-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, JknFt9J8EXdimTSO0PtG+dh/wwZaatqh9uRFjPIHS9DGX1jMcXNjsVuYilfoBWss SCmEhW25WoK21JZKWqJaKQ== 0001157523-05-001755.txt : 20050223 0001157523-05-001755.hdr.sgml : 20050223 20050223122709 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001157523-05-001755 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050223 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition FILED AS OF DATE: 20050223 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050223 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HUB INTERNATIONAL LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001133016 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411] IRS NUMBER: 364412416 STATE OF INCORPORATION: A6 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-31310 FILM NUMBER: 05633482 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8 NELSON STREET WEST STREET 2: 6TH FLOOR CITY: BRAMPTON STATE: A6 ZIP: L6X 4J2 BUSINESS PHONE: 905.866.5200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 55 EAST JACKSON BOULEVARD STREET 2: FLOOR 14A CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60604 8-K 1 a4828403.txt HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED 8-K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ----------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ----------------------------- Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 23, 2005 HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Canada (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 1-31310 36-4412416 (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) ----------------------------- 55 East Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois 60604 (877) 402-6601 (Address of principal executive offices and telephone number, including area code) n/a (Former name or former Address, if changed since last Report) ----------------------------- Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.below): [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13c-4(c)) Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On February 23, 2005, Hub International Limited issued a press release announcing its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004. A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing information, including the information contained in the press release, is being furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Description - ------- ----------- 99.1 Press release of Hub International Limited dated February 23, 2004. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Date: February 23, 2005 HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED By: /s/ Marianne D. Paine ---------------------------- Name: Marianne D. Paine Title: Chief Legal Officer EX-99.1 2 a4828403ex991.txt EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1 Hub International Reports 2004 Results CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2005--Hub International Limited (NYSE:HBG)(TSX:HBG): -- Revenue increases 33% in fourth quarter, 26% for full year -- Net earnings decline 64% in quarter, 28% for year, including Talbot charge -- Net earnings increase 7% in Q4, 11% for full year, ex-Talbot charge -- Hub posts 1% organic growth in Q4, 5% for full year. Hub International Limited (NYSE:HBG)(TSX:HBG), as expected, today reported lower earnings on higher revenue for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2004. For both periods, the decline in earnings resulted from the non-cash stock based compensation charge (Talbot charge) related to the Talbot Financial Corporation acquisition on July 1, 2004. "We are happy with our results for 2004," said Martin P. Hughes, chairman and chief executive officer. "We're moving in the right direction and we are making progress in each of the corporate initiatives announced around this time last year. We anticipate increased progress in 2005." Hughes said the company anticipates no material weaknesses to report under Sarbanes-Oxley requirements when the 2004 Form10-K is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, he noted that reviews by external legal counsel--in response to inquiries from New York's Attorney General and other states' legal and regulatory authorities--have not indicated inappropriate dealings with customers. Hughes also noted that the firm has received only a few inquiries from customers as a result of high-profile probes of the industry by legal and regulatory officials of various states regarding contingent commissions and other payments received from insurance companies. "It's impossible to prove a negative, but customer and employee hotlines and an inquiry by external legal counsel have not suggested inappropriate activity in our organization," Hughes said. "We will continue to emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and strong customer service in all our dealings with business partners, as that is the key to long-term account retention and value creation for shareholders." Full-year Growth Reflects Expansion Program Due to the Talbot charge, Hub's net earnings declined 28% to $26.2 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in 2004 from $36.5 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, in 2003. Revenue increased 26% to $360.9 million from $286.4 million for the year, reflecting the impact of acquisitions and a 5% organic growth rate. Organic growth includes revenue gains from operations owned at least 12 months. Of the 26% revenue increase and the 5% organic growth rate, 3 percentage points of improvement resulted from a stronger Canadian dollar. During 2004, core commissions increased 27%, while contingent commissions and volume overrides increased 17%. Normalized Earnings Comparison 2004 2003 2004 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (000's) (000's) Per diluted Per diluted share share - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings reported under Canadian GAAP for year ended December 31 $26,244 $36,509 $0.80 $1.14 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-cash stock based compensation--Talbot $14,388 $-- $0.41 $-- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Write-off of trademarks $1,656 $-- $0.05 $-- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Impact of foreign exchange ($1,734) ($2,260) ($0.05) ($0.07) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Life insurance proceeds $-- ($1,000) $-- ($0.03) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Normalized net earnings $40,554 $33,249 $1.21 $1.04 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings comparisons are complicated by the Talbot charge and other factors, as shown in the table above. As discussed previously, approximately 70 Talbot employees will receive non-cash stock based compensation in an earnout based on profitability. As these employees were not shareholders of Talbot prior to the acquisition, the non-cash accrual is recorded in the income statement, rather than as a balance sheet adjustment. The earnout is calculated as a multiple of EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization), a non-GAAP measure. During 2004, Hub recognized $14.4 million of non-cash stock based compensation expense related to Talbot. The Talbot charge is not deductible for income tax purposes. In addition, Hub's non-cash writedown of intangibles, related to its branding initiative, reduced 2004 net earnings by $1.7 million, versus $1.0 million of life insurance proceeds which increased 2003 net earnings. Foreign exchange adjustments, a normal but variable component of Hub's financial reporting, affected the income statement differently in 2004 versus 2003. A stronger Canadian dollar added $1.7 million to net earnings in 2004, down from $2.3 million in 2003. When these items are excluded from comparisons, net earnings increased 22% to $40.6 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, from $33.2 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, a year earlier. Hub recorded substantial growth in revenue and positive organic growth rates at most regional hubs. In the United States, revenue grew 35% to $239.0 million from $177.2 million due to acquisitions, and organic growth was zero percent in a declining rate environment. In Canada, where rates weakened later in the year than in the United States, revenue grew 12% to $121.8 million from $109.1 million. Canada's organic growth rate of 13% for the year included 8 percentage points resulting from a stronger Canadian dollar. "The U.S. organic growth rate requires some explanation," Hughes said. "We experienced a significant revenue decline at Hub Midwest, including the previously reported loss of a major client for creditor-placed insurance programs. Absent the performance at HUB Midwest, U.S. organic growth would have been 3% for 2004. Meanwhile, we have reduced costs aggressively at this hub, limiting the negative impact of lost sales on operating margins." Cash compensation expense increased 28% to $199.5 million from $156.3 million, increasing as a percentage of revenue to 55% from 54% in 2003. Hughes said this increase resulted primarily from a higher relative level of compensation cost at Talbot, and he reiterated that the company continues to have a goal of reducing compensation expense as a percentage of revenue. Selling, occupancy and administration expense rose 29% to $73.2 million from $56.6 million, equal to about 20% of revenue in both years. Overhead expense included more than $2.5 million of increased expenditures related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and inquiries regarding brokerage compensation practices. Interest expense increased 44% to $7.5 million, due to acquisition financing. All these factors, including the Talbot charge, reduced pre-tax margin to 13% from 19% in 2003. Excluding the Talbot charge, pre-tax margin declined to 17% from 19% in 2003, due primarily to the increased amortization and interest expense associated with Talbot. Hub's effective tax rate was an unusually high 43% versus 34% in the prior year. The tax rate increase was due primarily to the non-deductible nature of the Talbot charge in 2004. Excluding the Talbot charge, the effective tax rate for 2004 was 33%. Net margin in 2004 declined to 7% from 13%, including the impact of the Talbot charge. Absent the Talbot charge, net margin was 11%. "Relative stability in margins was a major achievement in a year of declining rates, new investment in the corporate infrastructure, large increases in legal and accounting expense and integration of a $100 million acquisition with lower margins than Hub," Hughes said. "Margin improvement remains a substantial priority for us in 2005." Revenue Rises in Fourth Quarter For the fourth quarter, the Talbot charge led to a 64% decline in net earnings to $3.9 million from $10.7 million a year earlier, despite a 33% increase in revenue to $104.4 million from $78.7 million and a 1% organic growth rate. A stronger Canadian dollar added 3 percentage points to consolidated revenue growth and organic growth in the fourth quarter. Core commissions increased 34%, while contingent commissions and volume overrides grew 28%. Normalized Earnings Comparison 2004 2003 2004 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Per diluted Per diluted (000) (000) share share - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings reported under Canadian GAAP for fourth quarter ended December 31 $3,884 $10,676 $0.13 $0.33 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-cash stock based compensation--Talbot $7,495 $-- $0.23 $ -- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Impact of foreign exchange $(499) $(1,031) $(0.02) $(0.03) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Normalized net earnings $10,880 $9,645 $0.34 $0.30 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-cash stock based compensation to Talbot managers was higher than anticipated in the fourth quarter, due to stronger profitability at Talbot. Because non-cash stock based compensation is calculated as a multiple of EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization), a non-GAAP measure, stronger profitability at Talbot during the earnout period translates into reduced earnings. In reviewing the most recent quarter's results, Hughes noted that rates continued to decline in both the United States and Canada. In the United States, revenue increased 48% to $73.0 million from $49.3 million, due to acquisitions. Organic growth was a negative 5%, reflecting the loss of a large client in the creditor-placed insurance business, as well as weakness in the retail property and casualty division of Hub Midwest. In Canada, revenue increased 7% to $31.3 million from $29.4 million, while organic growth came in at 9%. Organic growth was higher than overall growth due to the impact of a small divestiture in the fourth quarter. Of the Canadian revenue growth, 8 percentage points reflected the impact of a stronger Canadian dollar. Cash compensation expense increased 40% to $59.2 million from $42.6 million, increasing to 57% of revenue from 54% of revenue in the prior year. Hughes said the relative increase in compensation cost reflected the relatively higher compensation ratio at Talbot. Selling, occupancy and administration expense rose 39% to $21.9 million from $15.7 million, growing to 21% of revenue from 20%, due in large part to costs of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and responses to inquiries regarding brokerage compensation practices. Interest expense also rose sharply, growing 71% to $1.8 million from $1.0 million, due to financing costs for acquisitions. The impact of these higher expense levels, including the Talbot charge, led to a decline in pre-tax margin to 8% from 20% a year ago. Excluding the Talbot charge, pre-tax margin declined to 16% from 20%. Hub's effective tax rate was an unusually high 55% in the fourth quarter, versus 31% a year earlier, due primarily to the Talbot charge. Outlook Includes Emphasis on Cost Management, Sales Culture "Looking into 2005," Hughes said, "we are focusing heavily on building organic growth levels while keeping pressure on expenses. We believe we can increase our margins as we achieve both organic growth and expense control. We anticipate some easing of Sarbanes-Oxley expense as the significant implementation portion of these costs will not be repeated. Legal costs related to inquiries into compensation practices cannot be predicted at this time. "Meanwhile, there is no substitute for stronger sales levels and we are getting good initial traction from the sales culture initiatives we implemented in 2004. Through effective management of the sales pipeline and more aggressive recruiting of strong producers, we intend to improve our sales productivity, account retention and long-term growth potential." Understanding the Talbot Compensation Charge Hub discloses the impact of non-cash stock based compensation related to Talbot in order to give investors increased insight into Hub's results of operations and the effective cost of the Talbot acquisition. Both the $90 million cash paid to Safeco Corporation and the future issuance of restricted and non-restricted Hub shares to approximately 70 Talbot executives are components of the total consideration paid to acquire Talbot. This total consideration is within Hub's target range of paying 5-7 times EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), a non-GAAP measure for acquired brokerages. The executives of Talbot were not shareholders prior to the sale, and therefore non-cash stock based compensation they receive under terms of the purchase agreement is recorded as compensation expense. This compensation expense, which is not deductible for tax purposes, will be charged to earnings through the first quarter of 2007 and will affect earnings comparisons through 2007, making it difficult for investors to analyze the company's results in comparison to prior years and industry peers. In the fourth quarter of 2004, Hub recorded $7.5 million of non-cash stock based compensation for Talbot based on a total estimated earnout liability of approximately $50 million. The amount of non-cash stock based compensation may vary from quarter to quarter based on the profitability of Talbot. Based on the current expected earnout of approximately $50 million, the estimated charge to earnings will be: 2004 $14.4 million (actual) 2005 $25.5 million 2006 $8.4 million 2007 $ 1.5 million Conference Call and Webcast Hub International will discuss its financial results and outlook on a conference call scheduled for 9:30 a.m. (CT), 10:30 a.m. (ET) today, February 23, 2005. This call is being webcast by Thompson/CCBN and can be accessed at Hub International's web site at www.hubinternational.com. The webcast is also being distributed through the Thomson StreetEvents Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call at www.fulldisclosure.com, Thomson/CCBN's individual investor portal, powered by StreetEvents. Institutional investors can access the call via Thomson's password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com). Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Hub International Limited is a leading North American insurance brokerage that provides a broad array of property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services through offices located in the United States and Canada. This press release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to our plans and objectives for future operations and are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks associated with implementing our business strategies, identifying and consummating acquisitions, integrating acquired brokerages, attaining greater market share, developing and implementing effective information technology systems, recruiting and retaining qualified employees, fluctuations in the premiums charged by insurance companies with corresponding fluctuations in our premium-based revenue, any loss of services of key executives, industry consolidation, increased competition in the industry, fluctuations in the demand for insurance products, exchange rates, resolution of regulatory issues, including those related to compensation arrangements with insurance companies, the actual costs of resolution of contingent liabilities and the passage of new legislation subjecting our business to regulation in jurisdictions where we operate. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Additional information regarding these risks and other factors that could cause Hub International's actual results to differ materially from our expectations is contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities commissions. Except as otherwise required by federal securities laws, Hub International undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Consolidated Organic Growth For the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2004 (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except percentages) Net Revenue Adjustments ------------------ Total For Organic Fourth quarter Total Growth(Acquisitions) Growth 2004 2003 Change ($) (%) And Disposals (%) ------------------------------------------------------- Total - ----- Commission Income $100,103 $74,706 $25,397 34% $(24,576) 1% Contingent Commissions and Volume Overrides 1,765 1,380 385 28% (367) 1% Other Income 2,500 2,570 (70) -3% (369) -17% ------------------------------------------------------- Total $104,368 $78,656 $25,712 33% $(25,312) 1% ------------------------------------------------------- USA - --- Commission Income $69,700 $46,701 $22,999 49% $(25,223) -5% Contingent Commissions and Volume Overrides 1,427 918 509 55% (367) 16% Other Income 1,912 1,669 243 15% (380) -8% ------------------------------------------------------- Total $73,039 $49,288 $23,751 48% $(25,970) -5% ------------------------------------------------------- Canada - ------ Commission Income $30,403 $28,005 $2,398 9% $647 11% Contingent Commissions and Volume Overrides 338 462 (124) -27% - -27% Other Income 588 901 (313) -35% 11 -36% ------------------------------------------------------- Total $31,329 $29,368 $1,961 7% $658 9% ------------------------------------------------------- Net Revenue Adjustments ------------------ Total For Organic Twelve months Total Growth(Acquisitions) Growth 2004 2003 Change ($) (%) And Disposals (%) ------------------------------------------------------- Total - ----- Commission Income $328,961 $259,461 $69,500 27% $(56,814) 5% Contingent Commissions and Volume Overrides 21,705 18,530 3,175 17% (897) 12% Other Income 10,184 8,368 1,816 22% (1,853) 0% ------------------------------------------------------- Total $360,850 $286,359 $74,491 26% $(59,564) 5% ------------------------------------------------------- USA - --- Commission Income $216,293 $158,025 $58,268 37% $(58,619) 0% Contingent Commissions and Volume Overrides 14,864 13,493 1,371 10% (898) 4% Other Income 7,860 5,701 2,159 38% (1,909) 4% ------------------------------------------------------- Total $239,017 $177,219 $61,798 35% $(61,426) 0% ------------------------------------------------------- Canada - ------ Commission Income $112,668 $101,436 $11,232 11% $1,805 13% Contingent Commissions and Volume Overrides 6,841 5,037 1,804 36% 1 36% Other Income 2,324 2,667 (343) -13% 56 -11% ------------------------------------------------------- Total $121,833 $109,140 $12,693 12% $1,862 13% ------------------------------------------------------- HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Consolidated Statements of Earnings For the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) Fourth quarter Twelve months --------------------- ---------------------- 2004 2003 2004 2003 --------------------- ---------------------- (Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Unaudited) Revenue Commission income $100,103 $74,706 $328,961 $259,461 Contingent commissions and volume overrides 1,765 1,380 21,705 18,530 Other 2,500 2,570 10,184 8,368 --------------------- ---------------------- 104,368 78,656 360,850 286,359 --------------------- ---------------------- Expenses Cash compensation 59,176 42,576 199,520 156,320 Selling, occupancy and administration 21,913 15,718 73,199 56,606 Depreciation 1,987 1,782 7,266 6,244 Interest expense 1,778 1,039 7,470 5,191 Intangible asset amortization 1,899 811 5,520 3,208 Non-cash stock based compensation 9,229 1,226 20,890 4,801 Loss on write-off of trademarks - - 2,587 - (Gain)/loss on disposal of subsidiaries, property, equipment and other assets (340) 79 (1,880) (202) (Gain)/loss on put option liability - 7 - (160) Proceeds from life insurance - - - (1,000) --------------------- ---------------------- 95,642 63,238 314,572 231,008 --------------------- ---------------------- Net earnings before income taxes 8,726 15,418 46,278 55,351 --------------------- ---------------------- Provision for income tax expense Current 3,142 1,583 19,904 16,922 Future 1,700 3,159 130 1,920 --------------------- ---------------------- 4,842 4,742 20,034 18,842 --------------------- ---------------------- Net earnings 3,884 10,676 26,244 36,509 Interest on subordinated convertible debentures 472 1,900 1,886 Dividends in lieu on restricted share units 7 35 95 111 --------------------- ---------------------- Diluted net earnings $3,891 $11,183 $28,239 $38,506 --------------------- ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- Earnings per share Basic $0.13 $0.36 $0.87 $1.22 Diluted $0.12 $0.33 $0.80 $1.14 Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic (000's) 30,336 30,007 30,246 29,967 Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted (000's) 33,169 34,237 35,305 33,767 HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Consolidated Balance Sheets As of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 (in thousands of U.S. dollars) 2004 2003 --------- --------- (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $98,204 $82,052 Trust cash 71,718 54,534 Accounts and other receivables 162,841 163,728 Income taxes receivable 6,208 6,768 Future income taxes 3,901 2,776 Prepaid expenses 5,835 4,449 --------- --------- Total current assets 348,707 314,307 Goodwill 376,676 305,862 Other intangible assets 88,842 42,903 Property and equipment 27,907 24,181 Future income taxes 4,368 5,232 Other assets 11,035 6,803 --------- --------- Total assets $857,535 $699,288 --------- --------- --------- --------- Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $271,843 $226,168 Income taxes payable 2,273 3,804 Future income taxes 34 24 Current portion long-term debt and capital leases 5,195 3,362 --------- --------- Total current liabilities 279,345 233,358 Long-term debt and capital leases 146,602 75,437 Subordinated convertible debentures 35,000 35,000 Future income taxes 14,805 12,703 --------- --------- Total liabilities 475,752 356,498 --------- --------- Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity Share capital 259,617 254,845 Issuable shares - 721 Contributed surplus 12,681 4,806 Cumulative translation account 26,983 20,062 Retained earnings 82,502 62,356 --------- --------- Total shareholders' equity 381,783 342,790 --------- --------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $857,535 $699,288 --------- --------- --------- --------- HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands of U.S. dollars) Fourth quarter Twelve months --------------------- ---------------------- 2004 2003 2004 2003 --------------------- ---------------------- (Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Unaudited) Operating activities Net earnings $3,884 $10,676 $26,244 $36,509 Items not affecting working capital: Amortization and depreciation 3,886 2,593 12,786 9,452 (Gain)/loss on disposal of subsidiaries, property, equipment and other assets (340) 79 (1,880) (202) Non-cash stock based compensation 9,229 1,226 20,890 4,801 Loss on write-off of trademarks - - 2,587 - (Gain)/loss on put option liability - 7 - (160) Future income taxes 1,700 3,159 130 1,920 Non-cash working capital items Trust cash (5,206) (10,559) (3,351) (886) Accounts and other receivables (21,342) (42,070) 15,672 (4,067) Prepaid expenses 2,645 (2,450) (1,303) (2,616) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 34,827 52,024 (12,285) 13,431 Other assets 128 129 512 (2,062) Income taxes (1,617) (4,930) (2,646) (2,184) --------------------- ---------------------- Net cash flows from operating activities 27,794 9,884 57,356 53,936 --------------------- ---------------------- Investing activities Property and equipment - purchases (2,197) (1,434) (7,293) (6,125) Property and equipment - proceeds on sale 15 22 159 69 Purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash received (3,907) (3,882) (94,307) (14,881) Sale of subsidiaries 1,085 976 7,454 1,098 Other assets 298 255 687 (307) --------------------- ---------------------- Net cash flows used for investing activities (4,706) (4,063) (93,300) (20,146) --------------------- ---------------------- Financing activities Long-term debt - advances - (3,167) 65,000 65,000 Long-term debt and capital leases - repayments (3,130) (91) (11,326) (54,540) Proceeds from sale of executive plan shares 17 - 497 222 Dividends paid (1,528) (1,516) (6,098) (6,068) Share capital - issued for cash, net of issue costs - (2) - (61) --------------------- ---------------------- Net cash flows from (used for) financing activities (4,641) (4,776) 48,073 4,553 --------------------- ---------------------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 1,649 1,946 4,023 3,067 --------------------- ---------------------- Change in cash and cash equivalents 20,096 2,991 16,152 41,410 Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of period 78,108 79,061 82,052 40,642 --------------------- ---------------------- Cash and cash equivalents - End of period $98,204 $82,052 $98,204 $82,052 --------------------- ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Non-cash stock based compensation As of December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002 (in thousands of U.S. dollars) Our non-cash stock based compensation includes stock options and restricted share units for senior employees as well as amortization of $14.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, of non-cash stock based compensation related to the estimated earnout due to management of Talbot over the next three years. In response to investor interest in the true impact of these costs, we began recognizing the expense of non-cash stock based compensation during 2003. Options vest evenly over three years and expire in seven years from issuance. Shares derived from the options are held in escrow for a period of five years from the date the options are granted, subject to early releases in certain circumstances. Restricted share units vest over periods ranging from 48 months to 95 months. Our policy is to expense the fair value of non-cash stock based compensation to employees over the period in which entitlement to the compensation vests. The amount of expense recognized in each year related to stock options will vary with respect to exercise and forfeiture of options. Non-cash stock based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 is comprised of the following: 2004 2003 2002 ------------------------ Non-cash stock based compensation: Stock options granted June 2002 $1,955 $1,899 $1,089 Stock options granted February 2003 445 410 - Stock based compensation granted for 2003 bonuses 2,368 1,405 - Restricted share units 1,609 1,087 - Other 125 - - ------------------------ 6,502 4,801 1,089 Stock based compensation related to Talbot acquisition 14,388 - - ------------------------ $20,890 $4,801 $1,089 ------------------------ ------------------------ The Company estimates the non-cash stock based compensation expense for 2005 through 2010 will be: Year ended December 31, 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 ----------------------------------------------- Stock options granted June 2002 $851 $- $- $- $- $- Stock options granted February 2003 366 - - - - - Stock based compensation granted for 2003 bonues 2,340 2,254 2,163 2,163 2,163 2,104 Stock based compensation regarding Talbot acquisition 25,459 8,400 1,508 - - - Restricted share units 1,661 1,654 1,618 1,618 347 130 Other 112 27 9 - - - ------------------------------------------------ $30,789 $12,335 $5,298 $3,781 $2,510 $2,234 ------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ In total, as of December 31, 2004, we had issued and outstanding approximately 1.5 million stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $15.34. Our closing share price on the New York Stock Exchange was $18.41 on December 31, 2004. CONTACT: Hub International Limited Dennis J. Pauls, 312-279-4880 email: dennis.pauls@hubinternational.com or Rosenbaum Advisors, Inc. Michael Rosenbaum, 847-749-1010 email: michael@rosenbaumadvisors.com -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----