3rd Quarter & 9 Mths - 'Strong Results

MARSH AND MCLENNAN CO INC 26 October 1999 William Pitt Jim Fingeroth Marsh & McLennan Cos. Kekst and Company (212) 345-5079 (212) 521-4819 MARSH & McLENNAN COMPANIES REPORTS STRONG THIRD QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS RESULTS Earnings Per Share Rises 17 Percent for Quarter NEW YORK, NEW YORK, October 26, 1999-Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC) today reported that for the third quarter ended September 30, 1999, revenue increased 30 percent to $2.2 billion from $1.7 billion in 1998. Net income rose 20 percent to $223 million from $186 million, and earnings per share increased 17 percent to $.81 from $.69 in 1998. For the nine months ended September 30, 1999, MMC's revenue reached $6.8 billion, up 30 percent from $5.2 billion for the same period last year. Net income increased 20 percent to $731 million from $610 million in 1998, and earnings per share grew 17 percent to $2.66 from $2.28 in 1998, excluding a special charge taken in the second quarter of this year. Commenting on the results, A.J.C. Smith, chairman of MMC, said, 'We are very pleased with the performance of each of our businesses. Putnam Investments had another solid quarter, ending with $318 billion in assets under management at September 30, up from $253 billion for the same period last year. Mercer Consulting Group's results were impressive for both the quarter and nine months, reflecting strong revenue growth and increased profitability. Marsh performed well, continuing to manage its business successfully and integrate Sedgwick into its operations as competitive market conditions persisted. We are beginning to see the positive effects of consolidation savings in our earnings, which should continue to be realized over the next 18 months.' 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), level of worldwide and national equity and fixed income markets, premium rate levels in the global property and casualty insurance markets, regulatory actions or developments, the uncertainties of litigation, MMC or its significant business partners not being Year-2000 compliant on a timely basis, 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' 1997 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. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (In millions, except per share figures) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, _______________ _______________ 1999 1998 1999 1998 _____ _____ _____ _____ Revenue: Risk and Insurance Services $1,055 $764 $3,403 $2,418 Investment Management 673 568 1,963 1,713 Consulting 499 387 1,457 1,114 _____ _____ ______ ______ Total Revenue 2,227 1,719 6,823 5,245 _____ _____ ______ ______ Expense: Compensation and Benefits 1,118 860 3,413 2,577 Other Operating Expenses 684 524 2,035 1,583 Special Charge - - 84 - ______ _____ ______ ______ Total Expense 1,802 1,384 5,532 4,160 ______ _____ ______ ______ Operating Income 425 335 1,291 1,085 Interest Income 6 5 17 17 Interest Expense (59) (33) (174) (94) ______ _____ ______ ______ Income Before Income Taxes 372 307 1,134 1,008 Income Taxes 149 121 455 398 ______ _____ ______ ______ Net Income $223 $186 $679 $610 ====== ===== ====== ====== Basic Net Income Per Share $0.84 $0.73 $2.60 $2.38 ====== ===== ====== ====== Diluted Net Income Per Share $0.81 $0.69 $2.47 $2.28 ====== ===== ====== ====== Diluted Net Income Per Share Excluding Special Charge $0.81 $0.69 $2.66 $2.28 ====== ===== ====== ====== Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic 264 256 262 256 ====== ===== ====== ====== Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted 273 263 270 264 ====== ===== ====== ======
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