Jones Lang LaSalle 10-K 12-31-2006
United
States
Securities
and Exchange Commission
Washington,
D.C. 20549
Form
10-K
Annual
Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of
the
Securities Act of 1934
For
the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
Commission
File Number 1-13145
Jones
Lang LaSalle Incorporated
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in
its
charter)
Maryland
(State
or
other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
36-4150422
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
200
East Randolph Drive, Chicago, IL
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60601
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: 312/782-5800
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
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Name
of each exchange on which
registered
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Common
Stock ($.01 par value)
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New
York Stock Exchange
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No
o
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
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 o
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this
Form 10-K o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the
Exchange Act). Large accelerated filer x Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The
aggregate market value of the voting stock (common stock) held by non-affiliates
of the registrant as of the close of business on June 30, 2006 was
$2,742,323,222.
The
number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock (par value $0.01)
as of the close of business on February 20, 2007 was 36,748,384, which includes
4,749,651 shares held by a subsidiary of the registrant.
Portions
of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on May 30, 2007 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this
report.
Part
I
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3
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9
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17
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17
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17
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17
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Part
II
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18
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21
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23
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40
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41
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72
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72
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72
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Part
III
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73
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73
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73
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Part
IV
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74
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74
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75
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76
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Company
Overview
Jones
Lang LaSalle Incorporated (“Jones Lang LaSalle,” which may be referred to as we,
us, our, the Company or the Firm) was incorporated in 1997. We now have more
than 150 offices worldwide, operations in more than 450 cities in 50 countries
on five continents, and approximately 25,500 employees, including approximately
11,900 directly reimbursable property maintenance employees. We
provide
comprehensive integrated real
estate and investment management expertise on a local, regional and global
level
to owner, occupier and investor clients.
We are an industry leader in property and corporate facility management
services, with a portfolio of over 1.0 billion square feet worldwide. In 2006,
the Firm
had
revenues of $2.0 billion and assisted in the completion of capital markets
sales
and acquisitions, debt financings, and equity placements on assets and
portfolios valued at over $70 billion.
LaSalle
Investment Management is one of the world’s largest and most diverse real
estate money management firms, with over $40 billion of assets under management.
We were the only real estate services and money management firm named to
Forbes
magazine’s Platinum 400 list in 2006 and 2007, to Fortune
magazine’s 100 Best Companies To Work For list in 2007, and to CRO (Corporate
Responsibility Officer) magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens list in
2007.
Our
full
range of real estate services includes:
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Project
and development;
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·
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Real
estate investment banking and merchant banking;
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·
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Buying
and selling properties;
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·
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Space
acquisition and disposition (tenant representation);
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Strategic
consulting; and
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We
provide real estate money management services on a global basis for both public
and private assets through LaSalle Investment Management. Our services are
enhanced by our integrated global business model, industry-leading research
capabilities, client relationship management focus, consistent worldwide service
delivery and strong brand.
We
have
grown by expanding both our client base and the range of our services and
products, as well as through a series of strategic acquisitions and mergers.
Our
extensive global platform and in-depth knowledge of local real estate markets
enable us to serve as a single-source provider of solutions for our clients’
full range of real estate needs. We solidified this network of services around
the globe through the 1999 merger of the businesses of the Jones Lang Wootton
companies (“JLW”) (founded in 1783) with those of LaSalle Partners Incorporated
(“LaSalle Partners”) (founded in 1968).
Jones
Lang LaSalle History
Prior
to
our incorporation in Maryland in April 1997 and our initial public offering
(the
“Offering”) of 4,000,000 shares of common stock in July 1997, Jones Lang LaSalle
conducted business as LaSalle Partners Limited Partnership and LaSalle Partners
Management Limited Partnership (collectively, the “Predecessor Partnerships”).
Immediately prior to the Offering, the general and limited partners of the
Predecessor Partnerships contributed all of their partnership interests in
the
Predecessor Partnerships in exchange for an aggregate of 12,200,000 shares
of
common stock.
In
October 1998, we acquired all of the common stock of the COMPASS group of real
estate service companies (collectively referred to as “COMPASS”) from Lend Lease
Corporation Limited. The acquisition of COMPASS made us the largest property
management services company in the United States and expanded our international
presence into Australia and South America.
In
March
1999, LaSalle Partners merged its business with that of JLW and changed its
name
to Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. In connection with the merger, we issued
14,300,000 shares of common stock and paid cash consideration of $6.2
million.
In
January 2006, Jones Lang LaSalle merged operations with Spaulding & Slye, a
privately held real estate services and investment company with offices in
Boston and Washington, D.C. Substantially all of Spaulding & Slye’s 500
employees were integrated into the Jones Lang LaSalle organization,
significantly increasing the Firm’s market presence in New England, as well as
in Washington D.C. In May 2006, we acquired Rogers Chapman, a privately held
real estate services company with offices in West London and the Thames Valley
in England. In September 2006, we opened an office in Dubai, UAE, and acquired
RSP Group, a privately held real estate investment services business with a
local market-leading position and assignments across more than 20 Middle Eastern
and North African countries. In October 2006, we acquired areAZero, a leading
occupier fit-out business in Spain.
Performing
Consistently and Maximizing Growth
Our
stated mission is to deliver exceptional strategic, fully integrated services
and solutions for real estate owners, occupiers and investors worldwide. To
that
end, we serve clients with four broad sets of services:
•
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Capital
Markets and Real Estate Investment Banking;
and
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We
believe this combination of services, skills and expertise sets us apart from
our competitors. Consultancy practices typically do not share our implementation
expertise, local market awareness or merchant banking capabilities. Investment
banking and investment management competitors generally possess neither our
local market knowledge nor our real estate service capabilities. Traditional
real estate firms lack our financial expertise and operating consistency. Other
global competitors do not have the same level of business integration or
consistency of delivery that we can provide through our network of wholly owned
offices and directly employed personnel.
Six
key
value drivers distinguish our business activities (see “Competitive Advantages”
below):
•
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Our
integrated global services
platform;
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•
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The
quality and worldwide reach of our research
function;
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•
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Our
focus on client relationship management as a means to provide superior
client service;
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•
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Our
reputation for consistent worldwide service delivery, as measured
by our
creation of best practices and the skills and experience of our people;
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Our
ability to deliver innovative solutions to assist our clients in
maximizing the value of their real estate portfolios;
and
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The
strength of our brand.
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We
have
designed our business model to create value for our clients, our shareholders
and our employees. Based on our established presence in, and intimate knowledge
of, real estate and capital markets worldwide, and supported by our investments
in thought leadership and technology, we believe that we create value for
clients by addressing not only their local, regional and global real estate
needs, but also their broader business, strategic, operating and financial
goals. We believe that the ability to create and deliver value drives our own
ability to grow our business and improve profitability and shareholder value.
In
doing so, we enable our people to demonstrate their technical competence and
advance their careers by taking on new and increased responsibilities within
a
dynamic environment as our business expands geographically and develops in
sophistication.
Growth
Strategy
To
continue to create new value for our clients, shareholders and employees, in
early 2005 we identified five strategic priorities for continued growth. We
refer to them as the Global Five Priorities, or the “G5.” We have initiated a
five-year program designed to invest capital and resources that will maintain
and extend our global leadership positions in the G5, which we have defined
as
follows:
G1:
Local and Regional Service Operations.
Our
strength in local and regional markets determines the strength of our global
service capabilities. Our financial performance also depends, in great part,
on
the business we source and execute locally from more than 150 offices around
the
world. We
believe that we can leverage our established business presence in the world’s principal
real
estate markets to provide expanded local and regional services without a
proportionate increase in infrastructure costs.
G2:
Global Corporate Solutions.
The
accelerating trends of globalization and the outsourcing of real estate services
by corporate occupiers support our decision to emphasize a truly global
Corporate Solutions business to serve their needs comprehensively. This service
delivery capability helps us create new client relationships. In addition,
current corporate clients are demanding multi-regional
capabilities.
G3:
Global Capital Markets and Real Estate Investment Banking.
Our
focus on the further development of our global Capital Markets service delivery
capability reflects increasing international cross-border money flows to real
estate and the accelerated global marketing of assets that has resulted. Our
real estate investment banking capability helps provide capital and other
financial solutions by which our clients can maximize the value of their real
estate.
G4:
LaSalle Investment Management.
With a
truly integrated global platform, our LaSalle Investment Management business
is
already well positioned to serve institutional real estate investors looking
for
attractive opportunities around the world. Our continued investment in LaSalle’s
ability to develop and offer new products quickly, and to extend its portfolio
capabilities into promising new markets, is intended to enhance that
position.
G5:
World-Standard Business Operations.
To gain
maximum benefit from our other priorities, we must have superior operating
and
support procedures and processes to serve our clients and support our people.
Our goal is to equip our people with the knowledge and risk management tools
and
other globally integrated infrastructure resources they need to create
sustainable value for our clients. As we fully leverage the investments we
have
made in our infrastructure, we will have a global platform that will allow
us to
perform our services in an increasingly efficient, integrated and consistent
manner.
We
committed resources to all G5 priorities during 2005 and 2006. By continuing
to
invest in our future based on our view of how our strengths can support the
needs of our clients, we intend to further grow our business and to maintain
and
expand our position as an industry leader in the process.
Business
Segments
We
report
our operations as four business segments. We manage our Investor and Occupier
Services (“IOS”) product offerings geographically as (i) the Americas, (ii)
Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), and (iii) Asia Pacific, and our money
management business globally as (iv) LaSalle Investment Management. See “Results
of Operations” within Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations, as well as Note 3 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements, for financial information discussed by
segment.
Value
Delivery: IOS Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific
To
address the needs of real estate owners and occupiers, we provide a full range
of integrated property, project management and transaction services locally,
regionally and globally through our regional operating segments in the Americas,
Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) and Asia Pacific. Services are delivered
through the following teams:
Agency
Leasing Services
executes
marketing and leasing programs on behalf of investors, developers, property
companies and public bodies to secure tenants and negotiate leases with terms
that reflect our clients’ best interests. In 2006, we completed approximately
8,600 agency leasing transactions representing approximately 105 million square
feet of space.
Agency
leasing fees are typically based on a percentage of the value of the lease
revenue commitment for leases consummated.
Property
Management Services
provides
on-site management services to real estate owners for office, industrial, retail
and specialty properties. We seek to leverage our market share and buying power
to deliver superior service to clients. Our goal is to enhance our clients’
property values through aggressive day-to-day management. We focus on
maintaining high levels of occupancy and tenant satisfaction while lowering
property operating costs. During 2006, we provided on-site property management
services for office, retail, mixed-use and industrial properties totaling
approximately 675 million square feet.
Property
Management Services typically are provided by an on-site general manager and
staff whom we support with regional supervisory teams and central resources
in
such areas as training, technical and environmental services, accounting,
marketing and human resources. Our general managers are responsible for property
management activities, client satisfaction and financial results. We do not
compensate them with commissions, but rather with a combination of base salary
and a performance bonus that is directly linked to results they produce for
their clients. Increasingly, management agreements provide for incentive
compensation relating to operating expense reductions, gross revenue or
occupancy objectives or tenant satisfaction levels. Consistent with industry
custom, management contract terms typically range from one to three years,
but
may be canceled at any time following a short notice period, usually 30 to
60
days.
Project
and Development Services
provides
a variety of services—including interior build-out and conversion management,
move management and strategic occupancy planning services—to tenants of leased
space, owners in self-occupied buildings and owners of real estate investments.
Project and Development Services frequently manages relocation and build-out
initiatives for clients of our Property Management Services, Integrated
Facilities Management and Tenant Representation Services units. Project and
Development Services also manages all aspects of development and renovation
of
commercial projects for our clients. We have expanded this service to the public
sector, particularly to the U.S. military and educational
institutions.
Our
Project and Development Services business is typically compensated on the basis
of negotiated fees. Client contracts are typically multi-year in duration and
may govern a number of discrete projects, with individual projects being
completed in less than one year.
Jones
Lang LaSalle Construction, Limited Partnership is the Firm’s full-service
construction business that provides general contracting, "at risk" construction
management and construction-related consulting services. Projects consist
primarily of commercial-related construction, including office interiors, new
construction and renovation of existing buildings. Jones Lang LaSalle
Construction is fully integrated into the Company’s platform and operates in the
Boston and Washington, D.C. areas. It will begin operating in Chicago in
2007.
The
majority of our construction work is generated by properties managed and/or
leased by Jones Lang LaSalle, tenants that we represent and other clients.
Approximately 90 percent of Jones Lang LaSalle Construction’s business is
obtained through negotiated pricing, and the remaining 10 percent is obtained
through competitive bids.
Valuation
Services
provides
clients with professional valuation services, helping them determine market
values for office, retail, industrial and mixed-use properties. Such services
may involve valuing a single property or a global portfolio of multiple property
types. Valuations, which typically involve commercial property, are completed
for a variety of purposes, including acquisitions, dispositions, debt and equity
financings, mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings (including initial
public offerings) and privatization initiatives. Clients include occupiers,
investors and financing sources from the public and private sectors. Our
valuation specialists provide services to clients in nearly every developed
country outside the Americas, where we do not currently provide such services.
During 2006, we performed more than 27,000 valuations of commercial properties
with an aggregate value of approximately $515 billion.
Compensation
for valuation services is generally negotiated for each assignment based on
its
scale and complexity, and typically relates in part to the value of the
underlying assets.
Capital
Markets Services
includes
institutional property sales and acquisitions, real estate financings, private
equity placements, portfolio advisory activities, and corporate finance advice
and execution. Real Estate Investment Banking Services includes sourcing
capital, both in the form of equity and debt, derivatives structuring and other
traditional investment banking services designed to assist corporate clients
in
maximizing the value of their real estate. As more and more real estate assets
are marketed internationally, and as a growing number of clients are investing
outside their home markets, our Capital Markets Services teams combine local
market knowledge with our access to global capital sources to provide clients
with superior execution in raising capital for their real estate assets. By
researching, developing and introducing innovative new financial products and
strategies, Capital Markets Services is integral to the business development
efforts of our other businesses. In 2006, we advised clients on institutional
property sales and acquisitions, debt financings and equity placements on assets
and portfolios valued at approximately $70.9 billion.
Capital
Markets Services units are typically compensated on the basis of the value
of
transactions completed or securities placed. In certain circumstances, we
receive retainer fees for portfolio advisory services. Real Estate Investment
Banking fees are generally transaction-specific and conditioned upon the
successful completion of the transaction.
Tenant
Representation Services
establishes strategic alliances with clients to deliver ongoing assistance
to
meet their real estate needs, and to help them evaluate and execute transactions
to meet their occupancy requirements. Tenant Representation Services also are
an
important component of our local market services. We assist clients by defining
space requirements, identifying suitable alternatives, recommending appropriate
occupancy solutions and negotiating lease and ownership terms with third
parties. We help our clients lower real estate costs, minimize real estate
occupancy risks, improve occupancy control and flexibility, and create more
productive office environments. We employ a multidisciplinary approach to
develop occupancy strategies linked to our clients’ core business
objectives.
Compensation
for Tenant Representation Services is generally determined on a negotiated
fee
basis. Fees often reflect performance measures related to targets that we and
our clients establish prior to engagement or, in the case of strategic
alliances, at annual intervals thereafter. Quantitative and qualitative
measurements are used to assess performance relative to these goals, and we
are
compensated accordingly, with incentive fees awarded for superior
performance.
Integrated
Facilities Management Services
provides
comprehensive portfolio and property management services to corporations and
institutions that outsource the management of their occupied real estate.
Properties under management range from corporate headquarters to industrial
complexes. During 2006, Integrated Facilities Management Services managed
approximately 350 million square feet of real estate for its clients. Our target
clients typically have large portfolios (usually over 1 million square feet)
that offer significant opportunities to reduce costs and improve service
delivery. The competitive trends of globalization, outsourcing and offshoring
are prompting many of these clients to demand consistent service delivery
worldwide and a single point of contact from their real estate service
providers. Performance measures are generally developed to quantify progress
made toward mutually determined goals and objectives. Depending on client needs,
Integrated Facilities Management Services units, either alone or partnering
with
other business units, provide services that include portfolio planning, property
management, agency leasing, tenant representation, acquisition, finance,
disposition, project management, development management and land advisory
services.
Integrated
Facilities Management Services units are compensated on the basis of negotiated
fees that we typically structure to include a base fee and performance bonus.
We
base performance bonus compensation on a quantitative evaluation of progress
toward performance measures and regularly scheduled client satisfaction surveys.
Integrated Facilities Management Services agreements are typically three to
five
years in duration, but also are cancelable at any time upon a short notice
period, usually 30 to 60 days, as is typical in the industry.
Strategic
Consulting Services delivers
innovative, results-driven real estate solutions that both strategically and
tactically align with clients’ business
objectives. We provide clients with specialized, value-added real estate
consulting services and strategies in such areas as mergers and acquisitions,
development and asset strategy, occupier portfolio strategy, workplace
solutions, location advisory, financial optimization strategies,
organizational strategy and Six Sigma real estate solutions. Our
professionals focus on translating global best practices into local real estate
solutions, creating optimal financial results for our clients.
Compensation
for Strategic Consulting Services is typically negotiated based on work plans
developed for advisory services that vary based on scope and complexity of
projects. For transaction services, compensation is based on the value of
transactions completed.
Value
Delivery: Money Management
Our
global real estate money management business, a member of the Jones Lang LaSalle
group that we operate under the name of LaSalle Investment Management, is driven
by three priorities:
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Developing
and executing customized investment strategies that meet the specific
investment objectives of each of our
clients;
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Providing
superior investment performance;
and
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Delivering
uniformly high levels of services.
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We
provide money management services to institutional investors and high-net-worth
individuals. We seek to establish and maintain relationships with sophisticated
investors who value our global platform and extensive local market knowledge.
As
of December 31, 2006, LaSalle Investment Management managed approximately $40.6
billion of public and private real estate assets, making us one of the world’s
largest managers of institutional capital invested in real estate assets and
securities.
LaSalle
Investment Management provides clients with a broad range of real estate
investment products and services in the public and private capital markets.
We
design these products and services to meet the differing strategic, risk/return
and liquidity requirements of individual clients. The range of investment
alternatives includes private investments in multiple real estate property
types
(including office, retail, industrial and residential) either through investment
funds that LaSalle Investment Management manages or through single client
account relationships (“separate accounts”). We also offer public indirect
investments, primarily in publicly traded real estate investment trusts
(“REITs”) and other real estate equities.
We
believe the success of our money management business comes from our
industry-leading research capabilities, innovative investment strategies, global
presence, local market knowledge, and strong client focus. We maintain an
extensive real estate research department whose dedicated professionals monitor
real estate and capital market conditions around the world to enhance current
investment decisions and identify future opportunities. In addition to drawing
on public sources for information, our research department utilizes the
extensive local presence of Jones Lang LaSalle professionals throughout the
world to gather and share proprietary insight into local market
conditions.
The
investment and capital origination activities of our money management business
have grown increasingly global. We have invested in direct real estate in 20
countries across the globe, as well as in public real estate companies traded
on
all major stock exchanges. We expect money management activities, both fund
raising and investing, to continue this trend as cross-border capital flows
increase.
Private
Investments in Real Estate Properties.
In
serving our money management clients, LaSalle Investment Management is
responsible for the acquisition, management, leasing, financing and divestiture
of real estate investments across a broad range of real estate property types.
LaSalle Investment Management launched its first institutional investment fund
in 1979 and currently has a series of commingled investment funds, including
nine funds that invest in assets in the Americas, nine funds that invest in
assets located in Europe and three funds that invest in assets in Asia Pacific.
LaSalle Investment Management also maintains separate account relationships
with
investors for whom LaSalle Investment Management manages private real estate
investments. As of December 31, 2006, LaSalle Investment Management had
approximately $32.7 billion in assets under management in these funds and
separate accounts.
Some
investors prefer to partner with money managers willing to co-invest their
own
funds to more closely align the interests of the investor and the investment
manager. We believe that our ability to co-invest funds alongside the
investments of clients’ funds will continue to be an important factor in
maintaining and continually improving our competitive position. Our
co-investment strategy will strengthen our ability to continue to raise capital
for new investment funds. At December 31, 2006, we had a total of $129.5 million
of investments in, and loans to, co-investments.
We
are
expanding our “merchant banking” activities in appropriate circumstances. This
involves making investments of Firm capital to acquire properties in order
to
seed investment management funds (typically within the LaSalle Investment
Company structures described in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements) before they have been offered to clients.
LaSalle
Investment Management conducts its operations with teams of professionals
dedicated to achieving specific client objectives. We establish investment
committees within each region whose members have specialized knowledge
applicable to underlying investment strategies. These committees must approve
all investment decisions for private market investments. We employ the
investment committee approval process for LaSalle Investment Management’s
investment funds and for all separate account relationships.
LaSalle
Investment Management is generally compensated for money management services
for
private equity investments based on initial capital invested and managed, with
additional fees tied to investment performance above benchmark levels. The
terms
of contracts vary by the form of investment vehicle involved and the type of
service we provide. Our investment funds have various life spans, typically
ranging between five and 10 years. Separate account advisory agreements
generally have three-year terms with “at will” termination provisions, and they
may include compensation arrangements that are linked to the market value of
the
assets under management.
Investments
in Public Equity.
LaSalle
Investment Management also offers clients the ability to invest in separate
accounts focused on public real estate equity. We invest the capital of these
clients principally in publicly traded securities of REITs and property company
equities. As of December 31, 2006, LaSalle Investment Management had
approximately $7.9 billion of assets under management in these types of
investments. LaSalle Investment Management is typically compensated by
securities investment clients on the basis of the market value of assets under
management.
Competitive
Advantages
We
believe that the six key value drivers noted above and articulated below create
several competitive advantages that have made us the leading integrated global
real estate services and money management firm.
Integrated
Global Services.
By
combining a wide range of high-quality, complementary services—and delivering
them at consistently high service levels globally through wholly owned Company
offices with directly employed personnel—we can develop and implement real
estate strategies that meet the increasingly complex and far-reaching needs
of
our clients. We also believe that we have secured an established business
presence in the world’s principal real estate markets, with the result that we
can grow revenues without a proportionate increase in infrastructure costs.
With
operations in more than 450 cities in 50 countries on five continents, we have
in-depth knowledge of local and regional markets and can provide a full range
of
real estate services around the globe. This geographic coverage positions us
to
serve our multinational clients and manage investment capital on a global basis.
In addition, we anticipate that our additional cross-selling potential across
geographies and product lines will continue to develop new revenue sources
for
multiple business units within Jones Lang LaSalle.
Industry-Leading
Research and Knowledge Building.
We
invest in and rely on comprehensive top-down and bottom-up research to support
and guide the development of real estate and investment strategy. Our Global
Research Executive Board oversees and coordinates the activities of
approximately 220 research professionals who cover market and economic
conditions in approximately 250 metropolitan areas in 40 countries around the
world. Research also plays a key role in keeping colleagues throughout the
organization attuned to important events and changing conditions in world
markets. We facilitate the dissemination of this information to colleagues
through our company-wide intranet.
Client
Relationship Management.
We
support our ability to deliver superior service to our clients through our
ongoing investments in client relationship management and account management.
Our goal is to provide each client with a single point of contact at our firm,
an individual who is answerable to, and accountable for, all the activities
we
undertake for the client. We believe that we enhance superior client service
through best practices in client relationship management, the practice of
seeking and acting on regular client feedback, and recognizing each client’s
definition of excellence.
Our
client-driven focus enables us to develop long-term relationships with real
estate investors and occupiers. By developing these relationships, we are able
to generate repeat business and create recurring revenue sources. In many cases,
we establish strategic alliances with clients whose ongoing service needs mesh
with our ability to deliver fully integrated real estate services across
multiple business units and office locations. We support our relationship focus
with an employee compensation system designed to reward client relationship
building, teamwork and quality performance, in addition to revenue
development.
Consistent
Service Delivery.
We
believe that our investments in research, technology, people and innovation
enable us to develop, share and continually evaluate best practices across
our
global organization. As a result, we are able to deliver the same consistently
high levels of client service and operational excellence substantially wherever
our clients’ real estate investment and services needs exist.
Based
on
our general industry knowledge and specific client feedback, we believe we
are
recognized as an industry leader in technology. We possess the capability to
provide sophisticated information technology systems on a global basis to serve
our clients and support our employees. For example, the purpose of OneView
by
Jones Lang LaSalleSM,
our
client extranet technology, is to provide clients with detailed and
comprehensive insight into their portfolios, the markets in which they operate
and the services we provide to them. DelphiSM,
our
intranet technology, offers our employees easy access to the Firm’s policies and
its collective thinking regarding our experience, skills and best practices.
In
2006, we applied for a patent in the United States with respect to certain
aspects of OneView by Jones Lang LaSalleSM
that we
consider to be proprietary.
We
believe that our investments in research, technology, people and thought
leadership position our firm as a leading innovator in our industry. Major
research initiatives, such as our “World Winning Cities” program, our offshoring
index and our “Global Real Estate Transparency Index,” investigate emerging
trends and therefore help us anticipate future conditions and shape new services
to benefit our clients. In 2006, we applied for a patent in the United States
with respect to certain aspects of our Global Real Estate Transparency Index
methodology that we consider to be proprietary. Professionals in our Strategic
Consulting practice identify and respond to shifting market and business trends
to address changing client needs and opportunities. LaSalle Investment
Management relies on our comprehensive investigation of global real estate
and
capital markets to develop new investment products and services tailored to
the
specific investment goals and risk/return objectives of our clients. We believe
that our commitment to innovation helps us secure and maintain profitable
long-term relationships with the clients we target: the world’s leading real
estate owners, occupiers and investors.
Maximizing
Values of Real Estate Portfolios. To
maximize the values of our real estate investments, LaSalle Investment
Management capitalizes on its strategic research insights and local market
knowledge to develop a integrated approach that leads to innovative solutions
and value enhancement. Our global strategic perspective allows us to assess
pricing trends for real estate, and know which investors worldwide are actively
investing. This enables us to have an ideal view as to when buying and selling
strategies should be implemented. During hold periods, our local market research
allows us to assess the potential for cash flow enhancement in our assets based
on an informed opinion of rental rate trends. When combined, these two
perspectives provide us with an optimal view that leads to timely execution
and
translates into superior investment performance.
Strong
Brand.
Based on
our industry knowledge, commissioned marketing surveys, coverage in top-tier
business publications and significant number of long-standing client
relationships, we believe that large corporations and institutional investors
and occupiers of real estate generally recognize us as a provider of
high-quality, professional real estate and money management services. We believe
that the strength of the Jones Lang LaSalle and LaSalle Investment Management
brands and our reputation for excellence in service delivery represent
significant advantages when we pursue new business opportunities.
Industry
Trends
Increasing
Demand for Global Services and Globalization of Capital
Flows.
Many
corporations based in countries around the world have pursued growth
opportunities in international markets. Many are striving to control costs
by
outsourcing or offshoring non-core business activities. Both trends have
increased the demand for global real estate services, including facilities
management, tenant representation and leasing, and property management services.
We believe that this trend will favor real estate service providers with the
capability to provide services—and consistently high service levels—in multiple
markets around the world. Additionally, real estate capital flows have become
increasingly global, as more assets are marketed internationally and as more
investors seek real estate investment opportunities beyond their own borders.
This trend has created new markets for investment managers equipped to
facilitate international real estate capital flows and execute cross-border
real
estate transactions.
Consolidation.
The real
estate services industry has experienced significant consolidation in recent
years. We believe that as a result of substantial existing infrastructure
investments and the ability to spread fixed costs over a broader base of
business, it is possible to recognize incrementally higher margins on property
management and facilities management assignments as the amount of square footage
under management increases.
Large
users of commercial real estate services continue to demonstrate a preference
for working with single-source service providers able to operate across local,
regional and global markets. The ability to offer a full range of services
on
this scale requires significant corporate infrastructure investment, including
information technology and personnel training. Smaller regional and local real
estate service firms, with limited resources, are less able to make such
investments.
Growth
of Outsourcing.
In
recent years, on a global level, outsourcing of professional real estate
services has increased substantially, as corporations have focused corporate
resources, including capital, on core competencies. In addition, public and
other non-corporate users of real estate, including government agencies and
health and educational institutions, have begun to outsource real estate
activities as a means of reducing costs. As a result, we believe there are
significant growth opportunities for firms like ours that can provide integrated
real estate services across many geographic markets.
Alignment
of Interests of Investors and Investment Managers.
Institutional investors continue to allocate significant portions of their
investment capital to real estate, and many investors have shown a desire to
commit their capital to investment managers willing to co-invest their own
funds
in specific real estate investments or real estate funds. In addition, investors
are increasingly requiring that fees paid to investment managers be more closely
aligned with investment performance. As a result, we believe that investment
managers with co-investment capital, such as LaSalle Investment Management,
will
have an advantage in attracting real estate investment capital. In addition,
co-investment may bring the opportunity to provide additional services related
to the acquisition, financing, property management, leasing and disposition
of
such investments.
Employees
With
the
help of aggressive goal and performance measurements, we attempt to instill
in
all of our people the commitment to be the best. Our goal is to be the real
estate advisor of choice for clients and the employer of choice in our industry.
To achieve that, we intend to continue to promote those human resources
techniques that will attract, motivate and retain high quality employees. The
following table details our respective headcounts at December 31, 2006 and
2005:
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Professional
|
|
|
11,800
|
|
|
9,400
|
|
Support
|
|
|
1,800
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
|
13,600
|
|
|
10,900
|
|
Directly
reimbursable property maintenance
|
|
|
11,900
|
|
|
11,100
|
|
Total
employees
|
|
|
25,500
|
|
|
22,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directly
reimbursable project management
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
employees
included as professionals above
|
|
|
4,200
|
|
|
3,500
|
|
The
increase in headcount in 2006 was driven by acquisitions, such as Spaulding
& Slye, additional or expanded outsourcing engagements, and strategic hiring
across all regions, particularly in Asia Pacific.
Directly
reimbursable project management employees work with clients that have a
contracted fee structure comprised of a fixed management fee and a separate
component that allows for scheduled reimbursable personnel and other expenses
to
be billed directly to the client.
Approximately
9,300 and 7,700 of our professional and support staff in 2006 and 2005,
respectively, were based in countries other than the United States.
Additionally, approximately 8,100 and 7,600 of our directly reimbursable
property maintenance workers in 2006 and 2005, respectively, were based in
countries other than the United States. Our employees are not members of any
labor unions with the exception of approximately 800 of our directly
reimbursable property maintenance employees in the United States. We have
generally had satisfactory relations with our employees.
Company
Web Site, Corporate Governance and Other Available
Information
Jones
Lang LaSalle’s Web site address is www.joneslanglasalle.com.
We make
available, free of charge, our Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports, and our proxy
statements, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them electronically
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You also may read and
copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference room at 100
F
Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the SEC at 1.800.SEC.0330
for
information about its public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet
site
that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and
other
information that we file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s Web site address
is www.sec.gov.
The
Company’s Code of Business Ethics, which applies to all employees of the
Company, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating and Financial
Officer, Global Controller and the members of our Board of Directors, can also
be found on our Web site under Investor Relations/Board of Directors and
Corporate Governance. In addition, the Company intends to post any amendment
or
waiver of the Code of Business Ethics with respect to a member of our Board
of
Directors or any of the executive officers named in our proxy
statement.
Our
Web
site also includes information about our corporate governance. You may access,
in addition to other information, the following materials, which we will make
available in print to any shareholder who requests them:
•
|
Corporate
Governance Guidelines
|
•
|
Charters
for our Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance
Committees
|
•
|
Statement
of Qualifications for Members of the Board of
Directors
|
•
|
Complaint
Procedures for Accounting and Auditing
Matters
|
•
|
Statements
of Beneficial Ownership of our Equity Securities by our Directors
and
Officers
|
The
complex, dynamic and international scope of our operations overall, and of
our
operations in particular regions and countries, involves a number of significant
risks for our business. The fact that we operate in numerous countries likely
magnifies those risks relative to other companies whose operations are not
as
geographically dispersed. If the risks associated with the services we provide,
our operations in particular regions and countries and the international scope
of our operations cannot be or are not successfully managed, our business,
operating results and/or financial condition could be materially and adversely
affected.
One
of
the challenges of a global business such as ours is to be able to determine
in a
sophisticated manner the enterprise risks that in fact exist and continuously
to
monitor those that develop over time as a result of changes in the business,
laws to which we are subject and the other factors we discuss below. We must
then determine how best to employ available resources to prevent, mitigate
and/or minimize those risks that have the greatest potential (1) to occur and
(2) to cause significant damage from an operational, financial or reputational
standpoint. An important dynamic that we must also consider and appropriately
manage is how much and what types of commercial insurance to obtain and how
much
potential liability may remain uninsured consistent with the infrastructure
that
is in place within the organization to identify and properly manage it. While
we
attempt to approach these issues in an increasingly sophisticated and
coordinated manner across the globe, our failure to identify or effectively
manage the enterprise risks inherent within our business could result in a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial
condition.
We
govern
our enterprise risk program primarily through our Global Operating Committee,
which is chaired by our Global Chief Operating Officer and includes the Chief
Operating Officers of our four reported business segments and the leaders from
certain corporate staff groups such as Finance, Legal and Insurance. The Global
Operating Committee coordinates its enterprise risk activities with our Internal
Audit function, which performs an annual risk assessment of our
business.
This
section reflects our views concerning the most significant risks we believe
face
our business, although they do not purport to include every possible risk from
which we might sustain a loss. For purposes of the following analysis and
discussion, we generally group the risks we face according to four principal
categories:
|
·
|
External
Market Risk Factors;
|
|
·
|
Internal
Operational Risk Factors;
|
|
·
|
Financial
Risk Factors; and
|
|
·
|
Human
Resources Risk Factors.
|
Some
of
the risks we identify could appropriately be discussed in more than one
category, but we have chosen the one we view as primary.
External
Market Risk Factors
General
economic conditions and real estate market conditions can have a negative impact
on our business.
We have
experienced in past years, and expect in the future to be negatively impacted
by, periods of economic slowdown or recession, and corresponding declines in
the
demand for real estate and related services, within one or more of the markets
in which we operate. Each real estate market tends to be cyclical and related
to
the condition of its corresponding economy as a whole or, at least, to the
perceptions of investors and users as to the relevant economic outlook. For
example, corporations may be hesitant to expand space or enter into long-term
commitments if they are concerned with the economic environment. Corporations
that are under financial pressure for any reason, or are attempting to more
aggressively manage their expenses, may reduce the size of their workforces
and/or seek corresponding reductions in office space and related management
services. Negative economic conditions and declines in the demand for real
estate and related services in several markets or in significant markets could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and/or
financial condition, including as a result of the following
factors:
•
|
Decline
in Real Estate Investment
Activity
|
A
general
decline in real estate investment activity can lead to a reduction in our
investment management fees, on the fees generated from the acquisition of
property for clients, as well as in fees and commissions for arranging
acquisitions, dispositions and financings.
•
|
Decline
in Acquisition and Disposition
Activity
|
A
general
decline in acquisition and disposition activity can lead to a reduction in
fees
and commissions for arranging such transactions, as well as in fees and
commissions for arranging financing for acquirers.
•
|
Decline
in Leasing Activity
|
A
general
decline in leasing activity can lead to a reduction in fees and commissions
for
arranging leases, both on behalf of owners and tenants. Additionally, a decline
in leasing activity can lead to a reduction in the demand for, and fees earned
from, other real estate services, such as Project and Development Services
(managing the build-out of space) and Integrated Facilities Management Services
(managing space occupied by clients).
•
|
Decline
in the Value and Performance of Real Estate and Rental
Rates
|
A
general
decline in the value and performance of real estate and in rental rates can
lead
to a reduction in investment management fees (the most significant portion
of
which are generally based upon the performance of investments) and the value of
the co-investments we make with our investment management clients or merchant
banking investments we have made for our own account. Additionally, such
declines can lead to a reduction in fees and commissions that are based upon
the
value of, or revenues produced by, the properties with respect to which services
are provided, including fees and commissions for property management and
valuations, and for arranging acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and
financings. Historically, a significant decline in real estate values in a
given
market has also tended to result in increases in litigation regarding advisory
and valuation work done prior to the decline.
Changes
in non-real estate markets can also affect our business. For example, strength
in the equity markets can mean that there are generally lower levels of capital
allocated to real estate, which in turn can mean that our ability to generate
fees from the operation of our investment management business will be negatively
impacted. Strength in the equity markets can also negatively impact the
performance of real estate as an asset class, which in turn means that the
incentive fees relating to the performance of our investment funds will be
negatively impacted.
Real
estate services and investment management markets are highly competitive.
We
provide a broad range of commercial real estate and investment management
services, and there is significant competition on an international, regional
and
local level with respect to many of these services and in commercial real estate
services generally. Depending on the service, we face competition from other
real estate service providers, institutional lenders, insurance companies,
investment banking firms, investment managers, accounting firms, technology
firms, firms providing outsourcing services and companies bringing their real
estate services in-house (any of which may be a global, regional or local firm).
Many of our competitors are local or regional firms, which, although
substantially smaller in overall size, may be larger in a specific local or
regional market. Some of our competitors are expanding the services they offer
in an attempt to gain additional business. Some of our competitors may have
greater financial, technical and marketing resources, larger customer bases,
and
more established relationships with their customers and suppliers than we have.
Larger or more well-capitalized competitors may be able to respond faster to
the
need for technological changes, price their services more aggressively, compete
more effectively for skilled professionals, finance acquisitions more easily
and
generally compete more aggressively for market share.
New
competitors or alliances among competitors that increase their ability to
service clients could emerge and gain market share, develop a lower cost
structure, adopt more aggressive pricing policies or provide services that
gain
greater market acceptance than the services we offer. In order to respond to
increased competition and pricing pressure, we may have to lower our prices,
which would have an adverse effect on our revenues and profit
margins.
We
are
substantially dependent on long-term client relationships and on revenue
received for services under various service agreements. Many of these agreements
may be canceled by the client for any reason with as little as 30 to 60 days’
notice, as is typical in the industry. In this competitive market, if we are
unable to maintain these relationships or are otherwise unable to retain
existing clients and develop new clients, our business, results of operations
and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.
We
must
also continue to successfully differentiate the scope and quality of our service
and product offerings from those of our competitors in order to maintain the
value and premium status of our brand, which is one of our most important
assets.
The
seasonality of our business exposes us to risks and to volatility in our stock
price. Our
revenues and profits tend to be significantly higher in the third and fourth
quarters of each year than in the first two quarters. This is a result of a
general focus in the real estate industry on completing or documenting
transactions by calendar-year-end and the fact that certain expenses are
constant through the year. Historically, we have reported an operating loss
or a
relatively small profit in the first quarter and then increasingly larger
profits during each of the following three quarters, excluding the recognition
of investment-generated performance fees and co-investment equity gains (both
of
which can be particularly unpredictable). The seasonality of our business makes
it difficult to determine during the course of the year whether plan results
will be achieved, and thus to adjust to changes in expectations. Additionally,
negative economic or other conditions that arise at a time when they impact
performance in the fourth quarter, such as the particular timing of when larger
transactions close or changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against other
currencies, may have a more significant impact than if they occurred earlier
in
the year. To the extent we are not able to identify and adjust for changes
in
expectations or we are confronted with negative conditions that impact
inordinately on the fourth quarter of a year, this could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. This
may in turn lead to volatility in our stock price.
Political
and Economic Instability and Transparency; Terrorist Activities; Health
Epidemics. We
operate in 50 countries with varying degrees of political and economic stability
and transparency. For example, certain Asian, Eastern European and South
American countries have experienced serious political and economic instability
within the past few years, and such instability will likely continue to arise
from time to time in countries in which we have operations. As a result, our
ability to operate our business in the ordinary course may be disrupted in
one
way or another, with corresponding reductions in revenues, increases in expenses
or other material adverse effects. In addition, terrorist activities have
escalated in recent years and at times have affected cities in which we operate.
To the extent that similar terrorist activities continue to occur, they may
adversely affect our business because they tend to target the same type of
high-profile urban areas in which we do business.
Health
epidemics that affect the general conduct of business in one or more urban
areas
(including as the result of travel restrictions and the inability to conduct
face-to-face meetings), such as occurred in the past from SARS or may occur
in
the future from an avian flu outbreak, can also adversely affect the volume
of
business transactions, real estate markets and the cost of operating real estate
or providing real estate services, and may therefore adversely affect our
results.
Infrastructure
Disruptions. Our
ability to conduct a global business may be adversely impacted by disruptions
to
the infrastructure that supports our businesses and the communities in which
they are located. This may include disruptions involving electrical,
communications, transportation or other services used by Jones Lang LaSalle
or
third parties with which we conduct business, or disruptions as the result
of
natural disasters (such as earthquakes and floods), political instability or
terrorist attacks. These disruptions may occur, for example, as a result of
events affecting only the buildings in which we operate (such as fires), or
as a
result of events with a broader impact on the cities where those buildings
are
located (including, potentially, the longer-term effects of global climate
change). Nearly all of our employees in our primary locations, including
Chicago, London, Singapore and Sydney, work in close proximity to each other
in
one or more buildings. If a disruption occurs in one location and our employees
in that location are unable to communicate with or travel to other locations,
our ability to service and interact with our clients may suffer, and we may
not
be able to successfully implement contingency plans that depend on communication
or travel.
The
infrastructure disruptions described above may also disrupt our ability to
manage real estate for clients or may adversely affect the value of real estate
investments we make on behalf of clients. The buildings we manage for clients,
which include some of the world’s largest office properties and retail malls,
are used by numerous people daily, as the result of which fires, earthquakes,
floods, other natural disasters, defects and terrorist attacks can result in
significant loss of life, and, to the extent we are held to have been negligent
in connection with our management of the affected properties, we could incur
significant financial liabilities and reputational harm.
The
occurrence of natural disasters and terrorist attacks can also significantly
increase the availability and/or cost of commercial insurance policies covering
real estate, both for our own business and for those clients whose properties
we
manage and who may purchase their insurance through the insurance buying
programs we make available to them.
While
we
have disaster recovery and crisis management procedures in place, there can
be
no assurance that they will suffice in any particular situation to avoid a
significant loss.
Civil
and Regulatory Claims; Litigating Disputes in Different Jurisdictions.
Substantial
civil legal liability or a significant regulatory action against the Company
could have a material adverse financial effect or cause us significant
reputational harm, which in turn could seriously harm our business prospects.
While we do maintain commercial insurance in an amount we believe is
appropriate, we also maintain a significant level of self-insurance for the
liabilities we may incur. Because any disputes we have with third parties,
or
any government regulatory matters, must generally be adjudicated within the
jurisdiction in which the dispute arose, our ability to resolve our disputes
successfully depends on the local laws that apply and the operation of the
local
judicial system, the timeliness, quality, transparency and sophistication of
which varies widely from one jurisdiction to the next. Our geographic diversity
therefore makes it unusually challenging to resolve any such disputes
efficiently and/or effectively, particularly as there appears to be a tendency
toward more litigation in emerging markets, where the legal systems are
especially less mature and transparent.
Internal
Operational Risk Factors
Concentrations
of business with corporate clients increase credit risk and the impact from
the
loss of certain clients. While
our
client base remains diversified across industries and geographies, we do value
the expansion of business relationships with individual corporate clients and
the increased efficiency and economics (both to our clients and our firm) that
can result from developing repeat business from the same client and from
performing an increasingly broad range of services for the same client. At
the
same time, having increasingly large and concentrated clients can also lead
to
greater or more concentrated risks of loss if, among other possibilities, such
a
client (1) experiences its own financial problems, which can lead to larger
individual credit risks, (2) becomes bankrupt or insolvent, which can lead
to
our failure to be paid for services we have previously provided or funds we
have
previously advanced, (3) decides to reduce its operations or its real estate
facilities, (4) makes a change in its real estate strategy, such as no longer
outsourcing its real estate operations, (5) decides to change its providers
of
real estate services or (6) merges with another corporation or otherwise
undergoes a change of control, which may result in new management taking over
with a different real estate philosophy or in different relationships with
other
real estate providers. Additionally, increasingly large clients may, and
sometimes do, attempt to leverage the extent of their relationships with us
during the course of contract negotiations or in connection with disputes or
potential litigation.
Contractual
Liabilities as Principal and for Warranted Pricing. We
may,
on behalf of our clients, hire and supervise third-party contractors to provide
construction, engineering and various other services for our managed properties
or properties we are developing. Depending upon the terms of our contracts
with
clients (which, for example, may place us in the position of a principal rather
than an agent) or responsibilities we assume or are legally deemed to have
assumed in the course of a client engagement (whether or not memorialized in
a
contract), we may be subjected to, or become liable for, claims for construction
defects, negligent performance of work or other similar actions by third parties
whom we do not control. Adverse outcomes of property management disputes or
litigation could negatively impact our business, financial condition and/or
results of operations, particularly if we have not limited in our contracts
the
extent of damages to which we may be liable for the consequences of our actions
or if our liabilities exceed the amounts of the commercial third-party insurance
that we carry. Moreover, our clients may seek to hold us accountable for the
actions of contractors because of our role as property manager even if we have
technically disclaimed liability as a legal matter, in which case we may be
pressured to participate in a financial settlement for purposes of preserving
the client relationship.
As
part
of our project management business, we may enter into agreements with clients
that provide for a warranted or guaranteed cost for a project that we manage.
In
these situations, we are responsible for managing the various other contractors
required for a project, including general contractors, in order to ensure that
the cost of a project does not exceed the contract price and that the project
is
completed on time. In the event that one of the other contractors on the project
does not or cannot perform as a result of bankruptcy or for some other reason,
we are responsible for any cost overruns as well as the consequences for late
delivery.
Performance
Under Client Contracts; Revenue Recognition; Scope Creep. We
generally provide our services to our clients under contracts, and in certain
cases we are subject to regulatory and/or fiduciary obligations (which may
relate to, among other matters, the decisions we may make on behalf of a client
with respect to managing assets on its behalf or purchasing products or services
from third parties or other divisions within our firm). Our services may involve
handling substantial amounts of client funds in connection with managing their
properties. We face legal and reputational risks in the event we do not perform,
or are perceived to have not performed, under those contracts or in accordance
with those regulations or obligations, or in the event we are negligent in
the
handling of client funds. The precautions we take to prevent these types of
occurrences, which represent a significant commitment of corporate resources,
may nevertheless not be effective in all cases. Unexpected costs or delays
could
make our client contracts or engagements less profitable than anticipated.
Any
increased or unexpected costs or unanticipated delays in connection with the
performance of these engagements, including delays caused by factors outside
our
control, could have an adverse effect on profit margins.
In
the
event that we perform services for clients without executing appropriate
contractual documentation, we may be unable to realize our full compensation
potential or recognize revenue for accounting purposes, and we may not be able
to effectively limit our liability in the event of client disputes. In the
event
we perform services for clients that are beyond, or different from, what were
contemplated in contracts (known as “scope creep”), we may not be fully
reimbursed for the services provided, or our potential liability in the case
of
a negligence claim may not have been as limited as it normally would have been
or may be unclear.
Co-investment,
investment, merchant banking and real estate investment banking activities
subject us to real estate investment risks and potential
liabilities.
An
important part of our investment strategy includes investing in real estate
both
individually and along with our money management clients. In order to remain
competitive with well-capitalized financial services firms, we also make
merchant banking investments, as the result of which we may use Firm capital
to
acquire properties before the related investment management funds have been
established or investment commitments received from third-party clients. An
emerging but potentially significant strategy is to further engage in certain
real estate investment banking activities in which we, either solely or with
one
or more joint venture partners, would employ capital to assist our clients
in
maximizing the value of their real estate (for example, we might acquire a
property from a client that wishes to dispose of it within a certain time frame,
after which we would market it for sale as the principal and therefore assume
any related market risk). We also have business lines that have as part of
their
strategy the acquisition, development, management and sale of real estate.
Investing in any of these types of situations exposes us to a number of risks
that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and/or financial condition, including as a result of the following
risks:
•
|
We
may lose some or all of the capital that we invest if the investments
perform poorly.
|
•
|
We
will have fluctuations in earnings and cash flow as we recognize
gains or
losses, and receive cash, upon the disposition of investments, the
timing
of which is geared toward the benefit of our
clients.
|
•
|
We
generally hold our investments in real estate through subsidiaries
with
limited liability; however, in certain circumstances, it is possible
that
this limited exposure may be expanded in the future based upon, among
other things, changes in applicable laws or the application of existing
or
new laws. To the extent this occurs, our liability could exceed the
amount
we have invested.
|
•
|
We
make co-investments in real estate in many countries, and this presents
risks as described above in “External Market Risk
Factors.”
|
Corporate
Conflicts of Interest.
All
providers of professional services to clients, including our firm, must manage
potential conflicts of interest that may arise, principally where the primary
duty of loyalty owed to one client is somehow potentially weakened or
compromised by a relationship also maintained with another client or third
party. While the Company has policies and procedures in place to identify,
disclose and resolve potential conflicts of interest, the failure or inability
to do so in a significant situation could have a material adverse effect on
our
business, operating results and/or financial condition. Corporate conflicts
of
interest arise in the context of the services we provide as a firm to our
different clients. Personal conflicts of interest on the part of our employees
are separately considered as issues within the context of our Code of Business
Ethics.
Client
Due Diligence. There
are
circumstances where the conduct or identity of our clients could cause us
reputational damage or financial harm or could lead to our non-compliance with
certain laws, as the result of which there could be a material adverse effect
on
our business, operating results and/or financial condition. An example would
be
the attempt by a client to “launder” funds through its relationship with us,
namely to disguise the illegal source of funds that are put into otherwise
legitimate real estate investments. While we continue to attempt to enhance
the
procedures we use to evaluate our clients before doing business with them and
to
avoid attempts to launder money or otherwise to exploit their relationship
with
us, our efforts may not be successful in all situations.
Burden
of Complying with Multiple and Potentially Conflicting Laws and Regulations
and
Dealing with Changes in Legal and Regulatory Requirements. We
face a
broad range of legal and regulatory environments in the countries in which
we do
business. Coordinating our activities to deal with these requirements presents
significant challenges. As an example, in the United Kingdom, the Financial
Services Authority (FSA) regulates the conduct of investment businesses and
the
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) regulates the profession of
Chartered Surveyors, which is the professional qualification required for
certain of the services we provide in the United Kingdom, through upholding
standards of competence and conduct. As another example, various activities
of
LaSalle Investment Management associated with raising capital and offering
investment funds are regulated in the United States by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) and in other countries by similar securities
regulatory authorities, and as a publicly traded company, we are subject to
various corporate governance and other requirements established by statute,
pursuant to SEC regulations and under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.
Additionally, changes in legal and regulatory requirements can impact our
ability to engage in business in certain jurisdictions or increase the cost
of
doing so. The legal requirements of U.S. statutes may also conflict with local
legal requirements in a particular country, as, for example, when anonymous
hotlines required under U.S. law were construed to conflict in part with French
privacy laws.
Licensing
Requirements. The
brokerage of real estate sales and leasing transactions, property management
and
the operation of the investment advisory business, among other business lines,
require us to maintain licenses in various jurisdictions in which we operate.
If
we fail to maintain our licenses or conduct brokerage, management, investment
advisory or other regulated activities without a license, we may be required
to
pay fines or return commissions received or have licenses suspended. Licensing
requirements may also preclude us from engaging in certain types of transactions
or change the way in which we conduct business or the cost of doing so. In
addition, because the size and scope of real estate sales transactions and
the
number of countries in which we operate or invest have increased significantly
during the past several years, both the difficulty of ensuring compliance with
the numerous licensing regimes and the possible loss resulting from
noncompliance have increased. Furthermore, the laws and regulations applicable
to our business, both in the United States and in foreign countries, also may
change in ways that materially increase the costs of compliance. Particularly
in
emerging markets, there can be relatively less transparency around the standards
and conditions under which licenses are granted or renewed.
As
a
licensed real estate service provider and advisor in various jurisdictions,
we
and our licensed employees may be subject to various due diligence, disclosure,
standard-of-care, anti-money laundering and other obligations in the
jurisdictions in which we operate. Failure to fulfill these obligations could
subject us to litigation from parties who purchased, sold or leased properties
we brokered or managed or who invested in our funds. We could become subject
to
claims by participants in real estate sales or other services claiming that
we
did not fulfill our obligations as a service provider or broker (including,
for
example, with respect to conflicts of interests where we are acting, or are
perceived to be acting, for two or more clients with potentially contrary
interests).
Computer
and Information Systems. Our
business is highly dependent on our ability to process transactions across
numerous and diverse markets in many currencies. If any of our financial,
accounting, human resources or other data processing, e-mail, client accounting,
funds processing or electronic information management systems do not operate
properly or are disabled (including as the result of computer viruses, problems
with the internet or sabotage), we could suffer a disruption of our businesses,
liability to clients, loss of client data, regulatory intervention or
reputational damage. These systems may fail to operate properly or become
disabled as a result of events that are wholly or partially beyond our control,
including disruptions of electrical or communications services, disruptions
caused by natural disasters, political instability or terrorist attacks, or
our
inability to occupy one or more of our buildings.
The
development of new software systems used to operate one or more aspects of
our
business, particularly on a customized basis or in order to coordinate or
consolidate financial, human resources or other types of infrastructure data
reporting, client accounting or funds processing is complicated and may result
in costs that cannot be recuperated in the event of the failure to complete
a
planned software development. A new software system that has defects may cause
reputational issues and client or employee dissatisfaction, with business lost
as a result. The acquisition or development of software systems is often
dependent to one degree or another on the quality, ability and/or financial
stability of one or more third-party vendors, over which we may not have control
beyond the rights we negotiate in our contracts. Different privacy policies
from
one country to the next (or across a region such as the European Union) may
restrict our ability to share or collect data on a global basis, and this may
limit the utility of otherwise available technology.
Our
business is also dependent, in part, on our ability to deliver to our clients
the efficiencies and convenience afforded by technology. The effort to gain
technological expertise and develop or acquire new technologies requires us
to
incur significant expenses. If we cannot offer new technologies as quickly
as
our competitors do, we could lose market share.
Risks
Inherent in Making Acquisitions. We
have
made in the past, and anticipate that we may make in the future, acquisitions
of
businesses or business lines. In 2006, for example, we closed the acquisition
of
Spaulding & Slye, a significant business with approximately 500 employees,
and we completed a number of other smaller but still strategically important
acquisitions in various countries. Any such acquisitions may subject us to
a
number of significant risks, including, among others:
•
|
Diversion
of management attention;
|
•
|
Inability
to retain the management, key personnel and other employees of the
acquired business;
|
•
|
Inability
to retain clients of the acquired
business;
|
•
|
Exposure
to legal, environmental, employment and other types of claims for
activities of the acquired business prior to acquisition, including
those
that may not have been adequately identified during the pre-acquisition
due diligence investigation;
|
•
|
Addition
of business lines in which we have not previously engaged (for example,
general contractor services for “ground up” construction development
projects);
|
•
|
Inability
to effectively integrate the acquired business and its employees;
and
|
•
|
Potential
impairment of intangible assets, which could adversely affect our
reported
results.
|
We
may
face liability with respect to environmental issues occurring at properties
that
we manage or in which we invest. Various laws and regulations impose liability
on current or previous real property owners or operators for the cost of
investigating, cleaning up or removing contamination caused by hazardous or
toxic substances at the property. We may face liability under these laws as
a
result of our role as an on-site property manager or a manager of construction
projects. In addition, we may face liability if such laws are applied to expand
our limited liability with respect to our co-investments in real estate as
discussed below.
Ability
to Protect Intellectual Property; Infringement of Third-Party Intellectual
Property Rights. Our
business depends, in part, on our ability to identify and protect proprietary
information and other intellectual property (such as our service marks, client
lists and information, and business methods). Existing laws of some countries
in
which we provide or intend to provide services (or the extent to which laws
are
enforced) may offer only limited protections of our intellectual property
rights. We rely on a combination of trade secrets, confidentiality policies,
non-disclosure and other contractual arrangements, and on patent, copyright
and
trademark laws to protect our intellectual property rights. Our inability to
detect unauthorized use (for example, by former employees) or take appropriate
or timely steps to enforce our intellectual property rights may have an adverse
effect on our business.
We
cannot
be sure that the services we offer to clients do not infringe on the
intellectual property rights of third parties, and we may have infringement
claims asserted against us or against our clients. These claims may harm our
reputation, cost us money and prevent us from offering some
services.
Ability
to Continue to Maintain Satisfactory Internal Financial Reporting Controls
and
Procedures. If
we are
not able to continue to successfully implement the requirements of Section
404
of the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our reputation, financial
results and the market price of our stock could suffer. While we believe that
we
have adequate internal financial reporting control procedures in place, we
may
be exposed to potential risks from this legislation, which requires companies
to
evaluate their internal controls and have their controls attested to by their
independent auditors on an annual basis. We have evaluated our internal control
systems in order to allow our management to report on, and our independent
auditors to attest to, our internal controls over financial reporting as
required for purposes of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue
to
receive a positive attestation in future years, particularly since standards
continue to evolve and are not necessarily being applied consistently from
one
auditing firm to another. If we identify one or more material weaknesses in
our
internal controls in the future that we cannot remediate in a timely fashion,
we
may be unable to receive a positive attestation at some time in the future
from
our independent auditors with respect to our internal controls over financial
reporting.
Financial
Risk Factors
We
may have indebtedness with fixed or variable interest rates and certain
covenants with which we must comply.
At
December 31, 2006, we had $50.1 million of indebtedness on a consolidated basis,
principally under a revolving credit facility from a syndicate of lenders.
Our
average outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility were $205.2
million during 2006, and the effective interest rate on that facility was
5.1%.
Our
outstanding borrowings fluctuate during the year primarily due to varying
working capital requirements. For example, payment of annual incentive
compensation represents a significant working capital requirement commanding
increased borrowings in the first half of the year, while the Firm’s seasonal
earnings pattern provides more for working capital requirements in the second
half of the year.
The
terms
of our debt contain a number of covenants that could restrict our flexibility
to
finance future operations or capital needs, or to engage in other business
activities that may be in our best interest. The debt covenants limit our
ability, among other things, to:
•
|
Encumber
or dispose of assets;
|
•
|
Incur
indebtedness; and
|
•
|
Engage
in acquisitions.
|
In
addition, with respect to the revolving credit facility, we must maintain a
consolidated net worth of at least $450 million and a leverage ratio not
exceeding 3.25 to 1. We must also maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio
of
2.5 to 1.
If
we are
unable to make required payments under the revolving credit facility or if
we
breach any of the debt covenants, we will be in default under the terms of
the
revolving credit facility. A default under the facility could cause acceleration
of repayment of outstanding amounts as well as defaults under other existing
and
future debt obligations.
Volatility
in LaSalle Investment Management Incentive Fee Revenues. With
the
growth in assets under management at LaSalle Investment Management, our
portfolio is of sufficient size to periodically generate large incentive fees
and, in some cases, equity gains that significantly contribute to our earnings
and to the changes in earnings from one year to the next. However, volatility
in
this component of our earnings is inevitable due to the nature of this aspect
of
our business. In the case of our commingled funds, underlying market conditions,
particular decisions regarding the acquisition and disposition of fund assets,
and the specifics of the client mandate will determine the timing and size
of
incentive fees from one fund to another. For separate accounts, where asset
management is ongoing, we may also earn incentive fees at periodic agreed-upon
measurement dates, and that may be related to performance relative to specified
real-estate indices (such as that published by the National Council of Real
Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF)).
While
LaSalle Investment Management has focused over the past several years on
developing more predictable annuity-type revenues, incentive fees have been,
and
will continue to be, an important part of our revenues and earnings. As a
result, the volatility described above should be expected to continue. For
example, in 2006 we recognized one very significant incentive fee from the
long-term performance of a separate account where we have ongoing portfolio
management. This incentive fee was payable only once every four years and was
calculated based on the account’s performance above a real rate of return so
long as the account’s performance has exceeded a NCREIF-based index. The
incentive fee will next be measured after a five-year performance
period.
Currency
Restrictions and Exchange Rate Fluctuations. We
produce positive flows of cash in various countries and currencies that can
be
most effectively used to fund operations in other countries or to repay our
indebtedness, which is currently primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. We
face
restrictions in certain countries that limit or prevent the transfer of funds
to
other countries or the exchange of the local currency to other currencies.
We
also face risks associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates that
may
lead to a decline in the value of the funds produced in certain
jurisdictions.
Additionally,
although we operate globally, we report our results in U.S. dollars, and thus
our reported results may be positively or negatively impacted by the
strengthening or weakening of currencies against the U.S. dollar. As an example,
the euro and the pound sterling, each a currency used in a significant portion
of our operations, strengthened against the U.S. dollar over the course of
2006.
For the year ended December 31, 2006, 65% of our operating income was
attributable to operations with U.S. dollars as their functional currency,
and
35% was attributable to operations having other functional currencies. In
addition to the potential negative impact on reported earnings, fluctuations
in
currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may make it more difficult to perform
period-to-period comparisons of the reported results of operations.
We
are
authorized to use currency-hedging instruments, including foreign currency
forward contracts, purchased currency options and borrowings in foreign
currency. There can be no assurance that such hedging will be economically
effective. We do not use hedging instruments for speculative
purposes.
The
following table sets forth the revenues derived from our most significant
currencies (based upon 2006 revenues, $ in millions). The euro revenues include
our businesses in France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Holland,
Belgium and Luxembourg.
Most
Significant Currencies on a Revenue Basis
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
United
States Dollar
|
|
$
|
898.6
|
|
|
539.9
|
|
United
Kingdom Pound
|
|
|
352.1
|
|
|
281.7
|
|
Euro
|
|
|
342.0
|
|
|
220.8
|
|
Australian
Dollar
|
|
|
126.8
|
|
|
108.5
|
|
Other
currencies
|
|
|
294.1
|
|
|
239.7
|
|
Total
revenues
|
|
$
|
2,013.6
|
|
|
1,390.6
|
|
Greater
Difficulty in Collecting Accounts Receivable in Certain Countries and
Regions.
We face
challenges to our ability to efficiently and/or effectively collect accounts
receivable in certain countries and regions. For example, in Asia, many
countries have underdeveloped insolvency laws, and clients often are slow to
pay. In Europe, clients in some countries, particularly Spain, Italy and France,
also tend to delay payments, reflecting a different business
culture.
Potentially
Adverse Tax Consequences; Changes in Tax Legislation and Tax
Rates.
Moving
funds between countries can produce adverse tax consequences in the countries
from which and to which funds are transferred, as well as in other countries,
such as the United States, in which we have operations. Additionally, as our
operations are global, we face challenges in effectively gaining a tax benefit
for costs incurred in one country that benefit our operations in other
countries.
Changes
in tax legislation or tax rates may occur in one or more jurisdictions in which
we operate that may materially increase the cost of operating our
business.
The
charter and the amended bylaws of Jones Lang LaSalle and the Maryland general
corporate law could delay, defer or prevent a change of
control.
The
charter and bylaws of Jones Lang LaSalle include provisions that may discourage,
delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt that may be in the best interest
of
Jones Lang LaSalle shareholders and may adversely affect the market price of
our
common stock.
The
charter and bylaws provide for:
•
|
The
ability of the board of directors to establish one or more classes
and
series of capital stock including the ability to issue up to 10,000,000
shares of preferred stock, and to determine the price, rights, preferences
and privileges of such capital stock without any further shareholder
approval;
|
•
|
A
requirement that any shareholder action taken without a meeting be
pursuant to unanimous written consent;
and
|
•
|
Certain
advance notice procedures for Jones Lang LaSalle shareholders nominating
candidates for election to the Jones Lang LaSalle board of
directors.
|
Under
the
Maryland General Corporate Law (the “MGCL”), certain “Business Combinations”
(including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances,
an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between
a Maryland corporation and any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of
the
voting power of the corporation’s shares or an affiliate of the corporation who,
at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the
beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding
voting stock of the corporation (an “Interested Shareholder”) or an affiliate of
the Interested Shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent
date on which the Interested Shareholder became an Interested Shareholder.
Thereafter, any such Business Combination must be recommended by the board
of
directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least
(1) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares
of the corporation and (2) 66 2/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders
of outstanding voting shares of the corporation other than shares held by the
Interested Shareholder with whom the Business Combination is to be effected,
unless, among other things, the corporation’s shareholders receive a minimum
price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is
received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the Interested
Shareholder for its shares. Pursuant to the MGCL, these provisions also do
not
apply to Business Combinations approved or exempted by the board of directors
of
the corporation prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder becomes an
Interested Shareholder.
Human
Resources Risk Factors
Difficulties
and Costs of Staffing and Managing International Operations.
The
coordination and management of international operations pose additional costs
and difficulties. We must manage operations in many time zones and that involve
people with language and cultural differences. Our success depends on finding
and retaining people capable of dealing with these challenges effectively and
who will represent the Company with the highest levels of integrity. If we
are
unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, or to successfully plan for
succession of employees holding key management positions, our growth may be
limited, and our business and operating results could suffer.
Among
the
challenges we face in retaining our people is maintaining a compensation system
that rewards them consistent with local markets and with our profitability,
which can be especially difficult where competitors may be attempting to gain
market share by hiring our best people at rates of compensation that are well
above the current market level. We have committed resources to effectively
coordinate our business activities around the world to meet our clients’ needs,
whether they are local, regional or global. We also consistently attempt to
enhance the establishment, organization and communication of corporate policies,
particularly where we determine that the nature of our business poses the
greatest risk of noncompliance. The failure of our people to carry out their
responsibilities in accordance with our client contracts, our corporate and
operating policies, or our standard operating procedures, or their negligence
in
doing so, could result in liability to clients or other third parties, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and/or
financial condition.
When
addressing staffing in connection with a restructuring of our organization
or a
downturn in economic conditions or activity, we must take into account the
employment laws of the countries in which actions are contemplated, which,
in
some cases, can result in significant costs and/or time delays in implementing
headcount reductions.
Noncompliance
with Policies; Communications and Enforcement of Our Policies and Our Code
of
Business Ethics. The
geographic and cultural diversity in our organization makes it more challenging
to communicate the importance of adherence to our Code of Business Ethics and
our Vendor Code of Conduct, to monitor and enforce compliance with its
provisions on a worldwide basis, and to ensure local compliance with U.S. laws
that apply globally, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Patriot
Act
and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We have introduced an Ethics Everywhere
program to address these challenges and to attempt to maintain a high level
of
awareness about, and compliance with, our Code of Business Ethics. Breaches
of
our Code of Business Ethics, particularly by our executive management, could
have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, operating results
and/or financial condition. Breaches of our Vendor Code of Conduct by vendors
whom we retain as a principal for client engagements can also lead to
significant losses to clients from financial liabilities that might
result.
Employee
and Vendor Misconduct. Like
any
business, we run the risk that employee fraud or other misconduct could occur.
It is not always possible to deter employee misconduct, and the precautions
we
take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases.
Employee misconduct, including fraud, can cause significant financial or
reputational harm to any business, from which full recovery cannot be assured.
We also may not have insurance that covers any losses in full or that covers
losses from particular criminal acts. We do have a strong ethics policy, which
is articulated in our Code of Business Ethics, and an overall Ethics Everywhere
program that employs a number of different but complementary methods to
reinforce the importance of integrity as our employees carry out their
employment duties. In particular, we attempt to reinforce our commitment to
sound ethics through regular employee communication, and we are continuously
increasing our training efforts in this area.
Because
we often hire third-party vendors to perform services for our own account or
for
clients, we are also subject to the consequences of fraud or misconduct by
employees of our vendors, which can also result in significant financial or
reputational harm (including as a practical matter even if we have been
adequately protected from a legal standpoint). We have instituted a Vendor
Code
of Conduct, which is published in multiple languages on our public Web site,
and
which is intended to communicate to our vendors the standards of conduct we
expect them to uphold.
Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Our
principal corporate holding company headquarters are located at 200 East
Randolph Drive, Chicago, Illinois, where we currently occupy over 130,000 square
feet of office space pursuant to a lease that expires in February 2016. Our
regional headquarters for our Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific businesses are
located in Chicago, London and Singapore, respectively. We have 159 local
offices worldwide located in most major cities and metropolitan areas as
follows: 50 offices in 6 countries in the Americas (including 41 in the United
States), 49 offices in 21 countries in EMEA and 60 offices in 13 countries
in
Asia Pacific. Our offices are each leased pursuant to agreements with terms
ranging from month-to-month to 10 years. In addition, we have on-site property
and other offices located throughout the world. On-site property management
offices are generally located within properties that we manage and are provided
to us without cost.
Item
3. Legal Proceedings
The
Company has contingent liabilities from various pending claims and litigation
matters arising in the ordinary course of business, some of which involve claims
for damages that are substantial in amount. Many of these matters are covered
by
insurance (including insurance provided through a captive insurance company),
although they may nevertheless be subject to large deductibles or retentions,
and the amounts being claimed may exceed the available insurance. Although
the
ultimate liability for these matters cannot be determined, based upon
information currently available, we believe the ultimate resolution of such
claims and litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial
position, results of operations or liquidity.
Item
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders
There
were no matters submitted to a vote of Jones Lang LaSalle’s shareholders during
the fourth quarter of 2006.
Part
II
Item
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity,
Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Our
Common Stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol “JLL.”
As
of
February 20, 2007, there were approximately 22.400 beneficial holders of
our Common Stock.
The
following table sets forth the high and low daily closing prices of our Common
Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
|
$
|
93.21
|
|
$
|
84.00
|
|
Third
Quarter
|
|
$
|
88.54
|
|
$
|
75.92
|
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
$
|
90.70
|
|
$
|
71.05
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
$
|
76.54
|
|
$
|
52.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
|
$
|
52.48
|
|
$
|
45.05
|
|
Third
Quarter
|
|
$
|
50.65
|
|
$
|
43.88
|
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
$
|
47.41
|
|
$
|
36.90
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
$
|
47.30
|
|
$
|
34.54
|
|
Dividends
In
October 2006, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a
semi-annual dividend of $0.35 per share of its common stock. The dividend
payment was made on Friday, December 15, 2006 to holders of record at the close
of business on Wednesday, November 15, 2006. This amount represents an increase
of $0.10 per share over the amount of the semi-annual dividend that was paid
in
June 2006. The current dividend plan approved by the Board anticipates a total
annual dividend of $0.70 per common share; however there can be no assurance
that future dividends will be declared since the actual declaration of future
dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, remains subject
to
final determination by the Company’s Board of Directors. A dividend-equivalent
in the same amount also was paid simultaneously on outstanding but unvested
restricted stock units granted under the Company's Stock Award and Incentive
Plan.
Transfer
Agent
Mellon
Investor Services LLC
480
Washington Boulevard
Jersey
City, New Jersey 07310
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
For
information regarding our equity compensation plans, including both shareholder
approved plans and plans not approved by shareholders, see Item 12. Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Comparison
of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return
The
following line graph compares Jones Lang LaSalle’s cumulative shareholder return
on its Common Stock to the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s
500 Stock Index and an industry peer group index (Custom
Industry Index)
for a
five-year period extending through December 31, 2006. The Custom Industry Index
is composed of a “new peer group” including the following other publicly traded
real estate services companies: Grubb & Ellis Company and CB Richard Ellis
Group Inc. from the time it issued public equity in 2004. CB Richard Ellis
Group
Inc. acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Trammell Crow Company
in
2006. The graph below also includes an “old peer group” composed of Grubb &
Ellis Company and Trammell Crow Company prior to the time that CB Richard Ellis
Group Inc. issued public equity, and then includes CB Richard Ellis Group Inc.
after it issued public equity in 2004. The graph assumes the investment of
$100
in Jones Lang LaSalle and each of the indices on December 31, 2001 and the
reinvestment of all dividends. The return shown on the graph is not necessarily
indicative of future performance.
$100
invested on 12/31/01 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/01
|
|
12/02
|
|
12/03
|
|
12/04
|
|
12/05
|
|
12/06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jones
Lang LaSalle Incorporated
|
|
$
|
100.00
|
|
|
85.21
|
|
|
114.85
|
|
|
207.26
|
|
|
280.37
|
|
|
516.78
|
|
S
& P 500
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
77.90
|
|
|
100.24
|
|
|
111.15
|
|
|
116.61
|
|
|
135.03
|
|
New
Peer Group
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
34.58
|
|
|
29.49
|
|
|
157.63
|
|
|
280.26
|
|
|
466.02
|
|
Old
Peer Group
|
|
|
100.00
|
|
|
73.22
|
|
|
105.74
|
|
|
155.59
|
|
|
264.87
|
|
|
365.30
|
|
The
stock
price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative
of future
stock price performance.
Share
Repurchases
The
following table provides information with respect to approved share repurchase
programs for Jones Lang LaSalle:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
number
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
purchased
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
as
part
|
|
remaining
|
|
|
|
Total
number
|
|
Average
price
|
|
of
publicly
|
|
to
be
|
|
|
|
of
shares
|
|
paid
per
|
|
announced
|
|
purchased
|
|
|
|
purchased
|
|
share
(1)
|
|
plans
|
|
plan
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
1, 2006 -
January
31, 2006
|
|
|
1,186
|
|
$
|
49.63
|
|
|
620,386
|
|
|
1,379,614
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February
1, 2006 -
February
28, 2006
|
|
|
50,000
|
|
$
|
68.08
|
|
|
670,386
|
|
|
1,329,614
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March
1, 2006 -
March
31, 2006
|
|
|
73,714
|
|
$
|
69.04
|
|
|
744,100
|
|
|
1,255,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April
1, 2006 -
April
30, 2006
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
744,100
|
|
|
1,255,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May
1, 2006 -
May
31, 2006
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
744,100
|
|
|
1,255,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June
1, 2006 -
June
30, 2006
|
|
|
155,000
|
|
$
|
75.38
|
|
|
899,100
|
|
|
1,100,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
1, 2006 -
July
31, 2006
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
899,100
|
|
|
1,100,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August
1, 2006 -
August
31, 2006
|
|
|
122,000
|
|
$
|
77.49
|
|
|
1,021,100
|
|
|
978,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
1, 2006 -
September
30, 2006
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,021,100
|
|
|
978,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October
1, 2006 -
October
31, 2006
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,021,100
|
|
|
978,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November
1, 2006 -
November
30, 2006
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,021,100
|
|
|
978,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
1, 2006 -
December
31, 2006
|
|
|
400,000
|
|
$
|
87.66
|
|
|
1,421,100
|
|
|
578,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
801,900
|
|
$
|
80.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
Total
average price paid per share is a weighted average for the 12-month
period.
(2)
Since
October 2002, our Board of Directors has approved four share repurchase
programs. Each succeeding program has replaced the prior repurchase program,
such that the program approved on September 15, 2005 is the only repurchase
program in effect as of December 31, 2006. Board approval allows for purchase
of
our outstanding common stock in the open market and in privately negotiated
transactions. The repurchase of shares is primarily intended to offset dilution
resulting from both restricted stock and stock option grants made under our
existing stock plans. Given that shares repurchased under each of the programs
are not cancelled, but are held by one of our subsidiaries, we include them
in
our equity account. However, these shares are excluded from our share count
for
purposes of calculating earnings per share. The following table details the
activities for each of our approved share repurchase programs:
|
|
Shares
|
|
Shares
Repurchased
|
|
|
|
Approved
for
|
|
through
|
|
Repurchase
Plan Approval Date
|
|
Repurchase
|
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October
30, 2002
|
|
|
1,000,000
|
|
|
700,000
|
|
February
27, 2004
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
November
29, 2004
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
1,128,551
|
|
September
15, 2005
|
|
|
2,000,000
|
|
|
1,421,100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,749,651
|
|
Item
6. Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
The
following table sets forth our summary historical consolidated financial data.
The information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements and related notes and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere
herein.
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands, except share data) |
|
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
revenue
|
|
$
|
2,013,578
|
|
|
1,390,610
|
|
|
1,166,958
|
|
|
941,894
|
|
|
859,990
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
income
|
|
|
244,079
|
|
|
131,751
|
|
|
89,521
|
|
|
54,235
|
|
|
52,114
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
14,254
|
|
|
3,999
|
|
|
9,292
|
|
|
17,861
|
|
|
17,024
|
|
Loss
on extinguishment of Senior Notes
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
11,561
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Equity
in earnings from real estate ventures
|
|
|
9,221
|
|
|
12,156
|
|
|
17,447
|
|
|
7,951
|
|
|
2,581
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
before provision for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
income
taxes and minority interest
|
|
|
239,046
|
|
|
139,908
|
|
|
86,115
|
|
|
44,325
|
|
|
37,671
|
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
63,825
|
|
|
36,236
|
|
|
21,873
|
|
|
8,260
|
|
|
11,037
|
|
Minority
interest in earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
subsidiaries
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
711
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income before extraordinary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
item
and cumulative effect of change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in
accounting principle
|
|
|
175,221
|
|
|
103,672
|
|
|
64,242
|
|
|
36,065
|
|
|
25,923
|
|
Extraordinary
gain on the acquisition of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
minority
interest, net of tax (1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
341
|
|
Cumulative
effect of change in accounting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
principle,
net of tax (2)
|
|
|
1,180
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
846
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
176,401
|
|
|
103,672
|
|
|
64,242
|
|
|
36,065
|
|
|
27,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
on unvested common stock, net of tax
|
|
|
1,057
|
|
|
385
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income available to common shareholders
|
|
$
|
175,344
|
|
|
103,287
|
|
|
64,242
|
|
|
36,065
|
|
|
27,110
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
earnings per common share before extraordinary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
item,
cumulative effect of change in accounting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
principle
and dividends on unvested common stock
|
|
$
|
5.50
|
|
|
3.30
|
|
|
2.08
|
|
|
1.17
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
Extraordinary
gain on the acquisition of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
minority
interest, net of tax (1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
Cumulative
effect of change in accounting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
principle,
net of tax (2)
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
Dividends
on unvested common stock, net of tax
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
earnings per common share
|
|
$
|
5.50
|
|
|
3.29
|
|
|
2.08
|
|
|
1.17
|
|
|
0.89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
31,872,112
|
|
|
31,383,828
|
|
|
30,887,868
|
|
|
30,951,563
|
|
|
30,486,842
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
earnings per common share before extraordinary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
item,
cumulative effect of change in accounting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
principle
and dividends on unvested common stock
|
|
$
|
5.24
|
|
|
3.13
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
|
1.12
|
|
|
0.81
|
|
Extraordinary
gain on the acquisition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
minority interest, net of tax (1)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
Cumulative
effect of change in accounting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
principle,
net of tax (2)
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
Dividends
on unvested common stock, net of tax
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
earnings per common share
|
|
$
|
5.24
|
|
|
3.12
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
|
1.12
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
33,447,939
|
|
|
33,109,261
|
|
|
32,845,281
|
|
|
32,226,306
|
|
|
31,854,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
(3)
|
|
$
|
303,444
|
|
|
177,743
|
|
|
128,788
|
|
|
99,130
|
|
|
92,296
|
|
Ratio
of earnings to fixed charges (4)
|
|
|
6.99X
|
|
|
6.75X
|
|
|
3.90X
|
|
|
2.15X
|
|
|
2.06X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows provided by (used in):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
$
|
377,703
|
|
|
120,636
|
|
|
161,478
|
|
|
110,045
|
|
|
68,369
|
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
(306,360
|
)
|
|
(61,034
|
)
|
|
(27,565
|
)
|
|
(15,282
|
)
|
|
(26,340
|
)
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
(49,389
|
)
|
|
(61,087
|
)
|
|
(166,875
|
)
|
|
(45,312
|
)
|
|
(38,821
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
under management (5)
|
|
$
|
40,600,000
|
|
|
29,800,000
|
|
|
24,100,000
|
|
|
23,000,000
|
|
|
23,200,000
|
|
Total
square feet under management
|
|
|
1,024,000
|
|
|
903,000
|
|
|
835,000
|
|
|
725,000
|
|
|
735,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
50,612
|
|
|
28,658
|
|
|
30,143
|
|
|
63,105
|
|
|
13,654
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
1,729,948
|
|
|
1,144,769
|
|
|
1,012,377
|
|
|
942,940
|
|
|
852,516
|
|
Total
debt
|
|
|
50,136
|
|
|
44,708
|
|
|
58,911
|
|
|
211,408
|
|
|
215,008
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
979,568
|
|
|
608,766
|
|
|
504,397
|
|
|
511,949
|
|
|
485,558
|
|
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
750,380
|
|
|
536,003
|
|
|
507,980
|
|
|
430,991
|
|
|
366,958
|
|
(1) In
December 2002, we exercised our option to purchase the remaining 45% interest
in
the joint venture company Jones Lang LaSalle Asset Management Services, which
exclusively provides asset management services for all Skandia Life properties
in Sweden. The purchase price was below the fair value of the assets acquired,
resulting in an after-tax extraordinary gain of $0.3 million.
(2) The
cumulative effect of change in accounting principle in 2006 is the result
of our
adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised
2004),
“Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123R”). As a result of adopting SFAS 123R on
January 1, 2006, we credited $1.2 million to the income statement, as the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, which represented
the
expense recognized in prior years on shares we expect to be forfeited prior
to
their vesting date. The cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
in
2002 is the result of our adoption of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets,” (“SFAS 142”). As a result of adopting SFAS 142 on January 1,
2002, we credited $0.8 million to the income statement, as the cumulative
effect
of a change in accounting principle, which represented our negative goodwill
balance at January 1, 2002.
(3) EBITDA
represents earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization. Although EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, our management
believes that EBITDA is a useful analytical tool, that it is useful to investors
as one of the primary metrics for evaluating operating performance and
liquidity, and that an increase in EBITDA is an indicator of improved ability
to
service existing debt, to sustain potential future increases in debt and to
satisfy capital requirements. EBITDA also is used in the calculation of certain
covenants related to our revolving credit facility. However, EBITDA should
not
be considered as an alternative either to net income or net cash provided by
operating activities, both of which are determined in accordance with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Because EBITDA is not
calculated under U.S. GAAP, our EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures used by other companies.
Below
is
a reconciliation of our EBITDA to net income ($ in thousands):
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$
|
176,401
|
|
|
103,672
|
|
|
64,242
|
|
|
36,065
|
|
|
27,110
|
|
Interest
expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
14,254
|
|
|
3,999
|
|
|
9,292
|
|
|
17,861
|
|
|
17,024
|
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
63,825
|
|
|
36,236
|
|
|
21,873
|
|
|
8,260
|
|
|
11,037
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
48,964
|
|
|
33,836
|
|
|
33,381
|
|
|
36,944
|
|
|
37,125
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
303,444
|
|
|
177,743
|
|
|
128,788
|
|
|
99,130
|
|
|
92,296
|
|
Below
is
a reconciliation of our EBITDA to net cash provided by operating activities,
the
most comparable cash flow measure on the statements of cash flows ($ in
thousands):
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2003
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
377,703
|
|
|
120,636
|
|
|
161,478
|
|
|
110,045
|
|
|
68,369
|
|
Interest
expense, net of interest income
|
|
|
14,254
|
|
|
3,999
|
|
|
9,292
|
|
|
17,861
|
|
|
17,024
|
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
63,825
|
|
|
36,236
|
|
|
21,873
|
|
|
8,260
|
|
|
11,037
|
|
Change
in working capital and non-cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
expenses
|
|
|
(152,338
|
)
|
|
16,872
|
|
|
(63,855
|
)
|
|
(37,036
|
)
|
|
(4,134
|
)
|
EBITDA
|
|
$
|
303,444
|
|
|
177,743
|
|
|
128,788
|
|
|
99,130
|
|
|
92,296
|
|
(4) For
purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings”
represents net earnings before income taxes plus fixed charges, less capitalized
interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, including amortization
of
debt discount and financing costs, capitalized interest and one-third of rental
expense, which we believe is representative of the interest component of rental
expense.
(5) Investments
under management represent the aggregate fair market value or cost basis (where
an appraisal is not available) of assets managed by our Investment Management
segment as of the end of the periods reflected.
Item
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
The
following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our
Selected Financial Data and Consolidated Financial Statements, including the
notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The following discussion
and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements generally identified
by
the words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, plans, intends and other
similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Jones Lang LaSalle’s
actual results, performance, achievements, plans and objectives to be materially
different from any future results, performance, achievements, plans and
objectives expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. See the
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements after Part IV, Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Our
Management’s Discussion and Analysis is presented in six sections, as follows:
(1)
An
executive summary, including how we create value for our stakeholders,
(2)
A
summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates,
(3)
Certain items affecting the comparability of results and certain market and
other risks that we face,
(4)
The
results of our operations, first on a consolidated basis and then for each
of
our business segments,
(5)
Consolidated cash flows, and
(6)
Liquidity and capital resources.
Executive
Summary
Business
Objectives and Strategies
We
define
our stakeholders as:
•
|
The
people we employ, and
|
•
|
The
shareholders who invest in our
Company.
|
We
create
value for these stakeholders by enabling and motivating our employees to apply
their expertise to deliver services that our clients acknowledge as adding
value
to their real estate and business operations. We believe that this ability
to
add value is demonstrated by our clients’ repeat or expanded service requests
and by the strategic alliances we have formed with them.
The
services we provide require "on the ground" expertise in local real estate
markets. Such expertise is the product of research into market conditions and
trends, expertise in buildings and locations, and expertise in competitive
conditions. This real estate expertise is at the heart of the history and
strength of the Jones Lang LaSalle brand. One of our key differentiating
factors, as a result, is our global reach and service imprint in local markets
around the world.
We
enhance our local market expertise with a global team of research professionals,
with the best practice processes we have developed and delivered repeatedly
for
our clients, and with the technology investments that support these best
practices.
Our
principal asset is the talent and the expertise of our people. We seek to
support our service-based culture through a compensation system that rewards
superior client service performance, not just transaction activity, and that
includes a meaningful long-term compensation component. We invest in training
and believe in optimizing our talent base through internal advancement. We
believe that our people deliver our services with the experience and expertise
to maintain a balance of strong profit margins for the Firm and competitive
value-added pricing for our clients, while achieving competitive compensation
levels.
Because
we are a services business, our profits produce strong cash returns. Over the
past five years, we have used this cash strategically to:
•
|
Significantly
pay down our debt, resulting in significantly reduced interest expense
and
allowing us the opportunity to make business acquisitions within
our
desired leverage ratio;
|
•
|
Purchase
shares under our share repurchase programs and initiate a dividend
program;
|
•
|
Invest
for growth in important markets throughout the world; and
|
•
|
Co-invest
in LaSalle Investment Management sponsored and managed
funds.
|
In
2006,
our Board declared and paid a total annual dividend of $0.60 per common share
and anticipated paying a total annual dividend in 2007 of $0.70 per share.
We do
not believe that the payment of the dividend will preclude us from continuing
the above other uses of cash.
We
believe value is enhanced by investing appropriately in growth opportunities,
maintaining our market position in developed markets and keeping our balance
sheet strong.
The
services we deliver are managed as business strategies to enhance the synergies
and expertise of our people. The principal businesses in which we are involved
are:
•
|
Capital
Markets and Real Estate Investment Banking;
and
|
The
market knowledge we develop in our services and capital markets businesses
helps
us identify investment opportunities and capital sources for our money
management clients. Consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, the
investments we make or structure on behalf of our money management clients
help
us identify new business opportunities for our services and capital markets
businesses.
To
continue to create new value for our clients, shareholders and employees, in
early 2005 we identified five strategic priorities for continued growth. We
refer to them as the Global Five Priorities, or the “G5.” We have initiated a
five-year program designed to invest capital and resources that will maintain
and extend our global leadership positions in the G5, which we have defined
as
follows:
G1:
Local and Regional Service Operations.
Our
strength in local and regional markets determines the strength of our global
service capabilities. Our financial performance also depends, in great part,
on
the business we source and execute locally from more than 150 offices around
the
world. We
believe that we can leverage our established business presence in the world’s principal
real
estate markets to provide expanded local and regional services without a
proportionate increase in infrastructure costs.
G2:
Global Corporate Solutions.
The
accelerating trends of globalization and the outsourcing of real estate services
by corporate occupiers support our decision to emphasize a truly global
Corporate Solutions business to serve their needs comprehensively. This service
delivery capability helps us create new client relationships. In addition,
current corporate clients are demanding multi-regional
capabilities.
G3:
Global Capital Markets and Real Estate Investment Banking.
Our
focus on the further development of our global Capital Markets service delivery
capability reflects increasing international cross-border money flows to real
estate and the accelerated global marketing of assets that has resulted. Our
real estate investment banking capability helps provide capital and other
financial solutions by which our clients can maximize the value of their real
estate.
G4:
LaSalle Investment Management.
With a
truly integrated global platform, our LaSalle Investment Management business
is
already well positioned to serve institutional real estate investors looking
for
attractive opportunities around the world. Our continued investment in LaSalle’s
ability to develop and offer new products quickly, and to extend its portfolio
capabilities into promising new markets, is intended to enhance that
position.
G5:
World-Standard Business Operations.
To gain
maximum benefit from our other priorities, we must have superior operating
and
support procedures and processes to serve our clients and support our people.
Our goal is to equip our people with the knowledge and risk management tools
and
other globally integrated infrastructure resources they need to create
sustainable value for our clients. As we fully leverage the investments we
have
made in our infrastructure, we will have a global platform that will allow
us to
perform our services in an increasingly efficient, integrated and consistent
manner.
We
committed resources to all G5 priorities during 2005 and 2006. By continuing
to
invest in our future based on our view of how our strengths can support the
needs of our clients, we intend to further grow our business and to maintain
and
expand our position as an industry leader in the process.
Businesses
Money
Management
LaSalle
Investment Management provides money management services for large institutions,
both in specialized funds and separate account vehicles, as well as for managers
of institutional and, increasingly, retail real estate funds. Investing money
on
behalf of clients requires not just asset selection, but also asset value
activities that enhance the asset’s performance. The skill set required to
succeed in this environment includes knowledge of real estate values —
opportunity identification (research), individual asset selection
(acquisitions), asset value creation (portfolio management) and investor
relations. Our competitors in this area tend to be investment banks, fund
managers and other financial services firms. They commonly lack the
"on-the-ground" real estate expertise that our global market presence provides.
We
are
compensated for our services through a combination of recurring advisory fees
that are asset-based, together with incentive fees based on underlying
investment return to our clients, which are generally recognized when agreed
upon events or milestones are reached, and equity earnings realized at the
exit
of individual investments within funds. We have been successful in transitioning
the mix of our fees for this business to the more annuity revenue category
of
advisory fees. We also have increasingly been seeking to form alliances with
distributors of real estate investment funds to retail clients where we provide
the real estate investment expertise. In 2006, these funds, which exist in
all
three global regions, attracted approximately $800 million in investments,
bringing the total we have allocated to these funds to approximately $2.6
billion. Additionally, our strengthened balance sheet and continued cash
generation position us for expansion in co-investment activity, which we believe
will accelerate our growth in assets under management.
Local
Market Services
The
services we offer to real estate investors in local markets around the world
range from client-critical best practice process services (such as property
management) to sophisticated and complex transactional services (such as
leasing) that maximize real estate values. The skill set required to succeed
in
this environment includes financial knowledge coupled with the delivery of
market and property operating organizations, ongoing technology investment
and
strong cash controls as the business is a fiduciary for client funds. The
revenue streams associated with process services have annuity characteristics
and tend to be less impacted by underlying economic conditions. The revenue
stream associated with the sophisticated and complex transactional services
is
generally transaction-specific and conditioned upon the successful completion
of
the transaction. We compete in this area with traditional real estate and
property firms. We differentiate ourselves on the basis of qualities such as
our
local presence aligned with our global platform, our research capability, our
technology platform and our ability to innovate by way of new products and
services.
Capital
Markets and Real Estate Investment Banking
Our
capital markets product offerings include institutional property sales and
acquisitions, real estate financings, private equity placements, portfolio
advisory activities, and corporate finance advice and execution. As more and
more real estate assets are marketed internationally, and as a growing number
of
clients are investing outside their home markets, our Capital Markets Services
teams combine local market knowledge with our access to global capital sources
to provide clients with superior execution in raising capital for their real
estate assets. Capital Markets Services units are typically compensated on
the
basis of the value of transactions completed or securities placed. In certain
circumstances, we receive retainer fees for portfolio advisory services. By
researching, developing and introducing innovative new financial products and
strategies, Capital Markets Services is integral to the business development
efforts of our other businesses.
Real
Estate Investment Banking Services includes sourcing capital, both in the form
of equity and debt, derivatives structuring and other traditional investment
banking services designed to assist corporate clients in maximizing the value
of
their real estate. Our investment banking services require client relationship
skills and consulting capabilities as we act as our client’s trusted advisor.
The level of demand for these services is impacted by general economic
conditions. Our fee structure is generally transaction-specific and conditioned
upon the successful completion of the transaction. We compete with consulting
and investment banking firms for corporate finance and capital markets
transactions. We differentiate ourselves on the basis of qualities such as
our
global platform, our research capability, our technology platform and our
ability to innovate as demonstrated through the creation of new products and
services.
Because
of the success we have had with our capital markets business, particularly
in
Europe and also with our global Hotels business, and because we expect the
trans-border flow of real estate investments to remain strong, we are focused
on
enhancing our ability to provide capital markets services in an increasingly
global fashion. This success leverages our regional market knowledge for clients
who seek to benefit from a truly global capital markets platform.
Occupier
Services
Our
occupier services product offerings have leveraged our local market real estate
services into best practice operations and process capabilities that we offer
to
corporate clients. The value added for these clients is the transformation
of
their real estate assets into an integral part of their core business
strategies, delivered at more effective cost. The Firm’s client relationship
focus drives our business success, as delivery of one product successfully
sells
the next and subsequent services. The skill set required to succeed in this
environment includes financial and project management, and for some products,
more technical skills such as engineering. We compete in this area with
traditional real estate and property firms.
We
differentiate ourselves on the basis of qualities that include our integrated
global platform, our research capability, our technology platform and our
ability to innovate through best practice products and services. Our strong
strategic focus also provides a highly effective point of differentiation from
our competitors. We have seen the demand for coordinated multi-national occupier
services by global corporations increase, and we expect this trend to continue
as these businesses refocus on core competencies. Consequently, we are focused
on continuing to enhance our ability to deliver our services across all
geographies globally in a seamless and coordinated fashion that best leverages
our expertise for our clients’ benefit.
Summary
of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
An
understanding of our accounting policies is necessary for a complete analysis
of
our results, financial position, liquidity and trends. The preparation of our
financial statements requires management to make certain critical accounting
estimates that impact the stated amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure
of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements,
and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.
These accounting estimates are based on management’s judgment and are considered
to be critical because of their significance to the financial statements and
the
possibility that future events may differ from current judgments, or that the
use of different assumptions could result in materially different estimates.
We
review these estimates on a periodic basis to ensure reasonableness. Although
actual amounts likely differ from such estimated amounts, we believe such
differences are not likely to be material.
Revenue
Recognition
The
SEC’s
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements"
("SAB 101"), as amended by SAB 104, provides guidance on the application of
U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) to selected revenue
recognition issues. Additionally, EITF Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements
with Multiple Deliverables” (“EITF 00-21”), provides guidance on the application
of U.S. GAAP to revenue transactions with multiple deliverables.
We
categorize our revenue as advisory and management fees, transaction commissions,
incentive fees, project and development management fees and construction
management fees. We recognize advisory and management fees related to property
management services, valuation services, corporate property services, strategic
consulting and money management as income in the period in which we perform
the
related services. We recognize transaction commissions related to agency leasing
services, capital markets services and tenant representation services as income
when we provide the related service unless future contingencies exist. If future
contingencies exist, we defer recognition of revenue until the respective
contingencies have been satisfied. Incentive fees are recognized based on the
performance of underlying funds’ investments and the contractual benchmarks,
formulas and timing of the measurement period with clients. Project and
development management fees and construction management fees are recognized
applying the “percentage of completion” method of accounting. We use the efforts
expended method to determine the extent of progress toward completion for
project and development management fees and costs incurred to total estimated
costs for construction management fees.
Certain
contractual arrangements for services provide for the delivery of multiple
services. We evaluate revenue recognition for each service to be rendered under
these arrangements using criteria set forth in EITF 00-21. For services that
meet the separability criteria, revenue is recognized separately. For services
that do not meet those criteria, revenue is recognized on a combined
basis.
We
follow
the guidance of EITF Issue No. 01-14, “Income Statement Characterization of
Reimbursements Received for ‘Out-of-Pocket’ Expenses Incurred” (“EITF 01-14”).
Accordingly, we have recorded these reimbursements as revenues in the income
statement, as opposed to being shown as a reduction of expenses.
In
certain of our businesses, primarily those involving management services, we
are
reimbursed by our clients for expenses incurred on their behalf. The treatment
of reimbursable expenses for financial reporting purposes is based upon the
fee
structure of the underlying contracts. We follow the guidance of EITF Issue
No.
99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent” (“EITF
99-19”), when accounting for reimbursable personnel and other costs. A contract
that provides a fixed fee billing, fully inclusive of all personnel or other
recoverable expenses incurred but not separately scheduled, is reported on
a
gross basis. When accounting on a gross basis, our reported revenues include
the
full billing to our client and our reported expenses include all costs
associated with the client.
We
account for a contract on a net basis when the fee structure is comprised of
at
least two distinct elements, namely a fixed management fee and a separate
component that allows for scheduled reimbursable personnel or other expenses
to
be billed directly to the client. When accounting on a net basis, we include
the
fixed management fee in reported revenues and net the reimbursement against
expenses.
We
base
this characterization on the following factors, which define us as an agent
rather than a principal:
|
· |
The
property owner, with ultimate approval rights relating to the
employment
and compensation of on-site personnel, and bearing all of the
economic
costs of such personnel, is determined to be the primary obligor
in the
arrangement;
|
|
·
|
Reimbursement
to Jones Lang LaSalle is generally completed simultaneously with
payment
of payroll or soon thereafter;
|
|
·
|
Because
the property owner is contractually obligated to fund all operating
costs
of the property from existing cash flow or direct funding from its
building operating account, Jones Lang LaSalle bears little or no
credit
risk; and
|
|
·
|
Jones
Lang LaSalle generally earns no margin in the reimbursement aspect
of the
arrangement, obtaining reimbursement only for actual costs incurred.
|
Most
of
our service contracts utilize the latter structure and are accounted for on
a
net basis. We have always presented the above reimbursable contract costs on
a
net basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Such costs aggregated approximately
$746
million, $549 million and $430 million in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
This treatment has no impact on operating income, net income or cash
flows.
Allowance
for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable
We
estimate the allowance necessary to provide for uncollectible accounts
receivable. This estimate includes specific accounts for which payment has
become unlikely. We also base this estimate on historical experience, combined
with a careful review of current developments and with a strong focus on credit
quality. The process by which we calculate the allowance begins in the
individual business units where specific problem accounts are identified and
reserved as part of an overall reserve that is formulaic and driven by the
age
profile of the receivables. These allowances are then reviewed on a quarterly
basis by regional and global management to ensure they are appropriate. As
part
of this review, we develop a range of potential allowances on a consistent
formulaic basis. We would normally expect that the allowance would fall within
this range. Our allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable as determined
under this methodology was $7.8 million and $5.6 million at December 31, 2006
and 2005, respectively.
Over
the
past several years we have placed considerable focus on working capital
management and, in particular, collecting our receivables in a more timely
manner. Our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues has been reduced as
we
have been successful in working capital management and collecting receivables
more timely. Bad debt expense was $3.6 million, $2.2 million and $3.8 million
for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Bad debt
expense recorded for 2004 includes the settlement of a disputed receivable
in
Europe in which a settlement expense of $0.7 million was incurred in the second
quarter, as well as a $1.6 million charge in the fourth quarter related to
a
single counterparty attempting to renegotiate a contractual fee from an
Investment Management transaction. With the exception of these two specific
significant events, bad debt expense was less than two-tenths of one percent
of
total revenues in each year from 2004 to 2006. Considering our growth in
revenues and receivables over the last several years, we believe this level
of
bad debt expense reflects effective efforts in working capital management.
Investments
in Real Estate Ventures
We
invest
in certain real estate ventures that own and operate commercial real estate.
Typically, these are co-investments in funds that our Investment Management
business establishes in the ordinary course of business for its clients. These
investments include non-controlling ownership interests generally ranging from
less than 1% to 48.72% (and up to 48.78% as of January 2007) of the respective
ventures. We apply the provisions of the following guidance when accounting
for
these interests:
|
·
|
FASB
Interpretation No. 46 (revised), “Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN
46R”)
|
|
·
|
EITF
Issue No. 04-5, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General
Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity
When
the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights” (“EITF
04-5”)
|
|
·
|
AICPA
Statement of Position 78-9, “Accounting for Investments in Real Estate
Ventures” as amended by FASB Staff Position No. SOP 78-9-a (“SOP
78-9-a”)
|
|
·
|
Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for
Investments in Common Stock” (“APB
18”)
|
|
·
|
EITF
Topic No. D-46, “Accounting for Limited Partnership Investments” (“EITF
D-46”)
|
The
application of such guidance generally results in accounting for these interests
under the equity method in the accompanying consolidated financial statements
due to the nature of our non-controlling ownership in the ventures.
For
real
estate limited partnerships in which the Company is a general partner, we apply
the guidance set forth in FIN 46R, EITF 04-5 and SOP 78-9-a in evaluating the
control the Company has over the limited partnership. These entities are
generally well-capitalized and grant the limited partners important rights,
such
as the right to replace the general partner without cause, to dissolve or
liquidate the partnership, to approve the sale or refinancing of the principal
partnership assets, or to approve the acquisition of principal partnership
assets. We account for such general partner interests under the equity
method.
For
real
estate limited partnerships in which the Company is a limited partner, the
Company is a co-investment partner, and based on applying the guidance set
forth
in FIN 46R and SOP 78-9-a, has concluded that it does not have a controlling
interest in the limited partnership. When we have an asset advisory contract
with the real estate limited partnership, the combination of our limited partner
interest and the advisory agreement provides us with significant influence
over
the real estate limited partnership venture. Accordingly, we account for such
investments under the equity method. When the Company does not have an asset
advisory contract with the limited partnership, but only has a limited partner
interest without significant influence, and our interest in the partnership
is
considered “minor” under EITF D-46 (namely, not more than 3 to 5 percent), we
account for such investments under the cost method.
For
investments in real estate ventures accounted for under the equity method,
we
maintain an investment account, which is increased by contributions made and
by
our share of net income of the real estate ventures, and decreased by
distributions received and by our share of net losses of the real estate
ventures. Our share of each real estate venture’s net income or loss, including
gains and losses from capital transactions, is reflected in our consolidated
statement of earnings as “Equity in earnings (losses) from real estate
ventures.” For investments in real estate ventures accounted for under the cost
method, our investment account is increased by contributions made and decreased
by distributions representing return of capital.
Asset
Impairments
Within
the balances of property and equipment used in our business, we have computer
equipment and software; leasehold improvements; furniture, fixtures and
equipment; and automobiles. The largest assets on our balance sheet are goodwill
and other intangibles resulting from a series of acquisitions and one
substantial merger. We also invest in certain real estate ventures that own
and
operate commercial real estate. Typically, these are co-investments in funds
that our Investment Management business establishes in the ordinary course
of
business for its clients. These investments include non-controlling ownership
interests generally ranging from less than 1% to 48.72% of the respective
ventures. We generally account for these interests under the equity method
of
accounting in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements due to the
nature of our non-controlling ownership.
• Property
and Equipment - We apply Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”)
No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS
144"), to recognize and measure impairment of property and equipment owned
or
under capital lease. We review property and equipment for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset
group may not be recoverable. If impairment exists due to the inability to
recover the carrying value of an asset group, we record an impairment loss
to
the extent that the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value. We did
not
recognize an impairment loss related to property and equipment in 2006, 2005
or
2004.
• Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets - We apply SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), when accounting for goodwill and other
intangible assets. SFAS 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with
indefinite useful lives not be amortized, but instead evaluated for impairment
at least annually. To accomplish this annual evaluation, we determine the
carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning assets and liabilities,
including the existing goodwill and intangible assets, to those reporting units
as of the date of evaluation. Under SFAS 142, we define reporting units as
Investment Management, Americas IOS, Australia IOS, Asia IOS, and by country
groupings in Europe IOS. We then determine the fair value of each reporting
unit
on the basis of a discounted cash flow methodology and compare it to the
reporting unit’s carrying value. The result of the 2006, 2005 and 2004
evaluations was that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying
amount, and therefore we did not recognize an impairment loss in any of those
years.
• Investments
in Real Estate Ventures - We apply the provisions of APB 18, SEC Staff
Accounting Bulletin Topic 5-M, “Other Than Temporary Impairment Of Certain
Investments In Debt And Equity Securities” (“SAB 59”), and SFAS 144 when
evaluating investments in real estate ventures for impairment, including
impairment evaluations of the individual assets underlying our investments.
We
review investments in real estate ventures on a quarterly basis for indications
of whether the carrying value of the real estate assets underlying our
investments in real estate ventures may not be recoverable. The review of
recoverability is based on an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows
expected to be generated by the underlying assets. When an “other than
temporary” impairment has been identified related to a real estate asset
underlying one of our investments in ventures, we use a discounted cash flow
approach to determine the fair value of the asset in computing the amount of
the
impairment. We then record the portion of the impairment loss related to our
investment in the reporting period.
There
were no impairment charges in equity earnings in 2006. There were $1.8 million
of such impairment charges to equity earnings in 2005, representing our equity
share of the impairment charges against individual assets held by these
ventures. There were $1.1 million of such charges to equity earnings in
2004.
Additionally,
since the 2001 closing of our Land Investment Group and sale of our Development
Group, we have recorded net impairment charges related to investments originated
by these groups to restructuring expense. There were $0.7 million and $0.4
million of net credits to restructuring expense in 2006 and 2005, respectively,
related to cash received from sales of land previously written down to a net
book value of $0 in the Land Investment Group. There were $0.6 million of net
charges in 2004 related to the partial liquidation of two Land Investment Group
assets, the writedown of a third Land Investment Group asset and the liquidation
of our final Development Group investment. These restructuring charges are
also
discussed in the Land Investment and Development Group section in Note 4 of
the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income
Taxes
We
account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts
of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating
loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the
years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax
rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment
date.
Because
of the global and cross border nature of our business, our corporate tax
position is complex. We generally provide for taxes in each tax jurisdiction
in
which we operate based on local tax regulations and rules. Such taxes are
provided on net earnings and include the provision of taxes on substantively
all
differences between financial statement amounts and amounts used in tax returns,
excluding certain non-deductible items and permanent differences.
Our
global effective tax rate is sensitive to the complexity of our operations
as
well as to changes in the mix of our geographic profitability, as local
statutory tax rates range from 10% to 42% in the countries in which we have
significant operations. We evaluate our estimated effective tax rate on a
quarterly basis to reflect forecast changes in:
|
(i)
|
Our
geographic mix of income;
|
|
(ii)
|
Legislative
actions on statutory tax rates;
|
|
(iii)
|
The
impact of tax planning to reduce losses in jurisdictions where we
cannot
recognize the tax benefit of those losses; and
|
|
(iv)
|
Tax
planning for jurisdictions affected by double taxation.
|
We
continuously seek to develop and implement potential strategies and/or actions
that would reduce our overall effective tax rate. We reflect the benefit from
tax planning actions when we believe it is probable that they will be
successful, which usually requires that certain actions have been initiated.
We
provide for the effects of income taxes on interim financial statements based
on
our estimate of the effective tax rate for the full year.
We
achieved an effective tax rate of 26.7% in 2006 and 25.9% in 2005, which
reflected our continued disciplined management of the global tax position.
Based
on
our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to
repatriate our foreign source earnings to the United States. As a result, we
have not provided deferred taxes on such earnings or the difference between
tax
rates in the United States and the various international jurisdictions where
such amounts were earned. Further, there are various limitations on our ability
to utilize foreign tax credits on such earnings when repatriated. As such,
we
may incur taxes in the United States upon repatriation without credits for
foreign taxes paid on such earnings.
We
have
established valuation allowances against deferred tax assets where expected
future taxable income does not support their probable realization. We formally
assess the likelihood of being able to utilize current tax losses in the future
on a country-by-country basis, with the determination of each quarter’s income
tax provision; and we establish or increase valuation allowances upon specific
indications that the carrying value of a tax asset may not be recoverable,
or
alternatively we reduce valuation allowances upon specific indications that
the
carrying value of the tax asset is more likely than not recoverable or upon
the
implementation of tax planning strategies allowing an asset previously
determined not realizable to be viewed as realizable. The table below summarizes
certain information regarding the gross deferred tax assets and valuation
allowance for the past three years ($ in millions):
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
Gross
deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
108.9
|
|
|
115.1
|
|
|
95.0
|
|
Valuation
allowance
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
5.3
|
|
|
9.3
|
|
The
decrease in gross deferred tax assets from 2005 to 2006 was the result of the
usage of net operating loss carryforwards in 2006, with much of that decrease
being offset by the growth in expense accruals not yet deductible. The increase
in gross deferred tax assets from 2004 to 2005 was the result of growth in
expense accruals not yet deductible, and in U.S. federal and state loss
carryforwards.
We
evaluate our segment operating performance before tax, and do not consider
it
meaningful to allocate tax by segment. Estimations and judgments relevant to
the
determination of tax expense, assets and liabilities require analysis of the
tax
environment and the future profitability, for tax purposes, of local statutory
legal entities rather than business segments. Our statutory legal entity
structure generally does not mirror the way that we organize, manage and report
our business operations. For example, the same legal entity may include both
Investment Management and IOS businesses in a particular country.
Incentive
Compensation
An
important part of our overall compensation package is incentive compensation,
which we typically pay to our employees in the first quarter of the year after
it is earned. Certain employees receive a portion of their annual incentive
compensation in the form of restricted stock units of our common stock under
programs in which the restricted units vest over periods of up to 64 months
from
the date of grant. Under each program, we amortize related compensation cost
to
expense over the service period.
The
most
significant of these programs under which restricted stock units are granted
is
the stock ownership program. Incentive compensation deferred under the stock
ownership program is enhanced by 25 percent when determining the value of
restricted stock units to be granted. These restricted units vest in two parts:
50% at 18 months and 50% at 30 months, in each case from the date of grant
(namely, vesting periods start in January of the year following that for which
the bonus was earned). The service period over which the related compensation
cost is amortized to expense consists of the 12 months of the year to which
payment of the restricted stock relates, plus the periods over which the stock
vests. Given that we do not finalize individual incentive compensation awards
until after year-end, we must estimate the portions of the overall incentive
compensation pools that will qualify for these programs. Estimations factor
in
the performance of the Company and individual business units, together with
the
target bonuses for qualified individuals.
We
determine, announce and pay incentive compensation in the first quarter of
the
year following that to which the incentive compensation relates, at which point
we true-up the estimated stock ownership program deferral and related
amortization. The table below sets forth certain information regarding the
stock
ownership program ($ in millions, except employee data):
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of employees qualified for the restricted stock programs
|
|
|
1,200
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferral
of compensation under the stock ownership program
|
|
$
|
(28.8
|
)
|
|
(23.1
|
)
|
|
(18.4
|
)
|
Enhancement
of deferred compensation
|
|
|
(7.2
|
)
|
|
(5.8
|
)
|
|
(4.4
|
)
|
Decrease
to deferred compensation in the first quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
the following year
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
Total
deferred compensation
|
|
$
|
(36.0
|
)
|
|
(28.6
|
)
|
|
(21.9
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation
expense recognized with regard to the current year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stock
ownership program
|
|
$
|
11.3
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
|
8.2
|
|
Compensation
expense recognized with regard to prior year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stock
ownership programs
|
|
|
15.8
|
|
|
9.6
|
|
|
7.1
|
|
Total
stock ownership program compensation expense
|
|
$
|
27.1
|
|
|
19.7
|
|
|
15.3
|
|
Self-insurance
Programs
In
our
Americas business, and in common with many other American companies, we have
chosen to retain certain risks regarding health insurance and workers’
compensation rather than purchase third-party insurance. Estimating our exposure
to such risks involves subjective judgments about future developments. We engage
the services of an independent actuary on an annual basis to assist us in
quantifying our potential exposure. Additionally, we supplement our traditional
global insurance program by the use of a captive insurance company to provide
professional indemnity and employment practices insurance on a “claims made”
basis. As professional indemnity claims can be complex and take a number of
years to resolve, we are required to estimate the ultimate cost of
claims.
• Health
Insurance - We self-insure our health benefits for all U.S.-based employees,
although we purchase stop loss coverage on an annual basis to limit our
exposure. We self-insure because we believe that on the basis of our historic
claims experience, the demographics of our workforce and trends in the health
insurance industry, we incur reduced expense by self-insuring our health
benefits as opposed to purchasing health insurance through a third party. We
engage an actuary who specializes in health insurance to estimate our likely
full-year cost at the beginning of the year and expense this cost on a
straight-line basis throughout the year. In the fourth quarter, we employ the
same actuary to estimate the required reserve for unpaid health costs we would
need at year-end.
Given
the
nature of medical claims, it may take up to 24 months for claims to be processed
and recorded. The reserve balance for the 2006 program is $6.9 million at
December 31, 2006.
The
table
below sets out certain information related to the cost of the health insurance
program for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 ($ in
millions):
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expense
to company
|
|
$
|
11.6
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
|
7.5
|
|
Employee
contributions
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
1.9
|
|
Adjustment
to prior year reserve
|
|
|
(0.3
|
)
|
|
(0.5
|
)
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
Total
program cost
|
|
$
|
15.0
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
8.7
|
|
• Workers’
Compensation Insurance - Given our belief, based on historical experience,
that
our workforce
has
experienced lower costs than is normal for our industry, we have been
self-insured for workers’ compensation insurance for a number of years. We
purchase stop loss coverage to limit our exposure to large, individual claims.
On a periodic basis we accrue using various state rates based on job
classifications. On an annual basis in the third quarter, we engage an
independent actuary who specializes in workers’ compensation to estimate our
exposure based on actual experience. Given the significant judgmental issues
involved in this evaluation, the actuary provides us a range of potential
exposure and we reserve within that range. We accrue the estimated adjustment
to
revenues for the differences between the actuarial estimate and our reserve
on a
periodic basis. The credits taken to revenue for the years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004 were $3.0 million, $3.7 million and $3.6 million,
respectively.
The
table
below sets out the range and our actual reserve for the past three years ($
in
millions):
|
|
Maximum
Reserve
|
|
Minimum
Reserve
|
|
Actual
Reserve
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
$
|
8.4
|
|
|
7.8
|
|
|
8.4
|
|
December
31, 2005
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
|
7.0
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
December
31, 2004
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
Given
the
uncertain nature of claim reporting and settlement patterns associated with
workers’ compensation insurance, we have accrued at the higher end of the
range.
• Captive
Insurance Company - In order to better manage our global insurance program
and
support our risk management efforts, we supplement our traditional insurance
program by the use of a wholly-owned captive insurance company to provide
professional indemnity and employment practices liability insurance coverage
on
a "claims made" basis. The level of risk retained by our captive is up to $2.5
million per claim (dependent upon location) and up to $12.5 million in the
aggregate.
Professional
indemnity insurance claims can be complex and take a number of years to resolve.
Within our captive insurance company, we estimate the ultimate cost of these
claims by way of specific claim reserves developed through periodic reviews
of
the circumstances of individual claims, as well as reserves against current
year
exposures on the basis of our historic loss ratio. The increase in the level
of
risk retained by the captive means we would expect that the amount and the
volatility of our estimate of reserves will be increased over time. With respect
to the consolidated financial statements, when a potential loss event occurs,
management estimates the ultimate cost of the claims and accrues the related
cost in accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (“SFAS
5”).
The
table
below provides details of the year-end reserves, which can relate to multiple
years, that we have established as of ($ in millions):
|
|
Reserve
at Year-End
|
|
December
31, 2006
|
|
$
|
7.9
|
|
December
31, 2005
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
December
31, 2004
|
|
|
6.7
|
|
New
Accounting Standards
Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
In
June
2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN
48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in
accordance with SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The evaluation of a tax
position in accordance with FIN 48 is a two-step process. First, the Company
determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be
sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position.
Second, a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold is measured
to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
The
tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than
50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions
that
previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should
be recognized in the first subsequent reporting period in which the threshold
is
met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the
more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first
subsequent reporting period in which the threshold is no longer met. The Company
is required to apply the guidance of FIN 48 beginning January 1, 2007.
Management believes that the application of FIN 48 will not have a material
impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Fair
Value Measurements
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS 157
defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in
generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair
value measurements. SFAS 157 applies to accounting pronouncements that require
or permit fair value measurements, except for share-based payment transactions
under SFAS 123R. The Company is required to apply the guidance of SFAS 157
beginning January 1, 2008. Management has not yet determined what impact the
application of SFAS 157 will have on our consolidated financial
statements.
Accounting
for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined
Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.” SFAS 158 does not change the
basic approach to measuring plan assets, benefit obligations, or annual net
periodic benefit cost in accordance with SFAS 87, “Employers’ Accounting for
Pensions,” but requires recognition on the balance sheet of the funded status of
a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability, with changes
in
the funded status recognized in comprehensive income. The Company is required
to
apply the guidance of SFAS 158 in preparation of our consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2006. See Note 8 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for detail of the increase to pension benefits
liability and reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December
31, 2006 resulting from the application of SFAS 158.
The
Effect of Prior Year Errors on Current Year Materiality
Evaluations
In
September 2006, the SEC Staff issued SAB 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior
Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial
Statements.” SAB 108 requires SEC registrants to consider the effect of all
carry over and reversing effects of uncorrected errors in previous years when
quantifying errors in current year financial statements. The Company is required
to apply the guidance of SAB 108 in preparation of our consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2006. The application of SAB 108
has
resulted in no adjustment to our consolidated financial statements as of or
for
the year ended December 31, 2006.
Items
Affecting Comparability
Restructuring
Charges (Credits)
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, net restructuring charges
(credits) totaled $(0.7) million, $1.4 million and $5.3 million, respectively.
See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more
information regarding restructuring charges (credits).
LaSalle
Investment Management Revenues
Our
money
management business is in part compensated through the receipt of incentive
fees
where performance of underlying funds’ investments exceeds agreed-to benchmark
levels. Depending upon performance and the contractual timing of measurement
periods with clients, these fees can be significant and vary substantially
from
period to period. In 2006, the Firm recognized a gross incentive fee of $112.5
million from a single client. The fee, determined from an independent
third-party valuation of the related portfolio, was larger than usual due to
the
eight-year contractual measurement period, as well as outstanding performance
execution by the Firm.
“Equity
in earnings (losses) from real estate ventures” may also vary substantially from
period to period for a variety of reasons, including as a result of: (i)
impairment charges, (ii) realized gains on asset dispositions, or (iii)
incentive fees recorded as equity earnings. The timing of recognition of these
items may impact comparability between quarters, in any one year, or compared
to
a prior year.
The
comparability of these items can be seen in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements and is discussed further in Segment Operating Results
included herein.
Foreign
Currency
We
conduct business using a variety of currencies, but report our results in U.S.
dollars, as a result of which our reported results may be positively or
negatively impacted by the volatility of currencies against the U.S. dollar.
This volatility can make it more difficult to perform period-to-period
comparisons of the reported U.S. dollar results of operations, as such results
demonstrate a growth rate that might not have been consistent with the real
underlying growth rate in the local operations. As a result, we provide
information about the impact of foreign currencies in the period-to-period
comparisons of the reported results of operations in our discussion and analysis
of financial condition in the Results of Operations section below.
Market
and Other Risk Factors
Market
Risk
The
principal market risks (namely, the risk of loss arising from adverse changes
in
market rates and prices) to which we are exposed are:
•
|
Interest
rates on our multi-currency credit facility;
and
|
In
the
normal course of business, we manage these risks through a variety of
strategies, including the use of hedging transactions using various derivative
financial instruments such as foreign currency forward contracts. We enter
into
derivative instruments with high credit quality counterparties and diversify
our
positions across such counterparties in order to reduce our exposure to credit
losses. We do not enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative
purposes.
Interest
Rates
We
centrally manage our debt, considering investment opportunities and risks,
tax
consequences and overall financing strategies. We are primarily exposed to
interest rate risk on our revolving multi-currency credit facility that is
available for working capital, investments, capital expenditures and
acquisitions. Our average outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit
facility were $205.2 million during 2006, and the effective interest rate on
that facility was 5.1%. As of December 31, 2006, we had $32.4 million
outstanding under the revolving credit facility. This facility bears a variable
rate of interest based on market rates. The interest rate risk management
objective is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash
flows and to lower the overall borrowing costs. To achieve this objective,
in
the past we have entered into derivative financial instruments such as interest
rate swap agreements when appropriate and may do so in the future. We entered
into no such agreements in the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, and
we
had no such agreements outstanding at December 31, 2006.
The
effective interest rate on our debt was 5.1% in 2006, compared to 3.9% in 2005.
The increase in the effective interest rate is primarily due to higher interest
rates during 2006 compared with 2005. A 50 basis point increase in the effective
interest rate on the revolving credit facility would have increased our net
interest expense by $1.0 million during 2006 and by $0.5 million during 2005,
the increase resulting from higher average borrowings during 2006 compared
with
2005.
Foreign
Exchange
Foreign
exchange risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse
changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Currently, our revenues outside
of
the United States totaled 55% of our total revenues in 2006 and 61% in 2005.
Operating in international markets means that we are exposed to movements in
foreign exchange rates, primarily related to the British pound (17% of 2006
revenues and 20% of 2005 revenues) and the euro (17% of 2006 and 16% of 2005
revenues).
We
mitigate our foreign currency exchange rate risk principally by establishing
local operations in the markets we serve and invoicing customers in the same
currency as the source of the costs. The British pound expenses incurred as
a
result of our European region headquarters being located in London act as a
partial operational hedge against our revenue exposure to British
pounds.
We
enter
into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage currency risks
associated with intercompany loan balances. At December 31, 2006, we had forward
exchange contracts in effect with a gross notional value of $379.3 million
($357.3 million on a net basis) with a market and carrying loss of $0.2 million.
This carrying loss is offset by a carrying gain in associated intercompany
loans
such that the net impact to earnings is not significant.
Seasonality
Our
revenues and profits tend to be significantly higher in the third and fourth
quarters of each year than in the first two quarters. This is a result of a
general focus in the real estate industry on completing or documenting
transactions by calendar-year-end and the fact that certain expenses are
constant through the year. Historically, we have reported an operating loss
or a
relatively small profit in the first quarter and then increasingly larger
profits during each of the following three quarters, excluding the recognition
of investment-generated performance fees and co-investment equity gains (both
of
which can be particularly unpredictable). Such performance fees and
co-investment equity gains are generally earned when assets are sold, the timing
of which is geared toward the benefit of our clients. Non-variable operating
expenses, which are treated as expenses when they are incurred during the year,
are relatively constant on a quarterly basis.
Results
of Operations
We
operate in a variety of currencies, but report our results in U.S. dollars,
which means that our reported results may be positively or negatively impacted
by the volatility of those currencies against the U.S. dollar. This volatility
means that the reported U.S. dollar revenues and expenses demonstrate apparent
growth rates between years that may not be consistent with the real underlying
growth rates in the local operations. In order to provide more meaningful
year-to-year comparisons of the reported results, we have included detail of
the
movements in certain reported lines of the Consolidated Statement of Earnings
($
in millions) in both U.S. dollars and in local currencies in the tables
throughout this section.
Reclassifications
Certain
prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current
presentation.
During
the third quarter of 2005, we reclassified certain charges (credits) presented
within “restructuring charges (credits)” in prior quarters for inclusion within
“compensation and benefits” or “operating, administrative and other” expenses.
Such reclassifications had no impact on consolidated total operating expenses
or
operating income.
We
report
‘equity in earnings from real estate ventures’ in the consolidated statement of
earnings after ‘operating income.’ However, for segment reporting we reflect
‘equity in earnings from real estate ventures’ within ‘total revenue.’ See Note
3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for ‘equity earnings
(losses)’ reflected within segment revenues, as well as discussion of how the
chief operating decision maker (as defined in Note 3) measures segment results
with ‘equity earnings (losses)’ included in segment revenues.
Year
Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to Year Ended December 31,
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
in
U.S.
|
|
in
Local
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
Dollars
|
|
Currencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
revenue
|
|
$
|
2,013.6
|
|
$
|
1,390.6
|
|
$
|
623.0
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
43
|
%
|
Compensation
& benefits
|
|
|
1,313.3
|
|
|
902.7
|
|
|
410.6
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
44
|
%
|
Operating,
administrative & other
|
|
|
408.0
|
|
|
320.9
|
|
|
87.1
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
|
26
|
%
|
Depreciation
& amortization
|
|
|
48.9
|
|
|
33.8
|
|
|
15.1
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
44
|
%
|
Restructuring
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
(2.1
|
)
|
|
n.m.
|
|
|
n.m.
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
1,769.5
|
|
|
1,258.8
|
|
|
510.7
|
|
|
41
|
%
|
|
39
|
%
|
Operating
income
|
|
$
|
244.1
|
|
$
|
131.8
|
|
$
|
112.3
|
|
|
85
|
%
|
|
78
|
%
|
(n.m.
-
not meaningful)
Revenue
Revenues
for the year ended 2006 were $2.01 billion, an increase of 45% from the prior
year that resulted from growth in all operating segments. Included in the Firm’s
2006 full-year results was an incentive fee from a single client of $112.5
million at a 41% operating income margin.
See
Segment Operating Results below for additional discussion of
revenues.
Operating
Expenses
Operating
expenses were $1.77 billion in 2006 and $1.26 billion in 2005, an increase
of
approximately 41% in U.S. dollars and 39% in local currencies from the prior
year. The increase in operating expenses was driven by significant additions
in
global Capital Markets and Leasing broker teams, additional client-service
staff, and by the expansion of offices to support the global business platform.
Also contributing to the increase were the operations added through five
strategic acquisitions, including Spaulding & Slye in the Americas, which
closed in January 2006. Higher incentive compensation costs related to the
strong revenue and profit performance contributed to the increase, as
well.
Operating
Income
Operating
income for the year ended 2006 was $244.1 million, compared to $131.8 million
in
the prior year, an increase of 85%. From 2005 to 2006, revenue increased $623.0
million while operating expenses increased $510.7 million. The increase in
operating margin resulted from operating, administrative and other costs
increasing at a lower rate than revenues when compared to the prior year (27%
compared to 45%), a significant portion of which was achieved as a result of
the
$112.5 million incentive fee noted above.
Interest
Expense
Interest
expense of $14.3 million for the 2006 full year was higher than the $4.0 million
for 2005 due to higher debt balances throughout the year compared with
2005. The higher debt balances during the year resulted from acquisition
spending totaling $191.7 million, share repurchases of $64.8 million, including
$35.1 million in the fourth quarter, and net co-investment funding of $44.3
million in connection with growth in the Firm’s investment management
business. Despite these significant cash uses, the Firm had no net debt
(i.e., cash and cash equivalents exceeded short-term borrowings and borrowings
under credit facilities) at year end.
Provision
for Income Taxes
The
provision for income taxes was $63.8 million in 2006 as compared to $36.2
million in 2005. The increase in the tax provision is primarily due to improved
business performance. The effective tax rate was 26.7% in 2006 as compared
to
25.9% in 2005. See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
for
a further discussion of our effective tax rate.
Net
Income
Net
income of $176.4 million for 2006 represented an increase of 70% over the prior
year’s net income of $103.7 million. The increase was driven by growth in all
operating segments, part of which was due to the $112.5 million incentive fee
at
a 41% operating income margin described above.
Segment
Operating Results
We
manage
and report our operations as four business segments:
|
(i)
|
Investment
Management, which offers money management services on a global basis,
and
|
The
three
geographic regions of Investor and Occupier Services ("IOS"):
|
(iii)
|
Europe,
Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) and
|
The
Investment Management segment provides money management services to
institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. Each geographic region
offers our full range of Investor Services, Capital Markets and Occupier
Services. The IOS business consists primarily of tenant representation and
agency leasing, capital markets, real estate investment banking and valuation
services (collectively "implementation services"); and property management,
facilities management, and project and development services (collectively
"management services").
We
have
not allocated restructuring charges to the business segments for segment
reporting purposes and therefore these costs are not included in the discussions
below. Also, for segment reporting we continue to show equity in earnings from
real estate ventures within our revenue line, especially since it is a very
integral part of our Investment Management segment.
Americas
- Investor and Occupier Services
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Increase
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
625.4
|
|
$
|
435.3
|
|
$
|
190.1
|
|
|
44
|
%
|
Operating
expense
|
|
|
559.8
|
|
|
385.0
|
|
|
174.8
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
Operating
income
|
|
$
|
65.6
|
|
$
|
50.3
|
|
$
|
15.3
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
The
Americas region continued its momentum through the end of the year. Revenue
for
the full year 2006 was $625.4 million, an increase of 44% over the prior year,
and fourth-quarter revenue was $227 million, an increase of 38%. Compared with
2005, Transaction Services revenue increased 57% for the full year and 45%
for
the quarter while Management Services grew 31% for the year and 27% for the
quarter.
The
current year’s strong performance benefited from growth in both the Markets
group, whose focus is to maximize the Firm’s competitive position in key local
markets, and the Accounts organization, whose focus is on delivering services
and strategic advice to corporate clients. Revenue in the Markets and Accounts
groups increased by a combined 47% for the full year compared with the prior
year. The Spaulding & Slye acquisition had a significant impact on
year-over-year revenue growth in both Markets and Accounts. Strong performance
in Capital Markets also contributed to the annual year-over-year revenue growth
with a 74% increase over the previous year. Revenue in the Firm’s Americas
Hotels business was up 46% in 2006 compared with the prior year as a result
of
the business’ strong position in a healthy industry environment.
Total
operating expenses increased 45% for the full year and 43% for the quarter
compared with 2005. The increase in operating expenses resulted from significant
additions to the local market teams and from operations added through the
Spaulding & Slye acquisition. In addition, incentive compensation expenses
increased as a result of the growth in both revenue-generating activities and
profit performance.
EMEA
- Investor and Occupier Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in
U.S.
|
|
in
Local
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
Increase
|
|
Dollars
|
|
Currencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
679.3
|
|
$
|
492.8
|
|
$
|
186.5
|
|
|
38
|
%
|
|
34
|
%
|
Operating
expense
|
|
|
635.3
|
|
|
468.3
|
|
|
167.0
|
|
|
36
|
%
|
|
32
|
%
|
Operating
income
|
|
$
|
44.0
|
|
$
|
24.5
|
|
$
|
19.5
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
54
|
%
|
EMEA’s
full-year revenue grew 38% and 34% in U.S. dollars and local currencies,
respectively, to $679.3 million, and fourth-quarter revenue increased 53% in
U.S. dollars and 39% in local currencies to $270 million. Transaction Services
revenue grew 44% for the full year to $557 million, and 54% for the quarter,
while Management Services revenue grew 19% for the year to $114 million, and
67%
for the quarter. Year-over-year annual revenue growth in the region was driven
by strong performance in Capital Markets, which was up 70% for the year driven
by increased market share and strong underlying market conditions, and by Agency
Leasing, which grew 26%. We completed four strategic acquisitions in the region
in 2006 (in the United Kingdom, Spain, and United Arab Emirates) and opened
six
new offices which, together with hiring, resulted in the addition of
approximately 350 revenue-generators in the year.
Geographically,
the region’s robust full-year growth was driven primarily by France and Germany.
Revenue in France grew 83% in U.S. dollars for the full year and 60% for the
fourth quarter compared with the prior year, while Germany had an increase
of
58% for the full year and 45% for the quarter. Russia continued its strong
growth with full year revenue doubling compared with the prior year, while
very
favorable trends continued in Central and Eastern Europe and Spain. The EMEA
Hotels business also had solid growth with annual revenues up almost 30%
compared with the prior year.
Operating
expenses increased by 36% in U.S. dollars and 32% in local currencies on a
full-year basis and by 56% in U.S. dollars and 43% in local currencies for
the
quarter. The increase was primarily due to acquisitions, staff additions to
service clients and grow market share, and increased incentive compensation
driven by improved revenue and profit performance.
Asia
Pacific
- Investor and Occupier Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
in
U.S.
|
|
in
Local
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
Dollars
|
|
Currencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
337.1
|
|
$
|
272.9
|
|
$
|
64.2
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
|
24
|
%
|
Operating
expense
|
|
|
318.5
|
|
|
252.9
|
|
|
65.6
|
|
|
26
|
%
|
|
27
|
%
|
Operating
income
|
|
$
|
18.6
|
|
$
|
20.0
|
|
$
|
(1.4
|
)
|
|
(7
|
)%
|
|
(7
|
)%
|
Revenue
for the Asia Pacific region on a full-year basis was $337.1 million, an increase
of 24% in both U.S. dollars and local currencies, and $124 million for the
fourth quarter, an increase of 35% in U.S. dollars and 31% in local currencies
from the prior year. Growth for the full year and fourth quarter in U.S. dollars
resulted from both Transaction Services revenue, which increased 22% and 32%,
respectively, and Management Services revenue, which increased 20% and 38%,
respectively.
Geographically,
the strongest profit contributions were from the region’s largest market,
Australia, and from the growth markets of China and Korea. Revenue in Australia
grew 22% for the year and 26% for the quarter, while revenue in China increased
60% for the year and 64% for the quarter, compared with the prior year. Korea’s
revenue for the year was up 69%, and finished the year strongly with
fourth-quarter 2006 revenue more than double compared with the prior year.
India
and Singapore also made significant revenue growth contributions. The leading
Asian Hotels business recorded a very strong finish in 2006 with revenue almost
tripling in the last quarter compared with the prior year and with revenue
for
the full year up 33% as a result of higher transaction volume and increased
market share. Offsetting the region’s growth was a decline in Japan, where
Capital Markets activity was lower in 2006 compared with 2005, which included
several significant transactions.
Operating
expenses on a full-year basis for the Asia Pacific region increased 26% in
both
U.S. dollars and local currencies, and for the fourth quarter increased 34%
in
U.S. dollars and 30% in local currencies, over the prior year. The increase
was
the result of expansion of the geographic platform, service capabilities and
infrastructure throughout the region.
Operating
income decreased from $20.0 million in 2005 to $18.6 million in 2006. Included
in 2006’s full year results were expenses of approximately $1.7 million for net
transition costs incurred to outsource the management of the region’s IT
infrastructure, call centers and application development, positioning the region
for future growth. The 2005 full-year results included a benefit of $2.4 million
received from a litigation settlement. Excluding the impact of these items,
operating income for the region would have increased from $17.6 million in
2005
to $20.3 million in 2006, with operating income margins flat at approximately
six percent. The firm is now well-positioned with a leading market share in
the
region to capitalize on the anticipated growth.
Investment
Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
in
U.S.
|
|
in
Local
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
Dollars
|
|
Currencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
377.3
|
|
$
|
190.8
|
|
$
|
186.5
|
|
|
98
|
%
|
|
94
|
%
|
Equity
in earnings from real estate ventures
|
|
|
7.1
|
|
|
|