10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For Quarter Ended: June 30, 2006

Commission file number: 1-31310

LOGO

HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

Canada   36-4412416
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
55 East Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois   60604
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(877) 402-6601

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x         No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ¨        Accelerated filer  x        Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨        No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class   Outstanding at August 1, 2006
Common Shares  

39,258,827

 


 



Table of Contents

HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

INDEX

 

         Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  Financial Statements (Unaudited)    3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

   3

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

   4

Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

   5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

   6

Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

   7

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    25

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    41

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures    41

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings    42

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    43

Item 4.

  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    43

Item 5.

  Other Information    44

Item 6.

  Exhibits    45

SIGNATURE

   46

 

2     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Hub International Limited

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     2006    2005

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 134,089    $ 70,118

Trust cash

     94,318      113,349

Accounts and other receivables

     298,042      230,654

Income taxes receivable

     4,639      6,001

Future income taxes

     4,595      4,971

Prepaid expenses

     10,022      6,436
             

Total current assets

     545,705      431,529

Goodwill

     480,917      421,158

Other intangible assets

     141,635      105,007

Property and equipment

     30,787      28,160

Future income taxes

     13,700      4,528

Other assets

     12,030      10,971
             

Total assets

   $ 1,224,774    $ 1,001,353
             

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 409,707    $ 384,174

Income taxes payable

     14,432      4,344

Future income taxes

     412      359

Current portion long-term debt and capital leases

     4,569      4,910
             

Total current liabilities

     429,120      393,787

Long-term debt and capital leases

     141,062      135,363

Subordinated convertible debentures

          35,000

Future income taxes

     18,732      17,277
             

Total liabilities

     588,914      581,427
             

Commitments and contingencies

     

Shareholders’ equity

     

Share capital

     449,277      270,199

Contributed surplus

     19,874      16,989

Cumulative translation account

     37,890      31,893

Retained earnings

     128,819      100,845
             

Total shareholders’ equity

     635,860      419,926
             

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,224,774    $ 1,001,353
             

(the accompanying notes form an integral part of the interim financial statements)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     3


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Hub International Limited

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Second quarter     First six months  
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

Revenue

        

Commission income

   $ 134,232     $ 103,797     $ 234,124     $ 190,711  

Contingent commissions and volume overrides

     7,882       4,244       39,051       33,404  

Other

     3,905       2,973       6,912       6,080  
                                
     146,019       111,014       280,087       230,195  
                                

Expenses

        

Compensation *

     81,669       70,912       156,335       142,378  

Selling, occupancy and administration

     26,245       20,465       48,643       40,080  

Depreciation

     2,411       2,115       4,553       4,179  

Interest expense

     3,917       2,569       6,960       4,951  

Intangible asset amortization

     5,222       1,862       8,498       3,695  

Gain on disposal of subsidiaries, property, equipment and other assets

     (536 )     (21 )     (757 )     (2,433 )

Gain on forgiveness of debt

                       (4,500 )
                                
     118,928       97,902       224,232       188,350  
                                

Net earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     27,091       13,112       55,855       41,845  
                                

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

        

Current

     11,077       8,876       22,835       22,480  

Future

     (43 )     71       218       (907 )
                                
     11,034       8,947       23,053       21,573  
                                

Net earnings from continuing operations

     16,057       4,164       32,802       20,272  

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     228       104       (51 )     477  
                                

Net earnings

   $ 16,285     $ 4,268     $ 32,751     $ 20,749  
                                

Basic earnings per share

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.48     $ 0.14     $ 1.00     $ 0.67  

Discontinued operations

                       0.01  
                                

Total operations

   $ 0.48     $ 0.14     $ 1.00     $ 0.68  
                                

Diluted earnings per share

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.44     $ 0.12     $ 0.92     $ 0.58  

Discontinued operations

                       0.01  
                                

Total operations

   $ 0.44     $ 0.12     $ 0.92     $ 0.59  
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding

        

— Basic (000’s)

     33,801       30,441       32,784       30,405  

Weighted average shares outstanding

        

— Diluted (000’s)

     37,892       34,713       36,856       36,994  

* Compensation includes:

        

Talbot earnout compensation

   $ 2,393     $ 8,721     $ 7,057     $ 15,915  

Other non-cash stock based compensation

     1,610       1,931       3,245       3,735  
                                
   $ 4,003     $ 10,652     $ 10,302     $ 19,650  
                                

(the accompanying notes form an integral part of the interim financial statements)

 

4     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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Hub International Limited

Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings

For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     2006     2005  

Retained earnings — Beginning of period

   $ 100,845     $ 82,502  

Net earnings

     32,751       20,749  

Dividends

     (4,777 )     (3,679 )
                

Retained earnings — End of period

   $ 128,819     $ 99,572  
                

(the accompanying notes form an integral part of the interim financial statements)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     5


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Hub International Limited

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

     Second quarter     First six months  
     2006     2005     2006     2005  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net earnings

   $ 16,285     $ 4,269     $ 32,751     $ 20,749  

Items not affecting cash

        

Amortization and depreciation

     7,633       4,022       13,051       7,962  

Gain on disposal of subsidiaries, property, equipment and other assets

     (536 )     18       (369 )     (2,394 )

Compensation for Talbot earnout

     2,393       8,721       7,057       15,915  

Other non-cash stock based compensation

     1,610       1,931       3,245       3,735  

Gain on forgiveness of debt

                       (4,500 )

Future income taxes

     (43 )     75       112       (897 )

Non-cash working capital items

        

Trust cash

     (24,287 )     (9,302 )     24,368       5,764  

Accounts and other receivables

     (96,895 )     (75,553 )     (43,889 )     (42,268 )

Prepaid expenses

     (4,255 )     (1,685 )     (3,514 )     (916 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     115,511       85,667       8,828       19,802  

Other assets

     123       129       258       257  

Income taxes

     (1,641 )     (3,834 )     6,389       4,563  
                                

Net cash flows from operating activities

     15,898       14,458       48,287       27,772  
                                

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Property and equipment — purchases

     (2,807 )     (1,721 )     (5,711 )     (2,657 )

Property and equipment — proceeds on sale

     11       13       11       14  

Purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash received

     (88,690 )     (7,960 )     (97,138 )     (7,977 )

Sale of subsidiaries

     531       (111 )     1,704       3,765  

Other assets

     (23 )     126       253       4,520  
                                

Net cash flows used for investing activities

     (90,978 )     (9,653 )     (100,881 )     (2,335 )
                                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Bank debt

     (75,000 )                  

Long-term debt and capital leases — advances, net of costs

     130,123             130,123        

Long-term debt and capital leases — repayments

     (124,585 )     (934 )     (125,959 )     (5,198 )

Proceeds from share issue, net of costs

     114,903             114,903        

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

           124       704       628  

Proceeds from sale of executive purchase plan shares

           35             35  

Windfall tax benefit

     64             144        

Dividends paid

     (2,578 )     (1,844 )     (4,777 )     (3,679 )
                                

Net cash flows from (used for) financing activities

     42,927       (2,619 )     115,138       (8,214 )
                                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (258 )     (501 )     1,427       (850 )
                                

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     (32,411 )     1,685       63,971       16,373  

Cash and cash equivalents — Beginning of period

     166,500       112,892       70,118       98,204  
                                

Cash and cash equivalents — End of period

   $ 134,089     $ 114,577     $ 134,089     $ 114,577  
                                

(the accompanying notes form an integral part of the interim financial statements)

 

6     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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Hub International Limited

Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts or as otherwise indicated)

 

1. Nature of operations

Hub International Limited (the “Company”) is an international insurance brokerage that provides a variety of property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services. The Company’s shares are listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HBG) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: HBG).

U.S. public offering

During the second quarter 2006, the Company completed a public offering in the United States of 4.6 million common shares at a price of $26.25 per share. The cash proceeds of this offering, net of issue costs of $5.4 million, were approximately $114.9 million, of which approximately $56.0 million was used to repay long-term debt during the second quarter 2006.

Subordinated note conversion

During the second quarter 2006 the Company exercised its option to convert the $35 million of Fairfax notes into approximately 2.3 million common shares. See note 9.

 

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

The interim consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian GAAP) for annual financial statements and accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 as set out on pages 42 to 77 of the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the accompanying financial statements have been reflected therein. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These interim consolidated financial statements of the Company are expressed in United States (U.S.) dollars and have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP using the same accounting principles as were used for the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005. These principles differ in certain respects from United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and, to the extent that they affect the Company, the differences are described in note 17, “Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP.”

Effects of new pronouncements

On January 27, 2005, the Accounting Standards Board issued Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) handbook section 1530 Comprehensive Income (Section 1530). Section 1530 introduced a new requirement to temporarily present certain gains and losses outside net income in a new component of shareholders’ equity entitled Comprehensive Income. This standard substantially harmonizes Canadian GAAP with U.S. GAAP and is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

3. Commitments and contingencies

 

(a)

On July 1, 2004, the Company completed the acquisition of Talbot Financial Corporation (Talbot), headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The transaction involved the purchase by the Company of all of

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     7


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the common shares of Satellite Acquisition Corporation (Satellite), a corporation formed by senior management at Talbot (Management Group). In turn, Satellite purchased 100% of Talbot from Safeco Corporation. The special shares of Satellite were retained by the Management Group as a mechanism through which these individuals could be rewarded for retention and future performance. The Company agreed to purchase one-third of the special shares of Satellite during each of 2005, 2006 and 2007 at a price contingent on Talbot’s financial performance during the preceding calendar year (Talbot earnout). The Company can pay the Talbot earnout with cash, common shares or a combination of the two. The first payment of $16.4 million was made in cash on September 1, 2005, based upon Talbot’s earnings for the 12 months ending December 31, 2004. The second payment of $19.0 million was made in 746,000 common shares of the Company on March 31, 2006, based upon Talbot’s earnings for the 12 months ending December 31, 2005. The remaining payment will be made on March 31, 2007 based upon Talbot’s earnings for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006. Individual members of the Management Group who are no longer employed by Talbot for any reason when an earnout payment is due are not entitled to share in that or any future earnout payment. No one in the Management Group was a shareholder of Talbot or received any portion of the purchase price paid to Safeco. Accordingly, the Company records the Talbot earnout payments as a charge to earnings over the period in which the payments are earned because the arrangement is a compensation-based one, more specifically a performance award. The Management Group is being compensated for future services based on remaining with Talbot and achieving certain performance targets during each of the three years. The Company estimates that the aggregate compensation which will be recognized under the Talbot earnout will be approximately $56 million. The Company recognized $2.4 million and $7.1 million in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively, and $8.7 million and $15.9 million in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005, respectively. In total, $50.2 million has been recognized from the date of acquisition through June 30, 2006 as an expense, with an offsetting credit to accounts payable and accrued liabilities, of which $14.7 million remained unpaid as of June 30, 2006.

In connection with other various acquisitions completed through June 30, 2006, the Company may be obligated to pay contingent consideration up to a maximum sum of approximately $38.5 million in cash and $6.6 million in common shares based upon management’s best estimate of acquired brokerages achieving certain targets. The contingent payments are payable on various dates through April, 2010 according to the terms and conditions of each purchase agreement. Any additional consideration will be recorded as an adjustment to goodwill once the contingency is resolved. In connection with contingent consideration earned as at June 30, 2006, the financial statements reflect a liability to pay cash of $1.9 million and shares of $0.2 million.

 

(b) As previously reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005, the insurance brokerage industry in general and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries in particular are the subject of ongoing investigations by state attorneys general and insurance regulators regarding contingent commissions and other practices. As also previously reported, various class actions have been filed with respect to such matters. The Company has not recorded a liability at June 30, 2006 related to these matters. No estimate of the possible loss or range of loss can be made. See note 4(a) of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 as set out on pages 56 to 57 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

(c)

In connection with the Company’s executive share purchase plan, under certain circumstances, the Company may be obligated to purchase loans for officers, directors and employees from a Canadian chartered bank totaling $4,046 and $3,912 as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, to assist in purchasing common shares of the Company. The Company no longer makes loans to its executive officers and directors. As collateral, the employees have pledged 380,000 and 383,000 common shares as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, which have a market value of $9,840 and $9,877 as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The loans will mature during 2009 and 2010 and bear interest at a rate of Canadian prime plus 0.5%. The interest rate on these loans at June 30, 2006 was 6.5%. Interest on the loans in the amount of $64 and $47 for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $121 and

 

8     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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$96 for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 was paid by the Company and is included in compensation expense.

 

4. Acquisitions

The Company’s strategic business plan includes the regular and systematic evaluation and acquisition of insurance brokerages in new and existing markets. Insurance brokerages, due to their nature, typically maintain a very low capital to earnings ratio. As a result, the Company records a substantial amount of goodwill and other intangible assets in connection with acquisitions.

The Company typically pays a significant portion of the consideration for an acquired brokerage in cash. Consideration for the remainder of the purchase price is normally in the form of the Company’s common shares based on the fair market value of the Company’s common shares as traded on the NYSE or TSX, and is defined and calculated pursuant to the acquisition agreement. In addition, previous owners of certain entities acquired are entitled to contingent consideration if certain revenue or profitability targets are met. See note 3 “Commitments and contingencies.”

During the second quarter 2006, the Company acquired eight insurance brokerages, including the acquisition from Citizens Financial Group Inc. which included two brokerages based in Massachusetts and one based in Pennsylvania (The “CFG Brokerages” or “CFGB”), as well as Hirsch Wolf & Co., LLC (Hirsch) based in New York. All of the acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the results of operations and cash flows of the acquired companies have been included in the Company’s consolidated results from their respective acquisition dates.

The preliminary allocation of the purchase price, including goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets, and the cost of the acquired brokerages in the second quarter 2006 are summarized below:

 

     CFGB     Hirsch     Other     Total  
     April 1,
2006
    May 1,
2006
    Various        

Acquisition Date

        

Current assets

   $ 27,789     $ 3,764     $ 2,870     $ 34,423  

Current liabilities

     (23,446 )     (3,856 )     (2,689 )     (29,991 )

Property, equipment and other assets

     1,710             (4 )     1,706  

Long-term debt and capital leases

     (1,837 )     (179 )           (2,016 )
                                

Net assets (liabilities) at fair value

   $ 4,216     $ (271 )   $ 177     $ 4,122  
                                

Consideration

        

Cash

   $ 80,717     $ 5,816     $ 4,595     $ 91,128  

Payable

     100             1,914       2,014  

Common shares (at market value)

           2,700       2,145       4,845  
                                
   $ 80,817     $ 8,516     $ 8,654     $ 97,987  
                                

Goodwill

   $ 40,514     $ 2,938     $ 7,535     $ 50,987  

Customer relationships

     35,594       4,739       915       41,248  

Non-competition covenants

     493       1,110       27       1,630  
                                
   $ 76,601     $ 8,787     $ 8,477     $ 93,865  
                                

Number of shares issued as consideration (000’s)

           98       81       179  
                                

Of the goodwill acquired, $49,081 is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill in the other column above of $7,535 includes $5,532, primarily related to goodwill arising from contingent consideration payments earned on nine prior year acquisitions and $2,003 related to three smaller 2006 acquisitions.

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     9


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5. Discontinued operations

During the first quarter 2006, the Company sold its U.S. financial services operation (the Discontinued Business). In conjunction with the sale, the Company will continue to receive certain fees from the buyer. These payments will be contingent consideration on the sale and therefore not direct cash flows of the disposed component and will be recorded net of tax as net earnings from discontinued operations. These payments will not provide the Company with the ability to otherwise be involved in the operations of the disposed component.

Summarized statement of earnings disclosure for the Discontinued Business are as follows:

 

     Second quarter    First six months
         2006        2005        2006         2005

Revenue

   $ 428    $ 1,651    $ 471     $ 4,168

Net earnings (loss) before taxes

   $ 398    $ 134    $ (69 )   $ 764

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 169    $ 30    $ (17 )   $ 287

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ 228    $ 104    $ (51 )   $ 477

Summarized balance sheet disclosure for the Discontinued Business are as follows:

 

     June 30,
2006
   December 31,
2005
 

Total current assets

   $     —    $ 2,265  

Total assets

   $     —    $ 5,054  

Total current liabilities

   $     —    $ 5,173  

Total liabilities

   $     —    $ 6,057  

Total shareholders’ deficit

   $     —    $ (1,003 )

Summarized statement of cash flows disclosure for the Discontinued Business are as follows:

 

     Second quarter     First six months  
         2006        2005         2006        2005  

Net cash flows from operating activities

   $ 4    $ 484     $ 28    $ 275  

Net cash flows from (used for) investing activities

          (109 )          121  

Net cash flows used for financing activities

          (585 )          (669 )
                              

Net cash flows from (used for) discontinued operations

   $ 4    $ (210 )   $ 28    $ (273 )
                              

 

6. Accounts and other receivables

Accounts and other receivables consist of the following:

 

    

June 30,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 

Client premiums receivable

   $ 212,670     $ 153,883  

Commissions receivable

     68,657       42,223  

Claims receivable

     15,123       27,513  

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

     (2,077 )     (1,931 )

Less: allowance for policy cancellations

     (2,731 )     (1,964 )
                
     291,642       219,724  

Other receivables

     6,400       10,930  
                
   $ 298,042     $ 230,654  
                

 

10     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


Table of Contents
7. Intangible assets

As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets other than goodwill were as follows:

 

    As of June 30, 2006   As of December 31, 2005
   

Gross

Carrying

Amount

 

Accumulated

Amortization

  Total  

Gross

Carrying

Amount

 

Accumulated

Amortization

  Total

Customer relationships

  $ 159,463   $ 26,397   $ 133,066   $ 116,878   $ 19,109   $ 97,769

Non-competition covenants

    10,318     1,749     8,569     7,917     679     7,238
                                   

Total

  $ 169,781   $ 28,146   $ 141,635   $ 124,795   $ 19,788   $ 105,007
                                   

The weighted average amortization period for definite life intangible asset additions for 2006 is 11 years detailed as follows: 11 years for customer relationships and 10 years for non-competition covenants.

Additions, excluding dispositions, to intangible assets during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:

 

     2006    2005

Customer relationships

   $ 43,739    $ 2,454

Non-competition covenants

     2,390     
             

Total

   $ 46,129    $ 2,454
             

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and the year ended December 31, 2005, are as follows:

 

    

Operations

in Canada

    

Operations

in U.S.

     Total  

Balance as of December 31, 2004

   $ 95,322      $ 281,354      $ 376,676  

Goodwill acquired during 2005

     2,681        41,256        43,937  

Goodwill disposed during 2005

     (2,041 )      (497 )      (2,538 )

Cumulative translation adjustment

     3,083               3,083  
                          

Balance as of December 31, 2005

     99,045        322,113        421,158  

Goodwill acquired during 2006

            56,531        56,531  

Goodwill disposed during 2006

     (161 )      (1,133 )      (1,294 )

Cumulative translation adjustment

     4,522               4,522  
                          

Balance as of June 30, 2006

   $ 103,406      $ 377,511      $ 480,917  
                          

Changes to goodwill and intangible assets during the second quarter 2006 relate primarily to acquired brokerages in the second quarter 2006 and contingent consideration relating to prior period acquisitions.

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, amortization was comprised of the following:

 

    

For the three
months

ended June 30,

  

For the six
months

ended June 30,

     2006    2005    2006    2005

Customer relationships

   $ 4,698    $ 1,812    $ 7,433    $ 3,590

Non-competition covenants

     524      50      1,065      105
                           

Total

   $ 5,222    $ 1,862    $ 8,498    $ 3,695
                           

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     11


Table of Contents

The Company estimates the amortization charges for 2006 through 2010 for all acquisitions consummated through June 30, 2006 will be:

 

     2006    2007    2008    2009    2010

Year ended December 31,

              

Customer relationships

   $ 16,822    $ 17,316    $ 15,592    $ 14,263    $ 13,251

Non-competition covenants

     2,623      1,751      1,092      547      442
                                  

Total

   $ 19,445    $ 19,067    $ 16,684    $ 14,810    $ 13,693
                                  

 

8. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

    

June 30,

2006

  

December 31,

2005

Insurance premiums payable

   $ 292,620    $ 230,178

Commissions payable

     25,542      35,705

Claims payable

     18,707      33,694

Self insured liabilities

     8,477      6,049

Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     49,658      51,878

Compensation related to the Talbot earnout

     14,703      26,670
             
   $ 409,707    $ 384,174
             

 

9. Debt

Long-term debt and capital leases

 

     June 30,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 

Series A Senior Notes, with interest at 5.71% (1)

   $ 7,500     $ 10,000  

Series B Senior Notes, with interest at 6.16% (1)

     55,000       55,000  

Senior Notes, with interest at 6.43% (2)

     75,000        

Revolving U.S. Dollar LIBOR Loan (3)

           65,000  

Term loan, variable interest, due December 2007

     1,700       2,300  

Various other notes payable and debt (4)

     6,367       7,788  

Capital leases (4)

     64       185  
                

Long-term debt and capital leases

     145,631       140,273  

Less current portion

     (4,569 )     (4,910 )
                
   $ 141,062     $ 135,363  
                

Future repayments of long-term debt and capital leases are as follows:

 

For the twelve months ended June 30,

  

2007

   $ 4,569

2008

     6,646

2009

     6,083

2010

     4,583

2011

     39,250

2012 and thereafter

     84,500
      
   $ 145,631
      

 

12     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


Table of Contents

Notes:

 

(1) Senior Notes — as at June 30, 2006 the Company had outstanding $62.5 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes issued June 10, 2003. The senior notes were issued in two series. Series A represents $7.5 million aggregate principal amount of 5.71% senior notes with interest due semi-annually, and principal of $7,500 due April 4, 2011. Series B represents $55 million aggregate principal amount of 6.16% senior notes with interest due semi-annually, and principal of $4,583 due annually, June 15, 2008 through June 15, 2010; $19,250 due June 15, 2011; and $11,000 due June 15, 2012 and 2013. The senior notes were sold on a private basis in the United States to institutional accredited investors. During the second quarter 2006, the Company repaid $2,500 of Series A senior notes. The Company incurred approximately $1.3 million in fees and expenses related to the offering of these notes, which were capitalized and are being amortized to expense over the term of the notes. At June 30, 2006 the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants governing the senior notes.

On July 15, 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement. The effect of the swap is to convert the fixed rate interest payments on the 5.71% senior notes and 6.16% senior notes in amounts of $7.5 million and $55 million, respectively, to a floating rate, resulting in an expense of approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively, and a savings of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005, respectively. The total savings from July 18, 2003 to June 30, 2006 was $1.9 million. The Company accounts for the swap transaction using the synthetic instruments method under which the net interest expense on the swap and associated debt is reported in earnings as if it were a single, synthetic, financial instrument. As at June 30, 2006, the Company estimated the fair value of the swap to be $5.8 million, which is not recognized in these financial statements. Accordingly, $5.8 million is the estimated amount that the Company would need to pay to terminate the swap as of June 30, 2006.

 

(2) Senior Notes — as at June 30, 2006 the Company had outstanding $75 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes issued April 4, 2006. The notes were issued at 6.43% with interest payable quarterly and principal of $12,500 due annually, April 4, 2011 through April 4, 2016. The senior notes were sold on a private basis in the United States. The Company incurred approximately $0.2 million in fees and expenses related to the offering of these notes, which were capitalized and are being amortized to expense over the term of the notes. At June 30, 2006 the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants governing the senior notes.

 

(3) Revolving U.S. dollar LIBOR loan — The Company had an undrawn unsecured facility totaling $75 million, bearing interest at a floating rate of prime plus 1% or 112.5 basis points above LIBOR which was paid in full and terminated on April 4, 2006. On the same date, the Company entered into a new revolving unsecured credit facility identical to the one terminated. This undrawn facility totals $75 million and bears interest at a floating rate of prime plus 1% or 112.5 basis points above LIBOR. LIBOR was 5.33% at June 30, 2006. The facility is available on a revolving basis for one year. Unless extended, on April 4, 2007, this facility will be converted into a three-year non-revolving loan with interest 0.25% higher than the interest rates discussed above. As of June 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants governing this facility.

 

(4) Certain property and equipment have been pledged as collateral in amounts not less than the outstanding balance of these loans at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. Secured notes payable and debt as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, were $3,056 and $2,668, respectively.

 


Demand U.S. dollar base rate loan

The Company has an undrawn $10.8 million facility which bears interest at the bank’s U.S. rate, which was 9.25% and 7.75% at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, plus 50 basis points. Borrowings on the facility are repayable on demand.

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     13


Table of Contents

Bank debt

On March 30, 2006, the Company incurred bank debt of $75 million. This non-revolving unsecured credit facility was repaid in full and terminated on April 4, 2006.

Subordinated convertible debentures

In June, 2001, the Company issued 8.5% convertible subordinated debentures (the “Fairfax notes”) in the amount of $35 million due June 28, 2007 to certain subsidiaries of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax). The Fairfax notes were convertible by the holders at any time into the Company’s common shares at C$17.00 per share. Beginning June 28, 2006, the Company could require conversion of the Fairfax notes into common shares at C$17.00 per share if, at any time, the weighted average closing price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX for twenty consecutive trading days equaled or exceeded C$19.00 per share. The Company exercised its conversion option, and on June 29, 2006 the Fairfax notes were converted into approximately 2.3 million common shares of the Company. Accordingly, at June 30, 2006, Fairfax owned approximately 26% of the Company’s total outstanding common shares.

 

10. Shareholders’ equity

Share capital

At June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, there were an unlimited number of non-voting, preferred shares authorized, issuable in series on such terms and conditions as set by the Board of Directors, of which no shares were issued. At June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, there were an unlimited number of common shares authorized of which 38,907,000 and 30,952,000 were issued and outstanding as at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. During the second quarter 2006, the Company completed a public offering in the United States of 4.6 million common shares at a price of $26.25 per share. The cash proceeds of this offering, net of issue costs of $5.8 million, were approximately $114.9 million of which approximately $56.0 million was used to repay long-term debt during the second quarter 2006. In addition, during the second quarter 2006 the Company exercised its option to convert the $35 million of Fairfax notes into approximately 2.3 million common shares.

 

     Common Shares
Outstanding
     (000’s)    Amount

Balance, December 31, 2005

   30,952    $ 270,199

Shares issued, net of issue costs and cancellations

   4,757      121,281

Shares issued for contingent consideration

   827      21,169

Shares converted

   2,290      35,000

Stock options exercised

   47      721

Restricted share units (RSUs) released

   34      900

Other

        7
           

Balance, June 30, 2006

   38,907    $ 449,277
           

Contributed surplus

 

     Amount  

Balance, December 31, 2005

   $ 16,989  

Non-cash stock based compensation

     3,234  

RSUs released

     (900 )

Windfall tax benefit

     537  

Shares cancelled

     14  
        

Balance, June 30, 2006

   $ 19,874  
        

 

14     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


Table of Contents

Cumulative translation account

 

     Amount  

Balance December 31, 2005

   $ 31,893  

Translation of self-sustaining foreign operations

     6,015  

Translation of debt financing of self-sustaining foreign operations

     (18 )
        

Balance, June 30, 2006

   $ 37,890  
        

 

11. Equity incentive plan

Under the Company’s equity incentive plan, stock based compensation includes stock options and RSUs. The Company’s accounting policy is to recognize the fair value of stock based compensation as an expense over the period in which entitlement to the compensation vests. The number of common shares that may be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan is limited to 12% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares from time to time, adjusted quarterly.

The Company estimates fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires assumptions to be made in relation to the expected term of the stock option, volatility in the price of the underlying common shares, interest rates and dividend yield. The fair value model is particularly sensitive to changes in the price and price volatility of the Company’s common shares. The Company estimates the fair value of RSUs granted at the fair market value of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant.

Stock Options

No options were issued in the first six months ended June 30, 2006. The maximum option term is seven years, and the options vest at one-third per year over three years of continuous employment. All stock options were fully vested as of June 30, 2006.

A summary of the stock option activity and related information for the six months ended June 30, 2006 consists of the following:

 

     Number
(000’s)
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

Balance, December 31, 2005

   1,136     $ 15.39

Exercised (Intrinsic value $512)

   (47 )   $ 15.32
        

Balance, June 30, 2006

   1,089     $ 15.40
        

The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding at:

 

     June 30, 2006   December 31, 2005

Exercise

Price

 

Intrinsic

Value

 

Number

Outstanding

(000’s)

  Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
  Number
Exercisable
(000’s)
  Number
Vested
(000’s)
  Intrinsic
Value
  Number
Outstanding
(000’s)
  Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
  Number
Exercisable
(000’s)
  Number
Vested
(000’s)
$15.67   $ 10.54   931   2.95 years   931   931   $ 10.13   969   3.43 years   969   969
$13.79   $ 12.42   158   3.50 years   158   158   $ 12.01   167   4.00 years   102   102
                               
    1,089   3.03 years   1,089   1,089     1,136   3.52 years   1,071   1,071
                               

Restricted Share Units

During the first six months of 2006, 283,000 RSUs were granted as follows: 7,000 RSUs were granted to non-management members of the Company’s Board of Directors; 44,000 RSUs were granted to the members of

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     15


Table of Contents

the Company’s Executive Management Team (EMT), and 232,000 RSUs were granted to other, non-EMT employees, many in the context of acquisitions. The vesting term for RSUs ranges from 7 months to 120 months.

A summary of the non-vested RSU activity and related information for the six months ended June 30, 2006 consists of the following:

 

     Number
(000’s)
    Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Balance, December 31, 2005

   1,745     $ 17.12

Granted

   283     $ 27.58

Forfeited

   (48 )   $ 22.04

Vested

   (34 )   $ 17.33
        

Balance, June 30, 2006

   1,946     $ 22.35
        

The following table summarizes information about the RSUs outstanding at:

 

     June 30, 2006    December 31, 2005
     Outstanding
(000’s)
   Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   Outstanding
(000’s)
   Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

Fair Market Value at Grant Date

           

$16.50 – $19.30

   1,675    3.04 – 5.01 years    1,732    3.13 – 5.50 years

$21.00 – $24.25

   13    4.00 – 4.09 years    13    4.50 – 4.58 years

$26.07 – $28.45

   258    2.46 – 9.84 years       — years
                   
   1,946    4.89 years    1,745    4.11 years
                   

Non-cash stock based compensation, including both compensation for the Talbot acquisition and other non-cash stock based compensation, of $4,003 and $10,652 for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $10,302 and $19,650 for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, was expensed with offsetting credits to contributed surplus, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The Company recognized the fair value of non-cash stock based compensation as an expense over the period in which entitlement to the compensation vests.

Compensation for the Talbot earnout includes both cash and non-cash stock based compensation and is detailed below.

Other non-cash stock based compensation for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 is comprised of the following:

 

     For the three
months ended
June 30,
   For the six
months ended
June 30,
     2006    2005    2006    2005

Stock options granted June 2002

   $    $ 389    $    $ 851

Stock options granted February 2003

          90           190

RSUs granted for 2003 bonuses

     280      780      1,132      1,514

Other RSUs

     1,319      661      2,102      1,162

Common shares for acquisitions

     11      11      11      18
                           

Total other non-cash stock based compensation

   $ 1,610    $ 1,931    $ 3,245    $ 3,735
                           

 

16     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


Table of Contents

The related income tax benefit for other non-cash stock based compensation, for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, was $512 and $546, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 was $1,183 and $983, respectively.

Compensation for the Talbot earnout, which is not deductible for tax purposes, for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 was comprised of the following:

 

     For the three
months ended
June 30,
   For the six
months ended
June 30,
     2006    2005    2006    2005

Cash compensation

   $    $ 3,196    $    $ 6,513

Non-cash stock based compensation

     2,393      5,525      7,057      9,402
                           

Total compensation for the Talbot earnout

   $ 2,393    $ 8,721    $ 7,057    $ 15,915
                           

The Company estimates other non-cash stock based compensation expense in 2006 through 2011 will be:

 

     2006    2007    2008    2009    2010    2011

Year ended December 31,

                 

RSUs granted for 2003 bonuses

   $ 2,210    $ 2,044    $ 2,044    $ 2,044    $ 1,988    $

Other RSUs

     4,308      4,138      3,987      1,733      1,035      241

Common shares for acquisitions

     19      5                    
                                         

Total other non-cash stock based compensation

   $ 6,537    $ 6,187    $ 6,031    $ 3,777    $ 3,023    $ 241
                                         

The Company estimates the compensation for the Talbot earnout for 2006 through 2011 will be:

 

     2006    2007    2008    2009    2010    2011

Year ended December 31,

                 

Cash compensation

   $    $    $   —    $   —    $   —    $   —

Non-cash stock based compensation

     10,733      1,838                    
                                         

Total compensation for the Talbot earnout

   $ 10,733    $ 1,838    $   —    $   —    $   —    $   —
                                         

Total future compensation costs related to non-vested awards as of June 30, 2006 are $23,087 for other non-cash stock based compensation and $5,514 for the Talbot earnout.

Compensation expense

Compensation expense for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 is detailed below:

 

    

For the three months

ended June 30,

  

For the six months

ended June 30,

           2006          2005        2006        2005

Employee cash compensation

   $ 77,666    $ 60,260    $ 146,033    $ 122,728

Compensation for Talbot earnout — cash

          3,196           6,513

Compensation for Talbot earnout — non-cash stock based

     2,393      5,525      7,057      9,402
                           

Total compensation for Talbot earnout

     2,393      8,721      7,057      15,915
                           

Other non-cash stock based compensation

     1,610      1,931      3,245      3,735
                           

Total

   $ 81,669    $ 70,912    $ 156,335    $ 142,378
                           

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     17


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12. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share, excluding the dilutive effect of common share equivalents, are calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share were calculated using the if-converted method for the subordinated convertible debentures and the treasury stock method for options and RSUs and include the effects of all potentially dilutive securities. Earnings per common share are calculated as follows:

 

    

For the three months

ended June 30,

  

For the six months

ended June 30,

           2006          2005          2006           2005

Net earnings from continuing operations

   $ 16,057    $ 4,164    $ 32,802     $ 20,272

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

     228      105      (51 )     477
                            

Net earnings (numerator)

     16,285      4,269      32,751       20,749

Effect of dilutive securities:

          

Interest on 8.5% subordinated convertible debentures (net of income tax)

     475           950       950

Payment in lieu of dividends on restricted share units (net of income tax)

     29      28      59       56
                            

Net earnings plus assumed conversions (numerator)

   $ 16,789    $ 4,297    $ 33,760     $ 21,755
                            

Weighted average shares outstanding — Basic (denominator)

     33,801      30,441      32,784       30,405

Effect of dilutive securities:

          

8.5% subordinated convertible debentures

     2,240           2,265       2,518

Stock options

     377      1,393      379       1,393

RSUs

     925      893      901       904

Talbot earnout shares

     549      1,917      527       1,705

Retractable shares

          69            69
                            

Weighted average shares outstanding — Diluted (denominator)

     37,892      34,713      36,856       36,994
                            

Basic earnings per share

          

Continuing operations

   $ 0.48    $ 0.14    $ 1.00     $ 0.67

Discontinued operations

                     0.01
                            

Total operations

   $ 0.48    $ 0.14    $ 1.00     $ 0.68
                            

Diluted earnings per share

          

Continuing operations

   $ 0.44    $ 0.12    $ 0.92     $ 0.58

Discontinued operations

                     0.01
                            

Total operations

   $ 0.44    $ 0.12    $ 0.92     $ 0.59
                            

 

13. Income taxes

Income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $11,034 and $8,947 respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 amount to $23,053 and $21,573, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate of 40.7% and 68.2% in the second quarter 2006 and 2005, respectively and 41.3% and 51.6% for the first six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. This decrease in the effective tax rate is due primarily to decreased compensation related to the Talbot acquisition which is not deductible for tax purposes. Excluding this compensation, the effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 was 37.4% and 41.0%, respectively and 36.6% and 37.3% for the first six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The higher effective tax rate in the second quarter 2005 was primarily attributable to adjustments made in 2005 to reflect actual taxes paid versus amounts previously accrued.

 

18     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


Table of Contents
14. Interest and income taxes paid

Interest and income taxes paid for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 were:

 

    

For the three months

ended June 30,

  

For the six months

ended June 30,

           2006          2005          2006          2005

Interest paid

   $ 5,154    $ 3,565    $ 5,949    $ 4,385

Income taxes paid

   $ 13,794    $ 12,858    $ 17,738    $ 18,434

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     19


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15. Segmented information

The Company is an international insurance brokerage, which provides a variety of property, casualty, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services. In addition to its Corporate Operations, the Company has identified two reportable segments within its insurance brokerage business: Canadian Operations and U.S. Operations. Corporate Operations consist primarily of investment income, compensation for the Talbot earnout, other non-cash stock based compensation, unallocated administrative costs, interest expense and the income tax expense or benefit which is not allocated to the Company’s reportable segments. The elimination of intra-segment revenue relates to intra-company interest charges, management fees and dividends.

No single client accounted for more than ten percent of total client premiums or more than ten percent of revenue for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005.

Geographic revenue is determined based upon the functional currency of the various subsidiaries. Financial information by reportable segment is as follows:

 

    For the three months ended June 30,  
    2006     2005  
    Canada     U.S.     Consolidated     Canada     U.S.     Consolidated  

Revenue

           

Brokerage

  $ 39,926     $ 106,051     $ 145,977     $ 34,040     $ 76,979     $ 111,019  

Corporate

    3,627       4,821       8,448       4,805       3,815       8,620  

Elimination of intra-segment revenue

    (3,558 )     (4,848 )     (8,406 )     (4,756 )     (3,869 )     (8,625 )
                                               
  $ 39,995     $ 106,024     $ 146,019     $ 34,089     $ 76,925     $ 111,014  
                                               

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

           

Brokerage

  $ 11,801     $ 22,847     $ 34,648     $ 7,040     $ 15,743     $ 22,783  

Corporate

    (3,555 )     (4,002 )     (7,557 )     (9,743 )     71       (9,672 )
                                               
  $ 8,246     $ 18,845     $ 27,091     $ (2,703 )   $ 15,814     $ 13,111  
                                               

Income tax expense (benefit) — current

           

Brokerage

  $ 3,059     $ 9,481     $ 12,540     $ 3,129     $ 6,399     $ 9,528  

Corporate

    (349 )     (1,114 )     (1,463 )     317       (969 )     (652 )
                                               
  $ 2,710     $ 8,367     $ 11,077     $ 3,446     $ 5,430     $ 8,876  
                                               

Income tax expense (benefit) — future

           

Brokerage

  $ (108 )   $ 256     $ 148     $ 24     $ 226     $ 250  

Corporate

    996       (1,187 )     (191 )     (298 )     119       (179 )
                                               
  $ 888     $ (931 )   $ (43 )   $ (274 )   $ 345     $ 71  
                                               

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

           

Brokerage

  $ 8,850     $ 13,110     $ 21,960     $ 3,887     $ 9,118     $ 13,005  

Corporate

    (4,202 )     (1,701 )     (5,903 )     (9,762 )     921       (8,841 )
                                               
  $ 4,648     $ 11,409     $ 16,057     $ (5,875 )   $ 10,039     $ 4,164  
                                               

Net earnings from discontinued operations

           

Brokerage

  $     $ 228     $ 228     $     $ 105     $ 105  

Corporate

                                   
                                               
  $     $ 228     $ 228     $     $ 105     $ 105  
                                               

Net earnings (loss)

           

Brokerage

  $ 8,850     $ 13,338     $ 22,188     $ 3,887     $ 9,223     $ 13,110  

Corporate

    (4,202 )     (1,701 )     (5,903 )     (9,762 )     921       (8,841 )
                                               
  $ 4,648     $ 11,637     $ 16,285     $ (5,875 )   $ 10,144     $ 4,269  
                                               

Amortization of intangible assets

  $ 55     $ 5,167     $ 5,222     $ 32     $ 1,830     $ 1,862  

Additions to property and equipment

  $ 999     $ 3,449     $ 4,448     $ 612     $ 1,720     $ 2,332  

Depreciation

  $ 704     $ 1,707     $ 2,411     $ 701     $ 1,414     $ 2,115  

Interest income

  $ 478     $ 1,400     $ 1,878     $ 305     $ 513     $ 818  

Interest expense

  $ 3,786     $ 131     $ 3,917     $ 2,351     $ 218     $ 2,569  

 

20     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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     For the six months ended June 30,  
     2006     2005  
     Canada     U.S.     Consolidated     Canada     U.S.     Consolidated  

Revenue

            

Brokerage

   $ 77,867     $ 201,808     $ 279,675     $ 68,545     $ 161,529     $ 230,074  

Corporate

     6,430       10,418       16,848       11,292       7,704       18,996  

Elimination of intra-segment revenue

     (6,259 )     (10,177 )     (16,436 )     (11,175 )     (7,700 )     (18,875 )
                                                
   $ 78,038     $ 202,049     $ 280,087     $ 68,662     $ 161,533     $ 230,195  
                                                

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

            

Brokerage

   $ 23,607     $ 46,630     $ 70,237     $ 15,465     $ 39,197     $ 54,662  

Corporate

     (11,118 )     (3,264 )     (14,382 )     (15,385 )     2,568       (12,817 )
                                                
   $ 12,489     $ 43,366     $ 55,855     $ 80     $ 41,765     $ 41,845  
                                                

Income tax expense (benefit) — current

            

Brokerage

   $ 7,188     $ 18,211     $ 25,399     $ 5,783     $ 16,519     $ 22,302  

Corporate

     (750 )     (1,814 )     (2,564 )     1,319       (1,141 )     178  
                                                
   $ 6,438     $ 16,397     $ 22,835     $ 7,102     $ 15,378     $ 22,480  
                                                

Income tax expense (benefit) — future

            

Brokerage

   $ (110 )   $ 1,039     $ 929     $ (89 )   $ (739 )   $ (828 )

Corporate

     512       (1,223 )     (711 )     (481 )     402       (79 )
                                                
   $ 402     $ (184 )   $ 218     $ (570 )   $ (337 )   $ (907 )
                                                

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

            

Brokerage

   $ 16,529     $ 27,380     $ 43,909     $ 9,771     $ 23,417     $ 33,188  

Corporate

     (10,880 )     (227 )     (11,107 )     (16,223 )     3,307       (12,916 )
                                                
   $ 5,649     $ 27,153     $ 32,802     $ (6,452 )   $ 26,724     $ 20,272  
                                                

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

            

Brokerage

   $     $ (51 )   $ (51 )   $     $ 477     $ 477  

Corporate

                                    
                                                
   $     $ (51 )   $ (51 )   $     $ 477     $ 477  
                                                

Net earnings (loss)

            

Brokerage

   $ 16,529     $ 27,329     $ 43,858     $ 9,771     $ 23,894     $ 33,665  

Corporate

     (10,880 )     (227 )     (11,107 )     (16,223 )     3,307       (12,916 )
                                                
   $ 5,649     $ 27,102     $ 32,751     $ (6,452 )   $ 27,201     $ 20,749  
                                                

Amortization of intangible assets

   $ 108     $ 8,390     $ 8,498     $ 63     $ 3,632     $ 3,695  

Additions to property and equipment

   $ 1,727     $ 5,788     $ 7,515     $ 1,102     $ 2,166     $ 3,268  

Depreciation

   $ 1,386     $ 3,167     $ 4,553     $ 1,392     $ 2,787     $ 4,179  

Interest income

   $ 874     $ 2,097     $ 2,971     $ 611     $ 988     $ 1,599  

Interest expense

   $ 6,642     $ 318     $ 6,960     $ 4,533     $ 418     $ 4,951  
     As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005  
     2006     2005  
     Canada     U.S.     Consolidated     Canada     U.S.     Consolidated  

Identifiable assets

            

Brokerage

   $ 207,908     $ 908,305     $ 1,116,213     $ 177,900     $ 773,094     $ 950,994  

Corporate

     35,610       72,951       108,561       41,095       9,264       50,359  
                                                
   $ 243,518     $ 981,256     $ 1,224,774     $ 218,995     $ 782,358     $ 1,001,353  
                                                

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     21


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16. Related party transactions

In the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, the Company had transactions with and recorded revenue from the following related parties:

 

     For the three months
ended June 30,
   For the six months
ended June 30,
 
             2006            2005            2006            2005  

Northbridge Financial Corporation

   $ 6,184    $ 7,304    $ 11,126    $ 11,939  

Crum & Forster Holdings, Inc

     432      286      606      465  

Fairfax Inc

     125      42      270      (211 )
                             
     6,741      7,632      12,002      12,193  

Old Lyme Insurance Company, Ltd. (“OLIC”)

     1,287      1,417      2,520      2,907  
                             
   $ 8,028    $ 9,049    $ 14,522    $ 15,100  
                             

The Company had accounts receivable and accounts payable balances with the above related parties in the amounts of $12,734 and $17,435, respectively, at June 30, 2006 and $9,990 and $19,535, respectively, at December 31, 2005. All revenue and related accounts receivable and accounts payable are the result of transactions in the normal course of business. The companies above, except for OLIC, are related through common ownership by Fairfax, which owned approximately 26% of the Company’s common shares as of June 30, 2006. During the second quarter 2004, Fairfax sold OLIC to Old Lyme Insurance Group, Ltd, a company owned primarily by a group of Hub employees, including Bruce Guthart, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Hub. The Company continues to place insurance with OLIC. The compensation that the Company earns from the business placed with OLIC and the fees it earns from managing OLIC are substantially the same as if Fairfax continued to own OLIC.

As of December 31, 2005, subsidiaries of Fairfax held the Fairfax notes in the amount of $35,000. As described in Note 9 above, these notes were converted into approximately 2.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock on June 29, 2006.

During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, the Company incurred expenses related to rental of premises from related parties in the amount of $722 and $1,508 for 2006, and $595 and $1,194 for the respective periods in 2005. At June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 the Company also had receivables due from related parties in the amount of $1,904 and $2,191, respectively, of which the majority were loans to employees to enable them to purchase the Company’s common shares. Of these receivables, as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, $1,473 and $1,495, respectively, were related to Company loans to employees to purchase shares under the executive share purchase plan. The loans will mature June, 2011 and bear interest at a rate of prime plus 0.5%. The interest rate at June 30, 2006 was 6.5%. As collateral, the employees have pledged 121,000 common shares as of June 30, 2006 and 122,000 common shares as of December 31, 2005, respectively, which have a market value of $3,129 and $3,156 as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

 

22     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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17. Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which differs in certain respects from U.S. GAAP.

Net earnings and comprehensive income

There were no differences between Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP affecting net earnings, basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share. The table below presents comprehensive income under U.S. GAAP for the three months and six months ending June 30, 2006 and 2005.

 

    

For the three months

ended June 30,

    For the six months
ended June 30,
 
             2006            2005             2006             2005  

Net earnings from continuing operations for the period on Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP (1)

   $ 16,057    $ 4,164     $ 32,802     $ 20,272  

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for the period on Canadian GAAP and US GAAP (1)

     228      105       (51 )     477  
                               

Net earnings for the period based on Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP (1)

     16,285      4,269       32,751       20,749  

Other comprehensive income: (2)

         

Unrealized loss, net of tax of $NIL — Q2/06,
$52 — Q2/05, $8 — Q2/06 YTD, $18 — Q2/05 YTD

          (81 )     (18 )     (28 )

Reclassification adjustment, net of tax of $NIL — Q2/06,
$39 — Q2/05, $NIL Q2/06 YTD, $39 — Q2/05 YTD

          (62 )           (62 )

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     6,030      (1,394 )     5,997       (1,865 )
                               

Comprehensive income based on U.S. GAAP (2)

   $ 22,315    $ 2,732     $ 38,730     $ 18,794  
                               

Shareholders’ equity

The table below sets out the differences between Canadian GAAP and U.S. GAAP that affect shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005:

 

    

June 30,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 

Shareholders’ equity based on Canadian GAAP

   $ 635,860     $ 419,926  

Adjustment to investment held for sale (3)

     (1,716 )     (1,716 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

    

Unrealized gain net of tax of $8 — 2006, $(2) — 2005

     (14 )     4  
                

Shareholders’ equity based on U.S. GAAP (3)

   $ 634,130     $ 418,214  
                

Notes:

 

(1) The condensed consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, were the same under Canadian and U.S. GAAP. The condensed consolidated balance sheets as at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 under U.S. GAAP are as follows:

 

    

June 30,

2006

  

December 31,

2005

Condensed consolidated balance sheets:

     

Total current assets

   $ 545,705    $ 431,529

Total assets (4)

   $ 1,217,361    $ 995,753

Total current liabilities

   $ 429,120    $ 393,787

Total liabilities (4)

   $ 583,231    $ 577,539

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 634,130    $ 418,214

 

QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006   HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED     23


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(2) Under U.S. GAAP, comprehensive income is measured in accordance with SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. This standard defines comprehensive income as all changes in equity other than those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners and includes the change in unrealized gains (losses) on debt and equity securities and foreign currency translation adjustments. Under Canadian GAAP unrealized gains and losses (arising from a temporary decline in value) on equity securities are not recorded and foreign currency translation adjustments are presented as movements in the cumulative translation account. Certain disclosures required by SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, have not been included as such disclosures related to the Company’s investments in debt and equity securities are immaterial to the overall financial statement presentation.

 

(3) Under Canadian GAAP, investments held for sale are recorded at cost. No further adjustments are made to the carrying value of the investment until it is sold, at which time a gain or loss is recorded between the sales proceeds and its carrying value. Under U.S. GAAP investments held for sale are recorded at cost and adjusted to fair value until sold at which time the difference between the sales proceeds and its carrying value is recorded as an adjustment to goodwill. The adjustment of $1,716 reflects the difference in accounting for investments acquired through the purchase of an insurance brokerage in 2001 and held for sale and subsequently sold by the Company in 2002 under Canadian GAAP vs. U.S. GAAP.

 

(4) Under Canadian GAAP, the Company accounts for the interest rate swap transaction which converted fixed rate interest payments of 5.71% and 6.16% on the Senior Notes of $7.5 million and $55 million, respectively, using the synthetic instruments method. Under this method, the Company reports in earnings the net interest expense on the swap and associated debt as if it were a single, synthetic, financial instrument. The fair value of the swap, estimated at $5.8 million, is not recognized in the Company’s Canadian GAAP financial statements. Under U.S. GAAP, the Company has designated the swap transaction of a hedge of changes in the fair value of its fixed rate debt caused by changes in interest rates. Under SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, the Company records the swap at its fair value. Changes in fair value of the swap are reported in earnings. Changes in the fair value of the debt being hedged which are attributable to changes in interest rates are recognized in earnings by adjustment of the carrying amount of the debt.

Effects of new accounting pronouncements

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” The interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Specifically, the pronouncement prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation also provides guidance on the related derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, disclosure and transition of uncertain tax positions. The interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is evaluating the impact of this new pronouncement on its consolidated financial statements.

 

18. Subsequent events

On July 6, 2006 the Company announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to purchase Fortun Insurance Agency, which is based in Florida, with approximately $10 million in annual revenue. The transaction closed on August 1, 2006.

 

24     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report. Certain information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements because of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Reference to “Hub,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “registrant” refer to Hub International Limited and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated. Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in, and the term “dollars” and the symbol “$” refer to, U.S. dollars. The term “Canadian dollars” and the symbol “C$” refer to Canadian dollars. Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (Canadian GAAP). These principles differ in certain respects from United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and to the extent that they affect us are described in note 17 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Overview

Hub International is one of the leading insurance brokers in North America, providing a broad array of property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits and risk management product and services. We focus on both commercial and personal accounts in the United States and Canada, which we serve through our approximately 3,700 employees in approximately 200 offices, using a variety of retail and wholesale distributing channels. Since our company was formed in 1998 through the merger of 11 Canadian insurance brokerages, we have acquired an additional 129 brokerages and have established a strong presence in the northeastern, midwestern and western United States and in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. All of our large acquisitions over the past five years were in the United States. Accordingly, U.S. revenue has grown to 73% of our total in the second quarter 2006, reflecting primarily acquisition growth but also organic growth. Organic growth, a non-GAAP measure, is similar to the same-store-sales calculation used by retailers. Organic growth is an important measure, as it is a key driver of profitability. It includes revenue growth from units included in our financial statements for at least 12 months. Because we apply the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, acquired brokerages’ financial results are included only from the date of acquisition.

During the second quarter 2006, we completed a public offering in the United States of 4.6 million common shares at a price of $26.25 per share. The cash proceeds of this offering, net of issue costs of $5.8 million, were approximately $114.9 million, of which approximately $56.0 million was used to repay long-term debt during the second quarter 2006.

On April 1, 2006 we purchased three large insurance brokerages, based in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, from subsidiaries of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG Brokerages), for approximately $80 million in cash as well as an earnout in cash and our common shares based on future performance. The earnout will be at least $3 million and can increase based on the CFG Brokerages’ ability to increase revenue and reduce compensation expense to a maximum payment of approximately $25 million. The likelihood of a maximum payment is very remote.

As of January 1, 2006, we sold our U.S. financial services operation. Net earnings for these operations are included in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings under “Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations.”

We have a diverse mix of products, services, insurer relationships and distribution channels, and as a result, our revenue and profitability levels are not usually highly susceptible to major changes related to a single product or service. However, general economic trends may influence overall insurance rates, commissions and availability or costs of individual types of coverage, which in turn may affect our revenue and profitability levels. Our ability to achieve organic revenue growth is not solely dependent on rising or declining rates, but results from a more complex mixture of general economic growth and demand, access to coverage from insurers and our marketing and sales performance.

 

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Commission income, which usually ranges from 5% to 20% of the premium charged by insurers, provides approximately 88% of our annual revenue base. Commission income for the second quarter 2006 provided approximately 92% of our revenue base compared to 93% in the second quarter 2005. In addition to these “core” commissions, the company derives revenue from:

 

  Volume overrides — additional compensation based on the overall volume of business a brokerage places with the insurance company (See “Contractual Obligations — Other” for information regarding our legal proceedings);

 

  Contingent commissions — additional compensation based on the profit the insurance company makes on the book of business a brokerage places with the insurance company (See “Contractual Obligations — Other” for information regarding our legal proceedings); and

 

  Other income — comprised primarily of premium finance fees, fees charged to clients in lieu of commissions and interest income, including income earned while we hold client premiums on behalf of insurance companies.

We operate through an organizational structure comprised of our head office, larger regional or specialty brokerages that we call “hub” brokerages and smaller brokerages managed by the regional hubs. Our head office implements the acquisition of hub brokerages and oversees the acquisition of smaller, “fold-in” brokerages by the hubs. Our head office also coordinates selling and marketing efforts, identifies cross-selling opportunities among our brokerages and handles certain general administrative functions. At June 30, 2006, we had 15 “hub” brokerages — ten in the United States and five in Canada.

Regional hubs are generally larger than $10 million in annual revenue, while a hub that focuses on a specialty product line or market might have a smaller revenue base. Each hub brokerage is responsible for not only the development of its own business, but also the identification, acquisition and integration of smaller, fold-in brokerages. Fold-in acquisitions allow each hub brokerage an opportunity to strengthen its market position by acquiring new or complementary products and services and management talent. Fold-in acquisitions also provide the opportunity for improved profit margins through the reduction or elimination of redundant administrative functions, facilities and systems.

Our structure enables our hub brokerages to more effectively and quickly meet the changing needs of our clients in various markets, while benefiting from the operating efficiencies and leverage of a large brokerage. We seek to operate largely on a decentralized basis, believing that the best operating decisions are made close to the customer. At the same time, we recognize that our growth has created demand for increased coordination by our head office, and over the past several years we invested more in the coordination of additional functions from our head office to enhance cross-selling, international collaboration, marketing efficiencies, total expense management and financial control initiatives. As a general operating guideline, we work to centralize those activities that do not touch the customer directly, while adopting a more decentralized approach for functions that connect directly with customers.

During the two years after September 11, 2001, premium rates remained firm for most types of coverage, rising 10% to 15% per year in many cases. During the latter part of 2003, the Canadian market remained firm, but the U.S. market experienced some softening of premium rates for property and casualty coverage. During 2004, insurance rates in both Canada and in the U.S., for many types of coverage, declined. In 2006, in both Canada and the U.S. we continue to see average declines in premiums in the range of three to five percent. As a result of the 2005 hurricane season, property rates for coastal areas in the first half of 2006 have increased. However, other areas of North America continue to see decreases in rates. We do not have a significant client base in the coastal areas.

For us, as for other brokers, falling rates can present both positive and negative effects. Falling premiums usually yield reduced commissions, if the insurance buyer maintains its coverage levels. However, many insurance buyers will respond to falling rates by increasing total coverage, often by lowering deductibles, increasing limits of coverage, or by adding new risks to those already insured. In 2006, we continue to see more evidence of insurance buyers increasing coverage levels as a result of the softening of insurance rates which has helped mitigate the effect of decreasing premium rates. In addition, the economic environment could lead to higher or lower sales and employee headcounts at client companies, leading in turn to increased or reduced demand for employee benefits, liability and other types of coverage tied to business activity levels.

 

26     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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Results of Operations

Three months ended June 30, 2006 compared with three months ended June 30, 2005

Revenue

As a result of acquisitions and 9% organic growth, which includes the strengthening of the Canadian dollar as compared to the U.S. dollar in the second quarter 2006, we reported a 32% increase in revenue to $146.0 million in the second quarter 2006.

The table below shows a breakdown of our revenue by segment and type for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 including organic growth for 2006:

 

    Revenue   Total Net
Change($)
  Total Net
Growth(%)
    Adjustment
for
(Acquisitions)
and Disposals
    Organic
Growth($)
    Organic
Growth(%)
 

(in thousands of U.S.
dollars, except
percentages)

  2006   2005          

Total

             

Commission Income

  $ 134,232   $ 103,797   $ 30,435   29 %   $ (22,222 )   $ 8,213     8 %

Contingent

             

Commissions and Volume Overrides

    7,882     4,244     3,638   86 %     (3,295 )     343     8 %

Other Income

    3,905     2,973     932   31 %     186       1,118     38 %
                                             

Total

  $ 146,019   $ 111,014   $ 35,005   32 %   $ (25,331 )   $ 9,674     9 %
                                             

U.S.

             

Commission Income

  $ 96,890   $ 71,119   $ 25,771   36 %   $ (21,765 )   $ 4,006     6 %

Contingent

             

Commissions and Volume Overrides

    6,101     3,460     2,641   76 %     (3,295 )     (654 )   (19 )%

Other Income

    3,033     2,346     687   29 %     188       875     37 %
                                             

Total

  $ 106,024   $ 76,925   $ 29,099   38 %   $ (24,872 )   $ 4,227     5 %
                                             

Canada

             

Commission Income

  $ 37,342   $ 32,678   $ 4,664   14 %   $ (457 )   $ 4,207     13 %

Contingent

             

Commissions and Volume Overrides

    1,781     784     997   127 %           997     127 %

Other Income

    872     627     245   39 %     (2 )     243     39 %
                                             

Total

  $ 39,995   $ 34,089   $ 5,906   17 %   $ (459 )   $ 5,447     16 %
                                             

Of the $35.0 million in new revenue we reported, $9.7 million, or 28%, resulted from organic growth, while $25.3 million or 72% reflected growth through acquisitions, net of dispositions. Organic growth figures include the impact of foreign exchange rate changes between the U.S. and Canadian dollars. In the second quarter 2006, the rise of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar contributed four percentage points of our 9% organic growth in total revenue.

In addition to the variations that can result from changes in organic growth rates, acquisitions and other variables related to operations, both the second quarters of 2006 and 2005 results included a number of factors that can complicate any efforts at direct comparisons. To increase investor understanding the following chart shows the impact that specific items would have had if they had not occurred on net earnings and diluted earnings per-share.

 

     For the three months ended June 30,  

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per
share amounts)

   2006     2005  
   Net Earnings     Diluted EPS     Net Earnings     Diluted EPS  

Impact of compensation for Talbot earnout

   $ 2,393     $ 0.06     $ 8,721     $ 0.25  

Impact of foreign exchange

   $ (881 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (420 )   $ (0.01 )

Impact of gain on disposition of assets of certain brokerages

   $ (323 )   $ (0.01 )   $     $  

 

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As shown above, the compensation related to the Talbot acquisition decreased $6.3 million to $2.4 million in the second quarter 2006 from $8.7 million in the second quarter 2005, which reflects a greater weighting of this expense in earlier periods under applicable expensing methods in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We record the contingent Talbot earnout payments as a charge to earnings over the period in which the payments are earned because the arrangement is a compensation-based one, more specifically a performance award. The management of Talbot is being compensated for future services based on remaining with Talbot and achieving certain performance targets during each of the 12 months ending December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. See “Contractual Obligations — Acquisitions.” We estimate that the aggregate compensation which will be recognized under the Talbot earnout will be approximately $56 million, of which $2.4 million and $8.7 million were recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In total, $50.2 million has been recognized from the date of acquisition through June 30, 2006 as an expense, with an offsetting credit to accounts payable and accrued liabilities, of which $14.7 million remained unpaid at June 30, 2006.

In addition, in the second quarter 2006 we benefited from the gain on disposition of assets of certain brokerages of $0.3 million, after tax, as compared to $NIL in the second quarter 2005.

Gains or losses on disposition of assets are not an unusual item, but they are included here to highlight the difference between the two reporting periods. Similarly, changes in currency exchange rates are not an unusual item. Because we derive our revenue from both the United States and Canada, foreign exchange fluctuations will continue to impact our results. We have highlighted the impact of these changes because currency translation effects can lead to reported results that are less meaningful than local currency results as an indicator of underlying operations. The strength of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar increased our net earnings and diluted earnings per share, as shown above, for the second quarter 2006 and 2005. Any decline in the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar would have a negative effect on our results. See “Market Risk.”

U.S. Results

U.S. revenue grew 38% to $106.0 million, or 73% of revenue, in the second quarter 2006 as compared to 2005, due to both contributions of operations acquired in 2005 and 2006, and to organic growth. Net acquisitions and dispositions added $24.9 million to revenue, or 85% of the increase, while organic growth provided $4.2 million, or 15% of revenue growth. Our U.S. operations posted an organic growth rate of 5% in the second quarter 2006, an increase from 3% in the second quarter 2005, primarily due to the increase in commission income. Core commission income increased 36% in the second quarter 2006 and organic growth was 6% in the second quarter 2006 as compared to 2% in the second quarter 2005.

Canadian Results

Canadian revenue grew 17% to $40.0 million, or 27% of consolidated revenue, in the second quarter 2006 as compared to 2005, primarily as a result of organic growth as well as a strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. Canadian operations posted organic growth of 16%, of which 11 percentage points reflected a stronger Canadian dollar. Core commission income increased 14% in the second quarter 2006 and organic growth was 13% in the second quarter 2006 the same as in the second quarter 2005.

Compensation Expense

The changes in compensation expense for the second quarter 2006 from last year are detailed in the table below. Employee cash compensation expense for the second quarter 2006 increased 29% to $77.7 million from $60.3 million in the second quarter 2005, and as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 53% from 54% from 2005 as a result of management’s efforts to ensure that employee head count and compensation expense does not grow faster than revenue growth. The decrease in the compensation for the Talbot earnout is due to a greater weighting of this expense in earlier periods. Compensation for the Talbot earnout includes a cash and a non-cash stock based component as set out in the table below. The first Talbot earnout payment in the amount of $16.4 million was paid in cash on September 1, 2005. The second payment of $19.0 million was paid in our common shares on March 31, 2006. Management expects the remaining payment to be made in common shares, although it may be made in cash and/or common shares as determined at the discretion of management.

 

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For the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except

percentages)

                % of Revenue  
  2006   2005   % Change     2006     2005  

Employee cash compensation

  $ 77,666   $ 60,260   29 %   53 %   54 %

Compensation for Talbot earnout — cash

        3,196   %   %   3 %

Compensation for Talbot earnout — non-cash stock based

    2,393     5,525   (57 )%   2 %   5 %
                         

Total compensation for Talbot earnout

    2,393     8,721   (73 )%   2 %   8 %
                         

Other non-cash stock based compensation

    1,610     1,931   (17 )%   1 %   2 %
                         

Total

  $ 81,669   $ 70,912   15 %   56 %   64 %
                         

Other non-cash stock based compensation includes stock options and restricted share units (RSUs). Our policy is to expense the fair value of non-cash stock based compensation over the period in which entitlement to the compensation vests.

Total other non-cash stock based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 is comprised of the following:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   2006    2005

RSUs granted for 2003 bonuses

   $ 280    $ 780

Other RSUs

     1,319      661

Stock options granted February 2003

          90

Stock options granted June 2002

          389

Common shares for acquisitions

     11      11
             

Total other non-cash stock based compensation

   $ 1,610    $ 1,931
             

Selling, Occupancy and Administration Expense

Selling, occupancy and administration expense increased 28% to $26.2 million in the second quarter 2006 as compared to 2005. As a percentage of revenue, selling, occupancy and administration expense remained constant at 18% as compared to the second quarter 2005.

Depreciation

Depreciation increased 14% to $2.4 million in the second quarter 2006 but remained constant at 2% of revenue from the second quarter 2005.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased 52% to $3.9 million from $2.6 million in the second quarter 2005 due to higher debt levels and higher interest rates in the second quarter 2006.

Intangible Asset Amortization

Intangible asset amortization increased 180% to $5.2 million in the second quarter 2006 as compared to the second quarter 2005 due to acquisitions made in 2005 and 2006.

Gain on Disposal of Subsidiaries, Property, Equipment and Other Assets

In the second quarter 2006 we sold certain assets of Canadian brokerages resulting in a gain of $0.5 million.

 

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Provision for Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate decreased in the second quarter 2006 to 40.7% from 68.2% in the second quarter 2005, due primarily to decreased compensation related to the Talbot acquisition in 2006 which is not deductible for tax purposes. Excluding this compensation, the effective tax rate for the second quarter 2006 and 2005 was 37.4% and 41.0%, respectively. The higher effective tax rate in 2005 was primarily attributable to adjustments made in 2005 to reflect actual taxes paid versus amounts previously accrued.

Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations

Our net earnings from continuing operations increased 286% to $16.1 million in the second quarter 2006, primarily as a result of growth in revenue and a decrease in compensation related to the Talbot earnout. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased 267% to $0.44.

As shown in the table on page 27, net earnings increased $0.9 million or $0.02 per diluted share, related to the strengthening Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar. Also, net earnings decreased $2.4 million or $0.06 per diluted share due to the impact of the Talbot earnout.

Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Share from Discontinued Operations

During 2005, we adopted a formal plan of disposition related to our U.S. financial services operation. The sale was completed January 1, 2006. Results for discontinued operations have been removed from continuing operations for 2005 and reflected on our Consolidated Statements of Earnings as “Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations.” Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations were $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the second quarter 2006 and the second quarter 2005, respectively. Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations were $NIL for the second quarter 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

30     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006


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Results of Operations

Six months ended June 30, 2006 compared with six months ended June 30, 2005

Revenue

As a result of acquisitions and 6% organic growth, which includes the strengthening of the Canadian dollar as compared to the U.S. dollar in 2006, we reported a 22% increase in revenue to $280.1 million in the first six months of 2006.

The table below shows a breakdown of our revenue by segment and type for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 including organic growth for 2006:

 

(in thousands of U.S.
dollars, except
percentages)

  Revenue   Total
Net
Change($)
  Total
Net
Growth(%)
    Adjustment
for
Acquisitions)
and Disposals
    Organic
Growth($)
    Organic
Growth(%)
 
  2006   2005          

Total

             

Commission Income

  $ 234,124   $ 190,711   $ 43,413   23 %   $ (32,630 )   $ 10,783     6 %

Contingent

             

Commissions and Volume Overrides

    39,051     33,404     5,647   17 %     (4,278 )     1,369     4 %

Other Income

    6,912     6,080     832   14 %     453       1,285     21 %
                                             

Total

  $ 280,087   $ 230,195   $ 49,892   22 %   $ (36,455 )   $ 13,437     6 %
                                             

U.S.

             

Commission Income

  $ 168,092   $ 132,217   $ 35,875   27 %   $ (31,800 )   $ 4,075     3 %

Contingent

             

Commissions and Volume Overrides

    28,634     24,417     4,217   17 %     (4,278 )     (61 )   %

Other Income

    5,323     4,899     424   9 %     456       880     18 %
                                             

Total

  $ 202,049   $ 161,533   $ 40,516   25 %   $ (35,622 )   $ 4,894     3 %
                                             

Canada

             

Commission Income

  $ 66,032   $ 58,494   $ 7,538   13 %   $ (830 )   $ 6,708     11 %

Contingent

             

Commissions and Volume Overrides

    10,417     8,987     1,430   16 %           1,430     16 %

Other Income

    1,589     1,181     408   34 %     (3 )     405     34 %
                                             

Total

  $ 78,038   $ 68,662   $ 9,376   14 %   $ (833 )   $ 8,543     12 %
                                             

Of the $49.9 million in new revenue we reported, $13.4 million, or 27%, resulted from organic growth, while $36.5 million or 73% reflected growth through acquisitions, net of dispositions. Organic growth figures include the impact of foreign exchange rate changes between the U.S. and Canadian dollars. In the first six months 2006, the rise of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar contributed three percentage points of our 6% organic growth in total revenue.

 

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In addition to the variations that can result from changes in organic growth rates, acquisitions and other variables related to operations, both the first six months of 2006 and 2005 results included a number of factors that can complicate any efforts at direct comparisons. To increase investor understanding the following chart shows the impact that specific items would have had if they had not occurred on net earnings and diluted earnings per-share.

 

     For the six months ended June 30,  
     2006     2005  

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except
per share amounts)

   Net
Earnings
    Diluted
EPS
    Net
Earnings
    Diluted
EPS
 

Impact of compensation for Talbot earnout

   $ 7,057     $ 0.19     $ 15,915     $ 0.43  

Impact of foreign exchange

   $ (1,270 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (1,089 )   $ (0.03 )

Impact of gain of forgiveness of debt

   $     $     $ (2,925 )   $ (0.08 )

Impact of gain on disposition of assets of certain brokerages

   $ (486 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (1,914 )   $ (0.05 )

As shown above, the compensation related to the Talbot acquisition decreased $8.9 million to $7.1 million in the first six months 2006 from $15.9 million in the first six months 2005, which reflects a greater weighting of this expense in earlier periods under applicable expensing methods in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. We record the Talbot earnout payments as a charge to earnings over the period in which the payments are earned because the arrangement is a compensation-based one, more specifically a performance award. The management of Talbot is being compensated for future services based on remaining with Talbot and achieving certain performance targets during each of the 12 months ending December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. See “Contractual Obligations — Acquisitions.” We estimate that the aggregate compensation which will be recognized under the Talbot earnout will be approximately $56 million, of which $7.1 million and $15.9 million were recognized in the first six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In total, $50.2 million has been recognized from the date of acquisition through June 30, 2006 as an expense, with an offsetting credit to accounts payable and accrued liabilities, of which $14.7 million remained unpaid at June 30, 2006. In addition, in the first six months 2006 we benefited from the gain on disposition of assets of certain brokerages of $0.5 million, after tax, as compared to a gain of $1.9 million in the first six months 2005.

Gains or losses on disposition of assets are not an unusual item, but they are included here to highlight the difference between the two reporting periods. Similarly, changes in currency exchange rates are not an unusual item. Because we derive our revenue from both the United States and Canada, foreign exchange fluctuations will continue to impact our results. We have highlighted the impact of these changes because currency translation effects can lead to reported results that are less meaningful than local currency results as an indicator of underlying operations. The strength of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar increased our net earnings and diluted earnings per share, as shown above for the first six months 2006 and 2005. Any decline in the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar would have a negative effect on our results. See “Market Risk.”

U.S. Results

U.S. revenue grew 25% to $202.1 million, or 72% of revenue, in the first six months 2006 as compared to 2005, due to both contributions of operations acquired in 2005 and 2006 and to organic growth. Net acquisitions and dispositions added $35.6 million to revenue, or 88% of the increase, while organic growth provided $4.9 million, or 12% of revenue growth. Our U.S. operations posted an organic growth rate of 3% in the first six months 2006, a decrease from 4% in the first six months 2005, due to the decrease in organic growth in contingent commissions and volume overrides. Core commission income increased 27% in the first six months 2006 and organic growth was 3% in the first six months 2006 as compared to 1% in the first six months 2005.

Canadian Results

Canadian revenue grew 14% to $78.0 million, or 28% of consolidated revenue, in the first six months 2006 as compared to 2005, as a result of organic growth as well as a strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S.

 

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dollar. Canadian operations posted organic growth of 12%, of which nine percentage points reflected a stronger Canadian dollar. Core commission income increased 13% in the first six months 2006 and organic growth was 11% in the first six months 2006 as compared to 12% in the first six months 2005.

Compensation Expense

The changes in compensation expense for the six months 2006 from last year are detailed in the table below. Employee cash compensation expense for the first six months 2006 increased 19% to $146.0 million from $122.7 million and as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 52% from 53% as a result of management’s efforts to ensure that employee head count and compensation expense does not grow faster than revenue growth. The decrease in the compensation for the Talbot earnout is due to a greater weighting of this expense in earlier periods. Compensation for the Talbot earnout includes a cash and a non-cash stock based component as set out in the table below. The first Talbot earnout payment in the amount of $16.4 million was paid in cash on September 1, 2005. The second payment of $19.0 million was paid in our common shares on March 31, 2006. Management expects the remaining payment to be made in common shares although it may be made in cash and/or common shares as determined at the discretion of management.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

(in thousands of U.S. dollars,
except percentages)

                % of Revenue  
  2006   2005   % Change     2006     2005  

Employee cash compensation

  $ 146,033   $ 122,728   19 %   52 %   53 %

Compensation for Talbot earnout — cash

        6,513   %   %   3 %

Compensation for Talbot earnout — non-cash stock based

    7,057     9,402   (25 )%   3 %   4 %
                         

Total compensation for Talbot earnout

    7,057     15,915   (56 )%   3 %   7 %
                         

Other non-cash stock based compensation

    3,245     3,735   (13 )%   1 %   2 %
                         

Total

  $ 156,335   $ 142,378   10 %   56 %   62 %
                             

Other non-cash stock based compensation includes stock options and restricted share units (RSUs). Our policy is to expense the fair value of non-cash stock based compensation over the period in which entitlement to the compensation vests.

Total other non-cash stock based compensation for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 is comprised of the following:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   2006    2005

RSUs granted for 2003 bonuses

   $ 1,132    $ 1,514

Other RSUs

     2,102      1,162

Stock options granted February 2003

          190

Stock options granted June 2002

          851

Common shares for acquisitions

     11      18
             

Total other non-cash stock based compensation

   $ 3,245    $ 3,735
             

Selling, Occupancy and Administration Expense

Selling, occupancy and administration expense increased 21% to $48.6 million in the first six months 2006 as compared to 2005. As a percentage of revenue, selling, occupancy and administration expense remained constant at 17% in the first six months 2005.

 

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Depreciation

Depreciation increased 9% to $4.6 million in the second quarter 2006 but remained constant at 2% of revenue from the first six months 2005.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased 41% to $7.0 million from $5.0 million in the first six months 2005 due to higher interest rates and higher debt levels in the first six months 2006.

Intangible Asset Amortization

Intangible asset amortization increased 130% to $8.5 million in the first six months 2006 as compared to the first six months 2005 due to acquisitions made in 2005 and 2006.

Gain on Disposal of Subsidiaries, Property, Equipment and Other Assets

In the first six months 2006 we sold assets of certain brokerages in the U.S. and Canada resulting in a gain of $0.8 million compared with a gain of $2.4 million in the first six months 2005 from the sale of certain brokerages in Canada.

Gain on Forgiveness of Debt

During the first six months 2005 an early payment settlement was negotiated in respect of our $7.5 million loan from an insurance carrier. The early settlement negotiations resulted in the $7.5 million principal amount of the term loan being reduced to $3.0 million resulting in a gain of $4.5 million.

Provision for Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate decreased in the first six months 2006 to 41.3% from 51.6% in the first six months 2005, due primarily to decreased compensation related to the Talbot acquisition in 2006 which is not deductible for tax purposes. Excluding this compensation, the effective tax rate for the first six months 2006 and 2005 was 36.6% and 37.3%, respectively.

Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations

Our net earnings from continuing operations increased 62% to $32.8 million in the first six months 2006, primarily as a result of growth in revenue and a decrease in compensation related to the Talbot earnout. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased 59% to $0.92.

As shown in the table on page 32, net earnings increased $1.3 million or $0.04 per diluted share, related to the strengthening Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar. Also, net earnings decreased $7.1 million or $0.19 per diluted share due to the impact of the Talbot earnout.

Net Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Share from Discontinued Operations

During 2005, we adopted a formal plan of disposition related to our U.S. financial services operation. The sale was completed January 1, 2006. Results for discontinued operations have been removed from continuing operations for 2005 and reflected on our Consolidated Statements of Earnings as “Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations.” Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations were $(0.1) million and $0.5 million for the first six months 2006 and the first six months 2005, respectively. Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations were $NIL and $0.01 for the first six months 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

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Cash Flow, Liquidity and Capital Resources

We began 2006 with cash and cash equivalents of $70.1 million. Operating activities in the first six months 2006 generated $48.3 million of cash. During the first six months 2006 we raised approximately $114.9 million through a public offering of our shares and completed a private sale of $75 million of senior notes. With these funds we purchased the CFG Brokerages for $80 million and repaid our $65 million revolving unsecured LIBOR loan. The balance is available to fund acquisitions and for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and working capital needs. In addition, we made property and equipment purchases of $5.7 million and paid dividends of $4.8 million in the first six months 2006. The share offering was the primary reason, along with our operating cash flow, that cash increased by $64.0 million to $134.1 million in the first six months of 2006.

On June 30, 2006, our cash position of $134.1 million included approximately $64.1 million available for acquisitions. This amount combined with available lines of credit provides us with a total amount of $149.9 million available for acquisitions compared to the $39.5 million available at December 31, 2005. It is not possible to define exactly how many acquisitions or how much new revenue could be acquired through the use of this cash, additional cash flow from operations and application of credit facilities, as acquisition pricing and other factors vary during the course of the year. However, we intend to use our common shares as partial consideration for any hub acquisition, and generally have paid a multiple of 5-8 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (frequently referred to as EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure) for acquired brokerages. We believe that our capital resources, including existing cash, funds generated from operations and borrowings available under credit facilities, will be sufficient to satisfy our financial requirements, excluding some acquisitions, during the next twelve months. We may finance acquisitions with available cash or an existing credit facility, but may, depending on the number and size of future acquisitions, need to supplement our finance requirements with the proceeds from debt financing, the issuance of additional equity securities, or a combination of both.

At June 30, 2006, we had two separate credit facilities:

 

(1) Revolving U.S. dollar LIBOR loan — We had an undrawn unsecured facility totaling $75 million bearing interest at a floating rate of prime plus 1% or 112.5 basis points above LIBOR which was paid in full and terminated on April 4, 2006. On the same date, we entered into a new revolving unsecured facility identical to the one terminated. This undrawn facility totals $75 million and bears interest at a floating rate of prime plus 1% or 112.5 basis points above LIBOR. LIBOR was 5.33% at June 30, 2006. The facility is available on a revolving basis for one year. Unless extended, on April 4, 2007, this facility will be converted into a three-year non-revolving loan with interest 0.25% higher than the interest rates discussed above. As of June 30, 2006, we were in compliance with all financial covenants governing this facility.

 

(2) Demand U.S. dollar base rate loan — We have an undrawn $10.8 million facility which bears interest at the bank’s U.S. base rate, which was 9.25% and 7.75% at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, plus 50 basis points. Borrowings under this facility are repayable on demand.

Additional debt at June 30, 2006 includes the following:

As of June 30, 2006, we had outstanding $62.5 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes issued June 10, 2003. The senior notes were issued in two series. Series A represents $7.5 million aggregate principal amount of 5.71% senior notes with interest due semi-annually, and principal of $7.5 million due April 4, 2011. Series B represents $55 million aggregate principal amount of 6.16% senior notes with interest due semi-annually, and principal of $4.6 million due annually, June 15, 2008 through June 15, 2010; $19.3 million due June 15, 2011; and $11.0 million due June 15, 2012 and 2013. The senior notes were sold on a private basis in the United States to institutional accredited investors. During the second quarter 2006, we repaid $2.5 million of Series A senior notes. We incurred approximately $1.3 million in fees and expenses related to the offering of these notes which were capitalized and are being amortized to expense over the term of the notes. As of June 30, 2006 we were in compliance with all financial covenants governing the senior notes.

 

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On July 15, 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement. The effect of the swap is to convert the fixed rate interest payments on the 5.71% senior notes and 6.16% senior notes in amounts of $7.5 million and $55 million, respectively, to a floating rate, resulting in an expense of approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 respectively, and a savings of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005 respectively. The total savings from July 18, 2003 to June 30, 2006 were $1.9 million. We account for the swap transaction using the synthetic instruments method under which the net interest expense on the swap and associated debt is reported in earnings as if it were a single, synthetic, financial instrument. As at June 30, 2006, we estimated the fair value of the swap to be $5.8 million, which is not recognized in these financial statements. Accordingly, $5.8 million is the estimated amount that we would need to pay to terminate the swap as of June 30, 2006.

As at June 30, 2006 we had outstanding $75 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes issued April 4, 2006. The notes were issued at 6.43% with interest payable quarterly and principal of $12.5 million due annually, April 4, 2011 through April 4, 2016. The senior notes were sold on a private basis in the United States. We incurred approximately $0.2 million in fees and expenses related to the offering of these notes, which were capitalized and are being amortized to expense over the term of the notes. At June 30, 2006 we were in compliance with all financial covenants governing the senior notes.

In addition to these primary credit sources, we ended June 30, 2006 with $7.8 million of subsidiary debt comprised of various notes payable, term loans and capital leases. We intend to repay these liabilities from internally generated cash flow, existing cash balances and/or borrowings under our credit facilities as the subsidiary debt becomes due during 2006 through 2011. Of the outstanding subsidiary debt, $4.8 million is secured by liens on certain assets of our subsidiaries.

On June 29, 2006, $35 million aggregate principal amount of 8.5% convertible subordinated notes due June 28, 2007 held by certain subsidiaries of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (the “Fairfax notes”) was converted into approximately 2.3 million shares of our common stock.

Net debt, defined as long-term debt ($145.6 million) less non-trust cash (cash and cash equivalents of $134.1 million) as of June 30, 2006, was $11.5 million compared with $105.2 million as of December 31, 2005. Our debt to capitalization ratio (debt as a percentage of debt and shareholders’ equity) decreased to 18% at June 30, 2006, compared with 29% at December 31, 2005. If we had fully utilized all lines of credit and other loan facilities at June 30, 2006, our ratio of debt to capitalization would have been 27%, which is below the range of 35% to 38% that our management believes is suitably conservative for our business model. Under our loan covenants, our debt to capitalization ratio must be less than the 45%. As of June 30, 2006, we were in compliance with the financial covenants under all of our debt instruments.

Our principal source of liquidity is our operating cash flow and borrowings under our credit facilities. Operating cash flow is affected by net earnings, non-cash items such as amortization, depreciation, compensation for the Talbot earnout, and non-cash working capital items. For the first six months 2006, operating cash flows were higher than for the first six months 2005 by $20.5 million primarily due to higher net earnings.

As an insurance broker, we collect and hold premiums paid by clients, deduct commissions and other expenses from these payments, and hold the remainder in trust, which we remit to the insurers who provide coverage to clients. We earn interest on these funds during the time between receipt of the cash and the time the cash is paid to insurers. The cash held in trust is shown separately on our balance sheet under the caption “Trust Cash.” On the statement of cash flows, changes in trust cash are included as part of the change in non-cash working capital and the determination of cash provided from operating activities.

 

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Contractual Obligations

The table below summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of June 30, 2006:

 

Payments due by period

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   Total   

Less than

1 Year

  

1 - 3

Years

  

4 - 5

Years

  

After

5 Years

Contractual Obligations

              

Long-term debt

   $ 145,207    $ 4,505    $ 12,369    $ 43,833    $ 84,500

Operating lease obligations

     104,525      21,131      36,616      23,170      23,608

Interest on long-term debt

     58,334      9,431      18,461      16,440      14,002

Capital lease obligations

     64      64               

Executive share purchase plan loans

     360           360          
                                  

Total

   $ 308,490    $ 35,131    $ 67,806    $ 83,443    $ 122,110
                                  

Acquisitions

On July 1, 2004, the Company completed the acquisition of Talbot Financial Corporation (Talbot), headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The transaction involved the purchase by the Company of all of the common shares of Satellite Acquisition Corporation (Satellite), a corporation formed by senior management at Talbot (Management Group). In turn, Satellite purchased 100% of Talbot from Safeco Corporation. The special shares of Satellite were retained by the Management Group as a mechanism through which these individuals could be rewarded for retention and future performance. The Company agreed to purchase one-third of the special shares of Satellite during each of 2005, 2006 and 2007 at a price contingent on Talbot’s financial performance during the preceding calendar year (Talbot earnout). The Company can pay the Talbot earnout with cash, common shares or a combination of the two. The first payment of $16.4 million was made in cash on September 1, 2005, based upon Talbot’s earnings for the 12 months ending December 31, 2004. The second payment of $19.0 million was made in 746,000 common shares of the Company on March 31, 2006, based upon Talbot’s earnings for the 12 months ending December 31, 2005. The remaining payment will be made on March 31, 2007 based upon Talbot’s earnings for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006. Individual members of the Management Group who are no longer employed by Talbot for any reason when an earnout payment is due are not entitled to share in that or any future earnout payment. No one in the Management Group was a shareholder of Talbot or received any portion of the purchase price paid to Safeco. Accordingly, the Company records the Talbot earnout payments as a charge to earnings over the period in which the payments are earned because the arrangement is a compensation-based one, more specifically a performance award. The Management Group is being compensated for future services based on remaining with Talbot and achieving certain performance targets during each of the three years. The Company estimates that the aggregate compensation which will be recognized under the Talbot earnout will be approximately $56 million. The Company recognized $2.4 million and $7.1 million in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively, and $8.7 million and $15.9 million in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005, respectively. In total, $50.2 million has been recognized from the date of acquisition through June 30, 2006 as an expense, with an offsetting credit to accounts payable and accrued liabilities, of which $14.7 million remained unpaid as of June 30, 2006.

In connection with other various acquisitions completed through June 30, 2006, we may be obligated to pay contingent consideration up to a maximum sum of approximately $38.5 million in cash and $6.6 million in common shares based upon management’s best estimate of acquired brokerages achieving certain targets. The contingent payments are payable on various dates through April, 2010 according to the terms and conditions of each purchase agreement. Any additional consideration will be recorded as an adjustment to goodwill once the contingency is resolved. In connection with contingent consideration earned as at June 30, 2006, the financial statements reflect a liability to pay cash of $1.9 million and $0.2 million common shares as of June 30, 2006.

Other

As previously disclosed, the insurance brokerage industry in general and certain of our subsidiaries in particular have been the subject of ongoing investigations by state attorneys general and insurance regulators regarding contingent commissions and other practices. As also previously reported, various class actions have been filed with respect to such matters. We have not recorded a liability at June 30, 2006 related to these matters. No estimate of the possible loss or range of loss can be made.

 

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In connection with our executive share purchase plan, under certain circumstances, we may be obligated to purchase loans for certain employees from a Canadian chartered bank totaling $4.0 million as of June 30, 2006 and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2005, respectively, to assist in purchasing our common shares. As collateral, the employees have pledged 380,000 and 383,000 of our common shares as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, which had a market value of $9.8 and $9.9 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. Interest on the loans in the amount of $121,000 and $96,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, respectively, was paid by us and is included in compensation expense.

In the normal course of business, we are subject to various claims and lawsuits consisting primarily of alleged errors and omissions in connection with the placement of insurance. In the opinion of our management, the ultimate resolution of all such asserted and potential claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Shareholders’ equity

Restricted share units.    During the first six months 2006, 283,000 RSUs were granted as follows: 7,000 RSUs were granted to non-management members of the Company’s Board of Directors; 44,000 RSUs were granted to the members of the Company’s Executive Management Team (EMT) and 232,000 RSUs were granted to other, non-EMT employees, many in the context of acquisitions. The vesting term for RSUs ranges from 7 months to 120 months.

Share repurchases.    For the first six months 2006, no common shares were repurchased by us.

Shares reserved for issuance.    As of June 30, 2006, 3.8 million common shares were reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plan. As of June 30, 2006, an aggregate of approximately 3.3 million stock options and RSUs was outstanding which would reduce such shares reserved for issuance. However, the number of shares reserved for issuance will be adjusted quarterly to an amount equal to 12% of our issued and outstanding common shares.

See — Item 2, “MD&A — Overview” for U.S. public offering and “Cash Flow, Liquidity and Capital Resources” for conversion of Fairfax notes.

Shareholder’s equity as of June 30, 2006 is comprised of the following:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   Share
Capital
  

Contributed

Surplus

   

Cumulative

Translation

Account

   

Retained

Earnings

    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2005

   $ 270,199    $ 16,989     $ 31,893     $ 100,845     $ 419,926  
                                       

Non-cash stock based compensation

          3,234                   3,234  

Shares issued, net of issue costs and cancellation

     121,281                        121,281  

Shares issued for contingent Consideration

     21,169                        21,169  

Shares converted

     35,000                        35,000  

Stock options exercised

     721                        721  

Restricted share units released

     900      (900 )                  

Executive share purchase plan shares, net of cancellation

     7                        7  

Windfall tax benefits

          537                   537  

Other

          14                   14  

Translation of self-sustaining foreign Operations

                6,015             6,015  

Translation of debt financing of Self-sustaining foreign operations

                (18 )           (18 )

Net earnings

                      32,751       32,751  

Dividends paid

                      (4,777 )     (4,777 )
                                       
     179,078      2,885       5,997       27,974       215,934  
                                       

Balance, June 30, 2006

   $ 449,277    $ 19,874     $ 37,890     $ 128,819     $ 635,860  
                                       

 

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Market Risk

Interest rate risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk in connection with our $62.5 million senior notes due to the interest rate swap entered into in July 2003, which converted the fixed rate interest payments on the $62.5 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes into floating rate payments, and future borrowings under our $75 million revolving U.S. dollar LIBOR facility. As a result, each 100 basis point increase in interest rates charged on the balance of our outstanding floating rate debt as of June 30, 2006 will result in a decrease of approximately $0.1 million in our quarterly earnings.

Exchange rate sensitivity

We report our revenue in U.S. dollars. Our Canadian operations earn revenue and incur expenses in Canadian dollars. Given our significant Canadian dollar revenue, we are sensitive to the fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar and are therefore exposed to foreign currency exchange risk. Foreign currency exchange risk is the potential for loss in revenue and net income as a result of a decline in the U.S. dollar value of Canadian dollar revenue due to a decline in the value of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar. Unrealized foreign currency translation gains and losses are recorded in the cumulative translation account (CTA), a balance sheet account, and do not currently impact net earnings.

The Canadian dollar is subject to volatility and experienced a significant increase in its value compared to the U.S. dollar during the second quarter 2006 and 2005. At June 30, 2006 and 2005, one Canadian dollar equaled $0.90 and $0.82 U.S. dollars, respectively. The table below summarizes the effect that a $0.01 decline or increase in the value of the Canadian dollar would have had on our revenue, net earnings and CTA for the three months ended June 30, 2006, and 2005.

 

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

   2006    2005

Revenue

   +/-$ 0.5    +/-$ 0.4

Net earnings

   +/-$ 0.1    +/-$ 0.1

CTA

   +/-$ 2.2    +/-$ 1.9

The increasing proportion of our revenue derived from our U.S. operations and earned in U.S. dollars has, in part, offset the potential risk of a decline in the Canadian dollar. We expect that the proportion of revenue earned in U.S. dollars will continue to increase, further mitigating our foreign currency exchange sensitivity.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets arising from acquisitions consist of the following:

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   June 30,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 

Customer relationships

   $ 159,463     $ 116,878  

Non-competition covenants

     10,318       7,917  

Goodwill

     499,324       438,926  

Accumulated amortization

     (46,553 )     (37,556 )
                

Total

   $ 622,552     $ 526,165  
                

We completed our impairment testing on the balance of goodwill and intangible assets as of January 1, 2006 and 2005. Based on the testing performed, no impairment losses were incurred.

The amounts allocated to customer relationships were determined by discounting the expected future net cash flows from commissions with consideration given to remaining economic lives, renewals, and associated expenses. The amounts allocated to non-competition covenants were determined using an income approach with consideration given to economic benefits associated with having the covenants in place versus damages that would ensue absent the agreements. The balance of the excess purchase price is allocated to goodwill.

 

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Customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life, typically ten to fifteen years. Many factors outside our control determine the persistency of our customer relationships and we cannot be sure that the value we have allocated will ultimately be realized. Non-competition covenants are intangible assets that have a definite life and accordingly, are amortized over their estimated useful life. For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, our amortization has been comprised of the following:

 

     For the three
months ended
June 30,
   For the six
months ended
June 30,
     2006    2005    2006    2005

Customer relationships

   $ 4,698    $ 1,812    $ 7,433    $ 3,590

Non-competition covenants

     524      50      1,065      105
                           

Total

   $ 5,222    $ 1,862    $ 8,498    $ 3,695
                           

We estimate that our amortization charges for intangible assets for 2006 through 2010 for all acquisitions consummated through June 30, 2006 will be:

 

Year ended December 31,

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   2006    2007    2008    2009    2010

Customer relationships

   $ 16,822    $ 17,316    $ 15,592    $ 14,263    $ 13,251

Non-competition covenants

     2,623      1,751      1,092      547      442
                                  

Total

   $ 19,445    $ 19,067    $ 16,684    $ 14,810    $ 13,693
                                  

Related Party Transactions

We had transactions with, and recorded revenue from, the following related parties:

 

    

For the three months

ended June 30,

  

For the six months

ended June 30,

 
         2006        2005    2006    2005  

Northbridge Financial Corporation

   $ 6,184    $ 7,304    $ 11,126    $ 11,939  

Crum & Forster Holdings, Inc

     432      286      606      465  

Fairfax Inc

     125      42      270      (211 )
                             
     6,741      7,632      12,002      12,193  

Old Lyme Insurance Company, Ltd. (“OLIC”)

     1,287      1,417      2,520      2,907  
                             
   $ 8,028    $ 9,049    $ 14,522    $ 15,100  
                             

We had accounts receivable and accounts payable balances with the above related parties in the amounts of $12.7 million and $17.4 million, respectively, at June 30, 2006 and $10.0 million and $19.5 million, respectively, at December 31, 2005. All revenue and related accounts receivable and accounts payable are the result of transactions in the normal course of business. The companies above, except for OLIC, are related through common ownership by Fairfax, which owns approximately 26% of our common shares as of June 30, 2006. During the second quarter 2004, Fairfax sold OLIC to Old Lyme Insurance Group, Ltd, a company owned primarily by a group of Hub employees, including Bruce Guthart, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Hub. We continue to place insurance with OLIC. The compensation that Hub earns from the business placed with OLIC and the fees it earns from managing OLIC are substantially the same as if Fairfax continued to own OLIC.

As of December 31, 2005, subordinated convertible debentures of $35.0 million were held by certain subsidiaries of Fairfax, which were converted on June 29, 2006 into approximately 2.29 million of our common shares.

 

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During the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we incurred expenses related to rental of premises from related parties in the amount of $0.7 million and $1.5 million for 2006, and $0.6 million and $1.2 million for the respective periods in 2005, respectively. At June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we also had receivables due from related parties in the amount of $1.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of which the majority were loans to employees to enable them to purchase our common shares. Of these receivables, as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, $1.5 million were related to company loans to employees to purchase shares under our executive share purchase plan. The loans will mature June, 2011 and bear interest at a rate of prime plus 0.5%. The interest rate at June 30, 2006 was 6.5%. As collateral, the employees have pledged 121,000 common shares as of June 30, 2006 and 122,000 common shares as of December 31, 2005, respectively, which have a market value of $3.1 million and $3.2 million as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

Under Canadian GAAP, we use the synthetic instruments method to account for the interest rate swap transaction, which converted fixed rate interest payments of 5.71% and 6.16% on the senior notes of $7.5 million and $55 million, respectively to a floating rate resulting in an expense of approximately $0.2 million for the second quarter 2006 and a savings of approximately $0.2 million for the first quarter 2005. Under this method, we report in earnings the net interest expense on the swap and associated debt as if it were a single, synthetic, financial instrument. The fair value of the swap, estimated at $5.8 million, is not recognized in our Canadian GAAP financial statements. We have no other material off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonable likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk.”

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under SEC rules, we are required to maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2006 (the Evaluation Date). Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act. In addition, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the second quarter 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures within our company to disclose all material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The insurance industry in general, and certain of our hubs, have been the subject of scrutiny by various regulatory bodies, including state attorneys general and the departments of insurance for various states, with respect to certain contingent commission arrangements between insurance companies and brokers.

As previously reported, our subsidiary HUB Northeast (formerly known as Kaye Insurance Associates, Inc.), received three subpoenas from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York seeking information regarding certain contingent agreements and other business practices. Since August 2004, various other subsidiaries of Hub have received and responded to letters of inquiry and subpoenas from authorities in California, Connecticut, Texas, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Quebec. We retained external counsel to assist us in responding to the New York Attorney General’s and other inquiries and, among other things, requested that such external counsel conduct an investigation of HUB Northeast and of our other hubs to determine whether any current or former employee engaged in the practice of falsifying or inflating insurance quotes or other illegal practices. To date, management is unaware of any incidents of falsifying or inflating insurance quotes or other illegal practices. State attorneys general and insurance departments continue their investigations of various industry practices. We continue to review our practices in light of these investigations and resulting charges brought against other brokers.

We have fully cooperated with the attorney general and department of insurance inquiries. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of these investigations, if contingent compensation agreements were to be restricted or no longer permitted, our financial condition, results of operation and liquidity may be materially adversely affected.

We were first named as a defendant in a federal class action lawsuit in October, 2004. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants used the contingent commission structure to deprive policyholders of “independent and unbiased brokerage services, as well as free and open competition in the market for insurance.” A number of substantially similar federal class actions were filed against us and many other defendants. On February 17, 2005, the Federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred these and other class actions in which we were not named to the District of New Jersey. In August 2005 and February 2006, amended complaints were filed in the consolidated federal court proceedings pending in New Jersey and styled In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation. The case has now been divided into two cases, one for employee benefits and the other for commercial insurance. Certain of our subsidiaries have been named as additional defendants. A small number of allegations specifically pertaining to Hub have been added, but remain vague. The judge in these actions has permitted limited discovery to take place, which is continuing. We dispute the allegations made in these lawsuits and intend to vigorously defend these cases.

In January, 2005 we and our affiliates were named as defendants in a class action filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The named plaintiff is a Chicago law firm that obtained its professional liability insurance through the Chicago office of what is now HUB Midwest and claims that we received an undisclosed contingent commission with respect to its policy. We dispute the allegations of this lawsuit and are vigorously defending this case.

The cost of defending against the lawsuits, and diversion of management’s attention, may be significant and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, an adverse finding in a regulatory investigation or a class action or similar lawsuit could result in a significant judgment or imposition of liability against us that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operation and liquidity. We have not recorded a liability at June 30, 2006 or at December 31, 2005 related to these matters. No estimate of the possible loss or range of loss can be made. In the normal course of business, we are involved in various claims and legal proceedings relating to insurance placed by us and other contractual matters. Our management does not believe that any such pending or threatened proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or future results of operations.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On May 2, 2006, we issued 98,075 common shares to former shareholders of Hirsch Wolf & Company, Inc. in connection with our acquisition of the assets of that brokerage. On May 15, 2006, we issued 81,110 common shares to former owners of Bush, Cotton & Scott, LLC as contingent consideration for contingent obligations payable in connection with the acquisition of that brokerage.

All of the shares issued in transactions described above were issued in transactions exempt from registration pursuant to section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders of Hub International Limited (the “Meeting”) was held on May 4, 2006. At the Meeting, 21,469,845 common shares, or 68.8% of the 31,192,676 common shares outstanding on the record date of the Meeting, were represented.

Election of Directors.    The following ten nominees were elected as directors of Hub for terms of one year expiring on the date of Hub’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2007, by a resolution passed by a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

The results were as follows:

 

Name

   Votes
For
  

Votes

Against

  

Votes

Withheld

Martin P. Hughes

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Richard A. Gulliver

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Bruce D. Guthart

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Anthony F. Griffiths

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Edward W. Lyman Jr.  

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Bradley P. Martin

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Frank S. Wilkinson

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

James W. McElvany

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Byron G. Messier

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Dr. John T. Ahern, Jr.  

   21,012,814    -0-    457,031

Approval and Adoption of the Amended and Restated Hub International Limited 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.    A resolution of shareholders was voted on to approve the adoption of the Amended and Restated Hub International Limited 2005 Equity Incentive Plan as previously approved by our Board of Directors.

To become effective, the approval of at least a majority of the votes cast in person or proxy at the Meeting was required. The requisite approval of shareholders was obtained at the Meeting and the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan was approved and adopted. The results of the vote were as follows: 13,163,546 common shares were voted in favor of the approval, 7,215,708 common shares voted against the approval, and -0- common shares withheld their votes.

Appointment of Auditors.    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as Hub’s Auditors to serve until Hub’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2006, at a remuneration to be fixed by our Board of Directors, with a favorable vote of 21,460,767 common shares represented at the Meeting and 9,078 common shares withholding their votes on the appointment.

 

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Item 5. Other Information

Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q includes, and from time to time management may make, 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. These forward-looking statements 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;

 

  successfully integrating acquired businesses;

 

  attaining greater market share;

 

  resolution of regulatory issues and litigation, including those related to compensation arrangements with insurance companies;

 

  the possibility that the receipt of contingent compensation from insurance companies could be prohibited;

 

  developing and implementing effective information technology systems;

 

  recruiting and retaining qualified employees;

 

  fluctuations in the demand for insurance products;

 

  fluctuations in the premiums charged by insurance companies (with corresponding fluctuations in our premium-based revenue);

 

  fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

 

  any loss of services of key executive officers;

 

  industry consolidation;

 

  increased competition in the industry;

 

  the actual costs of resolution of contingent liabilities; and

 

  the passage of new federal, state or provincial legislation subjecting our business to increased regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Words that indicate outlook or expectations, such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “expect,” “intend,” “will likely result,” “will continue” and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

Except as otherwise required by federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Dividends

On April 26, 2006 the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.07 on our common shares, payable June 30, 2006 for the second quarter 2006 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2006.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits

 

31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, Martin P. Hughes, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as enacted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, Dennis J. Pauls, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as enacted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer, Martin P. Hughes, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as enacted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer, Dennis J. Pauls, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as enacted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.1   

Information under the caption “Risks related to our business” and “Risks related to our common shares” is

incorporated by reference from the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2006.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

By:

 

/S/    DENNIS J. PAULS

Dennis J. Pauls

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(duly authorized officer and Principal Financial Officer)

DATE: August 8, 2006

 

46     HUB INTERNATIONAL LIMITED   QUARTERLY REPORT JUNE 30, 2006