Willis Group News

Willis Group Reports (Pre-Merger) Q4 Loss of $24M, vs. Q4 2014 Earnings of $76M

Willis Group reported a net loss of $24 million, or $(0.35) per diluted share during the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to earnings of $76 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. During the 12 months …

Reinsurance Prices Continue Softening During January 2016 Renewals: Willis Re

Despite the signs of some pricing stabilization in property catastrophe during the June/July 2015 renewals, hopeful forecasts for a “softening in the softening” in reinsurance pricing have proved elusive, according to Willis Re’s 1st View Report. “The January renewals have …

Willis Completes Acquisition of France’s Gras Savoye

Willis Group Holdings plc, the global risk advisory, re/insurance broking, and human capital and benefits firm, announced the completion of its acquisition of Gras Savoye, the leading French insurance broker. On April 22, 2015, Willis Group announced it planned to …

Towers Watson Shareholders ‘Should Reject’ New Willis Deal, Says Proxy Adviser

Towers Watson & Co. shareholders should vote against an $8.9 billion merger with Willis Group Holdings Plc even after the insurance broker increased the offer amid a backlash from investors, proxy adviser Glass Lewis & Co. said in a report. …

Tower Watson Sweetens Willis Merger Offer by Doubling Special Dividend to $10

Willis Group Holdings Plc, the third-largest insurance broker, agreed to better terms for Towers Watson & Co. shareholders in a proposed merger after the consulting firm’s investors said that a June agreement was inadequate. The one-time cash dividend will be …

Willis Weighs Increasing Offer for Towers Watson, Amid Opposition to Deal

Willis Group Holdings is considering increasing its offer for Towers Watson & Co after failing to muster enough shareholder support for its $18 billion merger with the human resources consultancy, a person with knowledge of the matter said. Earlier today, …

Willis Launches Electronic Platform for Faster Premiums, Claims Payments

Willis Group Holdings has launched Willis Accounting, a new global electronic accounting platform designed to speed up cash flow and settle claims more quickly with carriers and clients. Following a successful pilot, Willis Accounting replaces traditional paper and email delivery …

ISS Advice on Willis-Towers Deal ‘Encourages’ Short-Term Shareholder Activism

Institutional Shareholder Services’ recommendation that Towers Watson & Co. investors vote against the proposed merger with Willis Group Holdings Plc is legitimizing short-term shareholder activism, ValueAct Capital Management said. The report encourages “bumpitrage,” which is where shareholder activists purchase the …

Willis ‘Disappointed’ that Tower Watson Shareholders Advised to Reject Merger

Willis Group Holdings plc said it was “disappointed” that Institutional Shareholder Services last week recommended Tower Watson shareholders reject the proposed merger with Willis. “[W]e are disappointed with their conclusion that Towers Watson shareholders should not support the merger. We …

Towers Watson Investors ‘Should Reject’ Merger with Willis: Advisers

Towers Watson & Co. investors should reject a planned merger with insurance broker Willis Group Holdings Plc, proxy advisers Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis & Co. said. The consulting firm’s holders should seek improved merger terms, or “the better …