Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
6K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Except as described below, there are no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2022. We urge you to read the risk factors contained therein.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations may continue to be adversely affected, possibly materially, by negative impacts on the global economy and capital markets resulting from the conflict in Ukraine or any other geopolitical tensions.
U.S. and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the crisis in Ukraine. Although the length and impact of the ongoing situation is highly unpredictable, the crisis in Ukraine could lead to further market disruptions.
Additionally, during the first quarter of 2022, WTW announced its intention to transfer ownership of its Russian subsidiaries to local management who will operate independently in the Russian market. Due to the sanctions and prohibitions on certain types of business and activities, WTW deconsolidated its Russian entities on March 14, 2022. The transfer of its Russian subsidiaries to local management was completed on the agreed-upon terms on July 18, 2022, and the transfer was registered in Russia on July 25, 2022. The deconsolidation in the first quarter of 2022 resulted in a loss of $57 million. Further, total net assets impaired, including accounts receivable balances related to our Russian business that are held outside of our Russian entities, were $81 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022. We are continuing to monitor the situation in Ukraine and globally and will continue to assess the potential impacts to our businesses.
Sanctions imposed by the U.S., the E.U., the U.K. and other countries, as well as Russian counter-sanctions, are extensive. Additional sanctions and penalties have also been enacted, proposed and/or threatened. Russian actions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets. The ramifications of the hostilities and sanctions, however, may not be limited to Russia and Russian companies but may spill over to and negatively impact other regional and global economic markets (including Europe and the United States), companies in other countries (particularly those that have done business with Russia) and various sectors, industries and markets for securities and commodities globally, such as oil and natural gas. Accordingly, the actions discussed above and the potential for a wider conflict could increase financial market volatility, cause severe negative effects on regional and global economic markets, industries, and companies. In addition, Russia may take retaliatory actions and other countermeasures, including cyberattacks and espionage against other countries and companies around the world, which may negatively impact such countries and companies. The extent and duration of the Russian actions or future escalation of such hostilities, the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations cannot be predicted.
Any of the above-mentioned factors could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. The extent and duration of the crisis, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUI****TY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the six months ended June 30, 2022, no shares were issued by the Company without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company is authorized to repurchase shares, by way of redemption or otherwise, and will consider whether to do so from time to time, based on many factors, including market conditions. There are no expiration dates for these repurchase plans or programs.
On July 26, 2021, the board of directors approved a $1.0 billion increase to the existing share repurchase program, which was previously at $500 million. Additionally, on September 16, 2021, the board of directors approved a $4.0 billion increase to the existing share repurchase program, and on May 25, 2022, approved a $1.0 billion increase to the existing share repurchase program. These increases brought the total approved authorization to $6.5 billion.
The following table presents specified information about the Company’s repurchases of its ordinary shares in the second quarter of 2022 and the Company’s remaining repurchase authority.
| Period | Total number of shares purchased | Average price paid per share | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs | ||||||||||||
| April 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022 | 913,804 | $ | 237.90 | 913,804 | 12,132,505 | |||||||||||
| May 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022 | 641,834 | $ | 209.17 | 641,834 | 11,490,671 | |||||||||||
| June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 | 588,276 | $ | 202.25 | 588,276 | 10,902,395 | |||||||||||
| 2,143,914 | $ | 219.52 | 2,143,914 |
At June 30, 2022 the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the existing stock repurchase plan is 10,902,395, with approximately $2.1 billion remaining on the current open-ended repurchase authority granted by the board. An estimate of the maximum number of shares under the existing authorities was determined using the closing price of our ordinary shares on June 30, 2022 of $197.39.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPO****N SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAF****ETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
Previous: Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES · Next: Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION