Aon Reports Third Quarter 2011 Results

CHICAGO, Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon Corporation (NYSE: AON) today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.  

Net income attributable to Aon stockholders from continuing operations increased 38% to $198 million or $0.59 per share, compared to $144 million or $0.51 per share for the prior year quarter.  Net income per share attributable to Aon stockholders from continuing operations, excluding certain items, increased 13% to $0.69, compared to $0.61 in the prior year quarter, including a $61 million increase in intangible asset amortization expense.  Certain items that impacted third quarter results and comparisons with the prior year quarter are detailed in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Operating Income and Diluted Earnings per Share" on page 12 of this press release.  

"Our third quarter results reflect 13 percent growth in earnings as highlighted by strong performance in our Risk segment and the delivery of synergy savings related to Aon Hewitt," said Greg Case, president and chief executive officer.  "While macro economic conditions remain challenging globally, we are firmly on track to deliver growth in 2011, our restructuring programs continue to deliver cost savings and we have solid financial flexibility that will continue to drive increased shareholder value, as highlighted by the repurchase of $175 million of common stock in the quarter."

THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Total revenue increased 51% to $2.7 billion from the prior year quarter due to a 46% increase in commissions and fees resulting from acquisitions, primarily Hewitt, net of divestitures, a 5% increase from favorable foreign currency translation and a 1% increase in organic revenue.

Total operating expenses increased 55%, or $844 million, to $2.4 billion due primarily to the inclusion of Hewitt operating expenses, an estimated $72 million unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, a $61 million increase in intangible asset amortization expense, and an $18 million increase in restructuring related costs, partially offset by benefits related to the restructuring programs.

Depreciation expense increased 77%, or $23 million, to $53 million compared to the prior year quarter as a result of the merger with Hewitt.

Intangible asset amortization expense increased 203%, or $61 million, to $91 million compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to $61 million of intangible asset amortization expense as a result of the merger with Hewitt.  The Company expects intangible asset amortization related to the Hewitt merger to be approximately $241 million in 2011, $310 million in 2012, $288 million in 2013 and to continue to decline each year from 2014 through 2023.

Restructuring expenses were $26 million compared to $8 million in the prior year quarter.  In the third quarter, the Company incurred $26 million of costs under the Aon Hewitt restructuring program primarily related to workforce reduction and lease consolidation.  The Company has completed all restructuring activities and incurred 100% of the total costs for the 2007 program and has incurred approximately 83% of the total costs necessary to deliver the remaining savings under the Aon Benfield program.  The Company expects to incur all of the remaining charges for the Aon Benfield program in the fourth quarter. An analysis of restructuring-related expenses by segment and type is detailed on page 13 of this release.

Restructuring savings in the third quarter related to the 2007 restructuring program are estimated at $134 million compared to $125 million in the prior year quarter.  Of the restructuring savings in the third quarter, $113 million were related to the Risk Solutions segment.  Before any potential reinvestment of savings, the 2007 restructuring program is expected to deliver cumulative expense savings of $536 million in 2011.

Restructuring savings in the third quarter related to the Aon Benfield restructuring program are estimated at $30 million compared to $27 million in the prior year quarter.  Before any potential reinvestment of savings, the Benfield restructuring program is now expected to deliver cumulative expense savings of $139 million in 2012 related to the Risk Solutions segment.

Restructuring savings in the third quarter related to the Aon Hewitt restructuring program are estimated at $37 million.  The Company expects to deliver cumulative expense savings of $355 million in 2013 related to the merger with Hewitt, including $280 million related to the restructuring program and $75 million in areas such as information technology, procurement and public company costs.

Currency fluctuations in the third quarter had a $0.03 favorable impact on adjusted net income from continuing operations per diluted share when the Company translates prior year quarter results at current quarter foreign exchange rates.

Effective tax rate on net income from continuing operations declined to 28.9% in the third quarter compared to 29.4% in the prior year quarter primarily due to certain deferred tax adjustments.

Average diluted shares outstanding increased to 336.9 million in the third quarter compared to 282.2 million in the prior year quarter due primarily to the issuance of 61 million shares of common stock related to the merger with Hewitt, partially offset by the Company's share repurchase program.  The Company has approximately $1.2 billion of common stock remaining under the share repurchase program.

THIRD QUARTER SEGMENT REVIEW

Certain noteworthy items impacted operating income and operating margins in the third quarter of 2011 and 2010.  The third quarter segment reviews provided below include supplemental information related to organic revenue, adjusted operating income and operating margin, which is described in detail on the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Organic Revenue" on page 11 and "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Operating Income and Diluted Earnings per Share" on page 12 of this press release.

Risk Solutions total revenue increased 9% to $1.6 billion compared to the prior year quarter due to a 5% favorable impact from foreign currency translation, 3% organic growth in commissions and fees, and a 1% favorable impact from acquisitions, net of divestitures.

Retail Brokerage organic revenue increased 4% reflecting solid organic revenue growth both in the Americas and International businesses.  Americas organic revenue increased 4% as a result of strong management of the renewal book portfolio in Latin America and U.S. Retail and solid growth in new business in Canada.  International organic revenue increased 4% driven by strong growth in Asia and New Zealand and modest growth in Africa and Australia.  Reinsurance organic revenue decreased 1% due primarily to a decline in global facultative placements, partially offset by growth in capital market transactions and advisory business and international treaty placements.

Compensation and benefits for the third quarter increased 10%, or $85 million, compared to the prior year quarter due to a $41 million unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, a $21 million increase from acquisitions, primarily Glenrand M.I.B, net of divestitures, and organic revenue growth, partially offset by benefits related to the restructuring programs.  Other expenses for the third quarter decreased 1%, or $2 million, due to operating expense discipline and lower restructuring costs, partially offset by a $19 million unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, and a $14 million increase from acquisitions, primarily Glenrand M.I.B, net of divestitures.

Third quarter operating income increased 19% to $308 million.  Adjusting for certain items detailed on page 12 of this press release, operating income increased 16%, or $42 million, compared to the prior year quarter.  Operating margin in the third quarter increased 110 basis points to 19.0% compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to an increase in organic revenue.

HR Solutions total revenue increased 246% to $1.1 billion compared to the prior year quarter due to acquisitions, primarily Hewitt, net of divestitures and a 4% favorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by a decline in organic revenue.

Organic revenue in Consulting Services decreased 2% due primarily to a decline in health and benefits and communications consulting, partially offset by growth in global compensation and investment management consulting.  Organic revenue in Outsourcing decreased 2% due to a decline in project-related revenue and price compression, partially offset by new client wins.

Compensation and benefits for the third quarter increased 254%, or $481 million, from the prior year quarter due primarily to the inclusion of Hewitt operating expenses, $15 million of costs related to the Aon Hewitt restructuring program, and an $8 million unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by benefits related to the Aon Hewitt restructuring program.  Other expenses increased 368%, or $287 million, from the prior year quarter due primarily to the inclusion of Hewitt operating expenses, a $61 million increase in intangible asset amortization expense, $21 million of Hewitt related costs, and $11 million of costs related to the Aon Hewitt restructuring program, partially offset by benefits related to the Aon Hewitt restructuring program.

Third quarter operating income increased 43% to $77 million.  Adjusting for certain items detailed on page 12 of this press release, operating income increased 127%, or $70 million, to $125 million reflecting operating income as a result of the merger with Hewitt and cost savings related to the restructuring program, partially offset by higher intangible asset amortization expense and a decrease in organic revenue.  Operating margin decreased 590 basis points to 11.2% versus the prior year quarter due primarily to the inclusion of Hewitt operating expenses, an increase in intangible asset amortization expense, and a decline in organic revenue.

Unallocated expenses were $44 million.  The prior year quarter included $18 million of costs related to the merger with Hewitt.  Excluding those costs, unallocated expenses increased $13 million due primarily to an $11 million unfavorable mark-to-market on certain company owned life insurance plans.  Interest income was comparable to the prior year quarter at $4 million.  Interest expense increased $10 million to $60 million due primarily to an increase in debt outstanding following the merger with Hewitt.  Other income of $7 million in the third quarter includes gains related to the company's ownership in certain insurance investment funds and other long-term investments.  The prior year quarter included an $8 million loss from the sale of certain businesses.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 7:30 a.m. central time.  Interested parties can listen to the conference call via a live audio webcast at www.aon.com.

About Aon

Aon Corporation (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing. Through its more than 59,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to deliver distinctive client value via innovative and effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions. Aon's industry-leading global resources and technical expertise are delivered locally in over 120 countries. Named the world's best broker by Euromoney magazine's 2008, 2009 and 2010 Insurance Survey, Aon also ranked highest on Business Insurance's listing of the world's insurance brokers based on commercial retail, wholesale, reinsurance and personal lines brokerage revenues in 2008 and 2009. A.M. Best deemed Aon the number one insurance broker based on revenues in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and Aon was voted best insurance intermediary 2007-2010, best reinsurance intermediary 2006-2010, best captives manager 2009-2010, and best employee benefits consulting firm 2007-2009 by the readers of Business Insurance. Visit http://www.aon.com for more information on Aon and http://www.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon's global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United.

Safe Harbor Statement

This communication contains certain statements related to future results, or states our intentions, beliefs and expectations or predictions for the future which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from either historical or anticipated results depending on a variety of factors. Potential factors that could impact results include: the possibility that the expected efficiencies and cost savings from the merger with Hewitt Associates Inc. ("Hewitt") will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that the Aon and Hewitt businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the merger with Hewitt making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; general economic conditions in different countries in which Aon does business around the world; changes in global equity and fixed income markets that could affect the return on invested assets; fluctuations in exchange and interest rates that could influence revenue and expense; rating agency actions that could affect Aon's ability to borrow funds; funding of Aon's various pension plans; our ability to implement restructuring initiatives and other initiatives intended to yield cost savings, and the ability to achieve those cost savings; changes in the competitive environment; changes in commercial property and casualty markets and commercial premium rates that could impact revenues; the outcome of inquiries from regulators and investigations related to compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and non-U.S. anti-corruption laws; the impact of investigations brought by U.S. state attorneys general, U.S. state insurance regulators, U.S. federal prosecutors, U.S. federal regulators, and regulatory authorities in the U.K. and other countries; the impact of class actions and individual lawsuits including client class actions, securities class actions, derivative actions and ERISA class actions; the cost of resolution of other contingent liabilities and loss contingencies, including potential liabilities arising from error and omissions claims against Aon; the extent to which Aon retains existing clients and attracts new businesses; the extent to which Aon manages certain risks created in connection with the various services, including fiduciary and advisory services, among others, that Aon currently provides, or will provide in the future, to clients; the extent to which Aon retains existing employees and attracts new personnel; Aon's ability to maintain the security and privacy of confidential information belonging to its clients or their personnel; Aon's ability to innovate and keep pace with rapid and continuing changes in technology, industry standards and client preferences; the impact of, and potential challenges in complying with, legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which Aon operates, particularly given the global scope of Aon's  businesses and the possibility of conflicting regulatory requirements across jurisdictions in which Aon does business; changes in costs or assumptions associated with our outsourcing and consulting engagements that affect the profitability of these engagements; the implementation of changes to the methods in which Aon internally process and monitors transactions and the ability to realize the anticipated benefits to Aon of the Benfield merger. Further information concerning Aon and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect Aon's financial results, is contained in Aon's and, historically, Hewitt's filings with the SEC. See Aon's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011 and other public filings with the SEC for a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to our businesses. Aon does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or changes in their respective expectations, except as required by law.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Measures

This communication includes supplemental information related to organic revenue and several additional measures including expenses, margins and income per share, that exclude the effects of restructuring charges, transaction and integration costs and certain other noteworthy items that affected results for the comparable periods.  Organic revenue excludes from reported revenues the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, transfers between business units, reimbursable expenses and unusual items.  The impact of foreign exchange is determined by translating last year's revenue, expense or net income at this year's foreign exchange rates.  Reconciliations are provided in the attached schedules.  Supplemental organic revenue information and additional measures that exclude the effects of the restructuring charges and certain other items do not affect net income or any other GAAP reported amounts.  Management believes that these measures are important to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons and that this supplemental information is helpful to investors.  They should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.  Industry peers provide similar supplemental information regarding their performance, although they may not make identical adjustments.

SOURCE Aon Corporation