of Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Program


   Maximum
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Program


July 2004

   150,000    $ 33.39    150,000    $ 36,660,576

August 2004

   120,000    $ 33.00    120,000    $ 32,700,149

 

The 2004 Program was announced by the Company on March 31, 2004 and provides for the Company to purchase up to $50.0 million of its common stock annually, increasing the prior $20.0 million annual authorization. The repurchases may be made on the open market or in negotiated transactions, with the timing and amount of the transactions to be determined by the Company’s management subject to market conditions and other factors.

 

Not included in the above table are purchases other than the 2004 Program that were made on behalf of a trust maintained by the Company for the Executive Voluntary Deferral Plan and the Outside Directors Deferral Plan. Total number of shares purchased during the quarter was 5,194, at an average price per share of $33.74.

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

 

Exhibit No.

  

Document


10.1    Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2004, among the Company, as Borrower, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as administrative agent
10.2    Form of Change of Control Employment Agreement for F. Michael Crowley, an executive with the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, File No. 0-15981)
31.1    Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a)
31.2    Certification Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a)
32.1    Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2    Certification Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

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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.

 

HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY
(Registrant)

 

Date: November 9, 2004

      By:   /S/    MARTIN L. VAUGHAN, III
           

Martin L. Vaughan, III

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date: November 9, 2004

      By:   /S/    CAROLYN JONES
           

Carolyn Jones

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date: November 9, 2004

      By:   /S/    ROBERT W. BLANTON, JR.
           

Robert W. Blanton, Jr.

Vice President and Controller

(Chief Accounting Officer)

 

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HILB ROGAL & HOBBS COMPANY

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Document


10.1    Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2004, among the Company, as Borrower, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as administrative agent
10.2    Form of Change of Control Employment Agreement for F. Michael Crowley, an executive with the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, File No. 0-15981)
31.1    Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a)
31.2    Certification Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a)
32.1    Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2    Certification Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350