It’s the turn of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) to report its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2019.
The global insurance brokerage and risk management group posted net earnings of US$105.6 million (around £80.7 million) in last year’s final three-month period, which is lower than the US$127.8 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018. The net earnings result for the whole year, however, improved to US$715.8 million (around £546.7 million) from US$675.9 million previously.
Broken down into segments, here’s how AJG performed last year:
“We had an outstanding fourth quarter to cap-off an excellent full year 2019,” commented chairman, president, and chief executive J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., who believes the company’s 2019 momentum should continue this year.
He also noted: “Almost without exception, property & casualty rates around the world are firm and continue to trend higher in most lines and geographies. Our clients’ businesses are growing. Unemployment is at historically low levels nearly everywhere.
“This is an environment where our professionals combine their creativity and knowledge with our vast capabilities to help clients manage risk and attract and retain talent. Further, our unique culture, guided by The Gallagher Way, continues to encourage colleagues worldwide to seek excellence for themselves, their clients, carrier partners, and one another.”
Commenting on Gallagher’s UK performance, Simon Matson, CEO of Gallagher’s UK broking and underwriting business, described the year as "exceptional."
“Although we don’t publish UK specific results, I can confirm that in the UK we grew both revenue and margin across all four trading units - retail broking, specialty broking, Pen Underwriting and Capsicum Re, which earlier this month officially become Gallagher’s fully-owned reinsurance division," he said.
“On the M&A front we had an extremely busy year, successfully integrating acquired businesses including Stackhouse Poland, Rentguard, Vasek, and landing the former JLT Aerospace business into Gallagher in record time. We now turn our attention to integrating Capsicum Re, which is a great complement to our existing businesses.
“Looking ahead, 2020 presents further organic and inorganic growth opportunities and we will continue on our mission to attract and retain the most talented individuals in the sector to take care of the insurance and risk management needs of our growing client base.”
