Fitch warns about Marsh & McLennan debt burden after JLT takeover

Fitch Ratings has placed the ratings of Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC) on Rating Watch Negative following its agreement to  acquire Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group (JLT) for roughly $5.6 billion.

The Rating Watch Negative reflects the expected increase in near-term debt and related increase to financial leverage as measured by debt to EBITDA, above levels acceptable for the current rating category, Fitch said. Increased debt will also result in lower interest coverage. Fitch's Rating Sensitivities for a downgrade will be met for these key factors.

The rating action also reflects the inherent execution risk and longer-term integration risk associated with a transaction of this size, which is larger than what Fitch perceived to be MMC's acquisition appetite. These risks include uncertainty tied to realizing anticipated expense savings and retaining key employee and clients going forward.

The transaction will be funded with cash on hand and proceeds from future debt financing. MMC currently has bridge loan financing in place as required by the UK The transaction is expected to close in the spring of 2019.

The Rating Watch will be resolved, and Fitch expects to downgrade MMC's ratings by one notch to 'A-' with a Negative Outlook, upon completion of the transaction-related debt financing. The Negative Outlook will reflect the longer-term acquisition integration risk as well as the continued near-term elevated debt level and the effect on associated financial ratios.

Fitch estimates that the all-debt funded transaction and relatively high debt utilization at JLT fosters considerably higher pro-forma financial leverage for the combined entity at roughly 3.0x relative to MMC's current annualized debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of roughly 1.6x at June 30, 2018. However, ultimate long-term capital management plans and tolerance for debt leverage are likely to be at a lower level. A return to debt to EBITDA ratios at consistently near 2.0x would be viewed positively in the rating assessment, according to the rating agency.

Fitch expects that financial leverage will gradually decrease following the acquisition over the next one to three years from continued EBITDA growth, projected expense savings of $250 million related to the acquisition, and anticipated debt repayment. Fitch also believes the company will reduce leverage to return to a run-rate level closer to 2.0x - 2.25x by the end of 2020 and would likely pay off a portion of existing debt in order to do so if EBITDA growth does not meet expectations. In the near term, leverage is manageable and interest coverage from earnings and cash flow is sufficient to meet obligations.

In the long term, MMC's acquisition of JLT should result in positive business and operational synergies, Fitch noted. The transaction creates a larger, more diverse entity with complimentary operating franchises in specialty insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and employee benefits consulting services. The acquisition expands MMC's international profile with JLT's existing presence in the UK, Asia, and other emerging markets, Fitch added.

Get all the latest re/insurance industry news with our daily newsletter -  sign up here.

More of today's news

Swiss Re replaces Corporate Solutions CEO with Allianz executive

AIG acquires US broker Glatfelter to strengthen general insurance unit

Greensmith succeeds Jardine as AXA XL UK CEO

Berkshire-backed new motor MGA launched in Gibraltar

London Market launches delegated authority platform

L&H insurtech attracts more financing than P&C in H1

Hyperion unit Tamesis Dual taps underwriting director from Hiscox

Don't miss our insurtech email newsletter - sign up today