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Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WLTW -3.26%)
Q3Â 2019 Earnings Call
Oct 31, 2019, 9:00 a.m. ET
Contents:
- Prepared Remarks
- Questions and Answers
- Call Participants
Prepared Remarks:
Operator
Good morning. Welcome to the Willis Towers Watson Third Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call. Please refer to our website for the press release and supplemental information that was issued earlier today. Today's call is being recorded and will be available for the next 3 months on our website. Some of the comments in today's call may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed today, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these statements unless required by law. For a more detailed discussion of these and other risk factors, investors should review the Forward-looking Statements section of the earnings press release issued this morning as well as other disclosures in our most recent Form 10-K and in other Willis Towers Watson SEC filings.
During the call, we may discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures. For a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures as well as other information regarding these measures, please refer to the most recent earnings release and other materials in the Investor Relations section of the company's website.
I'll now turn the call over to John Haley, Willis Towers Watson's Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Good morning. Hello, everyone. Thanks for joining us on our third quarter earnings call. So with me here today is Mike Burwell, our Chief Financial Officer and Rich Keefe, Head of Investor Relations. We'll start by providing an overview of our results for the third quarter of 2019 and then we'll discuss the outlook for the remainder of the year. For the third quarter 2019, we continued to deliver solid financial performance with 9% overall constant currency revenue growth, 6% organic revenue growth and 120 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion.
Likewise, we had revenue and operating margin growth in each of our business segments again this quarter. Overall this marks the fifth consecutive quarter in which we've generated organic revenue growth of 5% or greater, along with improved margins. Our third quarter results reflect our focus to deliver consistent financial results across the company and create value for our clients, colleagues and shareholders. This has been another successful quarter for Willis Towers Watson. We continue to see solid performance in key high value-added areas and of course, we also completed the acquisition of TRANZACT which generated measurable revenue growth in the 2 months that followed.
Overall, I'm pleased with the progress we've made toward our full year goals. We continue to see strong demand for our services and solutions. I feel good about our business and our ability to deliver a solid fourth quarter. Before taking you through the details of our third quarter results, I'd like to tell you about some exciting work we're doing related to climate resilience as part of a public-private collaboration along with leading organizations from across the global financial sector, various governments and other international institutions. Climate change poses a global threat from the world's most vulnerable nations to even the most advanced economies' critical infrastructure. I'm honored that Willis Towers Watson recently participated in the UN Climate Action Summit launching the Coalition for climate resilient investment. At launch, the coalition already had commitments from over 30 organizations across the infrastructure investment value chain with assets totaling -- under management totaling $5 trillion. And those numbers are growing. We believe there is a crucial need to better understand the risk posed by climate change to our societies and economies and to reflect proper pricing for climate risk in financial decision-making.
This will better direct investments toward infrastructure capable of withstanding a changing climate. Providing a methodology to quantify the economic and financial benefits will enable financial markets to embed resilience upfront. To that end, Willis Towers Watson as part of the coalition is committing to 3 main initiatives. The first is the development of analytical tools, including a physical risk pricing framework and the methodology to prioritize national resilient investment needs. Pricing the risk posed by climate change will create opportunities to build a network of resilient infrastructures in high medium and low-income countries, enabling us to better prevent future human and financial disasters.
The second is the creation of innovative investments such as resilience bonds. There are 6 country pilot projects where innovations such as these will be trial. The third is working in close collaboration with other related initiatives such as the Coalition for disaster-resilient infrastructure and the coalition of finance ministers for Climate Action. Working with the coalition we'll be able to harness a unique combination of the rapid advancement of climate risk analytics coupled with ambitious regulatory and investor-led initiatives. So the vulnerable geographies continue to attract investment and their infrastructure is built to withstand future climatic risks. We're well-positioned to do our part to help prevent human and financial disasters, transform mainstream infrastructure investment and drive a shift toward a climate-resilient economy for all countries, all of which is aligned with our purpose to create clarity and confidence today for a more sustainable tomorrow.
So now let's turn to our third quarter results. Reported revenue for the third quarter was $2 billion, up 7% as compared to the prior year third quarter and up 9% on a constant currency basis and up 6% on organic basis. Reported revenue included $36 million of negative currency movement. Once again this quarter we experienced growth on an organic basis across all segments and all geographies. Net income was $80 million, up 74% for the third quarter as compared to $46 million of net income in the prior year third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $344 million as compared to the prior year third quarter adjusted EBITDA of $313 million representing a 10% increase. For the quarter, diluted earnings per share were $0.58, an increase of 76% compared to prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.31.
Reported revenue for the first 9 months of 2019 increased 3% as compared to the same period in the prior year increased 6% on a constant currency basis and was up 5% on an organic basis. Now let's look at each of the segments in more detail. To provide clear comparability with prior periods all commentary regarding the results of our segments will be on an organic basis, unless specifically stated otherwise. Segment margins are calculated using segment revenues and exclude unallocated corporate cost, such as amortization of intangibles, certain transaction and integration expenses resulting from mergers and acquisitions as well as other items, which we consider non-core to our operating results. The segment results do include discretionary compensation. Revenue for our largest segment, Human Capital and Benefits or HCB was up 6% on an organic and constant currency basis compared to the third quarter of the prior year. For the first 9 months of 2019 HCB revenues grew 4% organically. The Health and Benefits business grew 7% this quarter. New business in product revenue continued to drive revenue expansion in North America while our increasing market share in global benefit management appointments and new local and regional wins contributed to the growth in other geographies. Health and Benefits, revenue growth was also aided by the lower revenue comparable in the prior year third quarter. The prior year results reflect the impact of adopting new revenue standard ASC 606, which resulted in certain revenue not being recognized. Talent and Rewards revenue grew 9% as a result of increased advisory work in North America and International. Technology and Administration Solutions revenue increased to 11% this quarter. This growth was built on new business activity, primarily in Western Europe and Great Britain on top of high client retention rates. Retirement return to revenue growth this quarter with an increase of 1%, which was primarily driven by robust pension de-risking activity in the large plan market. HCB's operating margin improved by 160 basis points to 27% compared to the prior year third quarter. As a trusted advisor, HCB combines research data and strategic insight to address our client's most complex workforce challenges.
Employers must constantly adapt to the inevitable changes brought on by today's business landscape. As HCB's results indicate the segment's well positioned to continue growing profitably, while providing solutions that keep pace with our clients' evolving values. Now let's look at our Corporate Risk and Broking or CRB, which had a revenue increase of 7% on a constant currency and organic basis as compared to the prior year third quarter. For the first 9 months of 2019, CRB revenues grew 5% organically. North America's revenue grew by 9% in the third quarter, primarily as a result of new business and improved retention.
The International Regions' revenue climbed 14% compared to the prior year. There was notably strong performance in construction in natural resources in Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa combined with the continued momentum in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and in Central America and the Caribbean. Western Europe contributed 2% revenue growth with the growth driven by strong new business in France, Denmark, and Iberia. Great Britain had 2% revenue growth driven by new business in aerospace, construction and FINEX. CRB revenue was $651 million with an operating margin of 12% as compared to an 11% operating margin in the prior year third quarter. The margin expanded due to the top-line performance coupled with continued cost management efforts. We're pleased with the CRB topline growth for the year as well as the margin expansion for the quarter and the overall year. CRB continues to make solid progress toward profitable growth.
Turning to Investment Risk & Reinsurance or IRR, Revenue for the quarter was $235 million, an increase of 3% on an organic basis, and 5% on a constant currency basis, as compared to the prior year third quarter with meaningful growth across all core businesses. For the first 9 months of 2019, IRR revenues grew 5% organically. Reinsurance with growth of 3% continued to lead the segment's growth through a combination of net new business and favorable renewals. Insurance, Consulting and Technology grew by 4% mainly from technology product sales. Investment revenue increased 2% with continued expansion of the delegated investment services portfolio. On an organic basis, wholesale revenue increased by 2% driven by growth in specialty. Overall the wholesale business was up 14% including the results from Miller's acquisition of Alston Gayler.
Our Max Matthiessen business grew 1%, primarily from increased commission income. IRR had an operating margin of 9% for both the current year and the prior-year 3rd quarter. Overall, we're pleased with the financial results of our IRR businesses. We expect a solid finish to the year as the segment remains focused on executing against its goals while continuing to develop innovative products and solutions, which will drive long-term performance.
Revenues for the benefits Delivery & Administration segment or BDA increased by 42% from the prior year third quarter on a constant currency basis. On an organic basis, revenue grew 2% compared to the prior year third quarter. BDA's expanded mid and large market client base and increased project work lead the segment's growth. We continue to see strong demand for benefit outsourcings core service offerings resulting in several new client wins. The segment's third quarter growth was muted due to a revenue timing shift in individual marketplace. For the first 9 months of 2019, BDA revenue grew 6% organically. BDAs operating margin improved by 14% to a negative 12% compared to a negative 26% in the prior year third quarter. Top line growth and greater operating leverage both contributed to the segment's margin improvement. TRANZACT's revenue growth tracked nicely in the 2 months following the acquisition. We are very encouraged by TRANZACT's performance in their first couple of months with us, and we continue to be excited about their future prospects as this business continues to gain momentum.
So in summary, I'm very pleased with our continued progress, we delivered another quarter of solid financial performance and we expect a strong finish in the fourth quarter placing us on track to deliver another positive financial performance for 2019. For the full year, we continue to expect strong revenue growth, meaningful margin expansion, and significant EPS growth. Finally, I'd like to thank our colleagues for their continued client focus collaboration engagement and congratulate everyone on a good quarter.
I'll now turn the call over to Mike.
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Thanks, John and good morning to everyone. Thanks to all of you for joining us. I'd like to add my congratulations to my fellow colleagues for another good quarter as well as thank our clients for their continued support and trust in us. Now let's turn to the financial overview. Our third quarter continued to represent more positive results recognizing it's our seasonally lowest quarter with strong organic revenue growth and robust margin expansion.
Let me first discuss income from operations. Income from operations for the third quarter was $107 million or 5.4% of revenue, up 450 basis points from the prior year third quarter income from operations of $17 million or 0.9% of revenue. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter was $231 million or 11.6% of revenue up 120 basis points from the prior year of $194 million or 10.4% as a percentage of revenue.
Now let me turn to earnings per share or EPS. For the third quarters of 2019 and 2018, our diluted EPS was $0.58 and $0.33 respectively. For the third quarter of 2019 our adjusted EPS decreased nominally by less than 1% to $1.31 per share as compared to $1.32 per share in the prior year third quarter. Foreign currency caused a decrease in our consolidated revenue of $36 million for the quarter compared to the prior year third quarter with a $0.01 positive impact to adjusted diluted earnings per share of this quarter.
As previously guided, we continue to be adversely impacted by decrease in noncash, pension income and a higher adjusted income tax rate this year. For the third quarter of 2019, reduced pension income resulted in $0.10 adjusted EPS decrease compared to the prior year third quarter. While the higher adjusted income tax rate in the third quarter of 2019 also resulted in a $0.10 adjusted EPS decrease compared to the prior year third quarter. Excluding the combined headwinds from the reduced pension returns of $0.10, higher taxes of $0.10 and TRANZACT dilution of $0.04, our underlying adjusted EPS growth compared to the prior year third quarter would have been approximately 15% higher.
Turning to our effective tax rate. Our US GAAP tax rate for the third quarter was 20.4% versus negative 28.1% in the prior year third quarter. Our adjusted income tax rate for the third quarter was 22.2%, up 15 -- from 15.9% in the prior year third quarter. As a reminder, the prior year third quarter included a one-time tax benefit from the release of a valuation allowance on certain state deferred tax assets. We continue to evaluate the impact of global tax reform on our effective tax rate, including the effect of new taxes associated with capitations for changes resulting from updated interpretations and assumptions issued by the taxing authorities.
As a result, the effective tax rate is subject to movements and we will continue to update as more analysis and information becomes available. Moving to the balance sheet, we do have a strong financial position. As a reminder, in the first quarter, we implemented the new lease accounting standard. This result had no material impact or operating income, but did result in increase in liabilities on our balance sheet, which were largely offset by corresponding increase in assets. The gross up-totaled approximately $1.5 billion. During the quarter, we successfully issued a $1 billion in Senior Notes, comprised of $450 million of 10-year notes and $550 million of 30-year notes. We're very pleased with the results of this financing.
We feel that this transaction helps with our efficiency of our capital structure and provides additional financial flexibility. The bond proceeds were used to prepay a portion of the amount outstanding under our term loan commitment resulting from the TRANZACT acquisition and repay borrowings under our revolving credit facility. During the quarter, we generated $262 million of free cash flow, up from the prior year third quarter free cash flow of $253 million, bringing our year-to-date free cash flow to $445 million, a decrease from free cash flow of $507 million for the first 9 months of the prior year. The year-over-year decline in free cash flow was primarily due to higher cash tax payments for income taxes resulting from US and global tax reform, 2019 first quarter bonus payments, and working capital changes. We're expecting free cash flow to finish strongly in the fourth quarter, which is our highest generating quarter. In terms of capital allocation, we paid approximately $85 million in dividends and repurchased $96 million of Willis Towers Watson stock in the third quarter of 2019. For the first 9 months of 2019, we repurchased approximately 147 million and Willis Towers Watson stock and paid approximately $245 million in dividends. We remain committed to deleveraging in the near term and returning our leverage ratio to historic levels. As we move ahead into the fourth quarter, let's review our full year 2019 guidance. For the company, we continue to expect constant currency revenue growth for 2019 to be in the range of 7% to 8% and organic revenue growth in the range of 4% to 5%. Full year adjusted operating income margin is expected to be around 20%. The adjusted effective tax rate is still expected to be around 22% excluding any potential discrete items. We continue to look at tax planning strategies which might lower the rate on a longer-term basis. We'll provide an update on this in our fourth quarter earnings call. We expect free cash flow to be in the $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion range for the current year.
Now moving on to transaction integration expenses. We expect to incur about $20 million in cost of the result of the TRANZACT acquisition primarily related to transaction costs associated with the deal. Foreign exchange was $0.01 tailwind to adjusted EPS in the third quarter of 2019. But was the $0.11 headwind to adjusted EPS for the first 9 months of 2019. We expect FX to be around $0.04 headwind, adjusted EPS for the remainder of the year, resulting in an overall headwind of around $0.15 for the full year of 2019. We continue to expect adjusted diluted earnings per share to be in the $10.75 to $11.10 range for the full year 2019.
In summary, we've seen good acceleration in revenue growth and positive operating leverage this quarter which should continue to position us well to execute on our plans this year. I'm pleased with the results and continued momentum of our businesses. There's still a lot of opportunity ahead and we remain focused on driving execution.
Now I'll turn the call back over to John.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Thanks, Mike. And so with that, I'd like to open the call to your questions.
Questions and Answers:
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
[Operator Instructions] Your first question comes from Mike Zaremski.
Michael Zaremski -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst
Hey, good morning. First question, when we think about the guidance range in 4Q, any kind of items we should be thinking about, about the biggest drivers high versus low end? I know there's a lot of visibility on a good part of your business, given the recurring nature of it. Just curious if there's maybe some technical items, accounting items, which should be thinking about, or is it just blocking and tackling and seeing how revenues turn out?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Mike, I don't think there's anything that we would point to like that. I think it will be a quarter with the normal sorts of things. There is always issues around particularly in CRB when you can recognize revenue for projects. Something gets delivered December 30, versus January 3, or something like that. There's issues when things go in the quarter. That's it. Mike, is there anything?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
The only thing I would add to your comments John would be the annual enrollment period that we -- that you see happen. But again, it's blocking and tackling, as you said, John. In terms of the normal process. But obviously with Tranzact being on board and what we do overall and Benefits Delivery & Administration, obviously that will drive in the fourth quarter.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
I mean the fourth quarter is a really big quarter for us. So it's an outsized importance for the rest of it, but there is nothing that we think is a special feature, I guess that we would direct your attention to.
Michael Zaremski -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst
Okay, understood. And the last question in terms of the big decrease in interest rates globally kind of this year versus last year. Does that offer any kind of tailwinds to your defined benefit consulting practice in 4Q? And also kind of related, maybe for Mike. Should we be thinking about an impact to 2020 expenses or free cash flow as a result of that? Thanks.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
So I think the level of interest rates with lower interest rates, it can have a negative effect on how well funded a plan appears to be. So that's a bit of an issue, I don't think that necessarily drives a lot of extra activity, one way or another. So the -- and it's not so much the level of interest rates, as it sort of the path they've been following that can lead to increased bulk lump sum work and I think we called out that we did see some increased bulk lump sum work in the third quarter this year. We expect to see maybe not as much, but still some increased bulk lump sum work year-over-year in the fourth quarter. So we're seeing that effect, but not particularly big effects, one way or another.
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
John and I would just add when you look at -- We run and think about our guidance for the year and as you said, a big portion of it comes in the fourth quarter in terms of revenue and profits and we're up 150 basis points of margin improvement for the first 9 months. We will update everyone on our year-end call in terms of what we think about in terms of looking at fiscal year 2020 and beyond.
Michael Zaremski -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst
Thank you.
Operator
Your next question comes from Mark Marcon from Baird.
Mark Marcon -- Baird -- Analyst
Good morning. Nice quarter. I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about, what you're seeing in HCB with regards to the more discretionary elements given the macro environment. It sounds like everything is going really well. Just wondering if there is any headwinds out there that you sense or the level of confidence in terms of being able to navigate the environment?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Thanks for the question. I think that sort of the way you phrased it reflects how I feel about that. I was talking with some of the other day and saying that I thought that given some of the noise as you hear about the macro environment things are going, surprisingly well in HCB generally. And as you noticed talent and Rewards, which is really the most discretionary part that we have there it was up, I think it was 9% for the quarter. So we're not seeing a pullback of that. I think there is probably a couple of effects from that but one of them is, I think over the years we have really delivered on the value of our Talent and Rewards business in both good times and bad times. And it's becoming a more critical part of what I think employers are looking to. So maybe we still have opportunities to do that across all the different macroeconomic environments. Mike, anything you'd like to add?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
No, John, I think you covered, I mean there's only maybe one comment I would just say is our retirement business. The team continues to work very hard, and it is well received in the marketplace. And so we see that continuing into the future.
Mark Marcon -- Baird -- Analyst
Terrific. And Mike, can you talk a little bit about the free cash flow guidance for this year. It's a pretty wide range with one quarter to go. It sounds like maybe there is some timing aspects, but longer term multi-year. We're still looking at 15% or better, but just wondering if you could just elaborate?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
I'll just make a quick comment before I turn it over. And then Mike, I'll jump in on some of the details, but I think Mark, you're right. It is a relatively broad range. We're on pace for about a billion one we think right now, but we have some opportunities we think to -- and Mike will talk a little bit about them to get it up above that. We've been hit by greater cash tax payments this year than we originally expected. And so that's been a real drag here and that's not going away. We're going to have -- that's going to be there for the rest of the year, but we have some working capital efforts that we think we could maybe improve. Mike, do you want to?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes, John. So just to emphasize the point. Fourth quarter is a very large quarter. When you look at us in terms of free cash flow as you probably know Mark was greater than $500 million last year. For us, it was over half our free cash flow. And so that's the John talked about pacing that's going on there. We did have higher cash tax payments that happened in the current year. As you saw our effective rate was up on a year-over-year basis and that ultimately translated into more cash tax payments, as we file their returns in the various countries in which we operate. We are very focused on our working capital management. It's something that we are continuing to focus on and believe that we will see those improvements. And that's why we gave that collective range in terms of where we are.
Mark Marcon -- Baird -- Analyst
Terrific. And then lastly, can you just talk a little bit --
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
By the way. Mark, could I just maybe just to interject. One point that I don't think we addressed in your question. We do feel good about the 15% going forward. Generally.
Mark Marcon -- Baird -- Analyst
Thank you. And then can you just talk about Tranzact. I mean it sounds like that's got good momentum and just how you see that building out over a multiyear horizon?
Unidentified Speaker
Thank you for asking, Mark. We're very excited about Tranzact and to have them in the fold. I mean that started obviously when we were going through the process and working that as Jean works in the team we're really going through that. What we continue to see was a very strong market. We see that 10,000 retirees are hitting every single day. When we look at our enrollment levels, they continue to move at a very, very strong pace. The management team at Tranzact is doing a great job and being supported by others in BDA. And so all signs are just really, really positive in terms of what we're seeing. So a very strong market, we're seeing -- what we've got set up both in terms of technology that people want to be able to come online and think about Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement policies and programs or whether they want to call an agent. We feel very well positioned in terms of supporting that and we're seeing that already starting out and obviously we'll report that in the fourth quarter as we go through open enrollment period that started here in mid-October. So I got to tell you we couldn't be more excited about having Tranzact in the family and early signs are very positive, which is what we thought in when we brought them and did the acquisition.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
I'd just say from my perspective, there were 3 things we liked about it. We like the business model. We liked the management team. We like the people. We feel better about all 3 of them today than we did when we did the deal.
Mark Marcon -- Baird -- Analyst
Great to hear. Thank you.
Operator
Your next question comes from Elyse Greenspan from Wells Fargo.
Elyse Greenspan -- Wells Fargo -- Analyst
Hi, good morning. My first question, I guess just following up on the Tranzact deal. Is there any way I know was only are numbers for 2 months, but to give us a sense of both: a, what the revenue growth was for those 2 months and then also, I know Tranzact I think you would have expected to follow the same seasonality as BDA in terms of losing money in every quarter, but the fourth quarter, is there a sense? Could you just give us a sense of what the drag on earnings was in the third quarter?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes, Elyse. So just going back, I mean what we said, if you go back, originally on Tranzact was that we would have 25% to 30% CAGAR growth rates for Tranzact and that's what we anticipated happening and frankly that's what we're seeing really running at those rates so far and that's not changing in terms of what we had said and that was reflected in our revised guidance that we did at the end of the second quarter. But the fourth quarter is really big. But we anticipated moving in that direction. On Tranzact impact in the third quarter was a $0.04 dilution. And I guess that was highlighted in my comments. So that's how we saw it for the third quarter.
Elyse Greenspan -- Wells Fargo -- Analyst
Okay, that's helpful, thanks. Sorry, I missed that number. And then on the pension side, I know the question was asked a little bit earlier in terms of the impact of interest rates. But obviously equity markets have been up while interest rates have gone down this year. I'm just trying to get a sense, I know you said you want to wait until the fourth quarter. But could you just help us think about the opposing impacts and how we should think about the potential impact on pension income for 2020?
Unidentified Speaker
Elyse, we'd like to be more helpful but frankly, we don't do continuous valuations of the plan and there is a complex interplay between them. They are moving in opposite directions. I think if you were to ask us right now as a rough guess, we expect the situation will look better at the end of this year than it did at the end of last year. But beyond that, there is -- the situation is so volatile anyway. I mean last year, the fourth quarter completely changed everything for us. So we don't bother trying to do projections mid-year.
Elyse Greenspan -- Wells Fargo -- Analyst
Okay. And then in terms of the organic revenue on [indecipherable] year-to-date. You left the guide at $0.04 to $0.05 -- 4% to 5%, I'm sorry. Does anything -- I know you guys don't always update that every quarter, does anything indicate to you that Q4 would it be as good as what you've seen for the rest -- for the other three quarters of the year?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
No, I think we said we expect to be at where we were -- we expect to hit our yearly target. So yes. I think there is nothing to suggest -- I mean, look, we said two things that I think at the beginning of the year. One was, we said we put our growth rated 4% to 5%, we thought we would grow that and there was some question about whether the market that generally thought they were going to grow faster and we said, "Well look, we're budgeting for 4% to 5% because that's the basis on which we think it's the most prudent to budget but we also think we'll do at least as well as the market." And I think both of those are still true.
Elyse Greenspan -- Wells Fargo -- Analyst
Okay. And then one last thing on the unallocated expenses. I know that that bounces around a little bit between what goes to the segment and what goes to the corporate level. Was there anything on one-off in that number in the quarter or just typical, seasonal -- typical quarterly volatility?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes. Typical volatility for the quarter Elyse. I mean, it was nothing of any -- just normal --
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
There was no big item.
Operator
Your next question comes from Shlomo Rosenbaum from Stifel.
Shlomo Rosenbaum -- Stifel -- Analyst
Mike, can you talk a little bit, what was the timing issue that impacted the IRR growth and how should that impact the fourth quarter?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes. So when you think about IRR, Shlomo, you got to look at the comp, I mean if you looked at the comp last year it was 9%, that happens. So we had -- looking at 3% for the current year. I mean the third quarter is one of our lower quarters for the business overall. So we're not uncomfortable with what's happened in terms of looking at that. So I think you got to really look at the business on an annual basis. And when you look on a year-to-date standpoint, we're at 5% and we continue to believe in IRR in terms of where it is. So I just think it's just kind of where we stand. And we had a very difficult comp looking at it compared to the prior year.
Shlomo Rosenbaum -- Stifel -- Analyst
So revenue recognition was not something that was signed, but just wasn't recognized. It was just -- the item was just half comp year-over-year?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
That's correct.
Shlomo Rosenbaum -- Stifel -- Analyst
Okay, thanks for clarifying that. And then John, whenever you have a big acquisition, a key question is retention of both the key people and then also the broader base. Is there any -- can you just comment on what you're seeing in the first couple of months over there?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Look as I mentioned earlier, we like the business model, we like the management team, we like to people at TRANZACT and we continue to feel really good about all three. One of the reasons we were excited about it was, we just thought there was a good fit between us and we thought TRANZACT fit well within our structure and would be a valued part of -- we thought they would like being part of Willis Towers Watson. So far, that's been realized.
Shlomo Rosenbaum -- Stifel -- Analyst
Okay. So, you're comfortable with the retention that you had in terms of the employees?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Yes, we are.
Shlomo Rosenbaum -- Stifel -- Analyst
And then just the growth was very good in the brokerage side, clearly in line to better than some of the comps publicly. Is there any indication in terms of competitively that you guys are doing better or can you just comment on that side of it?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
No, I don't think we have much we can comment on that. I mean, I do think you saw -- look North America had a fantastic quarter. North America CRB as well as our international. Both very strong growth rates and those were some things that I think coming into the year we expected both of those regions to do very well. We think we have a great value proposition there and so we think that's going to be something that we're going to be able to sustain. I mean maybe not at the exact levels we're at, but we expect to get very good growth from both of those regions and we expect to see CRB generally grow very strong.
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
And I would just add, John, to your comments. I mean, we also saw the 1% margin improvement as well. So we continue to focus on -- the CRB team continues to focus on, continue to see margin improvement in that segment as well as all our segments. But just to highlight.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
And that's going to be a multi-year phenomenon. I think we will continue to see margin improvement year-over-year over year.
Shlomo Rosenbaum -- Stifel -- Analyst
Okay, great. And if you don't mind my just squeezing in one last one, just in terms of business momentum, it seems to be pretty good. Do you see the business momentum carrying forward kind of a sustainable at current levels, do you see a higher risk, less risk going forward? Just what's your gut sense, John?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
So I mean, I think this is -- I think we're where we want it to be as a business when we first did the merger back in the beginning of 2016 and we were looking at what we could put together in the kind of momentum we could achieve. This was where -- this is the kind of position we want it to be in. We feel good about where we are. We're very pleased with the results. But frankly we're not satisfied. We think we can see more improvement in the future. So there's -- every business has to deal with the changes in the macroeconomic environment and we'll be the same as others and that will contribute to ups and downs. But we feel like we're well placed to deal with it.
Operator
Your next question comes from Greg Peters with Raymond James.
Greg Peters -- Raymond James -- Analyst
Good morning, I'm going to start with house cleaning item. In your slide deck presentation, I think you mentioned on the call, you said that -- well you pointed out to a higher debts at the end of the third quarter and I assume that was used in part to finance your acquisition and that at the time of the acquisition, I thought you said you're going to suspend share repurchase and use that free cash flow to the acquisition. So I'm trying to reconcile that. And then the language you used in the call and on your slide deck you said return leverage -- the leverage ratio to its historical level and I'm wondering what you meant by that. And then, not to pile on, but I'm going to. The language seems to have adjusted a little bit in your free cash flow guidance. Were you -- accelerate to 15% or better in longer term, I thought it was 15% or better for the next 3 years? So yes, if you can add some color to that, that would be helpful.
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Sure why don't we unpack those? So first is, on the debt itself. So we had borrowed -- we had a term loan outstanding from the acquisition of TRANZACT as you can see in our cash flow statement, we paid $1 billion roughly $1.3 billion for TRANZACT. We had taken a term loan for $1.1 billion. We had taken out financing or we had gone to the market, end up financing of which we termed out portion of that $1.1 billion and we paid off any outstanding amounts we had on our credit line. So that's why that debt then. If you looked at it on a pure debt to EBITDA ratio, Greg and went from 2.0 up to 2.7. We historically have been in that 2.1 to 2.3 range, which I would say, historically, which is where we'd like to get back to.
We said on purchase of shares -- share repurchases that we would buy shares in the marketplace to make sure that we weren't anti-dilutive, given our employee benefit plans that we have to be in place. And we had estimated -- those go from time to time in this case as we sat for the third quarter, year-to-date share repurchases have been $147 million and that then -- therefore covers those repurchases consistent with what we had said previously.
On our free cash flow, we -- I guess that -- and we think about longer term. You asked a question as it relates to 3 years or longer term. Right now we're saying 3 years is in our mind a bit longer term. If you want to go beyond that, I guess, right now we're seeing 3 years. That's where we have been in terms of 15% or better.
Greg Peters -- Raymond James -- Analyst
Great, thank you for the clarification. I'm going to circle back to the HCB business because I used to think of it as sort of a single-digit organic revenue growth business and clearly that's changed this year. And so as I'm thinking about it, I'm wondering if the calculus has changed behind the business as we think about 2020 and 2021 or will next year just be difficult comps because Talent and Rewards has a tenancy to be more volatile?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Greg, I would say I don't think the business -- it's a mid-single-digit growth business, just on average. But I think that means that there are some years you can see growth up in the high single digits, where we are now. So that's not particularly surprising. It will be a slightly more difficult comp for us, but overall we feel pretty good about the business and frankly feel pretty good about the prospects for next year, too.
Greg Peters -- Raymond James -- Analyst
Final point I'd like to add just to get some clarification on is that you're reporting margin improvement without any major corresponding restructuring plan or big restructuring charges that are flowing through your income statement. So I was wondering if you could give us some color on the drivers of this margin improvement. I think you mentioned in the slide deck, it's sustainable. It gives us sort of size up what the opportunities going forward and that would be helpful.
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
We'll obviously update -- as you rightly pointed out, we're up 150 basis points through the 9 months and 120 basis points in the third quarter as it relates to margin. It starts, obviously, Greg, with the revenue growth and I think as John commented on in terms of what we're seeing in terms of revenue growth and then driving that operating leverage is managing our cost base. And so with our leadership team and operating committee very focused as well as all our colleagues are very sensitive to managing our cost base and driving our revenue growth. So we'll update guidance at Q4 in terms of what we see going forward. But our track record has been to continue to live -- deliver that revenue growth and that operating margin and so we're very focused on managing that differential.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
And by the way, Greg, I just want to be clear as we think about this going forward, we may very well have some restructuring programs that we'll put in place. But what we think we're not going to do is, we're not going to be trying to exclude them from income and try to play games like that if we have restructuring programs we will just tell you about them and tell you what they cost.
Greg Peters -- Raymond James -- Analyst
Right. So if I should assume if you're able --
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Greg, we lost you there.
Operator
I'm sorry. Your next question is from David [Phoentic] from Jefferies.
David Styblo -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Hi there, thanks for the questions. I'm sure we'll get Greg back here in a second. I joined late, so I apologize if this is asked, but wanted to talk a little bit about HCB again there and make sure I understand the organic growth to what extent, if at all, was that lifted by ASC 606, what was the impact from that?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
So overall, that was roughly 2% of that or $48 million for the year-to-date period through 9/30/2019.You'll see that in the Q -- if you look at our Q&A and the press release, you'll see it in there, Dave.
David Styblo -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Okay, got it. But and then for the third quarter specifically?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Rich will get it back to you. I think it's $14 million -- I think it's the number. $14 million. Yes.
David Styblo -- Jefferies -- Analyst
And then, I guess it sounds like there has been some questions on the free cash flow that I caught toward the end here. I guess the $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion implies that year-over-growth rate of maybe 8% to 18%. So it seems like you're possibly going to be below your 15% annual target. If it does fall short of that goal, can you help us understand what some of the factors might be -- would perhaps part of that might be due to TRANZACT transaction costs, which were obviously not known when you provided that guidance initially?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes, I would say really maybe three things that would impact it. One would be additional cash tax payments. Two would be for some reasons we weren't as successful as we anticipate being as it relates to working capital. And three, the TRANZACT costs that were never anticipated or forecasted at the outset of the year.
David Styblo -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Right, OK. And then lastly, obviously organic growth was broadly strong across the larger segments. I guess if you could give us an update on what you're seeing from a competitive standpoint and to the extent that you still might be benefiting from dislocation from mergers among competitors versus the background of the backdrop of the macroeconomic background being maybe a little bit stronger in price hardening versus just core fundamentals that you guys are doing with retention and new business wins.
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Look we have very strong competitors. They are well run companies with the management teams. But we love our team and what our team is doing in the marketplace and how we're competing. And so as John and I have reiterated that we aren't going to underperform to the market and when you look at where we are through the 9 months of this year and we're right at or above where our competitors are from an organic growth rate standpoint. So when we look at it across our portfolio, we feel very good of where we sit from a competitive standpoint and I think John made it in his comments. You look for the last 5 quarters, our revenue growth has been at least 5% overall and we continue to see margin improvements. So we're very proud of what our teams have been doing and how well they're doing in the marketplace. So hope that gives you some color Dave.
David Styblo -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Yes, it does. Thanks so much.
Operator
Your next question comes from Tobby Summers from SunTrust.
Tobby Summers -- SunTrust -- Analyst
Thank you. With respect to the TRANZACT business, I was wondering if you could share with us your thoughts of what the different versions of Medicare for all could mean for that business? Any color you can give or perspective would be helpful. Thank you.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Yes, I think we've -- I know there's been a lot of concern about the potential for Medicare for all. Of course, Medicare for all is a pretty ill defined concept. The proposals vary tremendously in scope and there is a lot of unknowns. So for us to speculate on exactly what the outcome would be, it's pretty hard at this moment. I guess I would say though we've actually thought about a lot of some of these different scenarios as to what they could mean. We think the most reasonable thing is the changes in the country's health-care model we create some new client needs. And given our positioning and especially our positioning post the TRANZACT acquisition, we feel pretty good about our prospects. Now some of the really extreme versions of this are ones that -- frankly, which would be bad, I think, for everybody and for the country. I just don't think there's much chance of those coming into force but who knows.
Tobby Summers -- SunTrust -- Analyst
Okay, thank you for that in the HCB segment your growth is I think been quite impressive. Could you describe how much that is being driven by market phenomenon and increases in demand and maybe contrast that headcount growth where you're able to attract season talent from competitors who may not be as attractive platforms these days?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Yes, I don't think we have that right off hand. I would say our growth though in the Talent and Rewards has been modest. There is a significant portion of that just come from demand and from winning work overall.
Tobby Summers -- SunTrust -- Analyst
Thank you.
Operator
Your next question comes from Yaron Kinar of Goldman Sachs.
Yaron Kinar -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst
Thank you. Good morning. Start off with our free cash flow. I guess, beating a dead horse here. I guess just to clarify on Greg's previous question. When you talk about the 15% long-term growth there. I think in the past you had said it would be 15% or better over a long-term period as well as each of the next 3 years. Is that each of the next 3 years, still true today?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Well, I mean look looking from -- we just gave you the guidance for 2019. If you're looking -- if we're talking about over the course of the next couple of years, we're saying we think those are going to be 15%. I hope we didn't give the wrong impression. We never expected to be giving free cash flow forecast for the next 20 years.
Yaron Kinar -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst
No, understood but I think we are looking at the initial guidance for free cash flow for the next 3 years. I think one of the comments that was previously made was both in aggregate and for each of the years, and it sounds like at least for the next 2 years, you still expect at least 15% or better for each of those years?
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
That's correct.
Yaron Kinar -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst
Okay. And then, on the higher cash tax payments, was that just a function of earnings coming in from higher jurisdictions or higher tax jurisdictions? Then anticipated or is there is something else driving the increase?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
I think it's 2 points. The first one, Yaron is the one you said right. It's higher income in those higher tax jurisdictions than what we originally anticipated and the other piece of it is until you file the returns and you go through the adjustments you go through that process, we had just had some of that happen as well in terms of just going through the process itself, so that drove our higher tax payments.
Yaron Kinar -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst
Okay. And then if I can sneak one more in the ASC 606 accounting catch up. So do you still expect the roughly $10 million that is yet to come in the fourth quarter?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes.
Yaron Kinar -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst
Okay. And that is basically all [indecipherable] margin as well. Right?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Looking forward to that.
Yaron Kinar -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst
Okay, thank you.
Operator
Your next question comes from Meyer Shields from KBW.
Meyer Shields -- KBW -- Analyst
Great, thanks. Good morning. So 2 probably nit-picky questions. The first -- is there any way of teasing out the contribution of facultative placements within CRBs organic growth in the quarter?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Meyer, we really don't disclose that. As you said facultative is included in our CRB business as you try to think about comparabilities to others. But we don't disclose it.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
I think generally though we -- as we look at this and it's probably not true every quarter but annually our growth tends to be about the same or we think even sometimes higher than the others. So when we try to do as much as we can of an apples to apples comparison but it's difficult.
Meyer Shields -- KBW -- Analyst
Okay. That's perfectly fair, thanks. The second question, just I'm trying to distinguish this. Obviously the reimbursable expenses and other augmented the organic growth for the quarter and I was wondering if you could break out how much of that is reimbursable expense and how much of it is other that actually stays with the company?
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Meyer, look, there's a variety of little things that are included in there and the various pieces. There is nothing that jumps out or really is driving at either in either period of time.
Meyer Shields -- KBW -- Analyst
Okay, thank you so much.
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's Q&A session, I would now like to turn the call back over to Mr. John Haley.
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Okay, yes. So thanks everyone for joining us this morning and we look forward to updating you on our fourth quarter call in February 2020.
Operator
[Operator Closing Remarks]
Duration: 57 minutes
Call participants:
John J. Haley -- Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Michael J. Burwell -- Chief Financial Officer
Unidentified Speaker
Michael Zaremski -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst
Mark Marcon -- Baird -- Analyst
Elyse Greenspan -- Wells Fargo -- Analyst
Shlomo Rosenbaum -- Stifel -- Analyst
Greg Peters -- Raymond James -- Analyst
David Styblo -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Tobby Summers -- SunTrust -- Analyst
Yaron Kinar -- Goldman Sachs -- Analyst
Meyer Shields -- KBW -- Analyst
