2nd Quarter & Interim Results

MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANY INCORPORATED 27 July 1999 William Pitt Caroline Gentile Marsh & McLennan Cos. Kekst and Company (212) 345-5079 (212) 521-4883 MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES REPORTS EXCELLENT SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS RESULTS Earnings Per Share Rises 14 Percent for Quarter ================================================ NEW YORK, NEW YORK, July 27, 1999-Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC) today reported that for the second quarter ended June 30, 1999, revenue increased 28 percent to $2.2 billion from $1.8 billion in 1998. Net income rose 18 percent to $228 million from $193 million, and earnings per share increased 14 percent to $0.82 from $0.72 in 1998 before a special charge related to MMC's acquisition of Sedgwick Group plc in November 1998. For the six months ended June 30, 1999, revenue reached $4.6 billion, up 30 percent from $3.5 billion for the same period last year. Net income increased 20 percent to $507 million from $424 million in 1998, and earnings per share grew 16 percent to $1.85 from $1.59 in 1998, excluding the special charge. A.J.C. Smith, chairman, said, 'Strong results for all of our businesses through the first half of the year make us optimistic about MMC's prospects for continued growth. Putnam Investments delivered solid revenue gains and increased profitability supported by positive equity markets, new sales and continuing expense management. Putnam ended the quarter with $325 billion in assets under management. Mercer Consulting Group performed extremely well, achieving robust revenue growth for both the quarter and six months with continued margin improvement. Marsh also performed well, increasing revenues and earnings as it continues to strengthen its position as the world's leading provider of risk and insurance services. We are pleased to report that Sedgwick's integration into our operating companies has been very successful and we are meeting our targets for consolidation savings.' In the second quarter of 1999, MMC recorded a special pretax charge of $84 million, relating primarily to severance payments resulting from the acquisition of Sedgwick. Including the special charge, earnings per share was $0.63 for the quarter and for the six months $1.66. It is expected that another charge will be taken in the fourth quarter related to additional integration efforts. MMC is a global professional services firm with annual revenues exceeding $7 billion. It is the parent company of Marsh, the world's leading risk and insurance services firm; Putnam Investments, one of the largest investment management companies in the United States; and Mercer Consulting Group, a major global provider of consulting services. More than 50,000 employees provide analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago, Pacific and London stock exchanges. MMC's Web site address is www.mmc.com. This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, discussions concerning revenue and expense growth, cost savings and efficiencies expected from the integration of Johnson & Higgins and Sedgwick Group plc, and market and industry conditions. Actual results may differ from those contemplated as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in general worldwide and national economic conditions, competitive conditions and pricing pressures, the failure to successfully integrate the risk and insurance services and consulting businesses of Sedgwick Group plc (including the achievement of synergies and cost reductions) or other adverse consequences from those transactions, level of worldwide and national equity and fixed income markets, premium rate levels in the global property and casualty insurance markets, MMC or its significant business partners not being Year-2000 compliant on a timely basis, tax or regulatory actions or developments, the uncertainties of litigation, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Please refer to Marsh & McLennan Companies' 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K for 'Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements,' its reports on Form 8-K and quarterly reports on Form 10- Q. Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30 June 30 1999 1998 1999 1998 Revenue: Risk and Insurance Services $1,092 $ 784 $2,348 $1,654 Investment Management 661 587 1,290 1,145 Consulting 492 379 958 727 ______ ______ ______ ______ Total Revenue 2,245 1,750 4,596 3,526 ______ ______ ______ ______ Expense: Compensation and Benefits 1,126 866 2,295 1,717 Other Operating Expenses 688 538 1,351 1,059 Special Charge 84 - 84 - ______ ______ ______ ______ 1,898 1,404 3,730 2,776 Total Expense ______ ______ ______ ______ Operating Income 347 346 866 750 Interest Income 4 7 11 12 Interest Expense (55) (33) (115) (61) _____ ______ _____ ______ Income Before Income Taxes 296 320 762 701 Income Taxes 119 127 306 277 _____ _____ _____ ______ Net Income $ 177 $ 193 $ 456 $ 424 Basic Net Income Per Share $ 0.68 $ 0.75 $ 1.76 $ 1.65 Diluted Net Income Per Share $ 0.63 $ 0.72 $ 1.66 $ 1.59 Diluted Net Income Per Share Excluding SpecialCharge $ 0.82 $ 0.72 $ 1.85 $ 1.59 Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic 263 257 260 257 Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted 272 265 269 264
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