JONES LANG LASALLE INC (JLL)
SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Real Estate > SIC 6531 Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others)
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1037976. Latest filing source: 0001037976-26-000037.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read JLL's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read JLL's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 26,115,600,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
| Net income | 792,100,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
| Assets | 17,801,100,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-19. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001037976.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2013 | 2014 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 5,429,603,000 | 14,453,200,000 | 16,318,400,000 | 17,983,200,000 | 16,589,900,000 | 19,367,000,000 | 20,862,100,000 | 20,760,800,000 | 23,432,900,000 | 26,115,600,000 | |
| Net income | 386,063,000 | 276,400,000 | 484,500,000 | 535,300,000 | 402,500,000 | 961,600,000 | 654,500,000 | 225,400,000 | 546,800,000 | 792,100,000 | |
| Operating income | 465,664,000 | 545,900,000 | 706,900,000 | 715,400,000 | 559,100,000 | 1,043,500,000 | 868,100,000 | 576,500,000 | 868,100,000 | 1,098,000,000 | |
| Diluted EPS | 8.52 | 6.03 | 10.54 | 10.87 | 7.70 | 18.47 | 13.27 | 4.67 | 11.30 | 16.40 | |
| Operating cash flow | 498,861,000 | 798,700,000 | 604,100,000 | 483,800,000 | 1,114,700,000 | 972,400,000 | 199,900,000 | 575,800,000 | 785,300,000 | 1,194,100,000 | |
| Share buybacks | 0.00 | 0.00 | 100,000,000 | 343,300,000 | 601,200,000 | 61,600,000 | 80,700,000 | 211,500,000 | |||
| Assets | 4,597,353,000 | 5,075,336,000 | 10,025,500,000 | 13,672,600,000 | 14,316,500,000 | 15,505,000,000 | 15,593,700,000 | 16,064,800,000 | 16,763,800,000 | 17,801,100,000 | |
| Liabilities | 2,406,544,000 | 2,652,767,000 | 6,291,000,000 | 8,459,300,000 | 8,698,700,000 | 9,083,800,000 | 9,444,200,000 | 9,654,900,000 | 9,868,700,000 | 10,178,100,000 | |
| Stockholders' equity | 2,179,669,000 | 2,386,797,000 | 3,691,500,000 | 5,118,100,000 | 5,520,800,000 | 6,184,900,000 | 6,020,900,000 | 6,293,800,000 | 6,771,500,000 | 7,502,800,000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 152,726,000 | 250,413,000 | 480,900,000 | 451,900,000 | 574,300,000 | 593,700,000 | 519,300,000 | 410,000,000 | 416,300,000 | 599,100,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2013 | 2014 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 7.11% | 1.91% | 2.97% | 2.98% | 2.43% | 4.97% | 3.14% | 1.09% | 2.33% | 3.03% | |
| Operating margin | 8.58% | 3.78% | 4.33% | 3.98% | 3.37% | 5.39% | 4.16% | 2.78% | 3.70% | 4.20% | |
| Return on equity | 16.17% | 13.12% | 10.46% | 7.29% | 15.55% | 10.87% | 3.58% | 8.08% | 10.56% | ||
| Return on assets | 7.61% | 4.83% | 3.92% | 2.81% | 6.20% | 4.20% | 1.40% | 3.26% | 4.45% | ||
| Liabilities / equity | 1.10 | 1.11 | 1.70 | 1.65 | 1.58 | 1.47 | 1.57 | 1.53 | 1.46 | 1.36 | |
| Current ratio | 1.04 | 1.03 | 1.09 | 1.07 | 1.05 | 0.98 | 1.11 | 1.06 | 1.05 | 1.11 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001037976-26-000037; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-04-30. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001037976.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 3.90 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 2.88 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | -0.19 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 5,052,500,000 | 3,200,000 | 0.05 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 5,111,400,000 | 59,300,000 | 1.23 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 5,881,400,000 | 172,400,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 5,124,500,000 | 65,600,000 | 1.37 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 5,628,700,000 | 84,500,000 | 1.75 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 5,868,800,000 | 154,800,000 | 3.20 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 6,810,900,000 | 241,900,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 5,746,400,000 | 57,500,000 | 1.14 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 6,250,100,000 | 110,500,000 | 2.32 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 6,510,400,000 | 222,400,000 | 4.61 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 7,608,700,000 | 401,800,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 6,386,500,000 | 159,400,000 | 3.33 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001037976-26-000106; filed 2026-04-30. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001037976-26-000106; filed 2026-04-30. Concept: ProfitLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:ProfitLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001037976-26-000106; filed 2026-04-30. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001037976-26-000106.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, for the three months ended March 31, 2026, and our audited Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, which are included in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC and also available on our website (www.jll.com). You should also refer to Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements generally identified by the words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, forecasts, plans, intends and other similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause JLL'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 included within this section for further information.
We present our quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis in the following sections:
(1)A summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates;
(2)Certain items affecting the comparability of results and certain market and other risks we face;
(3)The results of our operations, first on a consolidated basis and then for each of our business segments; and
(4)Liquidity and capital resources.
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. See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete summary of our significant accounting policies.
The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make certain critical accounting estimates and judgments that impact (i) the stated amount of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and (iii) the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These accounting estimates are based on management's judgment. We consider them 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.
A discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q can be found in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. There have been no material changes to these critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2026.
ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY
Macroeconomic Conditions
Our results of operations and the variability of these results are significantly influenced by (i) macroeconomic trends, (ii) the geopolitical environment, (iii) the global and regional real estate markets and (iv) the financial and credit markets. These macroeconomic and other conditions have had, and we expect will continue to have, a significant impact on the variability of our results of operations.
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Acquisitions and Dispositions
The timing of acquisitions and dispositions may impact the comparability of our results on a year-over-year basis. Our results include incremental revenues and expenses following the completion date of an acquisition. Relating to dispositions, comparable results will include the revenues and expenses of recent dispositions and results may also include gains (losses) on the disposition. In addition, there is generally an initial adverse impact on net income from an acquisition as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence expenditures, transaction/deal costs and post-acquisition integration costs, such as fees from third-party advisors engaged to assist with onboarding and process alignment, retention and severance expense, early lease termination costs and other integration expenses. For dispositions, we may also incur such incremental costs during the disposition process and these costs could have an adverse impact on net income.
Transaction-Based Revenues and Equity Earnings
Transaction-based revenues are impacted by the size and timing of our clients' transactions. Such revenues include investment sales and other capital markets activities, agency and tenant representation leasing transactions, incentive fees, and other services/offerings, which increase the variability of the revenue we earn. Specifically for Investment Management, the magnitude and timing of recognition of incentive fees are driven by one or a combination of the following: changes in valuations of the underlying investments, dispositions of managed assets and the contractual measurement periods with clients. The timing and the magnitude of transaction-based revenues can vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter and also vary geographically.
Equity earnings may vary substantially from period to period for a variety of reasons, including as a result of (i) valuation increases (decreases) on investments reported at fair value, (ii) gains (losses) on asset dispositions and (iii) impairment charges. 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 4, Business Segments, 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 we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the volatility of currencies against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively impact our results. This volatility can make it more difficult to perform period-to-period comparisons of the reported U.S. dollar results of operations, because such results may indicate a growth or decline rate that might not have been consistent with the real underlying growth or decline rates in the local operations. Consequently, 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.
Seasonality
Historically, we have reported a relatively smaller revenue and profit in the first quarter with both measures increasing each of the following three 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. Our seasonality excludes the recognition of investment-generated performance fees and realized and unrealized investment equity earnings and losses. Specifically, we recognize incentive fees when assets are sold or as a result of valuation increases in the portfolio, the timing of which may not be predictable or recurring. In addition, investment equity gains and losses are primarily dependent on valuations of underlying investments, and the direction and magnitude of changes to such valuations are not predictable. Non-variable operating expenses, which we treat as expenses when incurred during the year, are relatively constant on a quarterly basis.
A significant portion of our Compensation and benefits expense is from incentive compensation plans, which we generally accrue throughout the year based on progress toward annual performance targets. This quarterly estimation can result in significant fluctuations in quarterly Compensation and benefits expense from period to period. Consequently, the results for the periods ended March 31, 2026, and 2025, are not fully indicative of the results we expect to realize for the full fiscal year.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Definitions
•Assets under management data for Investment Management is primarily reported on a one-quarter lag.
•n.m.: not meaningful, typically represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000%, favorable or unfavorable.
•We define "Resilient" revenue as (i) Workplace Management, Project Management, Property Management and Software and Technology Solutions, within Real Estate Management Services, (ii) Value and Risk Advisory, and Loan Servicing, within Capital Markets Services, and (iii) Advisory Fees, within Investment Management. In addition, we define "Advisory" revenue (previously referred to as "Transactional") as (i) Portfolio Services and Other, within Real Estate Management Services, (ii) Leasing Advisory, (iii) Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other, within Capital Markets Services, and (iv) Incentive and transaction fees, within Investment Management.
•Gross contract costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are directly or indirectly reimbursed through the fees we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses (with the corresponding fees in Revenue).
Consolidated Operating Results
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Change in | % Change in Local Currency | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2026 | 2025 | U.S. dollars | ||||||||
| Real Estate Management Services | $ | 5,065.7 | 4,626.5 | 439.2 | 9 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Leasing Advisory | 686.3 | 586.1 | 100.2 | 17 | 16 | ||||||
| Capital Markets Services | 535.2 | 435.3 | 99.9 | 23 | 21 | ||||||
| Investment Management | 99.3 | 98.5 | 0.8 | 1 | (1) | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 6,386.5 | 5,746.4 | 640.1 | 11 | % | 9 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 1,454.3 | 1,291.7 | 162.6 | 13 | % | 10 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other expenses | 321.8 | 301.1 | 20.7 | 7 | 4 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 57.8 | 71.6 | (13.8) | (19) | (21) | ||||||
| Total platform operating expenses | 1,833.9 | 1,664.4 | 169.5 | 10 | 8 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 4,342.7 | 3,942.3 | 400.4 | 10 | 8 | ||||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 5.3 | 19.7 | (14.4) | (73) | (73) | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 6,181.9 | 5,626.4 | 555.5 | 10 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Operating income | $ | 204.6 | 120.0 | 84.6 | 71 | % | 76 | % | |||
| Equity earnings (losses) | $ | 7.5 | (25.6) | 33.1 | n.m. | n.m. | |||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | $ | (5.5) | (12.9) | 7.4 | 57 | % | 57 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 273.6 | 224.8 | 48.8 | 22 | % | 24 | % |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following:
•Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("Ad
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements generally identified by the words: anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, forecasts, plans, intends and other similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our 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.
We present our Management's Discussion and Analysis in the following sections:
(1) A summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates;
(2) Certain items affecting the comparability of results;
(3) Certain market and other risks we face;
(4) The results of our operations, first on a consolidated basis and then for each of our business segments; and
(5) Liquidity and capital resources.
In this Item, we discuss results for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 and the comparison between these years. Discussions of results for the year ended December 31, 2023 and comparisons between 2024 and 2023 results can be found in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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 and judgments that impact (i) the stated amount of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These accounting estimates are based on management's judgment. We consider them to be critical because of their significance to the financial statements and the possibility 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 may differ from such estimated amounts, we believe such differences are not likely to be material. For additional detail regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue from the following services (segments are bolded).
•Real Estate Management Services
◦Workplace Management
◦Project Management
◦Property Management
◦Portfolio Services and Other
•Leasing Advisory
◦Leasing
◦Advisory, Consulting and Other
•Capital Markets Services
◦Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other
◦Loan Servicing
◦Value and Risk Advisory
•Investment Management
•Software and Technology Solutions
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Our services are generally earned and billed in the form of transaction commissions, advisory and management fees, and incentive fees. Some of the contractual terms related to the services we provide, and thus the revenue we recognize, can be complex, requiring us to make judgments about our performance obligations and the timing and extent of revenue to recognize. In addition, a significant portion of our revenue represents the reimbursement of costs we incur on behalf of clients.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Consistent with the services nature of the businesses we have acquired, the largest asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is goodwill. We do not amortize goodwill; instead, we evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.
In addition, we may record intangible assets as a result of acquisitions, which are primarily composed of customer relationships, management contracts and customer backlog, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We generally use the income approach to determine fair value, which requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions primarily include discount rates, terminal growth rates, forecasts of revenue, operating income and capital expenditures. The discount rates reflect the risk factors, from the perspective of a market participant, associated with forecasts of cash flows. In addition, we establish an intangible upon closing on the sale of a mortgage loan we originated, concurrent with the retention of its servicing rights and amortize the intangible over the estimated period net servicing income is projected to be received.
Although we believe our intangible asset estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the determination of the fair value of the identified intangible assets acquired. Judgment is also required in determining the useful life of a finite-lived intangible asset. We evaluate our identified intangibles for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.
Investments
Substantially all of our investments are grouped within one of the following two categories.
First, we invest in certain real estate ventures that primarily own and operate commercial real estate, historically through co-investments in funds that Investment Management establishes in the ordinary course of business for its clients. These investments include non-controlling ownership interests generally ranging from less than 1% to 10% of the respective ventures. We account for these investments at fair value or under the equity method of accounting.
Second, we invest in proptech funds and early to mid-stage companies through the JLL Spark Global Ventures Funds. We account for a majority of these investments at fair value. Certain investments are accounted for under the measurement alternative, defined as cost minus impairment, plus or minus adjustments resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer.
Where applicable, we estimate fair value of our investments using the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) our investees provide. Critical inputs to NAV estimates include fund financial statements, valuations of the underlying real estate assets and borrowings, which incorporate investment-specific assumptions such as discount rates, capitalization rates, rental and expense growth rates and asset-specific market borrowing rates. In circumstances where the NAV provided by the investee has a reporting date different than ours or when the NAV is not calculated consistent with U.S. GAAP measurement principles, we adjust the NAV accordingly.
For investments in proptech companies, we primarily estimate the fair value based on the per-share pricing. Subsequent funding rounds or changes in the companies' business strategy/outlook are indicators of a change in fair value. The fair value of certain investments is estimated using significant unobservable inputs which requires judgment due to the absence of market data. In determining the estimated fair value of these investments, we utilize appropriate valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analyses, scorecard method, Black-Scholes models and other methods as appropriate. Key inputs include projected cash flows, discount rates, peer group multiples and volatility.
For all investments reported at fair value, other than such investments where the measurement alternative has been elected, our investment is increased or decreased each reporting period by the difference between the fair value of the investment and
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the carrying value as of the balance sheet date. Investments for which the measurement alternative has been elected are remeasured if a qualifying observable price change occurs. We reflect these fair value adjustments as gains or losses on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income within Equity earnings/losses.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect those temporary differences to be recovered or settled. We recognize into income the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in the period including 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 pre-tax earnings and include the provision for 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. We evaluate our estimated effective tax rate on a quarterly basis to reflect forecast changes in our geographic mix of income and legislative actions on statutory tax rates.
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. As of December 31, 2025, we have therefore not provided for withholding tax, dividend distribution tax, capital gains taxes, or other taxes which could arise upon such distribution. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity.
We have established valuation allowances against deferred tax assets where expected future taxable income does not support their realization on a more-likely-than-not basis. We formally assess the likelihood of being able to utilize current tax losses in the future on a country-by-country basis, commensurate with the determination of each quarter’s income tax provision. We establish or increase valuation allowances upon specific indications the carrying value of a tax asset may not be recoverable. Alternatively, we reduce valuation allowances upon (i) specific indications the carrying value of the related tax asset is more-likely-than-not recoverable or (ii) the implementation of tax planning strategies which allow an asset we previously determined to be not realizable to be viewed as realizable.
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 we organize, manage and report our business operations. For example, the same legal entity may include Capital Markets Services, Real Estate Management Services and Leasing Advisory businesses in a particular country.
In situations where we believe that there may be uncertainty with respect to the recognition of tax benefits, we provide reserves for those benefits. Changes to the amounts of our unrecognized tax benefits may occur as a result of ongoing operations, the outcomes of audits or other examinations by tax authorities, or the passing of statutes of limitations. We do not expect changes to our unrecognized tax benefits to have a significant impact on net income, the financial position, or the cash flows of JLL. We do not believe we have material tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
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ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY
Macroeconomic Conditions
Our results of operations and the variability of these results are significantly influenced by (i) macroeconomic trends, (ii) geopolitical environment, (iii) global and regional real estate markets and (iv) financial and credit markets. These macroeconomic and other conditions have had, and we expect will continue to have, a significant impact on the variability of our results of operations.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
The timing of acquisitions may impact the comparability of our results on a year-over-year basis. Our results include incremental revenues and expenses following the completion date of an acquisition. Relating to dispositions, comparable results will include the revenues and expenses of recent dispositions, and may also include gains (losses) on the disposition. In addition, there is generally an initial adverse impact on net income from an acquisition as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence expenditures, transaction/deal costs and post-acquisition integration costs, such as fees from third-party advisors engaged to assist with onboarding and process alignment, retention and severance expense, early lease termination costs, and other integration expenses. For dispositions, we may also incur such incremental costs during the disposition process and these costs could have an adverse impact on net income.
Transaction-Based Revenues and Equity Earnings/Losses
Transaction-based revenues are impacted by the size and timing of our clients' transactions. Such revenues include investment sales, debt/equity advisory fees and other capital markets activities, agency and tenant representation leasing transactions, incentive fees, and other services/offerings, which increase the variability of the revenue we earn. Specifically for Investment Management, the magnitude and timing of recognition of incentive fees are driven by one or a combination of the following: changes in valuations of the underlying investments; dispositions of managed assets; and the contractual measurement periods with clients. The timing and the magnitude of transaction-based revenues can vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter, and also vary geographically.
Equity earnings/losses may vary substantially from period to period for a variety of reasons, including as a result of (i) valuation increases (decreases) on investments reported at fair value, (ii) gains (losses) on asset dispositions and (iii) impairment charges. 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, Business Segments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, and is discussed further in Segment Operating Results included herein.
Foreign Currency
We conduct business using a variety of currencies, but we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the volatility of currencies against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively impact our results. This volatility can make it more difficult to perform period-to-period comparisons of the reported U.S. dollar results of operations because such results may indicate a rate of growth or decline that might not have been consistent with the real underlying rate of growth or decline in the local operations. Consequently, 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 RISKS
The principal market risks we face due to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices are:
•Interest rates on our unsecured credit facility (the "Facility"); and
•Foreign exchange risks.
In the normal course of business, we manage these risks through a variety of strategies, including 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.
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Interest Rates
We centrally manage our debt, considering investment opportunities and risks, tax consequences and overall financing strategies. Our overall interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. We are primarily exposed to interest rate risk on our Facility, which had a maximum borrowing capacity of $3.30 billion as of December 31, 2025. We had no outstanding borrowings under the Facility as of December 31, 2025. The Facility bears a variable rate of interest that fluctuates based on market rates.
Our $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes are due December 2028 and bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.875%. Our €350.0 million face value of Euro Notes is split between €175.0 million due in June 2027 and €175.0 million due in June 2029, bearing interest at fixed annual rates of 1.96% and 2.21%, respectively. The issuance of the senior notes and Euro Notes at fixed interest rates has helped to limit our exposure to future movements in interest rates.
We maintain a commercial paper program (the "Program") in which we may issue up to $2.5 billion of short-term, unsecured and unsubordinated commercial paper notes at any time. We had no outstanding borrowings under the Program as of December 31, 2025. Our Program provides us with another source of short-term capital, which may help us mitigate interest rate risk.
We assess interest rate sensitivity to estimate the potential effect of rising interest rates on our variable rate debt. For the year ended December 31, 2025, if interest rates were 50 basis points higher, Interest expense, net of interest income, would have been $3.5 million higher.
Foreign Exchange
Foreign exchange risk is the risk we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our revenue from outside of the U.S. approximated 38% and 39% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as outlined in the table below. Operating in international markets means we are exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates, most significantly the British pound and the euro.
We mitigate our foreign currency exchange risk principally by (i) establishing local operations in the markets we serve and (ii) invoicing customers in the same currency as the source of the costs. The impact of translating expenses incurred in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars reduces the impact of translating revenue earned in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. In addition, British pound and Singapore dollar expenses incurred as a result of our regional employee hubs being located in London and Singapore, respectively, act as ongoing partial operational hedges against our translation exposures to those currencies.
We enter into cross-currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts to manage currency risks associated with net investments in foreign operations and intercompany loan balances, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, we had cross-currency swap contracts with a gross notional value of $805.8 million and forward contracts with a gross notional value of $2.04 billion. For forward contracts, the corresponding net carrying gain/loss is generally offset by a carrying gain/loss in associated intercompany loans.
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Although we operate globally, we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to currencies we are exposed to may positively or negatively impact our reported results. The following table sets forth the revenue derived from our most significant currencies.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | % of Total | 2024 | % of Total | |||||||
| United States dollar | $ | 16,298.8 | 62.4 | % | $ | 14,402.3 | 61.5 | % | |||
| British pound | 1,954.9 | 7.5 | 1,773.5 | 7.6 | |||||||
| Euro | 1,662.5 | 6.4 | 1,464.9 | 6.3 | |||||||
| Australian dollar | 1,156.0 | 4.4 | 1,085.3 | 4.6 | |||||||
| Indian rupee | 925.0 | 3.5 | 823.8 | 3.5 | |||||||
| Canadian dollar | 620.3 | 2.4 | 612.6 | 2.6 | |||||||
| Hong Kong dollar | 582.9 | 2.2 | 567.1 | 2.4 | |||||||
| Chinese yuan | 510.4 | 2.0 | 488.1 | 2.1 | |||||||
| Singapore dollar | 482.3 | 1.8 | 447.3 | 1.9 | |||||||
| Japanese yen | 362.9 | 1.4 | 346.3 | 1.5 | |||||||
| Other currencies | 1,559.6 | 6.0 | 1,421.7 | 6.0 | |||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 26,115.6 | 100.0 | % | $ | 23,432.9 | 100.0 | % |
Had British pound-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2025, we estimate our reported operating income would have increased by $11.8 million. Had euro-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2025, we estimate our reported operating income would have increased by $7.4 million. These hypothetical calculations estimate the impact of translating results into U.S. dollars and do not include an estimate of the impact a 10% increase in the U.S. dollar against other currencies would have on our foreign operations.
Seasonality
Historically, we have reported a relatively smaller revenue and profit in the first quarter with both measures increasing during each of the following three 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 throughout the year. Our seasonality excludes the recognition of investment-generated performance fees and realized and unrealized investment equity earnings and losses. Specifically, we recognize incentives fees when assets are sold or as a result of valuation increases in the portfolio, the timing of which may not be predictable or recurring. In addition, investment equity gains and losses are primarily dependent on underlying valuations, and the direction and magnitude of changes to such valuations are not predictable. Non-variable operating expenses, which we treat as expenses when incurred during the year, are relatively constant on a quarterly basis. Other factors may affect seasonality.
Inflation
Our operating expenses fluctuate with our revenue and general economic conditions, including inflation. However, we do not believe inflation had a material impact on our results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Definitions
•Assets under management data for Investment Management is primarily reported on a one-quarter lag.
•"n.m.": not meaningful, typically represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000%, favorable or unfavorable.
•Effective January 1, 2025, we report Project Management in Resilient revenue. Prior period financial information was recast to conform with this presentation.
•We define "Resilient" revenue as (i) Workplace Management, Project Management and Property Management, within Real Estate Management Services, (ii) Value and Risk Advisory, and Loan Servicing, within Capital Markets Services, (iii) Advisory Fees, within Investment Management and (iv) Software and Technology Solutions. In addition, we define "Transactional" revenue as (i) Portfolio Services and Other, within Real Estate Management Services, (ii) Leasing Advisory, (iii) Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other, within Capital Markets Services and (iv) Incentive fees and Transaction fees and other, within Investment Management.
•Gross contract costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are directly or indirectly reimbursed through the fees we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses (with the corresponding fees in Revenue).
Year Ended December 31, 2025 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2024
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | % Change in Local Currency | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | U.S. dollars | ||||||||
| Real Estate Management Services | $ | 20,001.2 | 17,992.7 | 2,008.5 | 11 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Leasing Advisory | 3,009.9 | 2,705.6 | 304.3 | 11 | 11 | ||||||
| Capital Markets Services | 2,422.1 | 2,040.4 | 381.7 | 19 | 17 | ||||||
| Investment Management | 450.1 | 467.9 | (17.8) | (4) | (5) | ||||||
| Software and Technology Solutions | 232.3 | 226.3 | 6.0 | 3 | 2 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 26,115.6 | 23,432.9 | 2,682.7 | 11 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 6,194.1 | 5,652.8 | 541.3 | 10 | % | 9 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other expenses | 1,337.2 | 1,242.1 | 95.1 | 8 | 7 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 252.8 | 255.8 | (3.0) | (1) | (1) | ||||||
| Total platform operating expenses | 7,784.1 | 7,150.7 | 633.4 | 9 | 8 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 17,158.2 | 15,391.0 | 1,767.2 | 11 | 11 | ||||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 75.3 | 23.1 | 52.2 | 226 | 225 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 25,017.6 | 22,564.8 | 2,452.8 | 11 | % | 10 | % | |||
| Operating income | $ | 1,098.0 | 868.1 | 229.9 | 26 | % | 25 | % | |||
| Equity losses | $ | (20.7) | (70.8) | 50.1 | 71 | % | 71 | % | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | $ | (15.2) | (18.2) | 3.0 | 16 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,452.9 | 1,186.3 | 266.6 | 22 | % | 22 | % |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following:
•Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("Adjusted EBITDA") and
•Percentage changes against prior periods, presented on a local currency basis.
However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any measure that eliminates components of a company’s capital structure, cost of operations or investments, or other results has limitations as a performance measure. In light of these limitations, management also considers U.S. GAAP financial measures and does not rely solely on non-GAAP financial measures. Because our non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Adjustments to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures Used to Calculate non-GAAP Financial Measures
Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity consists of the balances presented within Revenue composed of (i) derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity and (ii) gains recognized from the retention of MSR upon origination and sale of mortgage loans, offset by (iii) amortization of MSR intangible assets over the period that net servicing income is projected to be received. Non-cash derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity are calculated as the estimated fair value of loan commitments and subsequent changes thereof, primarily represented by the estimated net cash flows associated with future servicing rights. MSR gains and corresponding MSR intangible assets are calculated as the present value of estimated net cash flows over the estimated mortgage servicing periods. The above activity is reported entirely within Revenue of the Capital Markets Services segment. Excluding net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity reflects how we manage and evaluate performance because the excluded activity is non-cash in nature.
Restructuring and acquisition charges primarily consist of (i) severance and employment-related charges, including those related to external service providers, incurred in conjunction with a structural business shift, which can be represented by a notable change in headcount, change in leadership or transformation of business processes; (ii) acquisition, transaction and integration-related charges, including fair value adjustments, which are generally non-cash in the periods such adjustments are made, to assets and liabilities recorded in purchase accounting such as earn-out liabilities and intangible assets; and (iii) other restructuring, including lease exit charges. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally either non-cash in nature or the anticipated benefits from the expenditures would not likely be fully realized until future periods. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results and therefore not a line item in the segments’ reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA.
Interest on employee loans, net of forgiveness reflects interest accrued on employee loans less the amount of accrued interest forgiven. Certain employees (predominantly in Leasing Advisory and Capital Markets Services) receive cash payments structured as loans, with interest. Employees earn forgiveness of the loan based on performance, generally calculated as a percentage of revenue production. Such forgiven amounts are reflected in Compensation and benefits expense. Given the interest accrued on these employee loans and subsequent forgiveness are non-cash and the amounts perfectly offset over the life of the loan, the activity is not indicative of core operating performance and is excluded from non-GAAP measures.
Equity earnings/losses (Investment Management and Proptech Investments) primarily reflects valuation changes on investments reported at fair value, which are increased or decreased each reporting period as fair value changes. Where the measurement alternative has been elected, our investment is increased or decreased upon observable price changes. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally non‑cash in nature and not indicative of core operating performance.
Note: Equity earnings/losses for segments other than Investment Management represent the results of unconsolidated operating ventures (not investments), and therefore, the amounts are included in Adjusted EBITDA on both a segment and consolidated basis.
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Credit losses on convertible note investments reflects credit impairments associated with pre-equity convertible note investments in early-stage proptech enterprises. Such losses are similar to the equity investment-related losses included in equity earnings/losses for Proptech Investments and are therefore consistently excluded from adjusted measures.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Below is a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 792.1 | 546.8 | ||
| Add: | |||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 107.3 | 136.9 | |||
| Income tax provision | 189.5 | 132.5 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization(1) | 249.1 | 252.0 | |||
| Adjustments: | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 75.3 | 23.1 | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | 15.2 | 18.2 | |||
| Interest on employee loans, net of forgiveness | (6.5) | (5.9) | |||
| Equity losses - Investment Management and Proptech Investments(1) | 25.8 | 76.4 | |||
| Credit losses on convertible note investments | 5.1 | 6.3 | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,452.9 | 1,186.3 |
(1) This adjustment excludes the noncontrolling interest portion which is not attributable to common shareholders.
In discussing our operating results, we refer to percentage changes in local currency, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented on a local currency basis are calculated by translating the current period results of our foreign operations to U.S. dollars using the foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period. We believe this methodology provides a framework for assessing performance and operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.
The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) Revenue, (ii) Operating income and (iii) Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | % Change | |||
| Revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 26,115.6 | 11 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (106.9) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 26,008.7 | 11 | % | |
| Operating income: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 1,098.0 | 26 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (9.0) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 1,089.0 | 25 | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 1,452.9 | 22 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (10.3) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 1,442.6 | 22 | % |
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Revenue
Consolidated revenue increased 11% compared with 2024. Transactional revenues increased 13% collectively, led by Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other, up 23% (excluding the impact of non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity) and Leasing, up 11%. Resilient revenues grew 11%, highlighted by Project Management, up 20%, and Workplace Management, up 10%.
The following highlights Revenue by segment and type (Transactional versus Resilient), for the current and prior year ($ in millions). Refer to segment operating results for further detail.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased 10% to $25.0 billion in 2025. Generally, the increase in operating expenses was largely driven by growth in revenue-related expenses, including pass-through costs (gross contract costs) and commission expense, and also reflected higher restructuring and acquisition charges. Greater platform leverage mitigated the revenue-related growth, as evidenced by the, lower, 8% increase in platform operating expenses. Refer to segment operating results for additional detail.
Restructuring and acquisition charges were higher, compared with 2024, primarily due to significantly lower net decreases to earn-out liabilities as well as higher severance and other employment-related charges. Refer to the following table for further detail.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Severance and other employment-related charges | $ | 42.2 | 27.1 | ||||
| Restructuring, pre-acquisition and post-acquisition charges | 34.9 | 28.6 | |||||
| Fair value adjustments to earn-out liabilities | (1.8) | (32.6) | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | $ | 75.3 | 23.1 |
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Interest Expense
Interest expense, net of interest income, for 2025 was $107.3 million, compared to $136.9 million in 2024. The improvement was primarily due to lower average borrowings with meaningful contributions from a lower average interest rate. The average outstanding borrowings under our credit facilities and commercial paper program was $1,119.7 million this year, with an average effective interest rate of 4.9%, in 2025, compared with $1,381.4 million, with an average effective interest rate of 5.9%, during 2024.
Equity Earnings/Losses
The following table details Equity earnings (losses) by category of investment. Specific to Proptech Investments, lower equity losses in 2025 were attributable to modest valuation increases across several investments and less significant valuation declines compared with 2024. Refer to the Investment Management segment discussion for additional details.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Investment Management | $ | 12.3 | (22.6) | ||||
| Proptech Investments | (38.8) | (53.8) | |||||
| Other | 5.8 | 5.6 | |||||
| Equity losses | $ | (20.7) | (70.8) |
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes increased for the year as higher earnings before taxes outpaced the slight decline in our effective tax rate. The following details our Income tax provision and effective tax rate.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Income tax provision | $ | 189.5 | 132.5 | |
| Effective tax rate | 19.3 | % | 19.5 | % |
Refer to the Income Tax discussion in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 8, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for a further discussion of our effective tax rate.
On July 4, 2025, the United States enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ("OBBBA"). The OBBBA includes provisions altering the timing of deduction associated with certain depreciable assets, research and experimental expenses, and interest expense, with some effective in 2025 and some in 2026. The OBBBA further alters the determination and rates of taxation of international earnings, primarily effective in 2026. The current period’s financial statements include the impact of the OBBBA provisions effective for 2025, which are not material to either income tax expense or the financial statements as a whole.
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Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA
The following details Net income attributable to common shareholders, earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 792.1 | 546.8 | |
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 16.73 | 11.51 | |
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 16.40 | 11.30 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,452.9 | 1,186.3 |
Higher profits were primarily driven by Leasing Advisory and Capital Markets Services, fueled by strong Transactional revenue growth, with incremental contributions from Real Estate Management Services. All segments reflected enhanced platform leverage and continued cost discipline. In addition, an approximate $25 million adverse impact associated with U.S. employee healthcare actuarial deficit was largely offset by discrete cost management actions. Refer to the segment performance highlights for additional detail.
In addition to the aforementioned segment drivers, Net income attributable to common shareholders was favorably impacted by lower Interest expense, net of interest income, and lower equity losses, and unfavorably impacted by higher Restructuring and acquisition charges. These additional drivers are discussed above in further detail.
Segment Operating Results
Effective January 1, 2025, we report Property Management (historically included in Markets Advisory, which was renamed Leasing Advisory) within Real Estate Management Services (formerly referred to as Work Dynamics). Additionally, Capital Markets, LaSalle and JLL Technologies were renamed to Capital Markets Services, Investment Management, and Software and Technology Solutions, respectively.
Effective July 1, 2025, we report the balances and activity associated with the investments historically reported within Software and Technology Solutions in "All Other." These investments (inclusive of convertible notes receivable) in proptech funds and early to mid-stage proptech companies ("Proptech Investments") do not constitute an operating or reporting segment.
Prior period financial information was recast to conform with the presentation changes described above.
Through December 31, 2025, we managed and reported our operations as five business segments: Real Estate Management Services, Leasing Advisory, Capital Markets Services, Investment Management, and Software and Technology Solutions. Our Real Estate Management Services business provides a broad suite of integrated services to occupiers of real estate, including facility and property management, project management, and portfolio and other services. We consider "Property Management" to be services provided to non-occupying property investors and "Workplace Management" to be services provided to facility occupiers. Leasing Advisory offers agency leasing and tenant representation, as well as advisory and consulting services. Our Capital Markets Services offerings include investment sales, debt and equity advisory, value and risk advisory, and loan servicing. Investment Management provides services on a global basis to institutional investors and other sources of private capital, while our Software and Technology Solutions segment offers various software products and services to our clients.
Segment operating expenses comprise Gross contract costs and Segment platform operating expenses, which includes Platform compensation and benefits; Platform operating, administrative and other expenses; and Depreciation and amortization. Our measure of segment results excludes Restructuring and acquisition charges.
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Real Estate Management Services
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Workplace Management | $ | 13,848.5 | 12,529.7 | 1,318.8 | 11 | % | 10 | % | |||
| Project Management | 3,797.9 | 3,151.9 | 646.0 | 20 | 20 | ||||||
| Property Management | 1,841.3 | 1,795.1 | 46.2 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Portfolio Services and Other | 513.5 | 516.0 | (2.5) | — | (1) | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 20,001.2 | 17,992.7 | 2,008.5 | 11 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 1,860.3 | 1,731.4 | 128.9 | 7 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 595.7 | 594.2 | 1.5 | — | — | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 114.2 | 124.3 | (10.1) | (8) | (9) | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 2,570.2 | 2,449.9 | 120.3 | 5 | 4 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 17,102.0 | 15,266.2 | 1,835.8 | 12 | 12 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 19,672.2 | 17,716.1 | 1,956.1 | 11 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 0.7 | 2.9 | (2.2) | (76) | % | (74) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 437.5 | 399.2 | 38.3 | 10 | % | 9 | % |
Higher Real Estate Management Services revenue was primarily driven by Workplace Management and Project Management. Within Workplace Management, growth reflected a largely balanced mix of mandate expansions and new client wins. Management fees within Workplace Management were unfavorably impacted by approximately $12 million of higher pass-through costs, compared with the prior year, associated with the U.S. employee healthcare actuarial surplus/deficit. Project Management delivered 20% growth, with broad-based contributions from most geographies, as higher pass-through costs augmented a low double-digit management fee increase.
The increase in Segment platform operating expenses was primarily driven by higher compensation and benefits expense to support business growth, partially mitigated by enhanced platform leverage. The difference between the lower 4% increase in segment platform operating expenses compared with the 11% increase in total segment operating expenses was driven by incremental gross contract costs. In addition, an approximate $22 million adverse bottom-line impact associated with the U.S. medical actuarial surplus/deficit was largely offset by discrete cost management actions.
Adjusted EBITDA expansion was largely attributable to revenue growth described above together with the enhanced platform leverage.
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Leasing Advisory
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Leasing | $ | 2,901.6 | 2,596.2 | 305.4 | 12 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 108.3 | 109.4 | (1.1) | (1) | (2) | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 3,009.9 | 2,705.6 | 304.3 | 11 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 2,146.7 | 1,963.6 | 183.1 | 9 | % | 9 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 274.1 | 245.5 | 28.6 | 12 | 11 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 45.2 | 36.8 | 8.4 | 23 | 23 | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 2,466.0 | 2,245.9 | 220.1 | 10 | 9 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 11.6 | 33.3 | (21.7) | (65) | (65) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 2,477.6 | 2,279.2 | 198.4 | 9 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 580.1 | 464.7 | 115.4 | 25 | % | 24 | % |
The increase in Leasing Advisory revenue was attributable to Leasing, led by continued momentum in the office sector. Many geographies achieved double-digit Leasing revenue increases, with the most significant growth coming from the U.S., Germany and Canada. Broad-based growth across the U.S. was primarily driven by office — as a meaningful increase in average deal size complemented higher volume — and industrial, largely due to higher deal volume.
The increase in Segment platform operating expenses was driven by higher commissions, a direct result of the revenue growth, partially mitigated by greater platform leverage.
Higher Adjusted EBITDA was driven by the revenue growth coupled with incremental platform leverage.
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Capital Markets Services
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other | $ | 1,874.5 | 1,506.2 | 368.3 | 24 | % | 23 | % | |||
| Value and Risk Advisory | 379.6 | 373.0 | 6.6 | 2 | — | ||||||
| Loan Servicing | 168.0 | 161.2 | 6.8 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,422.1 | 2,040.4 | 381.7 | 19 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 1,736.8 | 1,491.9 | 244.9 | 16 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 337.7 | 278.4 | 59.3 | 21 | 20 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 55.6 | 66.8 | (11.2) | (17) | (17) | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 2,130.1 | 1,837.1 | 293.0 | 16 | 15 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 5.7 | 48.6 | (42.9) | (88) | (88) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 2,135.8 | 1,885.7 | 250.1 | 13 | % | 12 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 5.1 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 89 | % | 77 | % | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | $ | (15.2) | (18.2) | 3.0 | 16 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 364.4 | 244.4 | 120.0 | 49 | % | 47 | % |
Capital Markets Services top-line growth was fueled by investment sales and debt advisory transactions across nearly all sectors, with the most significant contributions coming from multifamily and office. Geographically, the growth was led by the U.S., UK and Spain. Globally, investment sales revenues were up 21%, outpacing the broader investment sales market, which grew 18% over the same period according to JLL Research. The current-year performance complemented a strong 2024 to achieve 43% and 57% top-line growth for investment sales and debt advisory, respectively, on a two-year stacked basis.
The increase in Segment platform operating expenses was primarily driven by higher commissions and other revenue-related costs.
The Adjusted EBITDA improvement was largely attributable to the transactional revenue growth, net of higher commissions, described above, together with enhanced platform leverage.
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Investment Management
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Advisory fees | $ | 373.7 | 373.8 | (0.1) | — | % | (1) | % | |||
| Transaction fees and other | 37.3 | 33.5 | 3.8 | 11 | 11 | ||||||
| Incentive fees | 39.1 | 60.6 | (21.5) | (35) | (37) | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 450.1 | 467.9 | (17.8) | (4) | % | (5) | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 263.8 | 268.9 | (5.1) | (2) | % | (4) | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 66.9 | 69.8 | (2.9) | (4) | (6) | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 11.2 | 8.5 | 2.7 | 32 | 31 | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 341.9 | 347.2 | (5.3) | (2) | (3) | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 36.1 | 37.4 | (1.3) | (3) | (4) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 378.0 | 384.6 | (6.6) | (2) | % | (3) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA (1) | $ | 83.5 | 100.3 | (16.8) | (17) | % | (17) | % | |||
| Equity earnings (losses) | $ | 12.3 | (22.6) | 34.9 | n.m. | n.m. |
(1) Adjusted EBITDA excludes Equity earnings (losses) attributable to common shareholders for Investment Management.
The decrease in Investment Management revenue was predominantly attributable to the lower incentive fees, as expected. Transaction fees increased compared with the prior year, especially during the fourth quarter, reflecting improved transaction volume in multiple geographies, while Advisory fees remained relatively steady, as growth in North America offset lower contributions from Asia Pacific.
The decrease in Segment platform operating expenses was largely driven by lower variable incentive compensation expense as a result of the decrease in incentive fees.
The change in Adjusted EBITDA primarily reflected (i) the expected, lower incentive fees noted above, net of variable compensation costs and (ii) the absence of a prior-year $8.2 million benefit from the gain recognized in the second quarter of 2024 following the purchase of a controlling interest in a LaSalle-managed fund.
Investment Management reported equity earnings for the year, versus equity losses in the prior year, as property valuation adjustments stabilized and in some cases rose.
AUM decreased 3% in USD and local currency over the trailing twelve months. Changes in AUM are detailed in the table below (in billions):
| Beginning balance (December 31, 2024) | $ | 88.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Asset acquisitions/takeovers | 5.9 | |
| Asset dispositions/withdrawals | (8.7) | |
| Valuation changes | 1.8 | |
| Foreign currency translation | 0.1 | |
| Change in uncalled committed capital and cash held | (1.5) | |
| Ending balance (December 31, 2025) | $ | 86.4 |
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Software and Technology Solutions
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 232.3 | 226.3 | 6.0 | 3 | % | 2 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 188.1 | 194.3 | (6.2) | (3) | % | (3) | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 57.7 | 47.9 | 9.8 | 20 | 20 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 26.6 | 19.4 | 7.2 | 37 | 37 | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 272.4 | 261.6 | 10.8 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 2.8 | 5.5 | (2.7) | (49) | (49) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 275.2 | 267.1 | 8.1 | 3 | % | 3 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (14.2) | (19.6) | 5.4 | 28 | % | 25 | % |
The increase in Software and Technology Solutions revenue reflected double-digit growth in software outpacing declines in technology solutions, the result of lower activity associated with large existing clients.
Segment platform operating expense growth was driven by increased revenue-related expenses and higher depreciation and amortization expense, largely associated with purchased and developed software. These drivers were partially offset by cost management actions.
The improvement in Adjusted EBITDA was driven by the increased revenue and cost management actions described above.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities provided $1,194.1 million of cash in 2025, compared with $785.3 million provided in 2024. Improved cash flow performance was primarily driven by (i) higher cash provided by earnings, (ii) the absence of cash outflow associated with a 2024 loan repurchased from Fannie Mae together with cash proceeds in 2025 from the sale of the repurchased loan's underlying asset, and (iii) lower cash taxes paid.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We used $336.6 million of cash for investing activities during 2025, compared with $316.8 million used in 2024. The increase in cash used for investing activities was primarily attributable to our $100.0 million contribution to JLL Income Property Trust ("JLL IPT"), an Investment Management core open-end flagship fund, in January 2025, and higher net capital additions, partially offset by lower cash paid for acquisitions. We discuss key drivers, along with other investing activities, individually below in further detail.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Financing activities used $643.2 million of cash during 2025, compared with $451.2 million used during 2024. The change was driven by higher share repurchases and incremental net reductions on short-term borrowings in 2025. We discuss these drivers in further detail below.
Debt
We maintain a commercial paper program (the "Program") in which we may issue up to $2.5 billion of short-term, unsecured and unsubordinated commercial paper notes at any time.
Our $3.3 billion Facility matures on November 3, 2028, and bears a variable interest rate. Outstanding borrowings, including the balance of the Facility, Short-term borrowings (financing lease obligations, overdrawn bank accounts and local overdraft facilities) and the balance outstanding under the Program are presented below.
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Outstanding borrowings under the Facility | $ | — | 100.0 | |
| Short-term borrowings | 92.7 | 153.8 | ||
| Outstanding commercial paper | — | 200.0 |
In addition to our Facility, we had the capacity to borrow up to $58.6 million under local overdraft facilities as of December 31, 2025.
The following table provides additional information on our Facility, commercial paper, and our uncommitted credit agreement ("Uncommitted Facility"), which allows for discretionary short-term liquidity of up to $400.0 million, collectively.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Average outstanding borrowings | $ | 1,119.7 | 1,381.4 | |
| Average effective interest rate | 4.9 | % | 5.9 | % |
As of December 31, 2025, we had €350.0 million of Euro Notes, evenly divided between maturities of June 2027 (with a fixed interest rate of 1.96%) and June 2029 (with a fixed interest rate of 2.21%), and $400.0 million of Senior Notes due December 2028 with a fixed interest rate of 6.875%.
We will continue to use the Facility for working capital needs (including payment of accrued incentive compensation), co-investment activities, share repurchases, capital expenditures and acquisitions.
Refer to Note 9, Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our debt.
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Investment Activity
As of December 31, 2025, we had a carrying value of $892.9 million in Investments, primarily related to Investment Management co-investments and investments in early to mid-stage proptech companies as well as proptech funds ("Proptech Investments"). In 2025 and 2024, funding of investments exceeded returns of capital by $111.1 million (which notably included $100.0 million invested in JLL IPT as described above) and $69.4 million, respectively. We have maximum potential unfunded commitments to direct investments or investment vehicles of $203.5 million and $7.3 million as of December 31, 2025 for our Investment Management business and Proptech Investments, respectively.
See Note 5, Investments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our investment activity.
Share Repurchase and Dividend Programs
As of December 31, 2025, $801.7 million remained authorized for repurchases under our repurchase program. The following table outlines share repurchase activity for the last two years.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Total number of shares repurchased (in thousands) | 747.5 | 373.1 | |||||
| Total paid for shares repurchased (in millions) | $ | 211.5 | 80.4 |
Capital Expenditures
Net capital additions were $215.6 million and $185.5 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. Expenditures in both years were primarily related to office leasehold improvements, hardware and purchased/developed software.
Business Acquisitions
The following table details cash payments relating to acquisitions. Payments for current-year acquisitions are included in cash used in investing activities, while payments for prior-year acquisitions are primarily reflected in cash used in financing activities.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Payments relating to current-year acquisitions | $ | 7.7 | 62.3 | |
| Payments for deferred business acquisition and earn-out obligations | 19.6 | 7.4 | ||
| Total paid for business acquisitions | $ | 27.3 | 69.7 |
Terms for our acquisitions have typically included cash paid at closing with provisions for additional consideration and earn-out payments subject to certain contract provisions and performance. Deferred business acquisition obligations totaled $21.3 million and $20.8 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. These obligations represent the current discounted values of payments to sellers of businesses for which our acquisition has closed as of the balance sheet dates and for which the only remaining condition on those payments is the passage of time. As of December 31, 2025, we had the potential to make earn-out payments on 11 acquisitions subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions, representing $17.2 million accrued for potential earn-out payments, of a potential maximum of $75.5 million (undiscounted). These earn-outs will come due at various times over the next five years, assuming the achievement of the applicable performance conditions.
We will continue to consider acquisitions we believe will strengthen our market position, increase our profitability and supplement our organic growth.
Refer to Note 4, Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on business acquisitions.
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Repatriation of Foreign Earnings
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $599.1 million and $416.3 million, respectively, of which $386.0 million and $314.4 million, respectively, was held by our foreign subsidiaries.
Leases
Our lease obligations primarily consist of operating leases of office space in various buildings for our own use as well as operating leases for equipment. The total minimum rentals to be received in the future as sublessor under noncancelable operating subleases as of December 31, 2025 was $27.9 million.
Refer to Note 11, Leases, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our lease obligations.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred compensation obligations are inclusive of amounts attributable to service conditions satisfied as of December 31, 2025, as well as service conditions expected to be satisfied in future periods. We invest directly in insurance contracts which yield returns to fund these deferred compensation obligations. These plans allow employees and members of our Board of Directors to defer portions of their compensation, and plan balances predominantly relate to U.S. employees. We recognize an asset for the amount that could be realized under these insurance contracts at the balance sheet date, and the deferred compensation obligation is adjusted to reflect the changes in the fair value of the amount owed to the employees. The timing of payments to employees is, in part, dependent on their employment with JLL and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.
Refer to the Consolidated Balance Sheets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Note 9, Fair Value Measurements, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our deferred compensation.
Defined Benefit Plans
The defined benefit plan obligations represent estimates of the expected benefits to be paid out by our defined benefit plans. We will fund these obligations from the assets held by these plans. If the assets these plans hold are not sufficient to fund these payments, JLL will fund the remaining obligations. We have historically funded pension costs as actuarially determined and as applicable laws and regulations require. We expect to make immaterial contributions to our defined benefit pension plans in 2026. As payments to recipients are based on their retirement date, age and other factors, we cannot determine the timing of such payments with precision.
Refer to Note 7, Retirement Plans, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our defined benefit plans.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001037976-25-000006.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements generally identified by the words: anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, forecasts, plans, intends and other similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our 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.
We present our Management's Discussion and Analysis in the following sections:
(1) A summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates;
(2) Certain items affecting the comparability of results;
(3) Certain market and other risks we face;
(4) The results of our operations, first on a consolidated basis and then for each of our business segments; and
(5) Liquidity and capital resources.
In this Item, we discuss results for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and the comparison between these years. Discussions of results for the year ended December 31, 2022 and comparisons between 2023 and 2022 results can be found in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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 and judgments that impact (i) the stated amount of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These accounting estimates are based on management's judgment. We consider them to be critical because of their significance to the financial statements and the possibility 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 may differ from such estimated amounts, we believe such differences are not likely to be material. For additional detail regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
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Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue from the following services (segments are bolded).
•Markets Advisory
◦Leasing
◦Property Management
◦Advisory, Consulting and Other
•Capital Markets
◦Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other
◦Loan Servicing
◦Value and Risk Advisory
•Work Dynamics
◦Workplace Management
◦Project Management
◦Portfolio Services and Other
•JLL Technologies
•LaSalle
Our services are generally earned and billed in the form of transaction commissions, advisory and management fees, and incentive fees. Some of the contractual terms related to the services we provide, and thus the revenue we recognize, can be complex, requiring us to make judgments about our performance obligations and the timing and extent of revenue to recognize. In addition, a significant portion of our revenue represents the reimbursement of costs we incur on behalf of clients.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Consistent with the services nature of the businesses we have acquired, the largest asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is goodwill. We do not amortize goodwill; instead, we evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.
In addition, we may record intangible assets as a result of acquisitions, which are primarily composed of customer relationships, management contracts and customer backlog, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We generally use the income approach to determine fair value, which requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions primarily include discount rates, terminal growth rates, forecasts of revenue, operating income and capital expenditures. The discount rates reflect the risk factors, from the perspective of a market participant, associated with forecasts of cash flows. In addition, we establish an intangible upon closing on the sale of a mortgage loan we originated, concurrent with the retention of its servicing rights and amortize the intangible over the estimated period net servicing income is projected to be received.
Although we believe our intangible asset estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the determination of the fair value of the identified intangible assets acquired. Judgment is also required in determining the useful life of a finite-lived intangible asset. We evaluate our identified intangibles for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.
Investments
Substantially all of our investments are grouped within one of the following two categories.
First, we invest in certain real estate ventures that primarily own and operate commercial real estate, historically through co-investments in funds that LaSalle establishes in the ordinary course of business for its clients. These investments include non-controlling ownership interests generally ranging from less than 1% to 10% of the respective ventures. We account for these investments at fair value or under the equity method of accounting.
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Second, JLL Technologies invests in proptech funds and early to mid-stage companies to improve our strategic position within the real estate technology landscape, including investments through the JLL Spark Global Ventures Funds. We account for a majority of these investments at fair value. Certain investments are accounted for under the measurement alternative, defined as cost minus impairment.
Where applicable, we estimate fair value of our investments using the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) our investees provide. Critical inputs to NAV estimates include fund financial statements, valuations of the underlying real estate assets and borrowings, which incorporate investment-specific assumptions such as discount rates, capitalization rates, rental and expense growth rates and asset-specific market borrowing rates. In circumstances where the NAV provided by the investee has a reporting date different than ours or when the NAV is not calculated consistent with U.S. GAAP measurement principles, we adjust the NAV accordingly.
For JLL Technologies investments in proptech companies, we primarily estimate the fair value based on the per-share pricing. Subsequent funding rounds or changes in the companies' business strategy/outlook are indicators of a change in fair value. The fair value of certain investments is estimated using significant unobservable inputs which requires judgment due to the absence of market data. In determining the estimated fair value of these investments, we utilize appropriate valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analyses, scorecard method, Black-Scholes models and other methods as appropriate. Key inputs include projected cash flows, discount rates, peer group multiples and volatility.
For all investments reported at fair value, other than such investments where the measurement alternative has been elected, our investment is increased or decreased each reporting period by the difference between the fair value of the investment and the carrying value as of the balance sheet date. We reflect these fair value adjustments as gains or losses on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income within Equity earnings.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect those temporary differences to be recovered or settled. We recognize into income the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in the period including 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 pre-tax earnings and include the provision for 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. We evaluate our estimated effective tax rate on a quarterly basis to reflect forecast changes in our geographic mix of income and legislative actions on statutory tax rates.
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. As of December 31, 2024, we have therefore not provided for withholding tax, dividend distribution tax, capital gains taxes, or other taxes which could arise upon such distribution. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity.
We have established valuation allowances against deferred tax assets where expected future taxable income does not support their realization on a more-likely-than-not basis. We formally assess the likelihood of being able to utilize current tax losses in the future on a country-by-country basis, commensurate with the determination of each quarter’s income tax provision. We establish or increase valuation allowances upon specific indications the carrying value of a tax asset may not be recoverable. Alternatively, we reduce valuation allowances upon (i) specific indications the carrying value of the related tax asset is more-likely-than-not recoverable or (ii) the implementation of tax planning strategies which allow an asset we previously determined to be not realizable to be viewed as realizable.
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 we organize, manage, and report our business operations.
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For example, the same legal entity may include Capital Markets, Work Dynamics and Markets Advisory businesses in a particular country.
In situations where we believe that there may be uncertainty with respect to the recognition of tax benefits, we provide reserves for those benefits. Changes to the amounts of our unrecognized tax benefits may occur as the result of ongoing operations, the outcomes of audits or other examinations by tax authorities, or the passing of statutes of limitations. We do not expect changes to our unrecognized tax benefits to have a significant impact on net income, the financial position, or the cash flows of JLL. We do not believe we have material tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY
Macroeconomic Conditions
Our results of operations and the variability of these results are significantly influenced by (i) macroeconomic trends, (ii) geopolitical environment, (iii) global and regional real estate markets and (iv) financial and credit markets. These macroeconomic and other conditions have had, and we expect will continue to have, a significant impact on the variability of our results of operations.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
The timing of acquisitions may impact the comparability of our results on a year-over-year basis. Our results include incremental revenues and expenses following the completion date of an acquisition. Relating to dispositions, comparable results will include the revenues and expenses of recent dispositions, and may also include gains (losses) on the disposition. In addition, there is generally an initial adverse impact on net income from an acquisition as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence expenditures, transaction/deal costs and post-acquisition integration costs, such as fees from third-party advisors engaged to assist with onboarding and process alignment, retention and severance expense, early lease termination costs, and other integration expenses. For dispositions, we may also incur such incremental costs during the disposition process and these costs could have an adverse impact on net income.
Transaction-Based Revenues and Equity Earnings
Transaction-based revenues are impacted by the size and timing of our clients' transactions. Such revenues include investment sales and other capital markets activities, agency and tenant representation leasing transactions, incentive fees, and other services/offerings, which increase the variability of the revenue we earn. Specifically for LaSalle, the magnitude and timing of recognition of incentive fees are driven by one or a combination of the following: changes in valuations of the underlying investments; dispositions of managed assets; and the contractual measurement periods with clients. The timing and the magnitude of transaction-based revenues can vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter, and also vary geographically.
Equity earnings may vary substantially from period to period for a variety of reasons, including as a result of (i) valuation increases (decreases) on investments reported at fair value, (ii) gains (losses) on asset dispositions and (iii) impairment charges. 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, Business Segments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, and is discussed further in Segment Operating Results included herein.
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Foreign Currency
We conduct business using a variety of currencies, but we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the volatility of currencies against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively impact our results. This volatility can make it more difficult to perform period-to-period comparisons of the reported U.S. dollar results of operations because such results may indicate a rate of growth or decline that might not have been consistent with the real underlying rate of growth or decline in the local operations. Consequently, 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 RISKS
The principal market risks we face due to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices are:
•Interest rates on our unsecured credit facility (the "Facility"); and
•Foreign exchange risks.
In the normal course of business, we manage these risks through a variety of strategies, including hedging transactions using various derivative financial instruments such as foreign currency forward contracts. We enter into derivative instruments that are short-term in duration 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. Our overall interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. We are primarily exposed to interest rate risk on our Facility, which had a maximum borrowing capacity of $3.30 billion as of December 31, 2024. The Facility consists of revolving credit available for working capital, investments, capital expenditures and acquisitions. We had $88.6 million of outstanding borrowings, net of debt issuance costs, under the Facility as of December 31, 2024. The Facility bears a variable rate of interest that fluctuates based on market rates.
In November 2023, we issued and sold $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes due December 2028 which bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.875%. Our €350.0 million face value of Euro Notes is split between €175.0 million due in June 2027 and €175.0 million due in June 2029, bearing interest at fixed annual rates of 1.96% and 2.21%, respectively. The issuance of the senior notes and Euro Notes at fixed interest rates has helped to limit our exposure to future movements in interest rates.
On June 27, 2024, we established a commercial paper program (the “Program”) in which we may issue up to $2.5 billion of short-term, unsecured and unsubordinated commercial paper notes at any time. We had $199.3 million of outstanding borrowings, net of debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2024. Our Program provides us with another source of short-term capital, which may help us mitigate interest rate risk.
We assess interest rate sensitivity to estimate the potential effect of rising interest rates on our variable rate debt. If interest rates were 50 basis points higher during 2024, Interest expense, net of interest income, would have been $6.9 million higher.
Foreign Exchange
Foreign exchange risk is the risk we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our revenue from outside of the U.S. approximated 39% and 41% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as outlined in the table below. Operating in international markets means we are exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates, most significantly the British pound and the euro.
We mitigate our foreign currency exchange risk principally by (i) establishing local operations in the markets we serve and (ii) invoicing customers in the same currency as the source of the costs. The impact of translating expenses incurred in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars reduces the impact of translating revenue earned in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. In addition, British pound and Singapore dollar expenses incurred as a result of our regional headquarters being located in London and Singapore, respectively, act as ongoing partial operational hedges against our translation exposures to those currencies.
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We enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage currency risks associated with intercompany loan balances. Generally, the maturity of these contracts is less than 60 days. As of December 31, 2024, we had forward exchange contracts in effect with a gross notional value of $2.21 billion ($1.08 billion on a net basis). This corresponding net carrying gain is generally offset by a carrying loss in associated intercompany loans.
Although we operate globally, we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to currencies we are exposed to may positively or negatively impact our reported results. The following table sets forth the revenue derived from our most significant currencies.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | % of Total | 2023 | % of Total | |||||||
| United States dollar | $ | 14,402.3 | 61.5 | % | $ | 12,258.9 | 59.0 | % | |||
| British pound | 1,773.5 | 7.6 | 1,640.0 | 7.9 | |||||||
| Euro | 1,464.9 | 6.3 | 1,436.1 | 6.9 | |||||||
| Australian dollar | 1,085.3 | 4.6 | 1,036.9 | 5.0 | |||||||
| Indian rupee | 823.8 | 3.5 | 661.4 | 3.2 | |||||||
| Canadian dollar | 612.6 | 2.6 | 613.8 | 3.0 | |||||||
| Hong Kong dollar | 567.1 | 2.4 | 544.8 | 2.6 | |||||||
| Chinese yuan | 488.1 | 2.1 | 480.9 | 2.3 | |||||||
| Singapore dollar | 447.3 | 1.9 | 425.4 | 2.0 | |||||||
| Japanese yen | 346.3 | 1.5 | 286.6 | 1.4 | |||||||
| Other currencies | 1,421.7 | 6.0 | 1,376.0 | 6.7 | |||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 23,432.9 | 100.0 | % | $ | 20,760.8 | 100.0 | % |
Had British pound-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2024, we estimate our reported operating income would have increased by $6.6 million. Had euro-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2024, we estimate our reported operating income would have increased by $2.7 million. These hypothetical calculations estimate the impact of translating results into U.S. dollars and do not include an estimate of the impact a 10% increase in the U.S. dollar against other currencies would have on our foreign operations.
Seasonality
Historically, we have reported a relatively smaller revenue and profit in the first quarter with both measures increasing during each of the following three 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 throughout the year. Our seasonality excludes the recognition of investment-generated performance fees and realized and unrealized investment equity earnings and losses. Specifically, we recognize incentives fees when assets are sold or as a result of valuation increases in the portfolio, the timing of which may not be predictable or recurring. In addition, investment equity gains and losses are primarily dependent on underlying valuations, and the direction and magnitude of changes to such valuations are not predictable. Non-variable operating expenses, which we treat as expenses when incurred during the year, are relatively constant on a quarterly basis. Other factors may affect seasonality.
Inflation
Our operating expenses fluctuate with our revenue and general economic conditions, including inflation. However, we do not believe inflation had a material impact on our results of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Definitions
•Assets under management data for LaSalle are reported on a one-quarter lag.
•"n.m.": not meaningful, represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000%, favorable or unfavorable.
•We define "Resilient" revenue as (i) Property Management, within Markets Advisory, (ii) Value and Risk Advisory, and Loan Servicing, within Capital Markets, (iii) Workplace Management, within Work Dynamics, (iv) JLL Technologies and (v) Advisory Fees, within LaSalle.
•We define "Transactional" revenue as (i) Leasing and Advisory, Consulting and Other, within Markets Advisory, (ii) Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other, within Capital Markets, (iii) Project Management and Portfolio Services and Other, within Work Dynamics and (iv) Incentive fees and Transaction fees and other, within LaSalle.
•Gross contract costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are directly or indirectly reimbursed through the fees we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses (with the corresponding fees in Revenue).
Year Ended December 31, 2024 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2023
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | % Change in Local Currency | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | U.S. dollars | ||||||||
| Markets Advisory | $ | 4,500.7 | 4,121.6 | 379.1 | 9 | % | 9 | % | |||
| Capital Markets | 2,040.4 | 1,778.0 | 262.4 | 15 | 15 | ||||||
| Work Dynamics | 16,197.6 | 14,131.1 | 2,066.5 | 15 | 15 | ||||||
| JLL Technologies | 226.3 | 246.4 | (20.1) | (8) | (8) | ||||||
| LaSalle | 467.9 | 483.7 | (15.8) | (3) | (2) | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 23,432.9 | 20,760.8 | 2,672.1 | 13 | % | 13 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 5,652.8 | 5,310.4 | 342.4 | 6 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other expenses | 1,242.1 | 1,158.9 | 83.2 | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 255.8 | 238.4 | 17.4 | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Total platform operating expenses | 7,150.7 | 6,707.7 | 443.0 | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 15,391.0 | 13,375.9 | 2,015.1 | 15 | 15 | ||||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 23.1 | 100.7 | (77.6) | (77) | (77) | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 22,564.8 | 20,184.3 | 2,380.5 | 12 | % | 12 | % | |||
| Operating income | $ | 868.1 | 576.5 | 291.6 | 51 | % | 54 | % | |||
| Equity losses | $ | (70.8) | (194.1) | 123.3 | 64 | % | 64 | % | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | $ | (18.2) | (18.2) | — | — | % | — | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,186.3 | 938.4 | 247.9 | 26 | % | 28 | % |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following.
(i)Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("Adjusted EBITDA") and
(ii)Percentage changes against prior periods presented on a local currency basis.
However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any measure that eliminates components of a company’s capital structure, cost of operations or investments, or other results has limitations as a performance measure. In light of these limitations, management also considers U.S. GAAP financial measures and does not rely solely on non-GAAP financial measures. Because our non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Effective January 1, 2024, we updated our definition of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude certain equity earnings/losses as further described below. Comparable periods have been recast to conform to the revised presentation.
Also effective with 2024 reporting, we no longer report the non-GAAP measures "Fee revenue" and "Fee-based operating expenses" following the conclusion of a comment letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff in February 2024.
Adjustments to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures Used to Calculate non-GAAP Financial Measures
Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity consists of the balances presented within Revenue composed of (i) derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity and (ii) gains recognized from the retention of MSR upon origination and sale of mortgage loans, offset by (iii) amortization of MSR intangible assets over the period that net servicing income is projected to be received. Non-cash derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity are calculated as the estimated fair value of loan commitments and subsequent changes thereof, primarily represented by the estimated net cash flows associated with future servicing rights. MSR gains and corresponding MSR intangible assets are calculated as the present value of estimated net cash flows over the estimated mortgage servicing periods. The above activity is reported entirely within Revenue of the Capital Markets segment. Excluding net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity reflects how we manage and evaluate performance because the excluded activity is non-cash in nature.
Restructuring and acquisition charges primarily consist of (i) severance and employment-related charges, including those related to external service providers, incurred in conjunction with a structural business shift, which can be represented by a notable change in headcount, change in leadership or transformation of business processes, (ii) acquisition, transaction and integration-related charges, including non-cash fair value adjustments to assets and liabilities recorded in purchase accounting such as earn-out liabilities and intangible assets and (iii) other restructuring, including lease exit charges. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally either non-cash in nature or the anticipated benefits from the expenditures would not likely be fully realized until future periods. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results and therefore not a line item in the segments’ reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA.
Gain/loss on disposition reflects the gain or loss recognized on the sale or disposition of businesses. Given the low frequency of business disposals by the company historically, the gain or loss directly associated with such activity is excluded as it is not considered indicative of core operating performance. In 2024, we did not recognize any gain or loss on disposition. In 2023, the $0.5 million net loss included $1.8 million of loss related to the disposition of a business in Markets Advisory, partially offset by a $1.3 million gain related to the disposition of a business in Markets Advisory and Capital Markets.
Interest on employee loans, net of forgiveness reflects interest accrued on employee loans less the amount of accrued interest forgiven. Certain employees (predominantly in Leasing and Capital Markets) receive cash payments structured as loans, with interest. Employees earn forgiveness of the loan based on performance, generally calculated as a percentage of revenue production. Such forgiven amounts are reflected in Compensation and benefits expense. Given the interest accrued on these employee loans and subsequent forgiveness are non-cash and the amounts perfectly offset over the life of the loan, the activity is not indicative of core operating performance and is excluded from non-GAAP measures.
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Equity earnings/losses (JLL Technologies and LaSalle) primarily reflects valuation changes on investments reported at fair value. Investments reported at fair value are increased or decreased each reporting period by the change in the fair value of the investment. Where the measurement alternative has been elected, our investment is increased or decreased upon observable price changes. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally non‑cash in nature and not indicative of core operating performance.
Note: Equity earnings/losses in the remaining segments represent the results of unconsolidated operating ventures (not investments), and therefore, the amounts are included in Adjusted EBITDA on both a segment and consolidated basis.
Credit losses on convertible note investments reflects credit impairments associated with pre-equity convertible note investments in early-stage proptech enterprises. Such losses are similar to the equity investment-related losses included in equity earnings/losses for JLL Technologies' investments and are therefore consistently excluded from adjusted measures.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Below is a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 546.8 | 225.4 | ||
| Add: | |||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 136.9 | 135.4 | |||
| Income tax provision | 132.5 | 25.7 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization(1) | 252.0 | 234.4 | |||
| Adjustments: | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 23.1 | 100.7 | |||
| Net loss (gain) on disposition | — | 0.5 | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | 18.2 | 18.2 | |||
| Interest on employee loans, net of forgiveness | (5.9) | (3.6) | |||
| Equity losses - JLL Technologies and LaSalle | 76.4 | 201.7 | |||
| Credit losses on convertible note investments | 6.3 | — | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,186.3 | 938.4 |
(1) This adjustment excludes the noncontrolling interest portion of amortization of acquisition-related intangibles which is not attributable to common shareholders.
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In discussing our operating results, we report Adjusted EBITDA margins and refer to percentage changes in local currency, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented on a local currency basis are calculated by translating the current period results of our foreign operations to U.S. dollars using the foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period. We believe this methodology provides a framework for assessing performance and operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.
The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) Revenue, (ii) Operating income and (iii) Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | % Change | |||
| Revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 23,432.9 | 13 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 52.5 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 23,485.4 | 13 | % | |
| Operating income: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 868.1 | 51 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 17.2 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 885.3 | 54 | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 1,186.3 | 26 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 14.7 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 1,201.0 | 28 | % |
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Revenue
Consolidated revenue grew 13% and was broad-based across revenue types and most sub-segments. Resilient revenues grew 14% collectively, highlighted by Workplace Management, up 17%, and Property Management, up 8%. Growth in these businesses outpaced declines in LaSalle Advisory Fees, down 7%, and JLL Technologies, down 8%. Fueled by a strong second half of 2024, Transactional revenue increased 11% collectively, led by (i) Leasing, up 11%, (ii) Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other, up 20%, and (iii) Project Management, up 8%.
The following highlights Revenue by segment and type (Transactional versus Resilient), for the current and prior year ($ in millions). Refer to segment operating results for further detail.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased 12% to $22.6 billion in 2024. Generally, the net increase in platform operating expenses was largely driven by growth in revenue-related expenses, partially offset by greater platform leverage. Gross contract costs also increased due to top-line performance. Refer to segment operating results for additional detail.
Restructuring and acquisition charges were lower in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to (i) an expense credit in the third quarter of 2024 associated with a reduction to an acquisition-related earn-out and (ii) lower employment-related costs over the full year as significant cost-out actions were executed in 2023. Refer to the following table for further detail.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Severance and other employment-related charges | $ | 27.1 | 62.1 | ||||
| Restructuring, pre-acquisition and post-acquisition charges | 28.6 | 43.0 | |||||
| Fair value adjustments that resulted in a net decrease to earn-out liabilities from prior-period acquisition activity | (32.6) | (4.4) | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | $ | 23.1 | 100.7 |
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Interest Expense
Interest expense, net of interest income, for 2024 was $136.9 million, compared to $135.4 million in 2023. The average outstanding borrowings under our credit facilities and commercial paper program was $1,381.4 million this year, with an average effective interest rate of 5.9%, in 2024, compared with $1,875.9 million, also with an average effective interest rate of 5.9%, during 2023.
Equity Earnings (Losses)
The following details Equity losses by relevant segment. Refer to the segment discussions for additional details.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| JLL Technologies | $ | (53.8) | (177.0) | ||||
| LaSalle | (22.6) | (24.7) | |||||
| Other | 5.6 | 7.6 | |||||
| Equity losses | $ | (70.8) | (194.1) |
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $132.5 million and $25.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing effective tax rates ("ETR") of 19.5% and 10.2%, respectively. The meaningfully lower ETR in 2023 was primarily attributable to the significantly lower pre-tax earnings (compared to 2024) as well as the geographic mix of income. Refer to the Income Tax discussion in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 8, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for a further discussion of our effective tax rate.
Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA
Net income attributable to common shareholders was $546.8 million for the year, or $11.30 per diluted common share, compared with $225.4 million for 2023, or $4.67 per diluted common share. Adjusted EBITDA increased 28% from the prior year to $1,186.3 million in 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA expansion was primarily attributable to (i) higher revenues, both Transactional and certain Resilient revenue streams, including Workplace Management within Work Dynamics, and (ii) cost discipline and enhanced platform leverage. These drivers notably outpaced the $19.5 million expense associated with the Fannie Mae loan repurchase and the $18.1 million impact associated with an outsized prior-year actuarial benefit. Refer to the segment performance highlights for additional detail.
Segment Operating Results
We manage and report our operations as five business segments: Markets Advisory, Capital Markets, Work Dynamics, JLL Technologies and LaSalle. Markets Advisory offers a wide range of real estate services, including agency leasing and tenant representation, property management, and advisory and consulting services. Our Capital Markets service offerings include investment sales, debt and equity advisory, value and risk advisory, and loan servicing. Our Work Dynamics business provides a broad suite of integrated services to occupiers of real estate, including facility and project management, as well as portfolio and other services. We consider "Property Management" to be services provided to non-occupying property investors and "Workplace Management" to be services provided to facility occupiers. Our JLL Technologies segment offers software products, solutions and services, while LaSalle provides investment management services on a global basis to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.
Segment operating expenses comprise Gross contract costs and Segment platform operating expenses, which includes Platform compensation and benefits; Platform operating, administrative and other expenses; and Depreciation and amortization. Our measure of segment results excludes Restructuring and acquisition charges.
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Markets Advisory
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Leasing | $ | 2,596.2 | 2,343.6 | 252.6 | 11 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Property Management | 1,795.1 | 1,675.1 | 120.0 | 7 | 8 | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 109.4 | 102.9 | 6.5 | 6 | 7 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 4,500.7 | 4,121.6 | 379.1 | 9 | % | 9 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 2,309.2 | 2,178.2 | 131.0 | 6 | % | 6 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 371.9 | 368.3 | 3.6 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 70.0 | 69.6 | 0.4 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 2,751.1 | 2,616.1 | 135.0 | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 1,269.6 | 1,153.6 | 116.0 | 10 | 11 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 4,020.7 | 3,769.7 | 251.0 | 7 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Equity earnings (losses) | $ | 0.7 | (0.5) | 1.2 | 240 | % | 227 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 547.6 | 416.6 | 131.0 | 31 | % | 31 | % |
The broad-based increase in Markets Advisory revenue was primarily driven by Leasing and led by the office sector. Many geographies achieved double-digit Leasing revenue growth, most notably the U.S., India and the UK. In addition, the number of large Leasing deals (where JLL has a greater presence) increased over the prior year in nearly all asset classes. Property Management revenue growth for the year was led by expansions in the U.S. and several countries in Asia Pacific, largely due to greater pass-through costs (i.e., Gross contract costs), as management fees increased low single-digits.
The increase in Segment platform operating expenses was driven by higher commissions, partially offset by greater platform leverage.
Higher Adjusted EBITDA was driven by transactional revenue growth, which outpaced the expense increased described above.
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Capital Markets
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other | $ | 1,506.2 | 1,261.6 | 244.6 | 19 | % | 20 | % | |||
| Value and Risk Advisory | 373.0 | 363.8 | 9.2 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Loan Servicing | 161.2 | 152.6 | 8.6 | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,040.4 | 1,778.0 | 262.4 | 15 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 1,491.9 | 1,337.7 | 154.2 | 12 | % | 12 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 278.4 | 246.1 | 32.3 | 13 | 13 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 66.8 | 65.6 | 1.2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 1,837.1 | 1,649.4 | 187.7 | 11 | 11 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 48.6 | 47.5 | 1.1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 1,885.7 | 1,696.9 | 188.8 | 11 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 2.7 | 6.7 | (4.0) | (60) | % | (59) | % | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | $ | (18.2) | (18.2) | — | — | % | — | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 244.4 | 173.1 | 71.3 | 41 | % | 42 | % |
Capital Markets top-line results were driven by Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other as investor sentiment and increasing interest rate stability supported year-over-year accelerated activity. Both investment sales and debt advisory achieved double-digit growth across most geographies. Investment sales in the U.S. grew 30%, outperforming the broader market for U.S. investment sales, which grew 12% according to JLL Research.
The increase in Segment platform operating expenses was driven by (i) higher commissions, correlated to revenue growth, (ii) the $19.5 million adverse impact associated with the August repurchase of a Fannie Mae loan and (iii) $5.1 million higher non-cash expense attributable to the year-over-year change in loan loss credit reserves.
The Adjusted EBITDA improvement was largely attributable to transactional revenue growth, together with cost discipline, tempered by the expense drivers described above.
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Work Dynamics
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Workplace Management | $ | 12,529.7 | 10,706.2 | 1,823.5 | 17 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Project Management | 3,151.9 | 2,924.8 | 227.1 | 8 | 8 | ||||||
| Portfolio Services and Other | 516.0 | 500.1 | 15.9 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 16,197.6 | 14,131.1 | 2,066.5 | 15 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 1,385.8 | 1,305.1 | 80.7 | 6 | % | 6 | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 467.8 | 431.6 | 36.2 | 8 | 9 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 91.1 | 79.2 | 11.9 | 15 | 15 | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 1,944.7 | 1,815.9 | 128.8 | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 14,029.9 | 12,131.4 | 1,898.5 | 16 | 16 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 15,974.6 | 13,947.3 | 2,027.3 | 15 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 57 | % | 58 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 316.3 | 264.0 | 52.3 | 20 | % | 20 | % |
Work Dynamics revenue growth was led by continued strong performance in Workplace Management, largely from a balanced mix of client wins and mandate expansions, as well as incremental pass-through costs in the United States. Project Management revenue performance varied across geographies given shifts in business mix as management fees increased in the mid-single digits, supplemented by higher pass-through costs.
The increase in Segment platform operating expenses was driven by (i) a nearly $13 million lower actuarial benefit associated with U.S. medical self-insurance compared to the prior year, (ii) higher U.S. state gross receipt tax expense reported in the third quarter of 2024 and (iii) incremental investments in our platform (including technology and artificial intelligence capabilities).
Adjusted EBITDA growth was driven by top-line performance, which more than overcame the incremental expenses described above.
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JLL Technologies
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 226.3 | 246.4 | (20.1) | (8) | % | (8) | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits(1) | $ | 197.0 | 200.7 | (3.7) | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 54.2 | 50.3 | 3.9 | 8 | 8 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 19.4 | 15.9 | 3.5 | 22 | 22 | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 270.6 | 266.9 | 3.7 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 5.5 | 14.5 | (9.0) | (62) | (62) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 276.1 | 281.4 | (5.3) | (2) | % | (2) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA(2) | $ | (22.3) | (19.1) | (3.2) | (17) | % | (15) | % | |||
| Equity losses | $ | (53.8) | (177.0) | 123.2 | 70 | % | 70 | % |
(1) Included in Compensation and benefits expenses for JLL Technologies is carried interest expense of $2.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, and carried interest benefit of $13.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023. Carried interest expense (benefit) is associated with equity earnings/losses on Spark Venture Funds investments.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA excludes Equity losses for JLL Technologies.
The decrease in JLL Technologies revenue was due to lower contract signings in technology solutions over the past year, partially offset by modest growth in software services.
The net increase in Segment platform operating expenses was largely driven by a $16.5 million year-over-year difference associated with carried interest expense (given incremental expense in 2024 compared with a reduction in carried interest in 2023), largely offset by the impact of cost discipline and improved operating efficiency achieved over the past year.
The decline in Adjusted EBITDA was attributable to the revenue and expense drivers described above.
Lower equity losses in 2024 were attributable to modest valuation increases across several investments, offset by less significant valuation declines compared with 2023.
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LaSalle
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Advisory fees | $ | 373.8 | 406.2 | (32.4) | (8) | % | (7) | % | |||
| Transaction fees and other | 33.5 | 30.0 | 3.5 | 12 | 14 | ||||||
| Incentive fees | 60.6 | 47.5 | 13.1 | 28 | 36 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 467.9 | 483.7 | (15.8) | (3) | % | (2) | % | |||
| Platform compensation and benefits | $ | 268.9 | 288.7 | (19.8) | (7) | % | (6) | % | |||
| Platform operating, administrative and other | 69.8 | 62.6 | 7.2 | 12 | 11 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 8.5 | 8.1 | 0.4 | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Segment platform operating expenses | 347.2 | 359.4 | (12.2) | (3) | (3) | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 37.4 | 28.9 | 8.5 | 29 | 30 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 384.6 | 388.3 | (3.7) | (1) | % | — | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA (1) | $ | 100.3 | 103.8 | (3.5) | (3) | % | 1 | % | |||
| Equity losses | $ | (22.6) | (24.7) | 2.1 | 9 | % | 9 | % |
(1) Adjusted EBITDA excludes Equity losses for LaSalle.
The decrease in revenue was driven by lower advisory fees, which reflected (i) reduced fees in Europe as a result of structural changes to a lower-margin business and (ii) declines in AUM over the trailing twelve months. The decrease in advisory fees was largely offset by higher incentive fees, in particular those earned in the fourth quarter of 2024 from asset dispositions on behalf of clients in Asia Pacific.
Lower Segment platform operating expenses reflected (i) lower variable incentive compensation expense as a result of decreased revenue and (ii) the 2024 benefit of cost management actions. These decreases were partially offset by a few discrete, individually immaterial expense items.
Adjusted EBITDA was flat compared to the prior year, reflecting the lower revenues offset by the expense drivers noted above and an $8.2 million gain recognized in the second quarter of 2024 following the purchase of a controlling interest in a LaSalle-managed fund.
Net equity losses were lower in 2024 as LaSalle reported equity earnings for the fourth-quarter, as valuation movements in AUM continue to stabilize. The fourth quarter of 2024 was the first quarter since mid-2022 with positive equity earnings, reflecting greater stabilization of underlying valuations.
In 2024, AUM decreased nominally in USD (3% in local currency). Changes in AUM are detailed below (in billions):
| Beginning balance (December 31, 2023) | $ | 89.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Asset acquisitions/takeovers | 4.6 | |
| Asset dispositions/withdrawals | (5.3) | |
| Valuation changes | (1.3) | |
| Foreign currency translation | 2.4 | |
| Change in uncalled committed capital and cash held | (0.6) | |
| Ending balance (December 31, 2024) | $ | 88.8 |
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities provided $785.3 million of cash in 2024, compared with $575.8 million provided in 2023. Improved cash flow performance was primarily driven by (i) higher cash provided by earnings, (ii) higher commission and bonus accruals (versus payments made) and (iii) improvements in Net reimbursables. These were partially offset by an increase in receivables associated with revenue growth, $126.4 million of higher cash taxes paid, and the August 2024 loan repurchase from Fannie Mae.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We used $316.8 million of cash for investing activities during 2024, compared with $290.4 million used in 2023. Net cash outflow increased in 2024 due to higher business acquisition volumes in the current year, partially offset by lower investment activity within JLL Technologies and LaSalle. We discuss key drivers, along with other investing activities, individually below in further detail.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Financing activities used $451.2 million of cash during 2024, compared with $374.3 million used during 2023. This change resulted from a net year-over-year decrease in debt outstanding, as cash provided by earnings was higher in 2024. We discuss the key components of our financing activity below in further detail.
Debt
On June 27, 2024, we established a commercial paper program (the “Program”) in which we may issue up to $2.5 billion of short-term, unsecured and unsubordinated commercial paper notes at any time, under the exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Our $3.3 billion Facility matures on November 3, 2028, and bears a variable interest rate. Outstanding borrowings, including the balance of the Facility, Short-term borrowings (financing lease obligations, overdrawn bank accounts and local overdraft facilities) and the balance outstanding under the Program are presented below.
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Outstanding borrowings under the Facility | $ | 100.0 | 625.0 | |
| Short-term borrowings | 153.8 | 147.9 | ||
| Outstanding commercial paper | 200.0 | — |
In addition to our Facility, we had the capacity to borrow up to $42.5 million under local overdraft facilities as of December 31, 2024.
The following table provides additional information on our Facility, commercial paper, and our uncommitted credit agreement ("Uncommitted Facility"), which allows for discretionary short-term liquidity of up to $400.0 million, collectively.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Average outstanding borrowings | $ | 1,381.4 | 1,875.9 | |
| Average effective interest rate | 5.9 | % | 5.9 | % |
As of December 31, 2024, we had €350.0 million of Euro Notes, evenly divided between maturities of June 2027 (with a fixed interest rate of 1.96%) and June 2029 (with a fixed interest rate of 2.21%). During 2023, we issued $400.0 million of Senior Notes due December 2028 with a fixed interest rate of 6.875% and used the proceeds to pay down our Facility.
We will continue to use the Facility for working capital needs (including payment of accrued incentive compensation), co-investment activities, share repurchases, capital expenditures and acquisitions.
Refer to Note 10, Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our debt.
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Investment Activity
As of December 31, 2024, we had a carrying value of $812.7 million in Investments, primarily related to investments by JLL Technologies in early to mid-stage proptech companies and proptech funds as well as LaSalle co-investments. In 2024 and 2023, funding of investments exceeded returns of capital by $69.4 million and $85.7 million, respectively. We expect continued investments by JLL Technologies as well as strategic co-investment opportunities with our investment management clients globally as co-investment remains an important foundation to the continued growth of LaSalle's business.
We have unfunded capital commitments to investment vehicles and direct investments totaling a maximum of $299.6 million as of December 31, 2024.
See Note 5, Investments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our investment activity.
Share Repurchase and Dividend Programs
In February 2022, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.5 billion for the repurchase of our common stock in the open market and privately negotiated transactions. As of December 31, 2024, $1,013.2 million remained authorized for repurchases under our repurchase program. The following table outlines share repurchase activity for the last two years.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Total number of shares repurchased (in 000's) | 373.1 | 410.3 | |||||
| Total paid for shares repurchased | $ | 80.4 | 62.0 |
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures were $185.5 million and $186.9 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Expenditures in both years were primarily related to office leasehold improvements, hardware and purchased/developed software.
Business Acquisitions
In 2024, we paid $69.7 million for business acquisitions. This included $62.3 million of payments relating to acquisitions that closed in 2024 and $7.4 million for deferred business acquisition and earn-out obligations related to acquisitions completed in prior years, which are primarily reflected in cash flows from financing activities.
Terms for our acquisitions have typically included cash paid at closing with provisions for additional consideration and earn-out payments subject to certain contract provisions and performance. Deferred business acquisition obligations totaled $20.8 million and $13.2 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These obligations represent the current discounted values of payments to sellers of businesses for which our acquisition has closed as of the balance sheet dates and for which the only remaining condition on those payments is the passage of time. As of December 31, 2024, we had the potential to make earn-out payments on 13 acquisitions subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions, representing $35.8 million accrued for potential earn-out payments, of a potential maximum of $108.0 million (undiscounted). These earn-outs will come due at various times over the next five years, assuming the achievement of the applicable performance conditions.
We will continue to consider acquisitions we believe will strengthen our market position, increase our profitability and supplement our organic growth.
Refer to Note 4, Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on business acquisitions.
Repatriation of Foreign Earnings
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $416.3 million and $410.0 million, respectively, of which $314.4 million and $310.1 million, respectively, was held by our foreign subsidiaries.
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Leases
Our lease obligations primarily consist of operating leases of office space in various buildings for our own use as well as operating leases for equipment. The total minimum rentals to be received in the future as sublessor under noncancelable operating subleases as of December 31, 2024 was $38.3 million.
Refer to Note 11, Leases, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our lease obligations.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred compensation obligations are inclusive of amounts attributable to service conditions satisfied as of December 31, 2024, as well as service conditions expected to be satisfied in future periods. We invest directly in insurance contracts which yield returns to fund these deferred compensation obligations. These plans allow employees and members of our Board of Directors to defer portions of their compensation, and plan balances predominantly relate to U.S. employees. We recognize an asset for the amount that could be realized under these insurance contracts at the balance sheet date, and the deferred compensation obligation is adjusted to reflect the changes in the fair value of the amount owed to the employees. The timing of payments to employees is, in part, dependent on their employment with JLL and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.
Refer to the Consolidated Balance Sheets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Note 9, Fair Value Measurements, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our deferred compensation.
Defined Benefit Plans
The defined benefit plan obligations represent estimates of the expected benefits to be paid out by our defined benefit plans. We will fund these obligations from the assets held by these plans. If the assets these plans hold are not sufficient to fund these payments, JLL will fund the remaining obligations. We have historically funded pension costs as actuarially determined and as applicable laws and regulations require. We expect to contribute $0.5 million to our defined benefit pension plans in 2025. As payments to recipients are based on their retirement date, age and other factors, we cannot determine the timing of such payments with precision.
Refer to Note 7, Retirement Plans, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our defined benefit plans.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001037976-24-000010.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements generally identified by the words: anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, forecasts, plans, intends and other similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our 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.
We present our Management's Discussion and Analysis in the following sections:
(1) A summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates;
(2) Certain items affecting the comparability of results;
(3) Certain market and other risks we face;
(4) The results of our operations, first on a consolidated basis and then for each of our business segments; and
(5) Liquidity and capital resources.
In this Item, we discuss results for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the comparison between these years. Discussions of results for the year ended December 31, 2021 and comparisons between 2022 and 2021 results can be found in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
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 and judgments that impact (i) the stated amount of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These accounting estimates are based on management's judgment. We consider them to be critical because of their significance to the financial statements and the possibility 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 may differ from such estimated amounts, we believe such differences are not likely to be material. For additional detail regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
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Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue from the following services (segments are bolded).
•Markets Advisory
◦Leasing
◦Property Management
◦Advisory, Consulting and Other
•Capital Markets
◦Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other
◦Loan Servicing
◦Value and Risk Advisory
•Work Dynamics
◦Workplace Management
◦Project Management
◦Portfolio Services and Other
•JLL Technologies
•LaSalle
Our services are generally earned and billed in the form of transaction commissions, advisory and management fees, and incentive fees. Some of the contractual terms related to the services we provide, and thus the revenue we recognize, can be complex, requiring us to make judgments about our performance obligations and the timing and extent of revenue to recognize. In addition, a significant portion of our revenue represents the reimbursement of costs we incur on behalf of clients.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Consistent with the services nature of the businesses we have acquired, the largest asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is goodwill. We do not amortize goodwill; instead, we evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired. We reassessed our reporting units as of January 1, 2022, the effective date of our current organizational structure, and reassigned goodwill to reflect our new segment structure using a relative fair value allocation approach.
In addition, we may record intangible assets as a result of acquisitions, which are primarily composed of customer relationships, management contracts and customer backlog, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We generally use the income approach to determine fair value, which requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions primarily include discount rates, terminal growth rates, forecasts of revenue, operating income and capital expenditures. The discount rates reflect the risk factors, from the perspective of a market participant, associated with forecasts of cash flows. In addition, we establish an intangible upon closing on the sale of a mortgage loan we originated, concurrent with the retention of its servicing rights and amortize the intangible over the estimated period net servicing income is projected to be received.
Although we believe our intangible asset estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the determination of the fair value of the identified intangible assets acquired. Judgment is also required in determining the useful life of a finite-lived intangible asset. We evaluate our identified intangibles for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.
Investments
Substantially all of our investments are grouped within one of the following two categories.
First, we invest in certain real estate ventures that primarily own and operate commercial real estate, historically through co-investments in funds that LaSalle establishes in the ordinary course of business for its clients. These investments include non-controlling ownership interests generally ranging from less than 1% to 10% of the respective ventures. We account for these investments at fair value or under the equity method of accounting.
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Second, JLL Technologies invests in proptech funds and early to mid-stage companies to improve our strategic position within the real estate technology landscape, including investments through the JLL Spark Global Ventures Funds. We account for these investments at fair value.
Where applicable, we estimate fair value of our investments using the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) our investees provide. Critical inputs to NAV estimates include valuations of the underlying real estate assets and borrowings, which incorporate investment-specific assumptions such as discount rates, capitalization rates, rental and expense growth rates, and asset-specific market borrowing rates. In circumstances where the NAV provided by the investee has a reporting date different than ours or when the NAV is not calculated consistent with U.S. GAAP measurement principles, we adjust the NAV accordingly.
For JLL Technologies investments in proptech companies, we primarily estimate the fair value based on the per-share pricing. Subsequent funding rounds or changes in the companies' business strategy/outlook are indicators of a change in fair value. The fair value of certain investments is estimated using significant unobservable inputs which requires judgment due to the absence of market data. In determining the estimated fair value of these investments, we utilize appropriate valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analyses, scorecard method, Black-Scholes models and other methods as appropriate. Key inputs include projected cash flows, discount rates, peer group multiples and volatility.
For all investments reported at fair value, other than such investments where the measurement alternative has been elected, our investment is increased or decreased each reporting period by the difference between the fair value of the investment and the carrying value as of the balance sheet date. We reflect these fair value adjustments as gains or losses on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income within Equity earnings.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect those temporary differences to be recovered or settled. We recognize into income the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in the period including 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 pre-tax earnings and include the provision for 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. We evaluate our estimated effective tax rate on a quarterly basis to reflect forecast changes in our geographic mix of income and legislative actions on statutory tax rates.
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. As of December 31, 2023, we have therefore not provided for withholding tax, dividend distribution tax, capital gains taxes, or other taxes which could arise upon such distribution. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity.
We have established valuation allowances against deferred tax assets where expected future taxable income does not support their realization on a more-likely-than-not basis. We formally assess the likelihood of being able to utilize current tax losses in the future on a country-by-country basis, commensurate with the determination of each quarter’s income tax provision. We establish or increase valuation allowances upon specific indications the carrying value of a tax asset may not be recoverable. Alternatively, we reduce valuation allowances upon (i) specific indications the carrying value of the related tax asset is more-likely-than-not recoverable or (ii) the implementation of tax planning strategies which allow an asset we previously determined to be not realizable to be viewed as realizable.
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 we organize, manage, and report our business operations.
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For example, the same legal entity may include Capital Markets, Work Dynamics and Markets Advisory businesses in a particular country.
In situations where we believe that there may be uncertainty with respect to the recognition of tax benefits, we provide reserves for those benefits. Changes to the amounts of our unrecognized tax benefits may occur as the result of ongoing operations, the outcomes of audits or other examinations by tax authorities, or the passing of statutes of limitations. We do not expect changes to our unrecognized tax benefits to have a significant impact on net income, the financial position, or the cash flows of JLL. We do not believe we have material tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY
Macroeconomic Conditions
Our results of operations and the variability of these results are significantly influenced by (i) macroeconomic trends, (ii) the geopolitical environment, (iii) the global and regional real estate markets and (iv) the financial and credit markets. These macroeconomic and other conditions have had, and we expect will continue to have, a significant impact on the variability of our results of operations.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
The timing of acquisitions may impact the comparability of our results on a year-over-year basis. Our results include incremental revenues and expenses following the completion date of an acquisition. Relating to dispositions, comparable results will include the revenues and expenses of recent dispositions and results may also include gains (losses) on the disposition. In addition, there is generally an initial adverse impact on net income from an acquisition as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence expenditures, transaction/deal costs and post-acquisition integration costs, such as fees from third-party advisors engaged to assist with onboarding and process alignment, retention and severance expense, early lease termination costs, and other integration expenses. For dispositions, we may also incur such incremental costs during the disposition process and these costs could have an adverse impact on net income.
Transaction-Based Revenues and Equity Earnings
Transaction-based revenues are impacted by the size and timing of our clients' transactions. Such revenues include investment sales and other capital markets activities, agency and tenant representation leasing transactions, incentive fees, and other services/offerings, increase the variability of the revenue we earn. Specifically for LaSalle, the magnitude and timing of recognition of incentive fees are driven by one or a combination of the following: changes in valuations of the underlying investments; dispositions of managed assets; and the contractual measurement periods with clients. The timing and the magnitude of transaction-based revenues can vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter, and also vary geographically.
Equity earnings may vary substantially from period to period for a variety of reasons, including as a result of (i) valuation increases (decreases) on investments reported at fair value, (ii) gains (losses) on asset dispositions and (iii) impairment charges. 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, Business Segments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, and is discussed further in Segment Operating Results included herein.
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Foreign Currency
We conduct business using a variety of currencies, but we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the volatility of currencies against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively impact our results. This volatility can make it more difficult to perform period-to-period comparisons of the reported U.S. dollar results of operations because such results may indicate a rate of growth or decline that might not have been consistent with the real underlying rate of growth or decline in the local operations. Consequently, 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 RISKS
Market Risk
The principal market risks we face due to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices are:
•Interest rates on our unsecured credit facility (the "Facility"); and
•Foreign exchange risks.
In the normal course of business, we manage these risks through a variety of strategies, including hedging transactions using various derivative financial instruments such as foreign currency forward contracts. We enter into derivative instruments that are short-term in duration 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. Our overall interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. We are primarily exposed to interest rate risk on our Facility, which had a maximum borrowing capacity of $3.30 billion as of December 31, 2023. The Facility consists of revolving credit available for working capital, investments, capital expenditures and acquisitions. We had $610.6 million of outstanding borrowings, net of debt issuance costs, under the Facility as of December 31, 2023. The Facility bears a variable rate of interest that fluctuates based on market rates.
In November 2023, we issued and sold $400.0 million of senior unsecured notes due December 2028 which bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.875%. Our €350.0 million face value of Euro Notes is split between €175.0 million due in June 2027 and €175.0 million due in June 2029, bearing interest at fixed annual rates of 1.96% and 2.21%, respectively. The issuance of the senior notes and Euro Notes at fixed interest rates has helped to limit our exposure to future movements in interest rates.
We assess interest rate sensitivity to estimate the potential effect of rising interest rates on our variable rate debt. If interest rates were 50 basis points higher during 2023, Interest expense, net of interest income, would have been $9.4 million higher.
Foreign Exchange
Foreign exchange risk is the risk we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our revenue from outside of the U.S. approximated 41% of our total revenue for both 2023 and 2022, as outlined in the table below. Operating in international markets means we are exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates, most significantly the British pound and the euro.
We mitigate our foreign currency exchange risk principally by (i) establishing local operations in the markets we serve and (ii) invoicing customers in the same currency as the source of the costs. The impact of translating expenses incurred in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars reduces the impact of translating revenue earned in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. In addition, British pound and Singapore dollar expenses incurred as a result of our regional headquarters being located in London and Singapore, respectively, act as ongoing partial operational hedges against our translation exposures to those currencies.
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We enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage currency risks associated with intercompany loan balances. Generally, the maturity of these contracts is less than 60 days. As of December 31, 2023, we had forward exchange contracts in effect with a gross notional value of $2.07 billion ($1.21 billion on a net basis). This corresponding net carrying gain is generally offset by a carrying loss in associated intercompany loans.
Although we operate globally, we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to currencies we are exposed to may positively or negatively impact our reported results. The following table sets forth the revenue derived from our most significant currencies.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | % of Total | 2022 | % of Total | |||||||
| United States dollar | $ | 12,258.9 | 59.0 | % | $ | 12,375.9 | 59.3 | % | |||
| British pound | 1,640.0 | 7.9 | 1,575.6 | 7.6 | |||||||
| Euro | 1,436.1 | 6.9 | 1,535.6 | 7.4 | |||||||
| Australian dollar | 1,036.9 | 5.0 | 1,183.0 | 5.7 | |||||||
| Indian rupee | 661.4 | 3.2 | 591.0 | 2.8 | |||||||
| Canadian dollar | 613.8 | 3.0 | 593.8 | 2.8 | |||||||
| Hong Kong dollar | 544.8 | 2.6 | 532.3 | 2.6 | |||||||
| Chinese yuan | 480.9 | 2.3 | 506.0 | 2.4 | |||||||
| Singapore dollar | 425.4 | 2.0 | 368.4 | 1.8 | |||||||
| Japanese yen | 286.6 | 1.4 | 233.8 | 1.1 | |||||||
| Other currencies | 1,376.0 | 6.7 | 1,366.7 | 6.5 | |||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 20,760.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 20,862.1 | 100.0 | % |
Had British pound-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2023, we estimate our reported operating income would have increased by $2.2 million. Had euro-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2023, we estimate our reported operating income would have decreased by $0.3 million. These hypothetical calculations estimate the impact of translating results into U.S. dollars and do not include an estimate of the impact a 10% increase in the U.S. dollar against other currencies would have on our foreign operations.
Seasonality
Historically, we have reported a relatively smaller revenue and profit in the first quarter with both measures increasing during each of the following three 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 throughout the year. Our seasonality excludes the recognition of investment-generated performance fees and realized and unrealized investment equity earnings and losses. Specifically, we recognize incentives fees when assets are sold or as a result of valuation increases in the portfolio, the timing of which may not be predictable or recurring. In addition, investment equity gains and losses are primarily dependent on underlying valuations, and the direction and magnitude of changes to such valuations are not predictable. Non-variable operating expenses, which we treat as expenses when incurred during the year, are relatively constant on a quarterly basis. Other factors may affect seasonality. For example, we experienced disruption to our historical seasonality trends due to rising interest rates and widespread economic uncertainty in 2022 and 2023.
Inflation
Our operating expenses fluctuate with our revenue and general economic conditions, including inflation. The impacts of inflation, including wage inflation, continue to be noticeable in our results.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Definitions
•Assets under management data for LaSalle is reported on a one-quarter lag.
•"n.m.": not meaningful, represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000% or a change in margin of greater than 10,000 basis points ("bps"), favorable or unfavorable.
•Net income margin attributable to common shareholders is measured on Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA margin is measured on Fee revenue.
•We define "Resilient" revenue as (i) Property Management, within Markets Advisory, (ii) Value and Risk Advisory, and Loan Servicing, within Capital Markets, (iii) Workplace Management, within Work Dynamics, (iv) JLL Technologies, and (v) Advisory Fees, within LaSalle. In addition, we define "Transactional" revenue as (i) Leasing and Advisory, Consulting and Other, within Markets Advisory, (ii) Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other, within Capital Markets, (iii) Project Management and Portfolio Services and Other, within Work Dynamics, and (iv) Incentive fees and Transaction fees and other, within LaSalle.
Year Ended December 31, 2023 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2022
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | % Change in Local Currency | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | U.S. dollars | ||||||||
| Markets Advisory | $ | 4,121.6 | 4,415.5 | (293.9) | (7) | % | (6) | % | |||
| Capital Markets | 1,778.0 | 2,488.2 | (710.2) | (29) | (29) | ||||||
| Work Dynamics | 14,131.1 | 13,268.5 | 862.6 | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| JLL Technologies | 246.4 | 213.9 | 32.5 | 15 | 15 | ||||||
| LaSalle | 483.7 | 476.0 | 7.7 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 20,760.8 | 20,862.1 | (101.3) | — | % | — | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (13,375.9) | (12,549.1) | (826.8) | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | 18.2 | (11.0) | 29.2 | (265) | (266) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 7,403.1 | 8,302.0 | (898.9) | (11) | % | (11) | % | |||
| Markets Advisory | 2,968.0 | 3,360.2 | (392.2) | (12) | (11) | ||||||
| Capital Markets | 1,748.7 | 2,430.2 | (681.5) | (28) | (28) | ||||||
| Work Dynamics | 1,999.7 | 1,864.7 | 135.0 | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| JLL Technologies | 231.9 | 200.2 | 31.7 | 16 | 16 | ||||||
| LaSalle | 454.8 | 446.7 | 8.1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | $ | 5,310.4 | 5,893.8 | (583.4) | (10) | % | (10) | % | |||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 1,158.9 | 1,218.2 | (59.3) | (5) | (5) | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 238.4 | 228.1 | 10.3 | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 100.7 | 104.8 | (4.1) | (4) | (5) | ||||||
| Total fee-based operating expenses | 6,808.4 | 7,444.9 | (636.5) | (9) | (8) | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 13,375.9 | 12,549.1 | 826.8 | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 20,184.3 | 19,994.0 | 190.3 | 1 | % | 1 | % | |||
| Operating income | $ | 576.5 | 868.1 | (291.6) | (34) | % | (33) | % | |||
| Equity (losses) earnings | $ | (194.1) | 51.0 | (245.1) | (481) | % | (480) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 736.7 | 1,247.3 | (510.6) | (41) | % | (40) | % | |||
| Net income margin attributable to common shareholders (USD basis) | 1.1 | % | 3.1 | % | (200) bps | n/a | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (local currency basis) | 10.0 | % | 15.0 | % | (500) bps | (500) bps | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (USD basis) | 10.0 | % |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following.
(i)Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses;
(ii)Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("Adjusted EBITDA") and Adjusted EBITDA margin; and
(iii)Percentage changes against prior periods, presented on a local currency basis.
However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any measure that eliminates components of a company’s capital structure, cost of operations or investments, or other results has limitations as a performance measure. In light of these limitations, management also considers U.S. GAAP financial measures and does not rely solely on non-GAAP financial measures. Because our non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Adjustments to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures Used to Calculate non-GAAP Financial Measures
Gross contract costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are directly or indirectly reimbursed through the fees we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses with the equal amount of corresponding fees in Revenue. Excluding gross contract costs from both Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses more accurately reflects how we manage our expense base and operating margins and also enables a more consistent performance assessment across a portfolio of contracts with varying payment terms and structures.
Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity consists of the balances presented within Revenue composed of (i) derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity and (ii) gains recognized from the retention of MSR upon origination and sale of mortgage loans, offset by (iii) amortization of MSR intangible assets over the period that net servicing income is projected to be received. Non-cash derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity are calculated as the estimated fair value of loan commitments and subsequent changes thereof, primarily represented by the estimated net cash flows associated with future servicing rights. MSR gains and corresponding MSR intangible assets are calculated as the present value of estimated net cash flows over the estimated mortgage servicing periods. The above activity is reported entirely within Revenue of the Capital Markets segment. Excluding net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity reflects how we manage and evaluate performance because the excluded activity is non-cash in nature.
Restructuring and acquisition charges primarily consist of (i) severance and employment-related charges, including those related to external service providers, incurred in conjunction with a structural business shift, which can be represented by a notable change in headcount, change in leadership or transformation of business processes, (ii) acquisition, transaction and integration-related charges, including non-cash fair value adjustments to assets and liabilities recorded in purchase accounting such as earn-out liabilities and intangible assets and (iii) lease exit charges. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally either non-cash in nature or the anticipated benefits from the expenditures would not likely be fully realized until future periods. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results and therefore not a line item in the segments’ reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA.
Gain/loss on disposition reflects the gain or loss recognized on the sale or disposition of businesses. Given the low frequency of business disposals by the company historically, the gain or loss directly associated with such activity is excluded as it is not considered indicative of core operating performance. In 2023, we recorded a $0.5 million net loss, versus a $7.5 million net loss in 2022.
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Interest on Employee Loans, Net reflects interest accrued on employee loans less the amount of accrued interest forgiven. Certain employees (predominantly in our Leasing and Capital Markets businesses) receive cash payments structured as loans, with interest. Employees earn forgiveness of the loan based on performance, generally calculated as a percentage of revenue production, annually. Such forgiven amounts are reflected in Compensation and benefits expense. Given the interest accrued on these employee loans and subsequent forgiveness are non-cash and the amounts perfectly offset over the life of the loan, the activity is not indicative of core operating performance and is excluded from non-GAAP measures.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Below are the reconciliations of (i) Revenue to fee revenue and (ii) Operating expenses to Fee-based operating expenses.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Revenue | $ | 20,760.8 | 20,862.1 | |
| Adjustments: | ||||
| Gross contract costs | (13,375.9) | (12,549.1) | ||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | 18.2 | (11.0) | ||
| Fee revenue | $ | 7,403.1 | 8,302.0 | |
| Operating expenses | $ | 20,184.3 | 19,994.0 | |
| Less: Gross contract costs | (13,375.9) | (12,549.1) | ||
| Fee-based operating expenses | $ | 6,808.4 | 7,444.9 | |
| Operating income | $ | 576.5 | 868.1 |
Below is a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 225.4 | 654.5 | ||
| Add: | |||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 135.4 | 75.2 | |||
| Income tax provision | 25.7 | 200.8 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization(1) | 234.4 | 225.2 | |||
| EBITDA | $ | 620.9 | 1,155.7 | ||
| Adjustments: | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 100.7 | 104.8 | |||
| Net loss on disposition | 0.5 | 7.5 | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | 18.2 | (11.0) | |||
| Interest on employee loans, net | (3.6) | (9.7) | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 736.7 | 1,247.3 |
(1) This adjustment excludes the noncontrolling interest portion of amortization of acquisition-related intangibles which is not attributable to common shareholders.
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In discussing our operating results, we report Adjusted EBITDA margins and refer to percentage changes in local currency, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented on a local currency basis are calculated by translating the current period results of our foreign operations to U.S. dollars using the foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period. We believe this methodology provides a framework for assessing performance and operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.
The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) Revenue, (ii) Fee revenue, (iii) Operating income and (iv) Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | % Change | |||
| Revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 20,760.8 | — | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 74.3 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 20,835.1 | — | % | |
| Fee revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 7,403.1 | (11) | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 11.5 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 7,414.6 | (11) | % | |
| Operating income: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 576.5 | (34) | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 4.5 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 581.0 | (33) | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 736.7 | (41) | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 7.5 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 744.2 | (40) | % |
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Revenue
For the full year, revenue was flat and fee revenue decreased 11% compared with the prior year, as transaction-based businesses lagged the prior year. Resilient businesses, collectively, delivered 5% growth for the full year, as Property Management, within Markets Advisory, grew 11%; Workplace Management, within Work Dynamics, grew 7%; and JLL Technologies grew 16%. In contrast, transaction-based businesses, notably Investment Sales and Debt Advisory within Capital Markets as well as Leasing within Markets Advisory, experienced challenges from a rapid increase in interest rates and negative economic sentiment, consistent with performance starting in the second half of 2022.
The following highlights Revenue and fee revenue by segment, for the current and prior year ($ in millions). Refer to segment operating results for further detail.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased 1% to $20.2 billion in 2023 while fee-based operating expenses were $6.8 billion in 2023, down 8% from prior year. The net increase in operating expenses was driven by growth in resilient businesses, such as Workplace Management and Property Management, including associated reimbursed expenses. The decline in fee-based operating expenses was attributable to Capital Markets, which represented 65% of the decrease on a local currency basis, Markets Advisory, which represented 46% of the decrease, and JLL Technologies, which represented 7% of the decrease. These were partially offset by Work Dynamics, which had an increase in fee-based operating expenses. Refer to segment operating results for additional detail.
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Restructuring and acquisition charges in 2023 were slightly lower than 2022; refer to the following table and commentary below for additional detail.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Severance and other employment-related charges | $ | 62.1 | 44.5 | ||||
| Restructuring, pre-acquisition and post-acquisition charges | 43.0 | 63.6 | |||||
| Fair value adjustments that resulted in a net decrease to earn-out liabilities from prior-period acquisition activity | (4.4) | (3.3) | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | $ | 100.7 | 104.8 |
The increase in severance and other employment-related charges, compared with 2022, reflected notable cost mitigation actions taken across the globe in 2023. The decrease in restructuring and pre- and post-acquisition charges was largely driven by lower retention-related post-acquisition charges and fewer restructuring costs related to business exits in 2023 compared to 2022.
Interest Expense
Interest expense, net of interest income, for 2023 was $135.4 million, compared to $75.2 million in 2022. The change was driven by a higher effective interest rate on our credit facilities and a year-over-year increase in the average outstanding borrowings. The average outstanding borrowings under our credit facilities increased to $1,875.9 million, with an average effective interest rate of 5.9%, in 2023, from $1,399.1 million, with an average effective interest rate of 2.9%, during 2022.
Equity Earnings
The following details Equity (losses) earnings by relevant segment. Refer to the segment discussions for additional details.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| JLL Technologies | $ | (177.0) | 46.6 | ||||
| LaSalle | (24.7) | 0.4 | |||||
| Other | 7.6 | 4.0 | |||||
| Equity (losses) earnings | $ | (194.1) | 51.0 |
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $25.7 million and $200.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing effective tax rates ("ETR") of 10.2% and 20.2%, respectively. The meaningfully lower ETR in 2023 was primarily attributable to the significant decline in pre-tax earnings as well as the geographic mix of income. Refer to the Income Tax discussion in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 8, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for a further discussion of our effective tax rate.
Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA
Net income attributable to common shareholders was $225.4 million for the year, or $4.67 per diluted common share, compared with $654.5 million for 2022, or $13.27 per diluted common share. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 40% from the prior year to $736.7 million in 2023. Net income margin attributable to common shareholders was 1.1% in 2023, down from 3.1% in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 10.0% in both USD and local currency for 2023, compared with 15.0% in 2022.
The full-year margin contraction was primarily attributable to the $245.1 million decrease in equity earnings, which comprised nearly two-thirds of the margin decline, and the impact of lower transaction-based revenue. Partially offsetting these items were margin accretive drivers including resilient revenue growth and the benefit of cost reduction actions executed in the last year.
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Segment Operating Results
We manage and report our operations as five business segments: Markets Advisory, Capital Markets, Work Dynamics, JLL Technologies and LaSalle. Markets Advisory offers a wide range of real estate services, including agency leasing and tenant representation, property management, and advisory and consulting services. Our Capital Markets service offerings include investment sales, debt and equity advisory, value and risk advisory, and loan servicing. Our Work Dynamics business provides a broad suite of integrated services to occupiers of real estate, including facility and project management, as well as portfolio and other services. We consider "Property Management" to be services provided to non-occupying property investors and "Workplace Management" to be services provided to facility occupiers. Our JLL Technologies segment offers software products, solutions and services, while LaSalle provides investment management services on a global basis to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.
For segment reporting, (i) gross contract costs and (ii) net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity are both excluded from revenue in determining Fee revenue. Gross contract costs are excluded from operating expenses in determining Fee-based operating expenses. In addition, our measure of segment results also excludes Restructuring and acquisition charges.
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Markets Advisory
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 4,121.6 | 4,415.5 | (293.9) | (7) | % | (6) | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (1,153.6) | (1,055.3) | (98.3) | 9 | 11 | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 2,968.0 | 3,360.2 | (392.2) | (12) | % | (11) | % | |||
| Leasing | 2,322.3 | 2,736.7 | (414.4) | (15) | (15) | ||||||
| Property Management | 551.7 | 500.2 | 51.5 | 10 | 11 | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 94.0 | 123.3 | (29.3) | (24) | (23) | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 2,178.2 | 2,433.7 | (255.5) | (10) | (10) | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 368.3 | 405.0 | (36.7) | (9) | (8) | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 69.6 | 73.5 | (3.9) | (5) | (5) | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 2,616.1 | 2,912.2 | (296.1) | (10) | (10) | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 1,153.6 | 1,055.3 | 98.3 | 9 | 11 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 3,769.7 | 3,967.5 | (197.8) | (5) | % | (4) | % | |||
| Equity losses | $ | (0.5) | (0.3) | (0.2) | (67) | % | (51) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 416.6 | 527.5 | (110.9) | (21) | % | (21) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (local currency basis) | 14.1 | % | 15.7 | % | (170) bps | (160) bps | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (USD basis) | 14.0 | % |
Markets Advisory top-line movements were largely driven by Leasing and reflected a decrease in average deal size and lower transaction volumes across nearly all asset classes, especially the office sector. Economic uncertainty has delayed commercial real estate decision making, particularly for large-scale leasing actions where JLL has a greater presence. Property Management continued to achieve top-line growth, primarily attributable to portfolio expansions, predominantly in the Americas, and incremental fees from interest-rate-sensitive contract terms in the U.K. The decrease in Advisory, Consulting and Other was substantially driven by the absence of revenues associated with a business exited at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022.
The decreases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses in 2023 were driven primarily by (i) lower commissions, commensurate with the top-line performance, (ii) the absence of operating costs associated with the business exited at the end of 2022 (referenced in the revenue narrative above) and (iii) the benefit associated with cost management actions executed over the last year to reduce expenses. These decreases were partially offset by higher annual incentive compensation expense this year as the prior-year results reflected a company-wide discretionary reduction to annual incentive compensation accruals.
Adjusted EBITDA margin contraction was predominantly driven by the lower Leasing revenue (net of lower commissions) and higher incentive compensation accruals in the current year, which overshadowed the revenue growth in Property Management and benefit associated with cost management actions discussed above.
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Capital Markets
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 1,778.0 | 2,488.2 | (710.2) | (29) | % | (29) | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (47.5) | (47.0) | (0.5) | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | 18.2 | (11.0) | 29.2 | (265) | (266) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 1,748.7 | 2,430.2 | (681.5) | (28) | % | (28) | % | |||
| Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other | 1,245.0 | 1,906.7 | (661.7) | (35) | (35) | ||||||
| Value and Risk Advisory | 351.1 | 365.6 | (14.5) | (4) | (3) | ||||||
| Loan Servicing | 152.6 | 157.9 | (5.3) | (3) | (3) | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 1,337.7 | 1,727.1 | (389.4) | (23) | (22) | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 246.1 | 263.2 | (17.1) | (6) | (6) | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 65.6 | 61.6 | 4.0 | 6 | 7 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 1,649.4 | 2,051.9 | (402.5) | (20) | (20) | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 47.5 | 47.0 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 1,696.9 | 2,098.9 | (402.0) | (19) | % | (19) | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 6.7 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 116 | % | 114 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 173.1 | 444.0 | (270.9) | (61) | % | (61) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (local currency basis) | 9.9 | % | 18.3 | % | (840) bps | (840) bps | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (USD basis) | 9.9 | % |
Lower Capital Markets revenue and fee revenue reflected the meaningful drop in transaction volumes compared with 2022. The rapid rise in interest rates and elevated uncertainty prolonged investor decision making and drove wide bid-ask spreads. This impact was most pronounced in Investment Sales and Debt/Equity Advisory, which experienced declines across all asset classes and geographies. Globally, fourth-quarter market volumes for investment sales were down 23% in USD (24% in local currency) according to JLL Research, the lowest fourth quarter since 2011. Loan Servicing continued to achieve growth in fees generated by the Fannie Mae DUS portfolio as core servicing fees were up 6%, more than offset by $13.4 million of lower prepayment fees as refinancing activity remained suppressed.
The net decreases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses in 2023 were driven primarily by lower commissions, commensurate with the top-line performance, and to the benefit of cost management strategies actioned in the last year. These decreases were partially offset by higher incentive bonus expense in 2023, primarily reflecting the benefit to the prior year associated with the company-wide discretionary reduction to annual incentive compensation accruals.
The margin contraction was predominantly driven by the decline in Investment Sales and Debt/Equity Advisory revenue, net of lower commissions expense, as well as incentive compensation accruals, as described above.
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Work Dynamics
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 14,131.1 | 13,268.5 | 862.6 | 7 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (12,131.4) | (11,403.8) | (727.6) | 6 | 7 | ||||||
| Fee Revenue | $ | 1,999.7 | 1,864.7 | 135.0 | 7 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Workplace Management | 806.4 | 752.8 | 53.6 | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Project Management | 928.4 | 850.7 | 77.7 | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Portfolio Services and Other | 264.9 | 261.2 | 3.7 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 1,305.1 | 1,202.3 | 102.8 | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 431.6 | 432.9 | (1.3) | — | — | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 79.2 | 71.1 | 8.1 | 11 | 12 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 1,815.9 | 1,706.3 | 109.6 | 6 | 7 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 12,131.4 | 11,403.8 | 727.6 | 6 | 7 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 13,947.3 | 13,110.1 | 837.2 | 6 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 17 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 264.0 | 230.1 | 33.9 | 15 | % | 14 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (local currency basis) | 13.1 | % | 12.3 | % | 90 bps | 80 bps | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (USD basis) | 13.2 | % |
Work Dynamics revenue and fee revenue growth was broad-based across service lines and geographies, led by strong performance in Workplace Management as recent wins and mandate expansions ramped up in the second half of the year. Momentum from increased project demand drove Project Management top-line expansion throughout 2023, though the pace of growth decelerated in the fourth quarter.
The net increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses in 2023 were primarily due to higher revenue-related expenses, which correlated to the overall growth in revenue as the benefit of cost management actions executed over the last year largely offset other operating expense increases.
Margin expansion was driven by the Workplace Management and Project Management revenue growth and the reduction of certain expenses associated with cost management actions over the last year.
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JLL Technologies
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 246.4 | 213.9 | 32.5 | 15 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (14.5) | (13.7) | (0.8) | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 231.9 | 200.2 | 31.7 | 16 | % | 16 | % | |||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs(1) | 200.7 | 240.3 | (39.6) | (16) | (16) | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 50.3 | 57.4 | (7.1) | (12) | (12) | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 15.9 | 15.4 | 0.5 | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 266.9 | 313.1 | (46.2) | (15) | (15) | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 14.5 | 13.7 | 0.8 | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 281.4 | 326.8 | (45.4) | (14) | % | (14) | % | |||
| Equity (losses) earnings | $ | (177.0) | 46.6 | (223.6) | (480) | % | (480) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (196.1) | (50.9) | (145.2) | (285) | % | (286) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (local currency basis) | (84.9) | % | (25.4) | % | (5,920) bps | (5,950) bps | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (USD basis) | (84.6) | % |
(1) Included in Compensation and benefits expenses for JLL Technologies is a reduction in carried interest expense of $13.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, and carried interest expense of $16.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, related to Equity earnings of the segment.
The full-year increases in JLL Technologies revenue and fee revenue were primarily due to growth in services and software solutions, largely from existing enterprise clients, as well as a modest increase from subscriptions.
Equity losses in 2023 were largely driven by fair value declines and reflected the particularly challenging economic environment for venture capital companies. Equity earnings in 2022 were attributable to modest valuation increases across several investments, offset by less significant impairments/valuation declines compared with 2023.
Lower segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses in 2023 were largely driven by (i) a $30.4 million year-over-year difference associated with carried interest expense (which broadly correlates to equity earnings/losses), given the reduction in carried interest expense in 2023 compared with incremental expense in 2022 and (ii) the reduction of certain expenses associated with cost management actions over the last year.
The full-year margin contraction was entirely driven by the equity losses, partially offset by (i) fee revenue growth, (ii) the reduction in carried interest expense (associated with equity losses) and (iii) the reduction of certain expenses associated with cost management actions and improved operating efficiency over the last year.
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LaSalle
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 483.7 | 476.0 | 7.7 | 2 | % | 2 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (28.9) | (29.3) | 0.4 | (1) | (2) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 454.8 | 446.7 | 8.1 | 2 | % | 2 | % | |||
| Advisory fees | 377.2 | 380.3 | (3.1) | (1) | — | ||||||
| Transaction fees and other | 30.1 | 39.8 | (9.7) | (24) | (22) | ||||||
| Incentive fees | 47.5 | 26.6 | 20.9 | 79 | 79 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 288.7 | 290.4 | (1.7) | (1) | — | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 62.6 | 59.7 | 2.9 | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 8.1 | 6.5 | 1.6 | 25 | 26 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 359.4 | 356.6 | 2.8 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 28.9 | 29.3 | (0.4) | (1) | (2) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 388.3 | 385.9 | 2.4 | 1 | % | 1 | % | |||
| Equity (losses) earnings | $ | (24.7) | 0.4 | (25.1) | n.m. | n.m. | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 79.1 | 96.6 | (17.5) | (18) | % | (17) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (local currency basis) | 17.5 | % | 21.6 | % | (420) bps | (410) bps | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin (USD basis) | 17.4 | % |
LaSalle's top-line growth was fueled by higher incentive fees earned on asset dispositions on behalf of clients, following muted transaction volume in 2022. Advisory fees were stable compared to the prior year as increases from capital raising were largely offset by valuation declines impacting AUM. Lower transaction fees reflected the global trends in investment sales transaction volumes.
The 2023 equity losses were primarily attributable to valuation declines in the co-investment portfolio.
Adjusted EBITDA margin contraction was primarily driven by equity losses in the current year (over 500 basis point negative impact to margin), partially offset by higher incentive fees.
As of December 31, 2023, LaSalle had $73.9 billion of AUM, a decrease of 7% in both USD and local currency from
$79.1 billion as of December 31, 2022. The net decrease in AUM during the year resulted from (i) $5.7 billion of dispositions and withdrawals and (ii) $4.0 billion of net valuation decreases, partially offset by (iii) $4.0 billion of acquisitions and $0.5 billion of foreign currency increases. As further described in Item 1, LaSalle will refine the definition of AUM in 2024 to conform with industry standards. Under the new definition, AUM as of December 31, 2023 would have been $89.0 billion.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities provided $575.8 million of cash in 2023, compared with $199.9 million provided in 2022. The improvement in cash provided was primarily due to (i) improved collection of receivables (ii) $162.8 million less in cash taxes paid, (iii) lower annual incentive compensation payments, typically paid in the first quarter, compared with the prior year and (iv) lower commission payments in 2023.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We used $290.4 million of cash for investing activities during 2023, compared with $243.1 million used in 2022. Net cash outflow was lower in 2022 due to the receipt of $132.4 million net capital proceeds relating to an investment by a less than wholly-owned subsidiary (offset within cash flows from financing activities as noted below). We discuss key drivers, along with other investing activities, individually below in further detail.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Financing activities used $374.3 million of cash during 2023, compared with $13.1 million used during 2022. The decrease in net borrowings on our Facility ($600.0 million net paydowns in 2023 versus $1,075.0 million of net borrowings in 2022) was driven by lower share repurchases (refer to the Share Repurchases section below) and higher cash provided by operating activities. In addition, the $400.0 million in proceeds associated with the issuance of senior notes was used to pay down the Facility. Cash outflow relating to noncontrolling interest distributions in 2022 included a $142.3 million gain by a consolidated variable interest entity in which the company held no equity interest that was also distributed during the year. The offset to this is included in cash from investing activities, specifically investment activity by less than wholly-owned entities.
Debt
On November 3, 2023, we amended our Facility to extend the maturity date to November 3, 2028 as well as update our borrowing capacity to $3.30 billion. Our Facility continues to bear a variable rate of interest. Outstanding borrowings, including the balance of the Facility and Short-term borrowings (financing lease obligations, overdrawn bank accounts and local overdraft facilities) are presented below.
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Outstanding borrowings under the Facility | $ | 625.0 | 1,225.0 | |
| Short-term borrowings | 147.9 | 164.2 |
In addition to our Facility, we had the capacity to borrow up to $55.2 million under local overdraft facilities as of December 31, 2023.
The following table provides additional information on our Facility as well as our uncommitted credit agreement ("Uncommitted Facility"), which allows for discretionary short-term liquidity of up to $400.0 million, collectively.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Average outstanding borrowings | $ | 1,875.9 | 1,399.1 | |||
| Average effective interest rate | 5.9 | % | 2.9 | % |
As of December 31, 2023, we had €350.0 million of Euro Notes, evenly divided between maturities of June 2027 (with a fixed interest rate of 1.96%) and June 2029 (with a fixed interest rate of 2.21%). During 2023, we issued $400.0 million of Senior Notes due December 2028 with a fixed interest rate of 6.875% and used the proceeds to pay down our Facility.
We will continue to use the Facility for working capital needs (including payment of accrued incentive compensation), co-investment activities, share repurchases, capital expenditures and acquisitions.
Refer to Note 10, Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our debt.
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Investment Activity
As of December 31, 2023, we had a carrying value of $816.6 million in Investments, primarily related to investments by JLL Technologies in early to mid-stage proptech companies and proptech funds as well as LaSalle co-investments. In 2023 and 2022, funding of investments exceeded returns of capital by $85.7 million and $142.9 million, respectively. We expect continued investments by JLL Technologies as well as strategic co-investment opportunities with our investment management clients globally as co-investment remains an important foundation to the continued growth of LaSalle's business.
We have unfunded capital commitments to investment vehicles and direct investments totaling a maximum of $354.6 million as of December 31, 2023.
See Note 5, Investments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our investment activity.
Share Repurchase and Dividend Programs
In February 2022, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.5 billion for the repurchase of our common stock in the open market and privately negotiated transactions. As of December 31, 2023, $1,093.6 million remained authorized for repurchases under our repurchase program. The following table outlines share repurchase activity for the last two year.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| Total number of shares repurchased (in 000's) | 410.3 | 2,922.5 | |||||
| Total paid for shares repurchased | $ | 62.0 | 601.2 |
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures, excluding those made by a consolidated VIE in which we held no equity interest, were $186.9 million and $205.8 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Expenditures in both years were primarily related to office leasehold improvements, hardware and purchased/developed software.
Investment Asset Activity of Consolidated Less Than Wholly-Owned Entities
Net capital proceeds related to consolidated VIEs in which we held no equity interest were $134.8 million in 2022, as a result of a reconsideration event. The distribution of proceeds from the sale of this investment (the initial acquisition of which was largely funded from employee-investors and related third-party debt) also occurred in 2022 and is included within financing activities.
Business Acquisitions
In 2023, we paid $40.4 million for business acquisitions. This included $13.6 million of payments relating to an acquisition that closed in 2023 and $26.8 million for deferred business acquisition and earn-out obligations related to acquisitions completed in prior years, which are primarily reflected in cash flows from financing activities.
Terms for our acquisitions have typically included cash paid at closing with provisions for additional consideration and earn-out payments subject to certain contract provisions and performance. Deferred business acquisition obligations totaled $13.2 million and $26.2 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These obligations represent the current discounted values of payments to sellers of businesses for which our acquisition has closed as of the balance sheet dates and for which the only remaining condition on those payments is the passage of time. As of December 31, 2023, we had the potential to make earn-out payments on 14 acquisitions subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions, representing $57.5 million accrued for potential earn-out payments, of a potential maximum of $100.0 million (undiscounted). These earn-outs will come due at various times over the next five years, assuming the achievement of the applicable performance conditions.
We will continue to consider acquisitions we believe will strengthen our market position, increase our profitability and supplement our organic growth.
Refer to Note 4, Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on business acquisitions.
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Repatriation of Foreign Earnings
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $410.0 million and $519.3 million, respectively, of which $310.1 million and $400.8 million, respectively, was held by our foreign subsidiaries.
Restricted Net Assets
We face regulatory 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, however, we generally face no such restrictions with regard to the use or application of funds for ordinary course business activities within such countries. The total assets of these countries in aggregate totaled approximately 4% of our total assets as of both December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Leases
Our lease obligations primarily consist of operating leases of office space in various buildings for our own use as well as operating leases for equipment. The total minimum rentals to be received in the future as sublessor under noncancelable operating subleases as of December 31, 2023 was $37.6 million.
Refer to Note 11, Leases, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our lease obligations.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred compensation obligations are inclusive of amounts attributable to service conditions satisfied as of December 31, 2023, as well as service conditions expected to be satisfied in future periods. The deferred compensation plans include a provision for deferred compensation plans, predominantly in the U.S., that allow employees to defer portions of their compensation. We recognize an asset for the amount that could be realized under these insurance contracts at the balance sheet date, and the deferred compensation obligation is adjusted to reflect the changes in the fair value of the amount owed to the employees. The timing of payments to employees is, in part, dependent on their employment with JLL and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.
Refer to the Consolidated Balance Sheets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Note 9, Fair Value Measurements, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our deferred compensation.
Defined Benefit Plans
The defined benefit plan obligations represent estimates of the expected benefits to be paid out by our defined benefit plans. We will fund these obligations from the assets held by these plans. If the assets these plans hold are not sufficient to fund these payments, JLL will fund the remaining obligations. We have historically funded pension costs as actuarially determined and as applicable laws and regulations require. We expect to contribute $6.5 million to our defined benefit pension plans in 2024. As payments to recipients are based on their retirement date, age and other factors, we cannot determine the timing of such payments with precision.
Refer to Note 7, Retirement Plans, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our defined benefit plans.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001037976-23-000007.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements generally identified by the words: anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, forecasts, plans, intends and other similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our 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.
We present our Management's Discussion and Analysis in the following sections:
(1) A summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates;
(2) Certain items affecting the comparability of results;
(3) Certain market and other risks we face;
(4) The results of our operations, first on a consolidated basis and then for each of our business segments; and
(5) Liquidity and capital resources.
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 and judgments that impact (i) the stated amount of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These accounting estimates are based on management's judgment. We consider them to be critical because of their significance to the financial statements and the possibility 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 may differ from such estimated amounts, we believe such differences are not likely to be material. For additional detail regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue from the following services (segments are bolded).
•Markets Advisory
◦Leasing
◦Property Management
◦Advisory, Consulting and Other
•Capital Markets
◦Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other
◦Loan Servicing
◦Valuation Advisory
•Work Dynamics
◦Workplace Management
◦Project Management
◦Portfolio Services and Other
•JLL Technologies
•LaSalle
Our services are generally earned and billed in the form of transaction commissions, advisory and management fees, and incentive fees. Some of the contractual terms related to the services we provide, and thus the revenue we recognize, can be complex and so requires us to make judgments about our performance obligations and the timing and extent of revenue to recognize. In addition, a significant portion of our revenue represents the reimbursement of costs we incur on behalf of clients.
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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Consistent with the services nature of the businesses we have acquired, the largest asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is goodwill. We do not amortize goodwill; instead, we evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired. In conjunction with our new organizational structure described more fully in Note 3, Business Segments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, we reassessed our reporting units as of January 1, 2022, and reassigned goodwill to reflect our new segment structure using a relative fair value allocation approach.
In addition, we may record intangible assets as a result of acquisitions, which are primarily composed of customer relationships, management contracts and customer backlog, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We generally use the income approach to determine fair value, which requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions primarily include discount rates, terminal growth rates, forecasts of revenue, operating income and capital expenditures. The discount rates reflect the risk factors, from the perspective of a market participant, associated with forecasts of cash flows. In addition, we establish an intangible upon closing on the sale of a mortgage loan we originated, concurrent with the retention of its servicing rights and amortize the intangible over the estimated period net servicing income is projected to be received.
Although we believe our intangible asset estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the determination of the fair value of the identified intangible assets acquired. Judgment is also required in determining the useful life of a finite-lived intangible asset. We evaluate our identified intangibles for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.
Investments
Substantially all of our investments are grouped within one of the following two categories.
First, we invest in certain real estate ventures that primarily own and operate commercial real estate, historically through co-investments in funds that LaSalle establishes in the ordinary course of business for its clients. These investments include non-controlling ownership interests generally ranging from less than 1% to 10% of the respective ventures. We account for these investments at fair value or under the equity method of accounting.
Second, JLL Technologies invests in proptech funds and early to mid-stage companies to improve our strategic position within the real estate technology landscape, including investments through the JLL Spark Global Ventures Funds. Generally, we account for these investments at fair value.
Where applicable, we estimate fair value of our investments using the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) our investees provide. Critical inputs to NAV estimates include valuations of the underlying real estate assets and borrowings, which incorporate investment-specific assumptions such as discount rates, capitalization rates, rental and expense growth rates, and asset-specific market borrowing rates. In circumstances where the NAV provided by the investee has a reporting date different than ours or when the NAV is not calculated consistent with U.S. GAAP measurement principles, we adjust the NAV accordingly.
For JLL Technologies investments in proptech companies, we primarily estimate the fair value based on the per-share pricing. Subsequent funding rounds or changes in the companies' business strategy/outlook are indicators of a change in fair value.
For all investments reported at fair value, our investment is increased or decreased each reporting period by the difference between the fair value of the investment and the carrying value as of the balance sheet date. We reflect these fair value adjustments as gains or losses on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income within Equity earnings.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
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which we expect those temporary differences to be recovered or settled. We recognize into income the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in the period including 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 pre-tax earnings and include the provision for 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. Local statutory tax rates range from 0% to 38.1% 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 our geographic mix of income and legislative actions on statutory tax rates.
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. Our effective tax rate was 20.2%, 21.6% and 20.2% for the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
Very low tax rate jurisdictions (those with effective national and local combined tax rates of 25% or lower) providing the most significant contributions to our effective tax rate include: Hong Kong (16.5%), Singapore (17%), and the United Kingdom (19%).
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. As of December 31, 2022, we have therefore not provided for withholding tax, dividend distribution tax, capital gains taxes, or other taxes which could arise upon such distribution. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity.
We have established valuation allowances against deferred tax assets where expected future taxable income does not support their realization on a more-likely-than-not basis. We formally assess the likelihood of being able to utilize current tax losses in the future on a country-by-country basis, commensurate with the determination of each quarter’s income tax provision. We establish or increase valuation allowances upon specific indications the carrying value of a tax asset may not be recoverable. Alternatively, we reduce valuation allowances upon (i) specific indications the carrying value of the related tax asset is more-likely-than-not recoverable or (ii) the implementation of tax planning strategies which allow an asset we previously determined to be not realizable to be viewed as realizable.
The table below summarizes certain information regarding the gross deferred tax assets and valuation allowance.
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| Gross deferred tax assets | $ | 737.1 | 708.6 | |
| Valuation allowance | 120.8 | 128.8 |
The increase in gross deferred tax assets in 2022 was primarily the result of an increase in the U.K. net operating loss and interest deduction carryovers. The decrease in valuation reserves was primarily the result of U.S capital loss carryover utilization.
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 we organize, manage, and report our business operations. For example, the same legal entity may include Capital Markets, Work Dynamics and Markets Advisory businesses in a particular country.
As of December 31, 2022, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $75.1 million. We believe it is reasonably possible that matters for which we have recorded $46.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2022, will be resolved during 2023. The recognition of tax benefits, and other changes to the amounts of our unrecognized tax benefits, may occur as the result of ongoing operations, the outcomes of audits or other examinations by tax authorities, or the passing of statutes of limitations. We do not expect changes to our unrecognized tax benefits to have a significant impact on net
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income, the financial position, or the cash flows of JLL. We do not believe we have material tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY
Macroeconomic Conditions
Our results of operations and the variability of these results are significantly influenced by (i) macroeconomic trends, (ii) the geopolitical environment, (iii) the global and regional real estate markets and (iv) the financial and credit markets. These macroeconomic and other conditions have had, and we expect will continue to have, a significant impact on the variability of our results of operations. In 2020 and early 2021, macroeconomic conditions influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic more notably impacted our operations compared with the current year.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
The timing of acquisitions may impact the comparability of our results on a year-over-year basis. Our results include incremental revenues and expenses following the completion date of an acquisition. Relating to dispositions, comparable results will include the revenues and expenses of recent dispositions and results may also include gains (losses) on the disposition. In addition, there is generally an initial adverse impact on net income from an acquisition as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence expenditures, transaction/deal costs and post-acquisition integration costs, such as fees from third-party advisors engaged to assist with onboarding and process alignment, retention and severance expense, early lease termination costs, and other integration expenses. For dispositions, we may also incur such incremental costs during the disposition process and these costs could have an adverse impact on net income.
Equity Earnings and Incentive Fees
Equity earnings may vary substantially from period to period for a variety of reasons, including as a result of (i) valuation increases (decreases) on investments reported at fair value, (ii) gains (losses) on asset dispositions and (iii) impairment charges. The timing of recognition of these items may impact comparability between quarters, in any one year, or compared to a prior year.
LaSalle, our investment management business, is in part compensated through incentive fees where performance of underlying funds' investments exceeds agreed-to return hurdles. Depending upon performance, disposition activity and the contractual timing of measurement periods with clients, these fees can be significant and may vary substantially from period to period.
The comparability of these items can be seen in Note 3, Business Segments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, and is discussed further in Segment Operating Results included herein.
Foreign Currency
We conduct business using a variety of currencies, but we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the volatility of currencies against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively impact our results. This volatility can make it more difficult to perform period-to-period comparisons of the reported U.S. dollar results of operations because such results may indicate a rate of growth or decline that might not have been consistent with the real underlying rate of growth or decline in the local operations. Consequently, 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.
Transaction-Based Revenue
Transaction-based fees, which are impacted by the size and timing of our clients' transactions, from real estate investment banking, capital markets activities and other services within our segments, increase the variability of the revenue we earn. The timing and the magnitude of these fees can vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter, and from region to region.
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MARKET RISKS
Market Risk
The principal market risks we face due to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices are:
•Interest rates on our unsecured credit facility (the "Facility"); and
•Foreign exchange risks.
In the normal course of business, we manage these risks through a variety of strategies, including hedging transactions using various derivative financial instruments such as foreign currency forward contracts. We enter into derivative instruments that are short-term in duration 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. Our overall interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. We are primarily exposed to interest rate risk on our Facility, which had a borrowing capacity of $3.35 billion as of December 31, 2022. The Facility consists of revolving credit available for working capital, investments, capital expenditures and acquisitions. We had $1,213.8 million of outstanding borrowings under the Facility as of December 31, 2022. The Facility bears a variable rate of interest that fluctuates based on market rates.
Our €350.0 million face value of Euro Notes is split between €175.0 million due in June 2027 and €175.0 million due in June 2029, bearing interest at an annual rate of 1.96% and 2.21%, respectively. The issuance of the Euro Notes at fixed interest rates has helped to limit our exposure to future movements in interest rates.
We assess interest rate sensitivity to estimate the potential effect of rising interest rates on our variable rate debt. If interest rates were 50 basis points higher during 2022, Interest expense, net of interest income, would have been $6.7 million higher.
Foreign Exchange
Foreign exchange risk is the risk we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our revenue from outside of the U.S. approximated 41% and 42% of our total revenue for 2022 and 2021, respectively, as outlined in the table below. Operating in international markets means we are exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates, most significantly the British pound and the euro.
We mitigate our foreign currency exchange risk principally by (i) establishing local operations in the markets we serve and (ii) invoicing customers in the same currency as the source of the costs. The impact of translating expenses incurred in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars reduces the impact of translating revenue earned in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. In addition, British pound and Singapore dollar expenses incurred as a result of our regional headquarters being located in London and Singapore, respectively, act as ongoing partial operational hedges against our translation exposures to those currencies.
We enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage currency risks associated with intercompany loan balances. Generally, the maturity of these contracts is less than 60 days. As of December 31, 2022, we had forward exchange contracts in effect with a gross notional value of $1.81 billion ($1.02 billion on a net basis). This corresponding net carrying gain is generally offset by a carrying loss in associated intercompany loans.
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Although we operate globally, we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to currencies we are exposed to may positively or negatively impact our reported results. The following table sets forth the revenue derived from our most significant currencies.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | % of Total | 2021 | % of Total | |||||||
| United States dollar | $ | 12,375.9 | 59.3 | % | $ | 11,283.1 | 58.3 | % | |||
| British pound | 1,575.6 | 7.6 | 1,626.6 | 8.4 | |||||||
| Euro | 1,535.6 | 7.4 | 1,393.3 | 7.2 | |||||||
| Australian dollar | 1,183.0 | 5.7 | 1,118.7 | 5.8 | |||||||
| Canadian dollar | 593.8 | 2.8 | 508.3 | 2.6 | |||||||
| Indian rupee | 591.0 | 2.8 | 508.2 | 2.6 | |||||||
| Hong Kong dollar | 532.3 | 2.6 | 545.6 | 2.8 | |||||||
| Chinese yuan | 506.0 | 2.4 | 539.1 | 2.8 | |||||||
| Singapore dollar | 368.4 | 1.8 | 327.4 | 1.7 | |||||||
| Japanese yen | 233.8 | 1.1 | 256.8 | 1.3 | |||||||
| Other currencies | 1,366.7 | 6.5 | 1,259.9 | 6.5 | |||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 20,862.1 | 100.0 | % | $ | 19,367.0 | 100.0 | % |
Had British pound-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2022, we estimate our reported operating income would have increased by $10.1 million. Had euro-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2022, we estimate our reported operating income would have increased by $6.1 million. These hypothetical calculations estimate the impact of translating results into U.S. dollars and do not include an estimate of the impact a 10% increase in the U.S. dollar against other currencies would have on our foreign operations.
Seasonality
Historically, we have reported a relatively smaller revenue and profit in the first quarter with both measures increasing during each of the following three 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 throughout the year. Our seasonality excludes the recognition of investment-generated performance fees and realized and unrealized investment equity earnings and losses. Specifically, we recognize incentives fees when assets are sold or as a result of valuation increases in the portfolio, the timing of which may not be predictable or recurring. In addition, investment equity gains and losses are primarily dependent on underlying valuations, and the direction and magnitude of changes to such valuations are not predictable. Non-variable operating expenses, which we treat as expenses when incurred during the year, are relatively constant on a quarterly basis. Other factors may affect seasonality. For example, in 2020 and 2021, macroeconomic conditions influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the historical seasonality of our revenue and profits. In the second half of 2022, we experienced disruption to our historical seasonality trends due to rising interest rates and widespread economic uncertainty.
Inflation
Our operating expenses fluctuate with our revenue and general economic conditions, including inflation. The impacts of inflation, including wage inflation, have become more noticeable in our 2022 results when compared to prior years.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In conjunction with our change in reporting segments, effective January 1, 2022, comparable period information has been recast to conform with current presentation.
Definitions
•Assets under management data for LaSalle is reported on a one-quarter lag.
•"n.m.": not meaningful, represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000% favorable or unfavorable.
•"MENA": Middle East and North Africa. "Greater China": China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2021
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | % Change in Local Currency | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | U.S. dollars | ||||||||
| Markets Advisory | $ | 4,415.5 | 4,188.7 | 226.8 | 5 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Capital Markets | 2,488.2 | 2,620.5 | (132.3) | (5) | (1) | ||||||
| Work Dynamics | 13,268.5 | 11,891.5 | 1,377.0 | 12 | 15 | ||||||
| JLL Technologies | 213.9 | 166.2 | 47.7 | 29 | 30 | ||||||
| LaSalle | 476.0 | 500.1 | (24.1) | (5) | 1 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 20,862.1 | 19,367.0 | 1,495.1 | 8 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (12,549.1) | (11,290.2) | (1,258.9) | 11 | 15 | ||||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (11.0) | (59.3) | 48.3 | (81) | (81) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 8,302.0 | 8,017.5 | 284.5 | 4 | % | 7 | % | |||
| Markets Advisory | 3,360.2 | 3,201.7 | 158.5 | 5 | 8 | ||||||
| Capital Markets | 2,430.2 | 2,513.2 | (83.0) | (3) | — | ||||||
| Work Dynamics | 1,864.7 | 1,692.2 | 172.5 | 10 | 15 | ||||||
| JLL Technologies | 200.2 | 137.2 | 63.0 | 46 | 47 | ||||||
| LaSalle | 446.7 | 473.2 | (26.5) | (6) | 1 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | $ | 5,893.8 | 5,649.9 | 243.9 | 4 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 1,218.2 | 1,081.2 | 137.0 | 13 | 17 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 228.1 | 217.5 | 10.6 | 5 | 8 | ||||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 104.8 | 84.7 | 20.1 | 24 | 28 | ||||||
| Total fee-based operating expenses | 7,444.9 | 7,033.3 | 411.6 | 6 | 10 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 12,549.1 | 11,290.2 | 1,258.9 | 11 | 15 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 19,994.0 | 18,323.5 | 1,670.5 | 9 | % | 13 | % | |||
| Operating income | $ | 868.1 | 1,043.5 | (175.4) | (17) | % | (15) | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 51.0 | 209.4 | (158.4) | (76) | % | (76) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,247.3 | 1,496.5 | (249.2) | (17) | % | (14) | % |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following.
(i)Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses;
(ii)Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("Adjusted EBITDA") and Adjusted EBITDA margin; and
(iii)Percentage changes against prior periods, presented on a local currency basis.
However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any measure that eliminates components of a company’s capital structure, cost of operations or investments, or other results has limitations as a performance measure. In light of these limitations, management also considers U.S. GAAP financial measures and does not rely solely on non-GAAP financial measures. Because our non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Adjustments to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures Used to Calculate non-GAAP Financial Measures
Gross contract costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are directly or indirectly reimbursed through the fees we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses with the equal amount of corresponding fees in Revenue. Excluding gross contract costs from both Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses more accurately reflects how we manage our expense base and operating margins and also enables a more consistent performance assessment across a portfolio of contracts with varying payment terms and structures.
Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity consists of the balances presented within Revenue composed of (i) derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity and (ii) gains recognized from the retention of MSR upon origination and sale of mortgage loans, offset by (iii) amortization of MSR intangible assets over the period that net servicing income is projected to be received. Non-cash derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity are calculated as the estimated fair value of loan commitments and subsequent changes thereof, primarily represented by the estimated net cash flows associated with future servicing rights. MSR gains and corresponding MSR intangible assets are calculated as the present value of estimated net cash flows over the estimated mortgage servicing periods. The above activity is reported entirely within Revenue of the Capital Markets segment. Excluding net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity reflects how we manage and evaluate performance because the excluded activity is non-cash in nature.
Restructuring and acquisition charges primarily consist of (i) severance and employment-related charges, including those related to external service providers, incurred in conjunction with a structural business shift, which can be represented by a notable change in headcount, change in leadership or transformation of business processes, (ii) acquisition, transaction and integration-related charges, including non-cash fair value adjustments to assets and liabilities recorded in purchase accounting such as earn-out liabilities and intangible assets and (iii) lease exit charges. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally either non-cash in nature or the anticipated benefits from the expenditures would not likely be fully realized until future periods. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results and therefore not a line item in the segments’ reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA.
Gain/loss on disposition reflects the gain or loss recognized on the sale or disposition of businesses. Given the low frequency of business disposals by the company historically, the gain or loss directly associated with such activity is excluded as it is not considered indicative of core operating performance. In 2022, the $7.5 million net loss from the second quarter included $10.5 million of loss related to the disposition of our Russia business, partially offset by a $3.0 million gain related to a disposition within JLL Technologies. In 2021, $12.0 million of the activity related to a business disposition within JLL Technologies and $0.4 million related to a sold business within Markets Advisory. In 2020, the $4.8 million gain related to the sale of a property management business in Markets Advisory.
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Interest on Employee Loans, Net reflects interest accrued on employee loans less the amount of accrued interest forgiven. Certain employees (predominantly in our Leasing and Capital Markets businesses) receive cash payments structured as loans, with interest. Employees earn forgiveness of the loan based on performance, generally calculated as a percentage of revenue production, annually. Such forgiven amounts are reflected in Compensation and benefits expense. Given the interest accrued on these employee loans and subsequent forgiveness are non-cash and the amounts perfectly offset over the life of the loan, the activity is not indicative of core operating performance and is excluded from non-GAAP measures.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Below are the reconciliations of (i) Revenue to fee revenue and (ii) Operating expenses to fee-based operating expenses.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| Revenue | $ | 20,862.1 | 19,367.0 | |
| Adjustments: | ||||
| Gross contract costs | (12,549.1) | (11,290.2) | ||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (11.0) | (59.3) | ||
| Fee revenue | $ | 8,302.0 | 8,017.5 | |
| Operating expenses | $ | 19,994.0 | 18,323.5 | |
| Less: Gross contract costs | (12,549.1) | (11,290.2) | ||
| Fee-based operating expenses | $ | 7,444.9 | 7,033.3 | |
| Operating income | $ | 868.1 | 1,043.5 |
Below is (i) a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, (ii) the Net income margin attributable to common shareholders (measured on Revenue), and (iii) the Adjusted EBITDA margin (measured on fee-revenue and presented on a local currency basis).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | |||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 654.5 | 961.6 | ||
| Add: | |||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 75.2 | 40.1 | |||
| Provision for income taxes | 200.8 | 264.3 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization(1) | 225.2 | 217.5 | |||
| EBITDA | $ | 1,155.7 | 1,483.5 | ||
| Adjustments: | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 104.8 | 84.7 | |||
| Net loss (gain) on disposition | 7.5 | (12.4) | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (11.0) | (59.3) | |||
| Interest on employee loans, net | (9.7) | — | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,247.3 | 1,496.5 | ||
| Net income margin attributable to common shareholders | 3.1 | % | 5.0 | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 15.0 | % | 18.7 | % |
(1) This adjustment excludes the noncontrolling interest portion of amortization of acquisition-related intangibles which is not attributable to common shareholders.
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In discussing our operating results, we report Adjusted EBITDA margins and refer to percentage changes in local currency, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented on a local currency basis are calculated by translating the current period results of our foreign operations to U.S. dollars using the foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period. We believe this methodology provides a framework for assessing performance and operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.
The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) Revenue, (ii) Fee revenue, (iii) Operating income and (iv) Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | % Change | |||
| Revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 20,862.1 | 8 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 708.4 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 21,570.5 | 11 | % | |
| Fee revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 8,302.0 | 4 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 282.6 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 8,584.6 | 7 | % | |
| Operating income: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 868.1 | (17) | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 14.9 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 883.0 | (15) | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 1,247.3 | (17) | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | 38.0 | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 1,285.3 | (14) | % |
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Revenue
Revenue and fee revenue increased 11% and 7%, respectively compared with 2021, as outstanding performance in the first half of 2022 across JLL more than offset headwinds experienced in the second half of the year. These results reflect double-digit growth in Work Dynamics each quarter of 2022 as well as strong contributions during the first half of 2022 from Leasing, within Markets Advisory, and Capital Markets. More specifically, resilient annuity-based businesses delivered solid fee revenue growth as Workplace Management, within Work Dynamics, grew 18%; Property Management, within Markets Advisory, grew 9%; and LaSalle advisory fees grew 17%. In contrast, transaction-based businesses, notably Investment Sales and Debt Advisory within Capital Markets as well as Leasing within Markets Advisory, experienced challenges from uncertainty in interest rates and degrading economic sentiment, beginning in the third quarter and continuing through the close of 2022.
LaSalle's decrease in revenue, compared with 2021, was driven by lower incentive fees, which more than offset the double-digit advisory fee growth. Dry powder for future deployment remains strong as LaSalle continues to raise capital and redemption requests have not been significant.
The following highlights the proportion of consolidated top-line growth on a local currency basis, compared with 2021, by business line segment ($ in millions). Refer to segment operating results for further detail.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased 13% to $20.0 billion in 2022 while fee-based operating expenses were $7.4 billion in 2022, up 10% from prior year. The higher expenses were primarily attributable to Markets Advisory, which represented 38% of the increase in fee-based operating expenses on a local currency basis, Work Dynamics represented 31%, Capital Markets represented 14%, JLL Technologies 12% and LaSalle 1%. Refer to segment operating results for additional detail.
In addition to the segment drivers, a net increase in Restructuring and acquisition charges in 2022 contributed to higher operating expenses in 2022 versus 2021; refer to the following table and commentary below for additional detail.
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Severance and other employment-related charges | $ | 44.5 | 14.3 | ||||
| Restructuring, pre-acquisition and post-acquisition charges | 63.6 | 67.8 | |||||
| Fair value adjustments that resulted in a net (decrease) increase to earn-out liabilities from prior-period acquisition activity | (3.3) | 2.6 | |||||
| Total restructuring and acquisition charges | $ | 104.8 | 84.7 |
The increase in severance and other employment-related charges, compared with 2021, reflected notable cost mitigation actions taken across the globe in late 2022.
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Interest Expense
Interest expense, net of interest income, for 2022 was $75.2 million, compared to $40.1 million in 2021. The change was driven by a higher effective interest rate on our credit facilities and a year-over-year increase in the average outstanding borrowings. The average outstanding borrowings under our credit facilities increased to $1,399.1 million, with an average effective interest rate of 2.9%, in 2022, from $432.0 million, with an average effective interest rate of 0.9%, during 2021.
Equity Earnings
Equity earnings were $51.0 million in 2022, down from $209.4 million in 2021.
Net valuation increases related to JLL Technologies' investments drove $46.6 million of equity earnings this year, compared with $140.7 million in 2021. Refer to the JLL Technologies segment discussion for additional detail.
LaSalle equity earnings were down $62.3 million. Refer to the LaSalle segment discussion for additional detail.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $200.8 million and $264.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, representing effective tax rates ("ETR") of 20.2% and 21.6%, respectively. Refer to the Income Tax discussion in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 8, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for a further discussion of our effective tax rate.
Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA
Net income attributable to common shareholders was $654.5 million for the year, or $13.27 per diluted common share, compared with $961.6 million for 2021, or $18.47 per diluted common share. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 14% from the prior year to $1,247.3 million in 2022. Net income margin attributable to common shareholders was 3.1% in 2022, down from 5.0% in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 15.0% in both USD and local currency for 2022, compared with 18.7% in 2021. The margin contraction was primarily attributable to (i) the $158.4 million decrease in equity earnings, which comprised over 50% of the margin decline, (ii) higher fixed compensation expense, reflecting increased headcount and wage inflation over the trailing twelve months, and (iii) incremental T&E and marketing expenses, and (iv) additional investments in technology. In addition, the consolidated margin, and all segment margins, reflected comparatively lower annual incentive compensation accruals this year due to business performance.
Segment Operating Results
Effective January 1, 2022, we manage and report our operations as five business segments: Markets Advisory, Capital Markets, Work Dynamics, JLL Technologies, and LaSalle.
Markets Advisory offers a wide range of real estate services, including agency leasing and tenant representation, property management, and advisory and consulting services. Our Capital Markets service offerings include investment sales, equity and debt advisory, loan servicing, and valuations. Our Work Dynamics business provides a broad suite of integrated services to occupiers of real estate, including facility and project management, as well as portfolio and other services. We consider "Property Management" to be services provided to non-occupying property investors and "Workplace Management" to be services provided to owner-occupiers. Our JLL Technologies segment offers software products, solutions and services, while LaSalle provides investment management services on a global basis to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.
For segment reporting, (i) gross contract costs and (ii) net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity are both excluded from revenue in determining Fee revenue. Gross contract costs are excluded from operating expenses in determining Fee-based operating expenses. In addition, our measure of segment results also excludes Restructuring and acquisition charges.
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Markets Advisory
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 4,415.5 | 4,188.7 | 226.8 | 5 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (1,055.3) | (987.0) | (68.3) | 7 | 10 | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 3,360.2 | 3,201.7 | 158.5 | 5 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Leasing | 2,736.7 | 2,598.5 | 138.2 | 5 | 7 | ||||||
| Property Management | 500.2 | 478.7 | 21.5 | 4 | 9 | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 123.3 | 124.5 | (1.2) | (1) | 5 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 2,433.7 | 2,299.6 | 134.1 | 6 | 8 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 405.0 | 361.7 | 43.3 | 12 | 16 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 73.5 | 69.4 | 4.1 | 6 | 9 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 2,912.2 | 2,730.7 | 181.5 | 7 | 9 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 1,055.3 | 987.0 | 68.3 | 7 | 10 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 3,967.5 | 3,717.7 | 249.8 | 7 | % | 10 | % | |||
| Equity (losses) earnings | $ | (0.3) | 0.7 | (1.0) | (143) | % | (138) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 527.5 | 546.5 | (19.0) | (3) | % | 1 | % |
The increases in Markets Advisory revenue and fee revenue were primarily due to Leasing, where growth over a record 2021 reflected an outstanding first half of 2022 which more than offset economic challenges impacting transaction-based revenue during the second half of the year. Leasing performance was driven by an increase in average deal size across all major asset classes, particularly in office and industrial. This driver was partially offset by the impact of tight supply, notably in the industrial sector, which had lower transaction volume in 2022. Geographically, the year-over-year increase was led by the U.S. (which contributed 71% of the growth in Leasing fee revenue on a local currency basis), Canada (11%) and Germany (9%), partially offset by Greater China, which continued to experience significant pandemic-related restrictions. The uptick in Property Management fee revenue was largely attributable to the U.S. and Canada, primarily from organic contributions.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses in 2022 were driven primarily by revenue-related expense growth and higher fixed compensation expense, including the impact of additional headcount and wage inflation over the trailing twelve months. In addition, expense growth was also attributable to increased T&E and marketing expenses and additional investments in technology.
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 15.7% in USD (16.0% in local currency) in 2022, compared with 17.1% in 2021. The margin contraction was primarily due to the expense drivers noted above, partially offset by higher revenue.
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Capital Markets
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,488.2 | 2,620.5 | (132.3) | (5) | % | (1) | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (47.0) | (48.0) | 1.0 | (2) | 7 | ||||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (11.0) | (59.3) | 48.3 | (81) | (81) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 2,430.2 | 2,513.2 | (83.0) | (3) | % | — | % | |||
| Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other | 1,906.7 | 2,013.2 | (106.5) | (5) | (2) | ||||||
| Valuation Advisory | 365.6 | 359.8 | 5.8 | 2 | 9 | ||||||
| Loan Servicing | 157.9 | 140.2 | 17.7 | 13 | 13 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 1,727.1 | 1,767.6 | (40.5) | (2) | 1 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 263.2 | 204.2 | 59.0 | 29 | 35 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 61.6 | 63.1 | (1.5) | (2) | — | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 2,051.9 | 2,034.9 | 17.0 | 1 | 5 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 47.0 | 48.0 | (1.0) | (2) | 7 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 2,098.9 | 2,082.9 | 16.0 | 1 | % | 5 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 3.1 | 4.9 | (1.8) | (37) | % | (33) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 444.0 | 543.2 | (99.2) | (18) | % | (16) | % |
On a local currency basis, higher revenues from Loan Servicing and Valuation Advisory were offset by lower Investment Sales and Debt Advisory fees, as rising interest rates and economic uncertainty adversely impacted market transaction volumes and elongated the deal-cycle time. This driver was particularly impactful on the second half of 2022, where favorable trends from the first half of 2022 reversed in the third and fourth quarters. Globally, fourth-quarter market volumes for investment sales were down 58% in USD (56% in local currency) and full-year global market volumes fell 19% in USD (15% in local currency) according to JLL Research. The top-line increase in Loan Servicing reflected growth of the servicing portfolio in 2022, particularly from loans originated under the Fannie Mae DUS program.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses in 2022 were driven primarily by (i) an increase in T&E, marketing and additional technology-related expenses, (ii) incremental fixed compensation, due to headcount growth and wage inflation over the trailing twelve months, and (iii) higher commission expense, attributable to changes in the variable compensation structures in the U.S. (partially offset by reductions to annual incentive compensation expense). In addition, 2021 included a $13.8 million non-cash reduction (benefit) to loan loss credit reserves, versus $2.0 million of net increases (expense) to the reserves this year.
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 18.3% in USD (18.2% in local currency) in 2022, compared with 21.6% in 2021. The margin contraction was primarily due to the expense drivers noted above.
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Work Dynamics
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 13,268.5 | 11,891.5 | 1,377.0 | 12 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (11,403.8) | (10,199.3) | (1,204.5) | 12 | 16 | ||||||
| Fee Revenue | $ | 1,864.7 | 1,692.2 | 172.5 | 10 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Workplace Management | 752.8 | 654.9 | 97.9 | 15 | 18 | ||||||
| Project Management | 850.7 | 774.2 | 76.5 | 10 | 15 | ||||||
| Portfolio Services and Other | 261.2 | 263.1 | (1.9) | (1) | 3 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 1,202.3 | 1,103.4 | 98.9 | 9 | 14 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 432.9 | 406.8 | 26.1 | 6 | 12 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 71.1 | 66.2 | 4.9 | 7 | 13 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 1,706.3 | 1,576.4 | 129.9 | 8 | 13 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 11,403.8 | 10,199.3 | 1,204.5 | 12 | 16 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 13,110.1 | 11,775.7 | 1,334.4 | 11 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 200 | % | 266 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 230.1 | 182.4 | 47.7 | 26 | % | 24 | % |
The Work Dynamics revenue and fee revenue increases, compared with 2021, were driven by double-digit growth in Workplace Management and Project Management, which were broad-based across geographies. New client wins and the expansion of existing global mandates drove the growth in Workplace Management, most notably in the United States. Project Management experienced continued momentum from the return-to-office movement that, together with fewer pandemic-driven restrictions, contributed to higher project demand this year.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses in 2022 were largely attributable to (i) additional investments in technology, (ii) incremental T&E and marketing expenses, and (iii) higher fixed compensation expense to support business growth, including additional headcount and wage inflation over the trailing twelve months.
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 12.3% in USD (11.6% in local currency) in 2022, compared with 10.8% in 2021. The margin expansion was attributable to the fee revenue growth described above, the impact of cost management strategies executed throughout the year, and the net impact of the expense drivers noted above.
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JLL Technologies
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 213.9 | 166.2 | 47.7 | 29 | % | 30 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (13.7) | (29.0) | 15.3 | (53) | (53) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 200.2 | 137.2 | 63.0 | 46 | % | 47 | % | |||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs(1) | 240.3 | 169.2 | 71.1 | 42 | 44 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 57.4 | 55.4 | 2.0 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 15.4 | 10.5 | 4.9 | 47 | 48 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 313.1 | 235.1 | 78.0 | 33 | 35 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 13.7 | 29.0 | (15.3) | (53) | (53) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 326.8 | 264.1 | 62.7 | 24 | % | 25 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 46.6 | 140.7 | (94.1) | (67) | % | (67) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (50.9) | 53.4 | (104.3) | (195) | % | (199) | % |
(1) Included in Compensation and benefits expenses for JLL Technologies is carried interest expense related to qualifying equity earnings of the segment. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, carried interest expense was $16.6 million and $12.6 million, respectively.
JLL Technologies top-line growth included $32.3 million from acquisitions closed in late 2021. Organic fee revenue increased 23% for the year, driven by new customers as well as growth from existing customers in software and solutions offerings.
Equity earnings in 2021 were primarily attributable to valuation increases to JLL Technologies' investments in early to mid-stage proptech companies as well as proptech funds, primarily reflecting subsequent financing rounds at increased per-share values. Lower equity earnings in 2022 were due to more modest valuation increases, compared with 2021, coupled with more notable impairments/valuation declines.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses in 2022 were largely driven by (i) incremental compensation related to businesses acquired in late 2021 and (ii) the ramp up of operations for current and future growth, including T&E and marketing expenses as well as additional headcount and wage inflation over the trailing twelve months.
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was negative 25.4% in USD (negative 26.1% in local currency) in 2022, compared with 38.9% in 2021.The change in equity earnings, net of carried interest, drove more than 75% of the net margin contraction. The remaining margin decline was primarily attributable to the expense drivers noted above, partially offset by higher fee revenue.
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LaSalle
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 476.0 | 500.1 | (24.1) | (5) | % | 1 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (29.3) | (26.9) | (2.4) | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 446.7 | 473.2 | (26.5) | (6) | % | 1 | % | |||
| Advisory fees | 380.3 | 345.7 | 34.6 | 10 | 17 | ||||||
| Transaction fees and other | 39.8 | 33.6 | 6.2 | 18 | 27 | ||||||
| Incentive fees | 26.6 | 93.9 | (67.3) | (72) | (69) | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 290.4 | 310.1 | (19.7) | (6) | — | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 59.7 | 53.1 | 6.6 | 12 | 20 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 6.5 | 8.3 | (1.8) | (22) | (18) | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 356.6 | 371.5 | (14.9) | (4) | 3 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 29.3 | 26.9 | 2.4 | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 385.9 | 398.4 | (12.5) | (3) | % | 3 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 0.4 | 62.7 | (62.3) | (99) | % | (99) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 96.6 | 171.0 | (74.4) | (44) | % | (40) | % |
Continued momentum in advisory fees more than offset lower incentive fees to drive slight top-line growth for LaSalle on a local currency basis. The advisory fee growth in 2022 was concentrated in core open-end funds, driven by strong capital raising and increases in the fair value of assets under management (“AUM”) over the trailing twelve months. Lower incentive fees for the year reflected muted transaction activity given economic uncertainty and lower valuation gains in a U.S. fund, following an exceptional 2021.
The current year's equity earnings included valuation declines in the co-investment portfolio during latter 2022 coupled with $13.7 million of equity losses due to negative share price movement for a co-investment in a LaSalle-managed publicly-traded REIT in Japan. Prior-year equity earnings were substantially driven by valuation increases on underlying real estate investments within LaSalle's co-investment portfolio, as estimated fair values recovered from pandemic-era lows in 2020.
The decreases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses, compared with 2021, were primarily driven by lower incentive compensation related to the decline in incentive fees, partially offset by incremental T&E expense and higher fixed compensation expense, including wage inflation over the trailing twelve months.
Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 21.6% in USD (21.4% in local currency) for 2022, compared with 36.1% in 2021. The decline in margin was substantially driven by lower equity earnings and incentive fees. These drivers were partially offset by higher advisory fees and continued scale of the advisory fee platform.
As of December 31, 2022, LaSalle had $79.1 billion of AUM, an increase of 3% in USD (15% in local currency) from $76.6 billion as of December 31, 2021. The net increase in AUM during the year resulted from (i) $12.2 billion of acquisitions and (ii) $7.2 billion of net valuation increases, partially offset by (iii) $9.2 billion of foreign currency decreases and (iv) $7.7 billion of dispositions and withdrawals.
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Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2020
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | % Change in Local Currency | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | ||||||||
| Markets Advisory | $ | 4,188.7 | 3,187.0 | 1,001.7 | 31 | % | 30 | % | |||
| Capital Markets | 2,620.5 | 1,763.5 | 857.0 | 49 | 47 | ||||||
| Work Dynamics | 11,891.5 | 11,061.5 | 830.0 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| JLL Technologies | 166.2 | 156.1 | 10.1 | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| LaSalle | 500.1 | 421.8 | 78.3 | 19 | 17 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 19,367.0 | 16,589.9 | 2,777.1 | 17 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (11,290.2) | (10,464.4) | (825.8) | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (59.3) | (66.6) | 7.3 | (11) | (11) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 8,017.5 | 6,058.9 | 1,958.6 | 32 | % | 31 | % | |||
| Markets Advisory | 3,201.7 | 2,297.5 | 904.2 | 39 | 38 | ||||||
| Capital Markets | 2,513.2 | 1,654.1 | 859.1 | 52 | 50 | ||||||
| Work Dynamics | 1,692.2 | 1,586.8 | 105.4 | 7 | 5 | ||||||
| JLL Technologies | 137.2 | 119.8 | 17.4 | 15 | 14 | ||||||
| LaSalle | 473.2 | 400.7 | 72.5 | 18 | 17 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | $ | 5,649.9 | 4,207.9 | 1,442.0 | 34 | % | 33 | % | |||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 1,081.2 | 989.7 | 91.5 | 9 | 7 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 217.5 | 226.4 | (8.9) | (4) | (5) | ||||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 84.7 | 142.4 | (57.7) | (41) | (40) | ||||||
| Total fee-based operating expenses | 7,033.3 | 5,566.4 | 1,466.9 | 26 | 25 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 11,290.2 | 10,464.4 | 825.8 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 18,323.5 | 16,030.8 | 2,292.7 | 14 | % | 12 | % | |||
| Operating income | $ | 1,043.5 | 559.1 | 484.4 | 87 | % | 86 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 209.4 | 8.0 | 201.4 | n.m. | n.m. | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,496.5 | 859.6 | 636.9 | 74 | % | 73 | % |
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Below are the reconciliations of (i) Revenue to fee revenue and (ii) Operating expenses to fee-based operating expenses.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| Revenue | $ | 19,367.0 | 16,589.9 | |
| Adjustments: | ||||
| Gross contract costs | (11,290.2) | (10,464.4) | ||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (59.3) | (66.6) | ||
| Fee revenue | $ | 8,017.5 | 6,058.9 | |
| Operating expenses | $ | 18,323.5 | 16,030.8 | |
| Less: Gross contract costs | (11,290.2) | (10,464.4) | ||
| Fee-based operating expenses | $ | 7,033.3 | 5,566.4 | |
| Operating income | $ | 1,043.5 | 559.1 |
Below is (i) a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, (ii) the Net income margin attributable to common shareholders (measured on Revenue), and (iii) the Adjusted EBITDA margin (measured on fee-revenue and presented on a local currency basis).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 961.6 | 402.5 | ||
| Add: | |||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 40.1 | 52.8 | |||
| Provision for income taxes | 264.3 | 106.9 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 217.5 | 226.4 | |||
| EBITDA | $ | 1,483.5 | 788.6 | ||
| Adjustments: | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 84.7 | 142.4 | |||
| Gain on disposition | (12.4) | (4.8) | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (59.3) | (66.6) | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,496.5 | 859.6 | ||
| Net income margin attributable to common shareholders | 5.0 | % | 2.4 | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 18.8 | % | 14.2 | % |
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The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) Revenue, (ii) Fee revenue, (iii) Operating income and (iv) Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | |||
| Revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 19,367.0 | 17 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (297.5) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 19,069.5 | 15 | % | |
| Fee revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 8,017.5 | 32 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (96.9) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 7,920.6 | 31 | % | |
| Operating income: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 1,043.5 | 87 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (3.8) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 1,039.7 | 86 | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 1,496.5 | 74 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (7.4) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 1,489.1 | 73 | % |
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Revenue
Revenue increased 15% to $19.4 billion in 2021 and fee revenue increased 31% to $8.0 billion, compared with 2020, reflecting broad-based growth across all segments. Markets Advisory led the top-line growth with revenue and fee revenue increases of 30% and 38%, respectively, driven by Leasing. Capital Markets also experienced significant year-over-year growth, achieving revenue and fee revenue increases of 47% and 50%, respectively. New wins and expansions of existing client mandates in 2021 within Workplace Management drove the 6% revenue increase in Work Dynamics. LaSalle's 17% revenue growth, compared with 2020, was driven by higher incentive and advisory fees.
The following charts highlight the proportion of consolidated top-line growth on a local currency basis, compared with 2020, by segment ($ in millions). Refer to segment operating results for further detail.
Our consolidated revenue increased 17% in U.S. dollars and 15% on a local currency basis, compared with 2020, while consolidated fee revenue increased 32% in U.S. dollars and 31% on a local currency basis, compared with 2020. The spread between U.S. dollars and local currency was driven by a weakening of the U.S. dollar against most currencies, especially the British pound, euro, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar and Chinese yuan.
Operating Expenses
In 2021, consolidated operating expenses increased 12% to $18.3 billion. Consolidated fee-based operating expenses were $7.0 billion in 2021, a 25% increase from prior year. The higher expenses were primarily attributable to Markets Advisory and Capital Markets, which drove 49% and 39%, respectively, of the total increase in fee-based operating expenses on a local currency basis. Refer to segment operating results for additional detail.
The overall expense increase is net of lower Restructuring and acquisition charges; refer to the following table and commentary for additional detail.
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Severance and other employment-related charges | $ | 14.3 | 69.0 | ||||
| Restructuring, pre-acquisition and post-acquisition charges | 67.8 | 88.2 | |||||
| Fair value adjustments that resulted in a net increase (decrease) to earn-out liabilities from prior-period acquisition activity | 2.6 | (14.8) | |||||
| Total restructuring and acquisition charges | $ | 84.7 | 142.4 | ||||
| Portion of total restructuring and acquisition charges related to the acquisition and integration of HFF | $ | 40.0 | 75.9 |
Charges associated with the acquisition and integration of HFF, Inc. ("HFF") primarily included expenses from retention awards granted to employees upon acquisition as well as other integration expenses, such as early lease termination costs.
The decrease in severance and other employment-related charges, compared with the prior year, reflected notable cost mitigation actions taken across the globe in response to the pandemic in 2020.
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Interest Expense
Interest expense, net of interest income, for 2021 was $40.1 million, down from $52.8 million in 2020. The decrease was driven by a lower effective interest rate on our Facility and a year-over-year reduction in the average outstanding borrowings. The average outstanding borrowings under our Facility decreased to $432.0 million, with an average effective interest rate of 0.94% in 2021, from $865.1 million, with an average effective interest rate of 1.60% during 2020.
Equity Earnings
Equity earnings were $209.4 million in 2021, up from $8.0 million in 2020.
Valuation increases related to JLL Technologies' investments resulted in $140.7 million of equity earnings in 2021, compared with $5.7 million in 2020, reflecting continued progress in the strategy to invest in early-stage proptech companies; refer to the JLL Technologies segment discussion for additional detail.
LaSalle recognized $62.7 million of equity earnings in 2021, compared with $12.5 million of equity losses in the prior year. Refer to the LaSalle segment discussion for additional detail.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $264.3 million and $106.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, representing effective tax rates ("ETR") of 21.6% and 20.2%, respectively. Refer to the Income Tax discussion in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 8, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for a further discussion of our effective tax rate.
Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA
Net income attributable to common shareholders was $961.6 million for 2021, or $18.47 per diluted common share, compared with $402.5 million for 2020, or $7.70 per diluted common share. Adjusted EBITDA increased 73% from the prior year to $1,496.5 million in 2021. Net income margin attributable to common shareholders was 5.0% in 2021 up from 2.4% in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 18.7% in USD for 2021 (18.8% in local currency), compared with 14.2% last year. The 450 basis point margin expansion was primarily driven by the significant increase in revenue, particularly from higher margin transaction-based service lines, as well as higher equity earnings, as noted above. These drivers were partially offset by the expected reduction of certain non-permanent cost savings from 2020 and incremental investments in people and technology.
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Segment Operating Results
For segment reporting, (i) gross contract costs and (ii) net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity are both excluded from revenue in determining Fee revenue. Gross contract costs are excluded from operating expenses in determining Fee-based operating expenses. In addition, our measure of segment results also excludes Restructuring and acquisition charges.
Markets Advisory
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 4,188.7 | 3,187.0 | 1,001.7 | 31 | % | 30 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (987.0) | (889.5) | (97.5) | 11 | 9 | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 3,201.7 | 2,297.5 | 904.2 | 39 | % | 38 | % | |||
| Leasing | 2,598.5 | 1,732.3 | 866.2 | 50 | 49 | ||||||
| Property Management | 478.7 | 453.4 | 25.3 | 6 | 3 | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 124.5 | 111.8 | 12.7 | 11 | 8 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 2,299.6 | 1,649.0 | 650.6 | 39 | 38 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 361.7 | 317.3 | 44.4 | 14 | 12 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 69.4 | 68.0 | 1.4 | 2 | 1 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 2,730.7 | 2,034.3 | 696.4 | 34 | 33 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 987.0 | 889.5 | 97.5 | 11 | 9 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 3,717.7 | 2,923.8 | 793.9 | 27 | % | 26 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 0.7 | 13.7 | (13.0) | (95) | % | (93) | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 546.5 | 337.8 | 208.7 | 62 | % | 61 | % |
Markets Advisory revenue and fee revenue increases were led by Leasing, driven by higher transaction volumes and an increase in average deal size, especially in the U.S., with strong performance across all sectors, highlighted by office and industrial. Notably, organic Leasing fee revenue exceeded 2019. Advisory, Consulting and Other largely recovered from pandemic-impacted activity in 2020, especially in Greater China and MENA.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses compared to 2020 were primarily due to higher revenue-related expenses, the expected reduction of certain non-permanent cost savings from 2020 (including the benefit from pandemic-related government relief programs) and incremental investments in people and technology.
In 2020, substantially all of the $13.7 million equity earnings were attributable to gains by consolidated variable interest entities in which the company held no equity interest; therefore, these gains had no net impact to Adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 17.1% in USD and local currency in 2021, compared with 14.7% in 2020. The margin expansion was driven by transaction-based revenue growth, partially offset by the above-noted expense drivers.
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Capital Markets
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,620.5 | 1,763.5 | 857.0 | 49 | % | 47 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (48.0) | (42.8) | (5.2) | 12 | 8 | ||||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (59.3) | (66.6) | 7.3 | (11) | (11) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 2,513.2 | 1,654.1 | 859.1 | 52 | % | 50 | % | |||
| Investment Sales, Debt/Equity Advisory and Other | 2,013.2 | 1,240.7 | 772.5 | 62 | 60 | ||||||
| Valuation Advisory | 359.8 | 302.1 | 57.7 | 19 | 15 | ||||||
| Loan Servicing | 140.2 | 111.3 | 28.9 | 26 | 26 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 1,767.6 | 1,188.2 | 579.4 | 49 | 47 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 204.2 | 217.6 | (13.4) | (6) | (8) | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 63.1 | 69.8 | (6.7) | (10) | (11) | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 2,034.9 | 1,475.6 | 559.3 | 38 | 36 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 48.0 | 42.8 | 5.2 | 12 | 8 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 2,082.9 | 1,518.4 | 564.5 | 37 | % | 35 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 4.9 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 250 | % | 236 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 543.2 | 247.8 | 295.4 | 119 | % | 115 | % |
Top-line growth in Capital Markets was led by Investment Sales and Debt Advisory as global market volumes reached a record high in 2021, according to JLL Research. The increases were broad-based across geographies and asset classes, most notably residential, office and industrial. The increase in Valuation Advisory was led by organic growth, highlighted by the U.S., Australia and the U.K. Strong growth in Loan Servicing was driven by an increase in the servicing portfolio, particularly from originations under the Fannie Mae DUS program (approximately half of the increase) as well as incremental prepayment fees.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses, compared with the prior year, were primarily due to higher revenue-related expenses, the expected reduction of certain non-permanent cost savings from 2020 (including the benefit from pandemic-related government relief programs) and incremental investments in people and technology. In addition, we recognized a $13.8 million non-cash reduction to our loan loss credit reserves related to our multi-housing business in 2021, compared with a $21.6 million non-cash increase to the credit reserves recognized in 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 21.6% in USD (and 21.5% local currency) in 2021, compared with 15.0% in 2020. The margin expansion was primarily driven by transaction-based revenue growth and the year-over-year impact of changes to the loan loss credit reserves, partially offset by the additional expense drivers discussed above.
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Work Dynamics
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 11,891.5 | 11,061.5 | 830.0 | 8 | % | 6 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (10,199.3) | (9,474.7) | (724.6) | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| Fee Revenue | $ | 1,692.2 | 1,586.8 | 105.4 | 7 | % | 5 | % | |||
| Workplace Management | 654.9 | 600.3 | 54.6 | 9 | 7 | ||||||
| Project Management | 774.2 | 751.1 | 23.1 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| Portfolio Services and Other | 263.1 | 235.4 | 27.7 | 12 | 11 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 1,103.4 | 984.3 | 119.1 | 12 | 10 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 406.8 | 374.4 | 32.4 | 9 | 6 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 66.2 | 68.0 | (1.8) | (3) | (4) | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 1,576.4 | 1,426.7 | 149.7 | 10 | 8 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 10,199.3 | 9,474.7 | 724.6 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 11,775.7 | 10,901.4 | 874.3 | 8 | % | 6 | % | |||
| Equity earnings (losses) | $ | 0.4 | (0.3) | 0.7 | 233 | % | 297 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 182.4 | 227.6 | (45.2) | (20) | % | (18) | % |
Over half of the revenue and fee revenue growth for Work Dynamics was driven by Workplace Management, led by new client wins and the expansion of existing mandates, especially in the United States. Portfolio Services and Other growth was largely from higher consulting and transaction management services, influenced by client leasing activity during 2021, compared with more significant impacts from COVID during the prior year.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses, compared with last year, were primarily due to higher revenue-related expenses, the expected reduction of certain non-permanent cost savings from 2020 (including the benefit from pandemic-related government relief programs), incremental investments in people and technology, and higher self-insurance expenses, specifically medical and dental, which were lower than historical experience in 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 10.8% in USD (11.1% in local currency) for 2021, compared with 14.3% in 2020. The margin contraction was attributable to the expense drivers noted above, which more than offset the revenue growth.
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JLL Technologies
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 166.2 | 156.1 | 10.1 | 6 | % | 6 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (29.0) | (36.3) | 7.3 | (20) | (21) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 137.2 | 119.8 | 17.4 | 15 | % | 14 | % | |||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 169.2 | 126.0 | 43.2 | 34 | 33 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 55.4 | 32.6 | 22.8 | 70 | 69 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 10.5 | 11.3 | (0.8) | (7) | (8) | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 235.1 | 169.9 | 65.2 | 38 | 38 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 29.0 | 36.3 | (7.3) | (20) | (21) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 264.1 | 206.2 | 57.9 | 28 | % | 27 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 140.7 | 5.7 | 135.0 | n.m. | n.m. | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 53.4 | (33.1) | 86.5 | 261 | % | 263 | % |
JLL Technologies top-line growth included $3.3 million of incremental fee revenue from acquisitions closed in late 2021. Organic fee revenue increased 11%, driven by new customers as well as growth from existing customers in software and solutions offerings.
The higher equity earnings in 2021 were attributable to valuation increases for several of our investments in proptech funds and early to mid-stage proptech companies, primarily reflecting subsequent financing rounds at increased per-share values.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses were driven by revenue-related expense growth as well as incremental investments in people and technology to support future growth.
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 38.9% in USD (39.5% in local currency), compared with negative 27.6% in 2020. The margin expansion was driven by higher earnings, partially offset by the above-noted expense drivers.
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LaSalle
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 500.1 | 421.8 | 78.3 | 19 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (26.9) | (21.1) | (5.8) | 27 | 26 | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 473.2 | 400.7 | 72.5 | 18 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Advisory fees | 345.7 | 320.7 | 25.0 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| Transaction fees and other | 33.6 | 38.5 | (4.9) | (13) | (13) | ||||||
| Incentive fees | 93.9 | 41.5 | 52.4 | 126 | 128 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits, excluding gross contract costs | 310.1 | 260.4 | 49.7 | 19 | 18 | ||||||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses, excluding gross contract costs | 53.1 | 47.8 | 5.3 | 11 | 9 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 8.3 | 9.3 | (1.0) | (11) | (12) | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring and acquisition charges) | 371.5 | 317.5 | 54.0 | 17 | 16 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 26.9 | 21.1 | 5.8 | 27 | 26 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses | $ | 398.4 | 338.6 | 59.8 | 18 | % | 16 | % | |||
| Equity earnings (losses) | $ | 62.7 | (12.5) | 75.2 | 602 | % | 601 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 171.0 | 79.5 | 91.5 | 115 | % | 113 | % |
LaSalle advisory fee growth was led by core open-end funds, a result of capital raising and valuation increases in AUM, as well as a newly-launched fund in Asia Pacific. The increase in incentive fees reflected the strong fund performance in the U.S. and real estate dispositions on behalf of clients in Asia Pacific and continental Europe.
Equity earnings in 2021 were primarily attributable to increases in the estimated fair value of underlying real estate investments within LaSalle's co-investment portfolio across asset classes and geographies. In the prior year, equity losses were largely driven by the pandemic's impact on real estate prices, which drove lower estimated fair values within the portfolio.
The increases in 2021 segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses, compared with 2020, were primarily driven by compensation expense related to the higher incentive fees, deferred variable compensation expenses associated with the run-off of a previous compensation program, and incremental investments in people and technology.
Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 36.1% in USD (36.3% in local currency) for 2021, compared with 19.8% in 2020. The significant margin expansion was largely driven by higher equity earnings and incentive fees, partially offset by the expense drivers noted above.
As of December 31, 2021, LaSalle had $76.6 billion of AUM, an increase of 11% in USD and local currency from $68.9 billion as of December 31, 2020. The net increase in AUM during the year resulted from (i) $7.6 billion of net valuation increases, (ii) $7.3 billion of acquisitions and (iii) $0.2 billion of foreign currency increases, partially offset by (iv) $7.4 billion of dispositions and withdrawals.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities provided $199.9 million of cash in 2022, compared with $972.4 million provided in 2021. The decrease in cash provided was primarily due to (i) higher commission payments in 2022, reflecting greater payments in early 2022 for commissions earned from the strong performance in the prior-year fourth quarter as well as incremental commissions this year, attributable to the full-year Leasing growth and changes to the Capital Markets incentive compensation structure, (ii) higher annual incentive compensation payments, typically paid in the first quarter, compared with 2021, (iii) lower cash provided by earnings, and (iv) an incremental $59.0 million of cash paid for taxes. These drivers were partially offset by lower prepaid and other expenses, including the net conversion of contract assets.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We used $243.1 million of cash for investing activities during 2022, compared with $805.8 million used in 2021. The decrease in cash used was primarily driven by lower business acquisitions volume in the current year and the year-over-year change in net investment activity related to less than wholly-owned entities. We discuss key drivers, along with other investing activities, individually below in further detail.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Financing activities used $13.1 million of cash during 2022, compared with $143.8 million used during 2021. The increase in net borrowings from our Facility ($1,075.0 million of net borrowings in 2022 versus $150.0 million of net borrowings in 2021) were used to (i) fund the higher annual incentive compensation payments made in the first quarter discussed above, (ii) return an incremental $257.9 million to shareholders via our share repurchase program, and (iii) redeem our 2022 senior notes, as further described below. In addition, the cash outflow relating to noncontrolling interest distributions in 2022 included a $142.3 million gain by a consolidated variable interest entity in which the company held no equity interest that was also distributed during the year. The offset to this is included in cash from investing activities, specifically investment activity by less than wholly-owned entities.
Debt
On August 31, 2022, we amended our Facility to increase the borrowing capacity from $2.75 billion to $3.35 billion. Our Facility matures on April 14, 2026 and bears a variable rate of interest. As of December 31, 2022, we had outstanding borrowings under the Facility of $1,213.8 million, compared with $138.2 million outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
We had Short-term borrowings (including financing lease obligations, overdrawn bank accounts and local overdraft facilities) of $164.2 million as of December 31, 2022, compared with $147.9 million as of December 31, 2021. In addition, we had the capacity to borrow up to an additional $52.3 million under local overdraft facilities as of December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2022, we had €350.0 million of Euro Notes, evenly divided between maturities of June 2027 (with a fixed interest rate of 1.96%) and June 2029 (with a fixed interest rate of 2.21%). During 2022, we used proceeds from our Facility to redeem all of our outstanding 4.4% Senior Notes due November 2022. The redemption price for the notes was equal to the $275.0 million principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes.
We will continue to use the Facility for working capital needs (including payment of accrued incentive compensation), co-investment activities, share repurchases, capital expenditures and acquisitions.
Refer to Note 10, Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our debt.
Investment Activity
As of December 31, 2022, we had a carrying value of $873.8 million in Investments, primarily related to investments by JLL Technologies in early to mid-stage proptech companies and proptech funds as well as LaSalle co-investments. In 2022 and 2021, funding of investments exceeded returns of capital by $142.9 million and $107.1 million, respectively. We expect continued investments by JLL Technologies as well as strategic co-investment opportunities with our investment management clients globally as co-investment remains an important foundation to the continued growth of LaSalle's business.
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We have unfunded capital commitments to investment vehicles and direct investments totaling a maximum of $349.1 million as of December 31, 2022.
See Note 5, Investments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our investment activity.
Share Repurchase and Dividend Programs
In February 2022, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $1.5 billion for the repurchase of our common stock in the open market and privately negotiated transactions. The number of shares repurchased and cash paid for repurchases is noted in table below.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Total number of shares repurchased (in 000's) | 2,922.5 | 1,451.7 | |||||
| Total paid for shares repurchased | $ | 601.2 | 343.3 |
As of December 31, 2022, $1,155.6 million remained authorized for repurchases under our share repurchase program.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures, excluding those made by a consolidated VIE in which we held no equity interest, were $205.8 million and $175.9 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Expenditures in both years were primarily related to office leasehold improvements, hardware and purchased/developed software.
Investment Asset Activity of Consolidated Less Than Wholly-Owned Entities
Net capital additions made by consolidated VIEs in which we held no equity interest were net proceeds of $134.8 million in 2022, compared with net acquisitions of $70.9 million in 2021, primarily to acquire (and dispose of) real estate.
Refer to Note 5, Investments, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our consolidated VIE investments.
Business Acquisitions
In 2022, we paid $23.8 million for business acquisitions. This included $5.7 million of payments relating to acquisitions that closed in 2022 and $18.1 million for deferred business acquisition and earn-out obligations related to acquisitions completed in prior years, which are primarily reflected in cash flows from financing activities.
Terms for our acquisitions have typically included cash paid at closing with provisions for additional consideration and earn-out payments subject to certain contract provisions and performance. Deferred business acquisition obligations totaled $26.2 million and $28.1 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These obligations represent the current discounted values of payments to sellers of businesses for which our acquisition has closed as of the balance sheet dates and for which the only remaining condition on those payments is the passage of time. As of December 31, 2022, we had the potential to make earn-out payments on 17 acquisitions subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions, representing $73.3 million accrued for potential earn-out payments, of a potential maximum of $114.6 million (undiscounted). These earn-outs will come due at various times over the next five years, assuming the achievement of the applicable performance conditions.
We will continue to consider acquisitions we believe will strengthen our market position, increase our profitability and supplement our organic growth.
Refer to Note 4, Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on business acquisitions.
Repatriation of Foreign Earnings
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $519.3 million and $593.7 million, respectively, of which $400.8 million and $487.9 million, respectively, was held by our foreign subsidiaries.
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Restricted Net Assets
We face regulatory 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, however, we generally face no such restrictions with regard to the use or application of funds for ordinary course business activities within such countries. The total assets of these countries in aggregate totaled approximately 4% of our total assets as of both December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Leases
Our lease obligations primarily consist of operating leases of office space in various buildings for our own use as well as operating leases for equipment. The total minimum rentals to be received in the future as sublessor under noncancelable operating subleases as of December 31, 2022 was $37.3 million.
Refer to Note 11, Leases, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our lease obligations.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred compensation obligations are inclusive of amounts attributable to service conditions satisfied as of December 31, 2022, as well as service conditions expected to be satisfied in future periods. The deferred compensation plans include a provision for deferred compensation plans, predominantly in the U.S., that allow employees to defer portions of their compensation. We recognize an asset for the amount that could be realized under these insurance contracts at the balance sheet date, and the deferred compensation obligation is adjusted to reflect the changes in the fair value of the amount owed to the employees. The timing of payments to employees is, in part, dependent on their employment with JLL and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.
Refer to the Consolidated Balance Sheets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Note 9, Fair Value Measurements, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our deferred compensation.
Defined Benefit Plans
The defined benefit plan obligations represent estimates of the expected benefits to be paid out by our defined benefit plans. We will fund these obligations from the assets held by these plans. If the assets these plans hold are not sufficient to fund these payments, JLL will fund the remaining obligations. We have historically funded pension costs as actuarially determined and as applicable laws and regulations require. We expect to contribute $7.8 million to our defined benefit pension plans in 2023. As payments to recipients are based on their retirement date, age and other factors, we cannot determine the timing of such payments with precision.
Refer to Note 7, Retirement Plans, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our defined benefit plans.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001037976-22-000006.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking statements generally identified by the words: anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, forecasts, plans, intends and other similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our 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.
We present our Management's Discussion and Analysis in the following sections:
(1) A summary of our critical accounting policies and estimates;
(2) Certain items affecting the comparability of results;
(3) Certain market and other risks we face;
(4) The results of our operations, first on a consolidated basis and then for each of our business segments; and
(5) Liquidity and capital resources.
In this Item, we discuss results for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 and the comparison between these years. Discussions of results for the year ended December 31, 2019 and comparisons between 2020 and 2019 results can be found in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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 and judgments that impact (i) the stated amount of assets and liabilities, (ii) disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These accounting estimates are based on management's judgment. We consider them to be critical because of their significance to the financial statements and the possibility 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 may differ from such estimated amounts, we believe such differences are not likely to be material. For additional detail regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates discussed below, see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue from the following:
•Leasing;
•Capital Markets;
•Property & Facility Management;
•Project & Development Services;
•Advisory, Consulting and Other; and
•LaSalle.
Our services are generally earned and billed in the form of transaction commissions, advisory and management fees, and incentive fees. Some of the contractual terms related to the services we provide, and thus the revenue we recognize, can be complex and so requires us to make judgments about our performance obligations and the timing and extent of revenue to recognize. In addition, a significant portion of our revenue represents the reimbursement of costs we incur on behalf of clients.
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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Consistent with the services nature of the businesses we have acquired, the largest asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is goodwill. We do not amortize goodwill; instead, we evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.
In addition, we may record intangible assets as a result of acquisitions, which are primarily composed of customer relationships, management contracts and customer backlog, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. We generally use the income approach to determine fair value, which requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions primarily include discount rates, terminal growth rates, forecasts of revenue, operating income and capital expenditures. The discount rates reflect the risk factors, from the perspective of a market participant, associated with forecasts of cash flows. In addition, we establish an intangible upon closing on the sale of a mortgage loan we originated, concurrent with the retention of its servicing rights and amortize the intangible over the estimated period net servicing income is projected to be received.
Although we believe our intangible asset estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the determination of the fair value of the identified intangible assets acquired. Judgment is also required in determining the useful life of a finite-lived intangible asset. We evaluate our identified intangibles for impairment at least annually, or as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired.
Investments
Substantially all of our investments are grouped within one of the following two categories.
First, we invest in certain real estate ventures that primarily own and operate commercial real estate, historically through co-investments in funds that LaSalle establishes in the ordinary course of business for its clients. These investments include non-controlling ownership interests generally ranging from less than 1% to 10% of the respective ventures. We account for these investments at fair value or under the equity method of accounting.
Second, JLL Technologies invests in proptech funds and early to mid-stage companies to improve our strategic position within the real estate technology landscape, including investments through the JLL Spark Global Venture funds. Generally, we account for these investments at fair value.
Where applicable, we estimate fair value of our investments using the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) our investees provide. Critical inputs to NAV estimates include valuations of the underlying real estate assets and borrowings, which incorporate investment-specific assumptions such as discount rates, capitalization rates, rental and expense growth rates, and asset-specific market borrowing rates. In circumstances where the NAV provided by the investee has a reporting date different than ours or when the NAV is not calculated consistent with U.S. GAAP measurement principles, we adjust the NAV accordingly.
For JLL Technologies investments in proptech companies, we primarily estimate the fair value based on the per-share pricing. Subsequent funding rounds or changes in the companies' business strategy/outlook are indicators of a change in fair value.
For all investments reported at fair value, our investment is increased or decreased each reporting period by the difference between the fair value of the investment and the carrying value as of the balance sheet date. We reflect these fair value adjustments as gains or losses on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income within Equity earnings.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect those temporary differences to be recovered or settled. We recognize into income the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in the period including the enactment date.
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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 pre-tax earnings and include the provision for 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. Local statutory tax rates range from 0% to 38.1% 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 our geographic mix of income and legislative actions on statutory tax rates.
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. Our effective tax rate was 21.6%, 20.2% and 22.9% for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Very low tax rate jurisdictions (those with effective national and local combined tax rates of 25% or lower) providing the most significant contributions to our effective tax rate include: Hong Kong (16.5%), Singapore (17%), and Saudi Arabia (20%).
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. As of December 31, 2021, we have therefore not provided for withholding tax, dividend distribution tax, capital gains taxes, or other taxes which could arise upon such distribution. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity.
We have established valuation allowances against deferred tax assets where expected future taxable income does not support their realization on a more-likely-than-not basis. We formally assess the likelihood of being able to utilize current tax losses in the future on a country-by-country basis, commensurate with the determination of each quarter’s income tax provision. We establish or increase valuation allowances upon specific indications the carrying value of a tax asset may not be recoverable. Alternatively, we reduce valuation allowances upon (i) specific indications the carrying value of the related tax asset is more-likely-than-not recoverable or (ii) the implementation of tax planning strategies which allow an asset we previously determined to be not realizable to be viewed as realizable.
The table below summarizes certain information regarding the gross deferred tax assets and valuation allowance.
| December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| Gross deferred tax assets | $ | 708.6 | 584.8 | |
| Valuation allowance | 128.8 | 71.4 |
The increase in gross deferred tax assets in 2021 was primarily the result of (i) the revaluation of existing UK net operating loss carryovers, (ii) net operating losses from acquired companies and (iii) U.S. capital loss carryovers. The increase in valuation reserves was primarily the result of new reserves on the acquired net operating losses and the U.S. capital loss carryovers.
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 we organize, manage, and report our business operations. For example, the same legal entity may include both LaSalle and RES businesses in a particular country.
As of December 31, 2021, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $79.3 million. We believe it is reasonably possible that matters for which we have recorded $32.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2021, will be resolved during 2022. The recognition of tax benefits, and other changes to the amounts of our unrecognized tax benefits, may occur as the result of ongoing operations, the outcomes of audits or other examinations by tax authorities, or the passing of statutes of limitations. We do not expect changes to our unrecognized tax benefits to have a significant impact on net income, the financial position, or the cash flows of JLL. We do not believe we have material tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility.
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NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8.
ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY
Macroeconomic Conditions
Our results of operations and the variability of these results are significantly influenced by (i) macroeconomic trends, (ii) the geopolitical environment, (iii) the global and regional real estate markets and (iv) the financial and credit markets. These macroeconomic and other conditions have had, and we expect will continue to have, a significant impact on the variability of our results of operations. Specifically in 2020 and also into 2021, macroeconomic conditions influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our operations.
Acquisitions
The timing of acquisitions may impact the comparability of our results on a year-over-year basis. Our results include incremental revenues and expenses following the completion date of an acquisition. In addition, there is generally an initial adverse impact on net income from an acquisition as a result of pre-acquisition due diligence expenditures, transaction/deal costs and post-acquisition integration costs, such as fees from third-party advisors engaged to assist with onboarding and process alignment, retention and severance expense, early lease termination costs, and other integration expenses.
Equity Earnings and Incentive Fees
Equity earnings may vary substantially from period to period for a variety of reasons, including as a result of (i) valuation increases (decreases) on investments reported at fair value, (ii) gains (losses) on asset dispositions and (iii) impairment charges. The timing of recognition of these items may impact comparability between quarters, in any one year, or compared to a prior year.
LaSalle, our investment management business, is in part compensated through incentive fees where performance of underlying funds' investments exceeds agreed-to return hurdles. Depending upon performance, disposition activity and the contractual timing of measurement periods with clients, these fees can be significant and may vary substantially from period to period.
The comparability of these items can be seen in Note 3, Business Segments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, and is discussed further in Segment Operating Results included herein.
Foreign Currency
We conduct business using a variety of currencies, but we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the volatility of currencies against the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively impact our results. This volatility can make it more difficult to perform period-to-period comparisons of the reported U.S. dollar results of operations because such results may indicate a rate of growth or decline that might not have been consistent with the real underlying rate of growth or decline in the local operations. Consequently, 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.
Transaction-Based Revenue
Transaction-based fees, that are impacted by the size and timing of our clients' transactions, from capital markets activities, leasing activities and other services within our RES business, and LaSalle, increase the variability of the revenue we earn. The timing and the magnitude of these fees can vary significantly from year-to-year and quarter-to-quarter, and from segment-to-segment.
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MARKET RISKS
Market Risk
The principal market risks we face due to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices are:
•Interest rates on our unsecured credit facility (the "Facility"); and
•Foreign exchange risks.
In the normal course of business, we manage these risks through a variety of strategies, including hedging transactions using various derivative financial instruments such as foreign currency forward contracts. We enter into derivative instruments that are short-term in duration 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. Our overall interest rate risk management objectives are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. We are primarily exposed to interest rate risk on our Facility, which had a borrowing capacity of $2.75 billion as of December 31, 2021. The Facility consists of revolving credit available for working capital, investments, capital expenditures and acquisitions. Our average outstanding borrowings under the Facility during 2021 were $432.0 million, with an effective interest rate of 0.9%. We had $138.2 million of outstanding borrowings under the Facility as of December 31, 2021. The Facility bears a variable rate of interest that fluctuates based on market rates.
Our Notes, $275.0 million face value due in November 2022, bear interest at an annual rate of 4.4%, subject to adjustment if a credit rating assigned to the Notes is downgraded below an investment grade rating (or subsequently upgraded). Our €350.0 million face value of Euro Notes is split between €175.0 million due in June 2027 and €175.0 million due in June 2029, bearing interest at an annual rate of 1.96% and 2.21%, respectively. The issuance of the Notes and Euro Notes at fixed interest rates has helped to limit our exposure to future movements in interest rates.
We assess interest rate sensitivity to estimate the potential effect of rising interest rates on our variable rate debt. If interest rates were 50 basis points higher during 2021, Interest expense, net of interest income, would have been $2.2 million higher.
Foreign Exchange
Foreign exchange risk is the risk we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our revenue from outside of the U.S. approximated 42% and 43% of our total revenue for 2021 and 2020, respectively, as outlined in the table below. Operating in international markets means we are exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates, most significantly the British pound and the euro.
We mitigate our foreign currency exchange risk principally by (i) establishing local operations in the markets we serve and (ii) invoicing customers in the same currency as the source of the costs. The impact of translating expenses incurred in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars reduces the impact of translating revenue earned in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars. In addition, British pound and Singapore dollar expenses incurred as a result of our regional headquarters being located in London and Singapore, respectively, act as ongoing partial operational hedges against our translation exposures to those currencies.
We enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to manage currency risks associated with intercompany loan balances. Generally, the maturity of these contracts is less than 60 days. As of December 31, 2021, we had forward exchange contracts in effect with a gross notional value of $2.61 billion ($1.51 billion on a net basis). This corresponding net carrying gain is generally offset by a carrying loss in associated intercompany loans.
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Although we operate globally, we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar in relation to currencies we are exposed to may positively or negatively impact our reported results. The following table sets forth the revenue derived from our most significant currencies.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % of Total | 2020 | % of Total | |||||||
| United States dollar | $ | 11,283.1 | 58.3 | % | $ | 9,457.8 | 57.0 | % | |||
| British pound | 1,626.6 | 8.4 | 1,341.1 | 8.1 | |||||||
| Euro | 1,393.3 | 7.2 | 1,350.6 | 8.1 | |||||||
| Australian dollar | 1,118.7 | 5.8 | 876.1 | 5.3 | |||||||
| Hong Kong dollar | 545.6 | 2.8 | 512.2 | 3.1 | |||||||
| Chinese yuan | 539.1 | 2.8 | 473.1 | 2.9 | |||||||
| Canadian dollar | 508.3 | 2.6 | 432.6 | 2.6 | |||||||
| Indian rupee | 508.2 | 2.6 | 524.5 | 3.2 | |||||||
| Singapore dollar | 327.4 | 1.7 | 246.6 | 1.5 | |||||||
| Japanese yen | 256.8 | 1.3 | 257.9 | 1.6 | |||||||
| Other currencies | 1,259.9 | 6.5 | 1,117.4 | 6.7 | |||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 19,367.0 | 100.0 | % | $ | 16,589.9 | 100.0 | % |
Had the British pound-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2021, we estimate our reported operating income would have decreased by $2.2 million. Had euro-to-U.S. dollar exchange rates been 10% higher throughout the course of 2021, we estimate our reported operating income would have increased by $9.2 million. These hypothetical calculations estimate the impact of translating results into U.S. dollars and do not include an estimate of the impact a 10% increase in the U.S. dollar against other currencies would have on our foreign operations.
Seasonality
Historically, our quarterly revenue and profits have tended to increase from quarter to quarter as the year progresses. 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 throughout the year. Historically, we have reported a relatively smaller 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 realized and unrealized co-investment equity earnings and losses (each of which can be unpredictable). Generally, we recognize incentives fees when assets are sold or as a result of valuation increases in the portfolio, the timing of which may not be predicable or recurring. In addition, co-investment equity gains and losses are primarily dependent on underlying valuations, the direction and magnitude of changes to such valuations are not predictable. Non-variable operating expenses, which we treat as expenses when incurred during the year, are relatively constant on a quarterly basis. In 2020 and 2021, macroeconomic conditions influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the historical seasonality of our revenue and profits. By the end of 2021, the historical seasonality trends began to return.
Inflation
Our operating expenses fluctuate with our revenue and general economic conditions including inflation. However, we do not believe inflation had a material impact on our results of operations during the three-year period ended December 31, 2021.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Definitions
•We define market volumes for Leasing as gross absorption of office real estate space in square feet for the U.S., Europe and selected markets in Asia Pacific. We define market volumes for Capital Markets as the U.S. dollar equivalent value of investment sales transactions globally.
•Assets under management data for LaSalle is reported on a one-quarter lag.
•"MENA": Middle East and North Africa. "Greater China": China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
•"n.m.": not meaningful, represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000% favorable or unfavorable.
•We renamed our Corporate Solutions business to "Work Dynamics" effective June 2021.
Year Ended December 31, 2021 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2020
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | % Change in Local Currency | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | ||||||||
| Leasing | $ | 2,794.0 | 1,884.2 | 909.8 | 48 | % | 47 | % | |||
| Capital Markets | 2,193.5 | 1,407.4 | 786.1 | 56 | 54 | ||||||
| Property & Facility Management | 10,222.7 | 9,485.4 | 737.3 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| Project & Development Services | 2,684.9 | 2,530.1 | 154.8 | 6 | 4 | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 971.8 | 861.0 | 110.8 | 13 | 10 | ||||||
| Real Estate Services ("RES") revenue | $ | 18,866.9 | 16,168.1 | 2,698.8 | 17 | % | 15 | % | |||
| LaSalle | 500.1 | 421.8 | 78.3 | 19 | 17 | ||||||
| Revenue | $ | 19,367.0 | 16,589.9 | 2,777.1 | 17 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Reimbursements | 8,321.4 | 7,689.8 | 631.6 | 8 | 7 | ||||||
| Revenue before reimbursements | 11,045.6 | 8,900.1 | 2,145.5 | 24 | 22 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | (2,881.5) | (2,703.2) | (178.3) | 7 | 4 | ||||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (59.3) | (66.6) | 7.3 | (11) | (12) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 8,104.8 | 6,130.3 | 1,974.5 | 32 | % | 31 | % | |||
| Leasing | 2,712.7 | 1,817.8 | 894.9 | 49 | 48 | ||||||
| Capital Markets | 2,099.5 | 1,309.2 | 790.3 | 60 | 59 | ||||||
| Property & Facility Management | 1,286.2 | 1,199.5 | 86.7 | 7 | 5 | ||||||
| Project & Development Services | 805.9 | 776.1 | 29.8 | 4 | 2 | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 727.3 | 627.0 | 100.3 | 16 | 13 | ||||||
| RES fee revenue | $ | 7,631.6 | 5,729.6 | 1,902.0 | 33 | % | 31 | % | |||
| LaSalle | 473.2 | 400.7 | 72.5 | 18 | 17 | ||||||
| Compensation and benefits excluding gross contract costs | $ | 5,731.3 | 4,277.1 | 1,454.2 | 34 | % | 32 | % | |||
| Operating, administrative and other expenses excluding gross contract costs | 1,087.1 | 991.9 | 95.2 | 10 | 8 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 217.5 | 226.4 | (8.9) | (4) | (6) | ||||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 84.7 | 142.4 | (57.7) | (41) | (40) | ||||||
| Total fee-based operating expenses | 7,120.6 | 5,637.8 | 1,482.8 | 26 | 25 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 2,881.5 | 2,703.2 | 178.3 | 7 | 4 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses | $ | 10,002.1 | 8,341.0 | 1,661.1 | 20 | % | 18 | % | |||
| Operating income | $ | 1,043.5 | 559.1 | 484.4 | 87 | % | 86 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 209.4 | 8.0 | 201.4 | n.m. | n.m. | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,496.5 | 859.6 | 636.9 | 74 | % | 73 | % |
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following.
(i)Fee revenue and fee-based operating expenses
(ii)Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin
(iii)Percentage changes against prior periods, presented on a local currency basis
However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any measure that eliminates components of a company’s capital structure, cost of operations or investments, or other results has limitations as a performance measure. In light of these limitations, management also considers U.S. GAAP financial measures and does not rely solely on non-GAAP financial measures. Because our non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Adjustments to GAAP Financial Measures Used to Calculate non-GAAP Financial Measures
Gross contract costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are indirectly reimbursed through the fees we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses with the equal amount of corresponding fees in Revenue before reimbursements. Consistent with our treatment of directly reimbursed expenses, excluding gross contract costs from both Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses more accurately reflects how we manage our expense base and operating margins and also enables a more consistent performance assessment across a portfolio of contracts with varying payment terms and structures, including those with direct versus indirect reimbursement of such costs.
Net non-cash mortgage servicing rights ("MSR") and mortgage banking derivative activity consists of the balances presented within Revenue composed of (i) derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity and (ii) gains recognized from the retention of MSR upon origination and sale of mortgage loans, offset by (iii) amortization of MSR intangible assets over the period net servicing income is projected to be received. Non-cash derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity are calculated as the estimated fair value of loan commitments and subsequent changes thereof, primarily represented by the estimated net cash flows associated with future servicing rights. MSR gains and corresponding MSR intangible assets are calculated as the present value of estimated net cash flows over the estimated mortgage servicing periods. The above activity is reported entirely within Revenue of the Capital Markets service line of the Americas segment. Excluding net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity reflects how we manage and evaluate performance because the excluded activity is non-cash in nature.
Restructuring and acquisition charges primarily consist of (i) severance and employment-related charges, including those related to external service providers, incurred in conjunction with a structural business shift, which can be represented by a notable change in headcount, change in leadership or transformation of business processes, (ii) acquisition, transaction and integration-related charges, including non-cash fair value adjustments to assets and liabilities recorded in purchase accounting such as earn-out liabilities and intangible assets and (iii) lease exit charges. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally either non-cash in nature or the anticipated benefits from the expenditures would not likely be fully realized until future periods. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results and therefore not a line item in the segments’ reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA.
Gain on disposition reflects the gain recognized on the sale of businesses. Given the low frequency of business disposals by the company historically, the gain directly associated with such activity is excluded as it is not considered indicative of core operating performance. In 2021, $12.0 million of the activity related to a business disposition within Americas and $0.4 million related to a sold business within EMEA, while activity in 2020 related to the sale of property management businesses in continental Europe.
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Below are the reconciliations of (i) Revenue to fee revenue and (ii) Operating expenses to fee-based operating expenses.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||
| Revenue | $ | 19,367.0 | 16,589.9 | |
| Reimbursements | (8,321.4) | (7,689.8) | ||
| Revenue before reimbursements | 11,045.6 | 8,900.1 | ||
| Adjustments: | ||||
| Gross contract costs | (2,881.5) | (2,703.2) | ||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (59.3) | (66.6) | ||
| Fee revenue | $ | 8,104.8 | 6,130.3 | |
| Operating expenses | $ | 18,323.5 | 16,030.8 | |
| Reimbursed expenses | (8,321.4) | (7,689.8) | ||
| Operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses | 10,002.1 | 8,341.0 | ||
| Less: Gross contract costs | (2,881.5) | (2,703.2) | ||
| Fee-based operating expenses | $ | 7,120.6 | 5,637.8 | |
| Operating income | $ | 1,043.5 | 559.1 |
Below is (i) a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, (ii) the Net income margin attributable to common shareholders (measured on Revenue before reimbursements), and (iii) the Adjusted EBITDA margin (measured on fee-revenue and presented on a local currency basis).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Net income attributable to common shareholders | $ | 961.6 | 402.5 | ||
| Add: | |||||
| Interest expense, net of interest income | 40.1 | 52.8 | |||
| Provision for income taxes | 264.3 | 106.9 | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 217.5 | 226.4 | |||
| EBITDA | $ | 1,483.5 | 788.6 | ||
| Adjustments: | |||||
| Restructuring and acquisition charges | 84.7 | 142.4 | |||
| Gain on disposition | (12.4) | (4.8) | |||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (59.3) | (66.6) | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,496.5 | 859.6 | ||
| Net income margin attributable to common shareholders | 8.7 | % | 4.5 | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 18.6 | % | 14.0 | % |
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In discussing our operating results, we report Adjusted EBITDA margins and refer to percentage changes in local currency, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented on a local currency basis are calculated by translating the current period results of our foreign operations to U.S. dollars using the foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period. We believe this methodology provides a framework for assessing performance and operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.
The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) Revenue, (ii) fee revenue, (iii) Operating income and (iv) Adjusted EBITDA.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | |||
| Revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 19,367.0 | 17 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (297.5) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 19,069.5 | 15 | % | |
| Fee revenue: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 8,104.8 | 32 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (103.6) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 8,001.2 | 31 | % | |
| Operating income: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 1,043.5 | 87 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (3.8) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 1,039.7 | 86 | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||
| At current period exchange rates | $ | 1,496.5 | 74 | % | |
| Impact of change in exchange rates | (7.4) | n/a | |||
| At comparative period exchange rates | $ | 1,489.1 | 73 | % |
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Revenue
Consolidated RES revenue increased 15% to $18.9 billion and consolidated RES fee revenue increased 31% to $7.6 billion, compared with 2020, with broad-based growth across all geographic segments and service lines. Leasing led the consolidated RES revenue and fee revenue growth with increases of 47% and 48%, respectively, versus the prior year. Capital Markets also experienced significant year-over-year growth achieving revenue and fee revenue increases of 54% and 59%, respectively. New wins and expansions of existing client mandates primarily drove the revenue increase in Property & Facility Management, up $737.3 million compared with 2020. In addition, strong performance by Valuation Advisory drove the growth in Advisory, Consulting and Other.
Geographically across service lines, Americas contributed 78% of the year-over-year RES fee revenue increase on a local currency basis; EMEA contributed 12% and Asia Pacific 10%. The following highlights the proportion of RES service line consolidated fee revenue growth, on a local currency basis, compared with 2020, by notable segment.
•Leasing — Americas (82%), EMEA (10%) and Asia Pacific (8%)
•Capital Markets — Americas (75%), EMEA (16%) and Asia Pacific (9%)
•Property & Facility Management — Americas drove 98% of growth
•Project & Development Services — Americas (92%) and Asia Pacific (49%), partially offset by EMEA
•Advisory, Consulting and Other — Americas (48%), Asia Pacific (43%) and EMEA (9%)
LaSalle's 17% revenue growth, compared with 2020, was driven by higher incentive and advisory fees.
Refer to segment operating results for further detail.
Our consolidated revenue increased 17% in U.S. dollars and 15% on a local currency basis, compared with 2020, while consolidated fee revenue increased 32% in U.S. dollars and 31% on a local currency basis, compared with 2020. The spread between U.S. dollars and local currency was driven by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most currencies, especially the British pound, euro, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar and Chinese yuan.
Operating Expenses
In 2021, consolidated operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, increased 18% to $10.0 billion. Consolidated fee-based operating expenses, were $7.1 billion in 2021, a 25% increase from prior year. The higher expenses were primarily attributable to Americas, which represented 73% of the increase in fee-based operating expenses on a local currency basis - EMEA represented 14%, Asia Pacific 12% and LaSalle 4%. Refer to segment operating results for additional detail.
The overall expense increase is net of a partial offset from a decrease in Restructuring and acquisition charges; refer to the following table and commentary below for additional detail.
| Year ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Severance and other employment-related charges | $ | 14.3 | 69.0 | ||||
| Restructuring, pre-acquisition and post-acquisition charges | 67.8 | 88.2 | |||||
| Fair value adjustments that resulted in a net increase to earn-out liabilities from prior-period acquisition activity | 2.6 | (14.8) | |||||
| Total restructuring & acquisition charges | $ | 84.7 | 142.4 | ||||
| Portion of total restructuring & acquisition charges related to the acquisition and integration of HFF | $ | 40.0 | 75.9 |
Charges associated with the acquisition and integration of HFF, Inc. ("HFF") primarily included expenses from retention awards granted to employees upon acquisition as well as other integration expenses, such as early lease termination costs.
The decrease in severance and other employment-related charges, compared with 2020, reflected notable cost mitigation actions taken across the globe in response to the pandemic in 2020.
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Interest Expense
Interest expense, net of interest income, for 2021 was $40.1 million, down from $52.8 million in 2020. The decrease was driven by a lower effective interest rate on our Facility and a year-over-year reduction in the average outstanding borrowings. The average outstanding borrowings under our Facility decreased to $432.0 million, with an average effective interest rate of 0.9%, in 2021, from $865.1 million, with an average effective interest rate of 1.6%, during 2020.
Equity Earnings
Equity earnings were $209.4 million in 2021, up from $8.0 million in 2020.
Valuation increases related to JLL Technologies' investments resulted in $140.8 million of equity earnings this year, compared with $5.8 million in 2020, reflecting continued progress in the strategy to invest in early-stage proptech companies; refer to the Americas segment discussion for additional detail.
LaSalle recognized $62.6 million of equity earnings in 2021, compared with $12.4 million of equity losses in the prior year. Refer to the LaSalle segment discussion for additional detail.
In addition, substantially all of the $12.7 million of first-quarter 2020 equity earnings in the Americas segment were attributable to gains by consolidated variable interest entities in which we held no equity interest; these gains are also reflected in net income attributable to noncontrolling interest and, therefore, have no impact to net income attributable to common shareholders.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was $264.3 million and $106.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, representing effective tax rates ("ETR") of 21.6% and 20.2%, respectively. Refer to the Income Tax discussion in the Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 8, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for a further discussion of our effective tax rate.
Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA
Net income attributable to common shareholders was $961.6 million for the year, or $18.47 per diluted common share, compared with $402.5 million for 2020, or $7.70 per diluted common share. Adjusted EBITDA increased 73% from the prior year to $1,496.5 million in 2021. Net income margin attributable to common shareholders was 8.7% in 2021 up from 4.5% in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 18.5% in USD for 2021 (18.6% in local currency), compared with 14.0% last year. The 450 basis point margin expansion was primarily driven by the significant increase in revenue, particularly from higher margin transaction-based service lines, as well as higher equity earnings, as noted above. These drivers were partially offset by the expected reduction of certain non-permanent cost savings from 2020 and incremental investments in people and technology.
Segment Operating Results
Through 2021, we managed and reported our operations as four business segments. Our three geographic RES segments include Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Our fourth segment, LaSalle, offers investment management services on a global basis.
Each geographic region offers our full range of real estate services, including agency leasing and tenant representation, capital markets, property management, facility management, project and development services, and advisory, consulting and valuation services, including technology solutions. We define "property management" to be services we provide to non-occupying property investors and "facility management" to be services we provide to owner-occupiers.
For segment reporting, (i) gross contract costs and (ii) net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity are both excluded from revenue in determining "fee revenue". Gross contract costs are excluded from operating expenses in determining "fee-based operating expenses". In addition, our measure of segment results, Segment income, excludes Restructuring and acquisition charges.
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Americas - Real Estate Services
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 11,887.1 | 10,005.2 | 1,881.9 | 19 | % | 18 | % | |||
| Reimbursements | (6,034.2) | (5,643.5) | (390.7) | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Revenue before reimbursements | $ | 5,852.9 | 4,361.7 | 1,491.2 | 34 | % | 34 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (918.0) | (842.5) | (75.5) | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity | (59.3) | (66.6) | 7.3 | (11) | (11) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 4,875.6 | 3,452.6 | 1,423.0 | 41 | % | 41 | % | |||
| Leasing | 2,132.1 | 1,403.7 | 728.4 | 52 | 52 | ||||||
| Capital Markets | 1,463.4 | 881.3 | 582.1 | 66 | 66 | ||||||
| Property & Facility Management | 648.6 | 592.5 | 56.1 | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Project & Development Services | 393.3 | 376.4 | 16.9 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 238.2 | 198.7 | 39.5 | 20 | 20 | ||||||
| Compensation, operating and administrative expenses excluding gross contract costs | 3,864.8 | 2,831.9 | 1,032.9 | 36 | 36 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 138.5 | 151.4 | (12.9) | (9) | 16 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring & acquisition charges) | 4,003.3 | 2,983.3 | 1,020.0 | 34 | 34 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 918.0 | 842.5 | 75.5 | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses | $ | 4,921.3 | 3,825.8 | 1,095.5 | 29 | % | 28 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 142.2 | 19.0 | 123.2 | 648 | % | 648 | % | |||
| Segment income | $ | 1,073.8 | 554.9 | 518.9 | 94 | % | 93 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,157.6 | 626.6 | 531.0 | 85 | % | 84 | % |
Transaction-based service lines led revenue and fee revenue growth in Americas, compared with 2020. In addition, organic fee revenue exceeded 2019 activity. Leasing growth was driven by higher transaction volumes and an increase in average deal size in the U.S., with strong performance across all sectors, especially office and industrial. Capital Markets growth reflected investment sales up over 80% for the year, continued momentum in debt and equity advisory (both up approximately 70% compared with last year), and a 28% increase in servicing revenue from our multi-housing business. The increase in Property & Facility management was driven by new client wins and expansion of existing client mandates, especially in Work Dynamics, and was particularly notable given the prior year grew 23% compared with 2019.
Equity earnings from JLL Technologies' investments were $140.8 million in 2021, compared with $5.8 million in 2020, primarily due to valuation increases on the investments as a result of subsequent rounds of funding at higher per-share valuations. In the prior year, substantially all of the $12.7 million first-quarter equity earnings were attributable to gains by consolidated variable interest entities in which the company held no equity interest; therefore, these gains had no net impact to Adjusted EBITDA.
The increases in segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, and segment fee-based operating expenses, compared with 2020, were primarily due to higher revenue-related expenses, the expected reduction of certain non-permanent cost savings from prior year (including the benefit related to government relief programs recognized in 2020), incremental investments in people and technology, and $17.6 million of higher medical and dental self-insurance expense compared with the prior year.
Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 23.7% in USD and local currency in 2021, compared with 18.1% in 2020. The 560 basis point margin expansion was driven by transaction-based revenue growth and higher equity earnings, partially offset by the above-noted expense drivers.
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EMEA - Real Estate Services
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 3,477.7 | 3,092.8 | 384.9 | 12 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Reimbursements | (741.2) | (708.3) | (32.9) | 5 | — | ||||||
| Revenue before reimbursements | $ | 2,736.5 | 2,384.5 | 352.0 | 15 | % | 11 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (1,092.1) | (1,005.0) | (87.1) | 9 | 4 | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 1,644.4 | 1,379.5 | 264.9 | 19 | % | 15 | % | |||
| Leasing | 331.1 | 239.2 | 91.9 | 38 | 36 | ||||||
| Capital Markets | 450.9 | 313.7 | 137.2 | 44 | 40 | ||||||
| Property & Facility Management | 321.9 | 302.8 | 19.1 | 6 | — | ||||||
| Project & Development Services | 276.0 | 276.0 | — | — | (3) | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 264.5 | 247.8 | 16.7 | 7 | 3 | ||||||
| Compensation, operating and administrative expenses excluding gross contract costs | 1,607.8 | 1,355.5 | 252.3 | 19 | 15 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 42.2 | 40.0 | 2.2 | 6 | — | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring & acquisition charges) | 1,650.0 | 1,395.5 | 254.5 | 18 | 14 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 1,092.1 | 1,005.0 | 87.1 | 9 | 4 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses | $ | 2,742.1 | 2,400.5 | 341.6 | 14 | % | 10 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | — | — | — | — | % | — | % | |||
| Segment loss | $ | (5.6) | (16.0) | 10.4 | 65 | % | 81 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 34.4 | 27.3 | 7.1 | 26 | % | 26 | % |
EMEA's revenue and fee revenue growth was led by transaction-based revenue, reflecting a continued recovery in most geographies. Notably, Capital Markets and Leasing both increased nearly 10% compared with their respective 2019 fee revenues. The growth in Capital Markets was primarily due to higher deal volumes in investment sales across all sectors, particularly in industrial and office, compared with 2020. The increase in Leasing revenue was driven by transaction volume increases, primarily in office and industrial, and an increase in average deal size, which in the fourth quarter eclipsed the comparative 2019 quarter for the first time this year. Geographically across service lines, fee revenue growth in EMEA was led by the UK, France and Germany.
The increases in segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, and segment fee-based operating expenses were primarily due to higher revenue-related expenses, the expected reduction of certain non-permanent cost savings from prior year (including the benefit related to government relief programs recognized in 2020), incremental investments in people and technology, and a $7.5 million greater year-over-year provision for bad debts (a net provision in 2021 compared with a net reduction in 2020).
Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 2.1% in USD for the year (2.2% in local currency), compared with 2.0% in 2020. The slight margin improvement was primarily attributable to increased higher margin transaction-based revenue, largely offset by the expense drivers noted above.
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Asia Pacific - Real Estate Services
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 3,502.1 | 3,070.1 | 432.0 | 14 | % | 10 | % | |||
| Reimbursements | (1,538.9) | (1,333.2) | (205.7) | 15 | 11 | ||||||
| Revenue before reimbursements | $ | 1,963.2 | 1,736.9 | 226.3 | 13 | % | 10 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (851.6) | (839.4) | (12.2) | 1 | (1) | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 1,111.6 | 897.5 | 214.1 | 24 | % | 20 | % | |||
| Leasing | 249.5 | 174.9 | 74.6 | 43 | 40 | ||||||
| Capital Markets | 185.2 | 114.2 | 71.0 | 62 | 57 | ||||||
| Property & Facility Management | 315.7 | 304.2 | 11.5 | 4 | — | ||||||
| Project & Development Services | 136.6 | 123.7 | 12.9 | 10 | 7 | ||||||
| Advisory, Consulting and Other | 224.6 | 180.5 | 44.1 | 24 | 19 | ||||||
| Compensation, operating and administrative expenses excluding gross contract costs | 955.8 | 754.7 | 201.1 | 27 | 23 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 30.2 | 27.8 | 2.4 | 9 | 6 | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring & acquisition charges) | 986.0 | 782.5 | 203.5 | 26 | 22 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 851.6 | 839.4 | 12.2 | 1 | (1) | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses | $ | 1,837.6 | 1,621.9 | 215.7 | 13 | % | 10 | % | |||
| Equity earnings | $ | 4.6 | 1.4 | 3.2 | 229 | % | 208 | % | |||
| Segment income | $ | 130.2 | 116.4 | 13.8 | 12 | % | 8 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 160.4 | 144.9 | 15.5 | 11 | % | 7 | % |
Asia Pacific's double-digit revenue and fee revenue increases were primarily due to a rebound in transaction-based revenue. Growth in Leasing was led by Greater China, Australia and India, reflecting momentum in office and industrial throughout 2021. Revenue expansion in Capital Markets was driven by a continued increase in large transactions across most asset classes, highlighted by Australia and Singapore and partially offset by Japan. Significant business growth continued in Valuation Advisory, predominantly in Australia, which primarily drove the fee revenue increase in Advisory, Consulting and Other. Geographically across service lines, fee revenue growth was led by Australia, Greater China and Singapore.
The increases in segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses, and segment fee-based operating expenses were primarily attributable to higher revenue-related expenses, the expected reduction of certain non-permanent cost savings from prior year (including the benefit related to government relief programs recognized in 2020), and incremental investments in people and technology.
Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 14.4% in USD and local currency for 2021, compared with 16.1% in 2020. The lower margin was attributable to the expense drivers noted above, which more than offset the increase from incremental transaction-based revenue.
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LaSalle
| % Change | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | Change in | in Local | |||||||||
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | U.S. dollars | Currency | |||||||
| Revenue | $ | 500.1 | 421.8 | 78.3 | 19 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Reimbursements | (7.1) | (4.8) | (2.3) | 48 | 40 | ||||||
| Revenue before reimbursements | $ | 493.0 | 417.0 | 76.0 | 18 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Gross contract costs | (19.8) | (16.3) | (3.5) | 21 | 21 | ||||||
| Fee revenue | $ | 473.2 | 400.7 | 72.5 | 18 | % | 17 | % | |||
| Advisory fees | 345.7 | 320.7 | 25.0 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
| Transaction fees & other | 33.6 | 38.5 | (4.9) | (13) | (13) | ||||||
| Incentive fees | 93.9 | 41.5 | 52.4 | 126 | 128 | ||||||
| Compensation, operating and administrative expenses excluding gross contract costs | 390.0 | 326.9 | 63.1 | 19 | 18 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 6.6 | 7.2 | (0.6) | (9) | (11) | ||||||
| Segment fee-based operating expenses (excluding restructuring & acquisition charges) | 396.6 | 334.1 | 62.5 | 19 | 17 | ||||||
| Gross contract costs | 19.8 | 16.3 | 3.5 | 21 | 21 | ||||||
| Segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed expenses | $ | 416.4 | 350.4 | 66.0 | 19 | % | 19 | % | |||
| Equity earnings (losses) | $ | 62.6 | (12.4) | 75.0 | 605 | % | 602 | % | |||
| Segment income | $ | 139.2 | 54.2 | 85.0 | 157 | % | 154 | % | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 144.1 | 60.8 | 83.3 | 137 | % | 134 | % |
LaSalle advisory fee growth was led by core open-end funds, a result of recent capital raising and valuation increases in assets under management ("AUM"), as well as a recently launched fund in Asia Pacific. The increase in incentive fees reflected the strong fund performance in the U.S. and real estate dispositions on behalf of clients in Asia Pacific and continental Europe.
Equity earnings in 2021 were primarily attributable to increases to the estimated fair value of underlying real estate investments within LaSalle's co-investment portfolio across asset classes and geographies. In the prior year, equity losses were largely driven by the pandemic's impact on real estate prices which drove lower estimated fair values within the portfolio.
The increases in segment operating expenses and segment fee-based operating expenses, compared with 2020, were primarily driven by compensation expense related to the higher incentive fees, deferred variable compensation expenses associated with the run-off of a previous compensation program, and incremental investments in people and technology.
Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated on a fee revenue basis, was 30.4% in USD (30.5% in local currency) for 2021, compared with 15.2% in 2020. The significant margin expansion was largely driven by higher equity earnings and incentive fees, partially offset by the expense drivers noted above.
As of December 31, 2021, LaSalle had $76.6 billion of AUM, an increase of 11% in USD and local currency from $68.9 billion as of December 31, 2020. The net increase in AUM during the year resulted from (i) $7.3 billion of acquisitions (ii) $7.6 billion of net valuation increases and (iii) $0.2 billion of foreign currency increases, partially offset by (iv) $7.4 billion of dispositions and withdrawals.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Operating activities provided $972.4 million of cash in 2021, compared to $1,114.7 million in 2020. The decrease in cash provided was primarily due to (i) lower cash collections in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the first quarter of 2020 (trade receivables balance was $1,636.1 million as of December 31, 2020 versus $2,034.3 million as of December 31, 2019) and (ii) the timing of payments related to taxes and other government obligations, partially offset by (iii) lower annual incentive compensation paid in early 2021 compared with early 2020 and (iv) higher cash provided by earnings, driven by an increase in net income.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We used $805.8 million of cash for investing activities during 2021, compared with $170.6 million used in 2020. The increase in cash used was primarily driven by business acquisitions and incremental JLL Technologies investments in early-stage proptech companies. We discuss these key drivers, along with other investing activities, individually below in further detail.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Financing activities used $143.8 million of cash during 2021, compared with $771.2 million used during 2020. The reduction in cash flows used by financing activities was largely driven by the year-over-year change in net borrowing activity related to our Facility ($150.0 million of net borrowings in 2021 compared with $525.0 million of net repayments in 2020). The change in net borrowing activity reflected higher cash outflows from investing activities (discussed elsewhere in this section), $243.3 million of incremental share repurchases this year and lower cash provided by operating activities.
Debt
Our $2.75 billion Facility matures on April 14, 2026 and bears a variable rate of interest. As of December 31, 2021, we had outstanding borrowings under the Facility of $138.2 million. As of December 31, 2020, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Facility. The average outstanding borrowings under the Facility were $432.0 million (with an average effective interest rate of 0.9%) and $865.1 million (with an average effective interest rate of 1.6%) during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
We had Short-term borrowings (including financing lease obligations, overdrawn bank accounts and local overdraft facilities) of $147.9 million as of December 31, 2021, including $132.7 million related to overdrawn bank accounts and $9.2 million attributable to local overdraft facilities. As of December 31, 2020 short-term borrowings was $62.0 million, including $44.8 million related to overdrawn bank accounts and $12.0 million attributable to local overdraft facilities. As of December 31, 2021, we had the capacity to borrow up to an additional $55.5 million under local overdraft facilities.
In addition, as of December 31, 2021, we had the following outstanding senior notes:
•$275.0 million of Notes due November 2022 (with an fixed interest rate of 4.4%)
•€350.0 million of Euro Notes, evenly divided between maturities of June 2027 (with a fixed interest rate of 1.96%) and June 2029 (with a fixed interest rate of 2.21%).
We will continue to use the Facility for working capital needs (including payment of accrued incentive compensation), co-investment activities, share repurchases, capital expenditures and acquisitions.
Refer to Note 10, Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our debt.
Investment Activity
As of December 31, 2021, we had a carrying value of $745.7 million in Investments, primarily related to LaSalle co-investments and investments by JLL Technologies in early-stage proptech companies. In 2021 and 2020, funding of investments exceeded returns of capital by $107.1 million and $38.8 million, respectively. We expect continued investments by JLL Technologies as well as strategic co-investment opportunities with our investment management clients globally as co-investment remains an important foundation to the continued growth of LaSalle's business.
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In addition, JLL Technologies funded a $45.0 million convertible note in the second quarter of 2021. This activity is included within "Other" in the cash flows from investing activities and primarily included in Long-term receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
We have unfunded capital commitments to investment vehicles and direct investments totaling a maximum of $372.4 million as of December 31, 2021.
See Note 5, Investments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for additional information on our investment activity.
Share Repurchase and Dividend Programs
On February 21, 2021, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $500.0 million for the repurchase of our common stock in the open market and privately negotiated transactions in addition to the $100.0 million remaining as of December 31, 2020, from the initial authorization. The number of shares repurchased and cash paid for repurchases is noted in table below.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($'s in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||
| Total number of shares repurchased (in 000's) | 1,451.7 | 897.0 | |||||
| Total paid for shares repurchased | $ | 343.3 | 100.0 |
As of December 31, 2021, $256.8 million remained authorized for repurchases under our share repurchase program.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures, excluding those made by a consolidated VIE in which we held no equity interest, were $175.9 and $149.4 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively, were primarily for leased office space improvements, hardware and purchased/developed software.
Investment Asset Activity of Consolidated Less Than Wholly-Owned Entities
Net capital additions made by consolidated VIEs in which we held no equity interest were net acquisitions of $70.9 million in 2021, compared with net proceeds of $1.0 million in 2020, primarily to acquire (and dispose of) real estate.
Refer to Note 5, Investments, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our consolidated VIE investments.
Business Acquisitions
In 2021, we paid $505.5 million for business acquisitions. This included $416.8 million of payments relating to acquisitions that closed in 2021 and $88.7 million for deferred business acquisition and earn-out obligations related to acquisitions completed in prior years, which are primarily reflected in cash flows from financing activities.
Terms for our acquisitions have typically included cash paid at closing with provisions for additional consideration and earn-out payments subject to certain contract provisions and performance. Deferred business acquisition obligations totaled $28.1 million and $50.1 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These obligations represent the current discounted values of payments to sellers of businesses for which our acquisition has closed as of the balance sheet dates and for which the only remaining condition on those payments is the passage of time. As of December 31, 2021, we had the potential to make earn-out payments on 19 acquisitions subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions, representing $84.1 million accrued for potential earn-out payments, of a potential maximum of $149.9 million (undiscounted), subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions. These earn-outs will come due at various times over the next five years, assuming the achievement of the applicable performance conditions.
We will continue to consider acquisitions we believe will strengthen our market position, increase our profitability and supplement our organic growth.
Refer to Note 4, Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on business acquisitions.
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Repatriation of Foreign Earnings
Based on our historical experience and future business plans, we do not expect to repatriate our foreign source earnings to the U.S. We believe our policy of permanently reinvesting earnings of foreign subsidiaries does not significantly impact our liquidity. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $593.7 million and $574.3 million, respectively, of which $487.9 million and $445.2 million, respectively, was held by our foreign subsidiaries.
Restricted Net Assets
We face regulatory 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, however, we generally face no such restrictions with regard to the use or application of funds for ordinary course business activities within such countries. The total assets of these countries in aggregate totaled approximately 4% of our total assets as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Leases
Our lease obligations primarily consist of operating leases of office space in various buildings for our own use as well as operating leases for equipment. The total minimum rentals to be received in the future as sublessor under noncancelable operating subleases as of December 31, 2021 was $43.7 million.
Refer to Note 11, Leases, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our lease obligations.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred compensation obligations are inclusive of amounts attributable to service conditions satisfied as of December 31, 2021, as well as service conditions expected to be satisfied in future periods. The deferred compensation plans include a provision for deferred compensation plans, predominantly in the U.S., that allow employees to defer portions of their compensation. We recognize an asset for the amount that could be realized under these insurance contracts at the balance sheet date, and the deferred compensation obligation is adjusted to reflect the changes in the fair value of the amount owed to the employees. The timing of payments to employees is, in part, dependent on their employment with JLL and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision.
Refer to the Consolidated Balance Sheets, of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Note 9, Fair Value Measurements, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our deferred compensation.
Defined Benefit Plans
The defined benefit plan obligations represent estimates of the expected benefits to be paid out by our defined benefit plans. We will fund these obligations from the assets held by these plans. If the assets these plans hold are not sufficient to fund these payments, JLL will fund the remaining obligations. We have historically funded pension costs as actuarially determined and as applicable laws and regulations require. We expect to contribute $8.6 million to our defined benefit pension plans in 2022. As payments to recipients are based on their retirement date, age and other factors, we cannot determine the timing of such payments with precision.
Refer to Note 7, Retirement Plans, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8, for further information on our defined benefit plans.