Reagan Consulting: Agent/Broker Organic Growth & Profitability Slip in Q3 2015
Survey Measures Large & Mid-Size Private Agencies & Brokerage Firms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kevin Stipe (404) 869-2532; [email protected]
ATLANTA (November 6, 2015) – Independent insurance agents/brokers posted median organic growth of 4.4 percent for the third quarter of 2015, compared with 6.0 percent recorded in the third quarter of 2014, as measured by the Reagan Consulting Organic Growth and Profitability (OGP) quarterly survey.
Profitability is coming down too, noted Reagan Consulting: 21.9 percent in Q3 2015 compared with 22.4 percent in Q3 2014 as measured by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).
The third-quarter results marked the slowest growth rate since late 2011, Reagan Consulting noted. It’s the first time in 14 quarters that broker growth rates dipped below 5 percent.
“Agent/broker organic growth is slowing – for privately-owned and public brokers – because commercial property-casualty insurance rates are officially in a soft market, ” explained Kevin Stipe, president of Reagan Consulting, a management consulting and merger-and-acquisition advisory firm for the insurance distribution system. He added that p-c rates have softened for four consecutive quarters, as measured by the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers.
“Profit margins tend to increase during times of strong organic growth and decrease when growth rates slow,” noted Stipe.
Commercial insurance rates typically make up 60-70 percent of revenue for the approximately 130 mid-size and large agencies and brokerage firms in the Organic Growth and Profitability survey group. Thus rates are substantial drivers of organic growth. Pointed out Stipe: “Brokers may witness further deceleration of growth rates until p-c pricing stabilizes.”
Reagan Consulting’s survey has a new component: Sales Velocity (total written new business as a percentage of the prior year’s total commissions and fees). Sales Velocity is the single-biggest driver of organic growth, noted Reagan. The firms with the highest Sales Velocity more than doubled the organic growth rate of those with the lowest Sales Velocity in 3Q 2015.
Transaction activity, while not measured by the OGP survey, continues on a record pace in 2015, noted Reagan, despite declining rates, slowing growth rates and less robust profits. Reagan Consulting said 294 announced deals put 2015’s pace 28 percent ahead of 2014, likely leading to a record year for mergers and acquisitions.
Reagan Consulting has conducted its quarterly survey of agency growth and profitability since 2008, using confidential submissions from approximately 130 mid-size and large agencies and brokerage firms. Nearly half of the industry’s 100 largest firms participated in the most recent survey. Median revenue of the firms completing the survey is approximately $18 million.
For further information and commentary, contact Kevin Stipe of Reagan Consulting at (404) 869-2532 or [email protected].
Each participating agency receives a customized, confidential report of its performance compared with the overall survey results, as well as Reagan’s quarterly commentary of industry trends impacting agents and brokers. For information on participating in the OGP survey, contact Michelle Appelbaum at (404) 233-5545 or by email to [email protected].
About Reagan Consulting: Reagan Consulting is a management consulting firm providing strategic consulting, valuation and merger-and-acquisition (M&A) services to the independent insurance distribution system. The firm’s services include appraisals of fair market value, strategic planning, M&A advisory, ownership perpetuation planning, key employee compensation and equity plans and agency performance benchmarking. Reagan Consulting co-developed the well-known Best Practices Study and produces the quarterly Organic Growth & Profitability benchmark survey.
(404) 233-5545
Reagan Consulting
One Piedmont Center, Suite 500
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
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