Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) reported second-quarter 2017 earnings of 49 cents per share that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.3%. However, earnings remained flat year over year.
The quarter witnessed improved revenues, partially offset by a rise in expenses. Nonetheless, the company saw an increase in its commissions and fees.
Including change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables of 3 cents per share, net income came in at 46 cents per share, down 2.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Behind the Headlines
Total revenue amounted to $466.3 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $465 million by approximately 0.3%. Also, the top line improved 4.4% year over year riding on higher commissions and fees. Organic revenue growth was 1.6% in the reported quarter.
Commissions and fees rose 4.3% year over year to $464.7 million.
Investment income fell 20% year over year to $0.4 million.
Total expenses increased 6.2% to $358.3 million, owing to a rise in employee compensation and benefits, other operating expenses, depreciation, interest as well as change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables.
Net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables (EBITDAC) margin decreased 120 basis points to 32.3%.
Brown & Brown, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Brown & Brown, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Brown & Brown, Inc. Quote
Financial Update
Brown & Brown exited the second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $600.3 million, up 16.4% from the 2016-end level.
Long-term debt of $965.4 million as of Jun 30, 2017 was down 5.2% from $1.0184 billion at the end of 2016.
Dividend Update
In the second quarter, this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company’s board of directors announced a quarterly dividend of 14 cents per share.
On Jul 13, 2017, the company’s board approved a quarterly cash dividend of 13.5 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on Aug 16 to shareholders on record as of Aug 9, 2017.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks from the insurance industry are Everest Re Group, Ltd. (NYSE:RE) , Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE:RGA) and Cigna Corporation (NYSE:CI) . Each stock holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Everest Re Group offers reinsurance and insurance products. The company is set to release first-quarter results on Jul 24.
Reinsurance Group is primarily engaged in life reinsurance and international life and disability insurance on a direct and reinsurance basis. The company is set to release second-quarter results on Jul 27.
Cigna provides insurance plus related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company is slated to release second-quarter results on Aug 4.
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Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO): Free Stock Analysis Report
Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Cigna Corporation (CI): Free Stock Analysis Report
Everest Re Group, Ltd. (RE): Free Stock Analysis Report
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