Stock Monitor: eHealth Post Earnings Reporting
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 12, 2018 / Active-Investors.com has just released a free earnings report on Willis Towers Watson PLC (NASDAQ: WLTW) ("Willis Towers"). If you want access to this report all you need to do is sign up now by clicking the following link www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/'symbol=WLTW. Willis Towers Watson PLC (NASDAQ: WLTW) reported its fourth quarter and fiscal 2017 operating and financial results on February 08, 2018. The advisory, broking, and solutions Company surpassed top- and bottom-line expectations and provided guidance for FY18. Register today and get access to over 1,000 Free Research Reports by joining our site below:
www.active-investors.com/registration-sg
Active-Investors.com is currently working on the research report for eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH), which also belongs to the Financial sector as the Company Willis Towers Watson. Do not miss out and become a member today for free to access this upcoming report at:
www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/'symbol=EHTH
Active-Investors.com is focused on giving you timely information and the inside line on companies that matter to you. This morning, Willis Towers Watson most recent news is on our radar and our team decided to put out a fantastic report on the company that is now available for free below:
www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/'symbol=WLTW
Earnings Highlights and Summary
During Q4 2017, Willis Towers' total revenue jumped 8% to $2.08 billion compared to total revenues of $1.94 billion for Q4 2016. The Company's Commissions and Fees (C&F) for the reported quarter were $2.05 billion, an increase of 8% compared to C&F of $1.9 billion for the year ago same period. Willis Towers' reported numbers exceeded analysts' estimates of $1.9 billion.
Willis Towers' total revenues were $8.2 billion for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, reflecting an increase of 4% compared to $7.9 billion for FY16.
Willis Towers' US GAAP tax rate was negative 221% for Q4 2017, which included a one-time tax benefit of $204 million related to US Tax Reform. In connection with the impact of US Tax Reform, the Company recorded a provisional net tax benefit of $204 million in the reported quarter.
During Q4 2017, Willis Tower's adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was $484 million, or 23.3% of total revenues, an increase from adjusted EBITDA of $419 million, or 21.7% of total revenues, in Q4 2016.
For Q4 2017, net income attributable to Willis Towers $245 million, or $1.84 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $142 million, or $1.03 per diluted share. The Company's reported quarter results included pre-tax $92 million of transaction and integration expenses and $47 million of restructuring costs.
Willis Towers' adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.21, up 18% compared to $1.88 per share in Q4 2016. The Company's earnings beat Wall Street's estimates of $2.11 per share.
For FY17, net income attributable to Willis Towers was $568 million, or $4.18 per diluted share, compared to net income of $420 million, or $3.04 per diluted share, for FY16. The Company's FY17, adjusted diluted earnings per share were $8.51, up 7% compared to $7.96 per diluted share in FY16.
Willis Towers Watson's Segment Results
During Q4 2017, the Human Capital & Benefits (HCB) segment had C&F of $758 million, an increase of 5% from $723 million in Q4 2016. The HCB segment had total revenues of $772 million in the reported quarter compared to $731 million for the prior-year's same quarter, and an operating margin of 22% for Q4 2017 and Q4 2016.
For Q4 2017, the Corporate Risk & Broking ("CRB") segment's C&F gained 10% to $770 million versus $698 million in Q4 2016. All regions experienced C&F growth within CRB. The CRB segment had total revenues of $777 million in the reported quarter compared to $706 million for the prior year's comparable quarter, and an operating margin of 28% in Q4 2017 compared to 29% Q4 2016.
The Investment, Risk & Reinsurance (IRR) segment reported C&F of $300 million, up 5% compared to $285 million in Q4 2016. Wholesale led the growth for the segment due to increased demand in the Marine business and favorable timing. The IRR segment had total revenues of $305 million in the reported quarter compared to $289 million for the year ago same period, and an operating margin of 2% compared to 8% for Q4 2016.
During Q4 2017, the Benefits Delivery & Administration (BDA) segment's C&F climbed 115 to $193 million versus $174 million in Q4 2016. The BDA segment had total revenues of $193 million in the reported quarter compared to $175 million for the year earlier same quarter; and an operating margin of 22% compared to 11% for Q4 2016.
Share Repurchase
Willis Towers repurchased approximately $70 million of the Company' stock during Q4 2017. For FY17, Willis Towers repurchased approximately $710 million of its shares.
Outlook
For 2018, Willis Towers is forecasting constant currency revenue growth of around 3%, and 4% on an organic basis. The Company is projecting adjusted diluted earnings in the range of $9.88 to $10.12 per share.
Stock Performance Snapshot
March 09, 2018 - At Friday's closing bell, Willis Towers Watson's stock rose 2.86%, ending the trading session at $164.14.
Volume traded for the day: 490.95 thousand shares.
Stock performance in the last month - up 4.30%; previous three-month period - up 4.48%; past twelve-month period - up 29.39%; and year-to-date - up 8.93%
After last Friday's close, Willis Towers Watson's market cap was at $21.67 billion.
Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio was at 39.33.
The stock has a dividend yield of 1.46%.
The stock is part of the Financial sector, categorized under the Insurance Brokers industry. This sector was up 1.8% at the end of the session.
Active-Investors:
Active-Investors (A-I) produces regular sponsored and non-sponsored reports, articles, stock market blogs, and popular investment newsletters covering equities listed on NYSE and NASDAQ and Canadian stocks. A-I has two distinct and independent departments. One department produces non-sponsored analyst certified content generally in the form of press releases, articles and reports covering equities listed on NYSE and NASDAQ and the other produces sponsored content (in most cases not reviewed by a registered analyst), which typically consists of compensated investment newsletters, articles and reports covering listed stocks and micro-caps. Such sponsored content is outside the scope of procedures detailed below.
A-I has not been compensated; directly or indirectly; for producing or publishing this document.
PRESS RELEASE PROCEDURES:
The non-sponsored content contained herein has been prepared by a writer (the "Author") and is fact checked and reviewed by a third-party research service company (the "Reviewer") represented by a credentialed financial analyst [for further information on analyst credentials, please email info@active-investors.com. Rohit Tuli, a CFA® charterholder (the "Sponsor"), provides necessary guidance in preparing the document templates. The Reviewer has reviewed and revised the content, as necessary, based on publicly available information which is believed to be reliable. Content is researched, written and reviewed on a reasonable-effort basis. The Reviewer has not performed any independent investigations or forensic audits to validate the information herein. The Reviewer has only independently reviewed the information provided by the Author according to the procedures outlined by A-I. A-I is not entitled to veto or interfere in the application of such procedures by the third-party research service company to the articles, documents or reports, as the case may be. Unless otherwise noted, any content outside of this document has no association with the Author or the Reviewer in any way.
NO WARRANTY
A-I, the Author, and the Reviewer are not responsible for any error which may be occasioned at the time of printing of this document or any error, mistake or shortcoming. No liability is accepted whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of this document. A-I, the Author, and the Reviewer expressly disclaim any fiduciary responsibility or liability for any consequences, financial or otherwise arising from any reliance placed on the information in this document. Additionally, A-I, the Author, and the Reviewer do not (1) guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or correct sequencing of the information, or (2) warrant any results from use of the information. The included information is subject to change without notice.
NOT AN OFFERING
This document is not intended as an offering, recommendation, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities mentioned or discussed, and is to be used for informational purposes only. Please read all associated disclosures and disclaimers in full before investing. Neither A-I nor any party affiliated with us is a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer with any agency or in any jurisdiction whatsoever. To download our report(s), read our disclosures, or for more information, visit http://active-investors.com/legal-disclaimer/.
CONTACT
For any questions, inquiries, or comments reach out to us directly. If you're a company we are covering and wish to no longer feature on our coverage list contact us via email and/or phone between 09:30 EDT to 16:00 EDT from Monday to Friday at:
Email: info@active-investors.com
Phone number: 73 29 92 6381
Office Address: 6, Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
SOURCE: Active-Investors
