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Arthur J. Gallagher Boosts Affinity Operations With Buyout

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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG - Free Report) recently acquired 100% equity interest in Reassurance Holdings, Inc., including Coverdell & Co., Inc. and Carefree Marketing, Inc., collectively called Coverdell. This buyout is likely to bolster the acquirer’s insurance brokerage services as well as strengthen its affinity operations in the Northern region of the United States. However, financial details of the transaction were kept under wraps.

Details of the Transaction

Established in 1963, Chicago, IL-based Coverdell operates as a licensed insurance broker, discount medical plan organization and third-party administrator. The company caters to a number of leading financial services institutions in the United States as well as in Canada, providing direct marketing of insurance and membership programs. The acquired company will continue to operate from its current location.

Arthur J. Gallagher has already made a name for itself as an industry-leading firm in program administration and affinity marketing through utilization of innovative technologies that offer customized turn-key solutions for a membership or group. The consolidation is expected to strengthen the acquirer’s existing capabilities that will help it identify and target an already growing client base.

Apart from solidifying the acquirer’s strong inorganic growth profile, the latest transaction promises to bring in cutting-edge marketing strategies as well as experience via numerous distribution channels. Lending solid marketing and administration abilities, the acquisition is anticipated to expand the company’s suite of service offerings accessible to the existing affinity clients. Therefore, the integration is expected to add capabilities to the insurance broker’s service portfolio.

Arthur J. Gallagher’s discerning M&A activity bears testimony to its compelling inorganic growth strategy. The company remains optimistic about its ability to lure acquisition partners in its typical small tuck-in size at fair prices.

Over the past few years, Arthur J. Gallagher’s impressive growth has been primarily cushioned by organic sales as well as judicious buyouts and mergers. The company has been closely watching its consolidation pipeline in the retail employee benefits brokerage and wholesale brokerage areas, which remains strong with about $400 million of revenues. Further, driven by the number and size of non-U.S. buyouts, international contribution to the company’s top line is likely to improve.

Zacks Rank and Share Price Movement

Arthur J. Gallagher carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Shares of the company have rallied 20.1% in a year’s time, outperforming the industry’s rise of 11.5%. We expect top-line growth, astute acquisitions and a robust capital position to drive the shares higher in the near term.



 

Other Acquisitions in the Insurance Space

We have noticed insurers embracing the inorganic route to reinforce portfolio for a while now. The insurance industry has been attracting attention of late with a series of acquisitions on the back of its all-time high available capital resource.

Recently, Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO - Free Report) announced that it will buy Health Special Risk to add capabilities to its special risk and accident & health portfolio. Kemper Corporation (KMPR - Free Report) has purchased Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation for $1.6 billion, envisioning a market leading position in nonstandard auto insurance domain.

Last month, Assurant, Inc. (AIZ - Free Report) bought The Warranty Group to fortify its footprint as an ace provider in the vehicle protection business.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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