Aon Reports Third Quarter 2016 Results

LONDON, Oct. 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON) today reported results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Net income attributable to Aon shareholders was $307 million, or $1.14 per share, compared to $295 million, or $1.04 per share, for the prior year quarter.  Net income per share attributable to Aon shareholders, adjusted for certain items, increased 4% to $1.29, compared to $1.24 in the prior year quarter.  If the Company were to hold foreign currency exchange rates constant, translating prior year quarter results at current quarter foreign exchange rates ("foreign currency translation"), there would be a $0.02 per share favorable impact on GAAP net income from continuing operations and a $0.01 per share favorable impact on adjusted net income from continuing operations. 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. 

"Overall, our performance reflects solid organic revenue growth across both Risk and HR Solutions, effective capital management, and strong double-digit growth in free cash flow," said Greg Case, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Looking forward, we expect a strong finish to the year as we head into our seasonally strongest quarter, resulting in improved operating performance for the full year.  Our industry-leading platform and significant level of strategic investments continue to position the firm for long-term growth, increased operating leverage and significant free cash flow generation towards our near-term goal of $2.4 billion for the full year 2017."

THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Total revenue was $2.7 billion, similar to the prior year quarter driven primarily by 4% organic revenue growth in commissions and fees, offset by a 2% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation and a 2% decrease in commissions and fees related to divestitures, net of acquisitions.

Total operating expenses were $2.3 billion, similar to the prior year quarter due primarily to a $50 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation, a $41 million decrease in expenses related to divestitures, net of acquisitions, and a $6 million decrease in intangible asset amortization from previous acquisitions, offset by an increase in expense to support 4% organic revenue growth, an unfavorable impact from the timing of certain compensation expenses, an increase in errors and omissions expenses, and $7 million of certain legacy information technology contract costs.

Depreciation expense increased $1 million to $57 million compared to the prior year quarter.

Intangible asset amortization expense decreased 8%, or $6 million, to $72 million compared to the prior year quarter, consisting of a $7 million decrease in HR Solutions and a $1 million increase in Risk Solutions.

Foreign currency exchange rates in the third quarter had a $0.02 per share, or $6 million pretax, favorable impact (+$9 million in Risk Solutions, -$4 million in HR Solutions, and +$1 million Unallocated) on GAAP net income and a $0.01 per share, or $3 million pretax, favorable impact (+$8 million in Risk Solutions, -$6 million in HR Solutions, and +$1 million Unallocated) on adjusted net income if the Company were to translate prior year quarter results at current quarter foreign exchange rates.

Effective tax rate used in the U.S. GAAP financial statements in the third quarter was 13.2%, compared to the prior year quarter of 14.0%.  After adjusting to exclude the applicable tax impact associated with expenses for certain non-cash pension expenses, the adjusted effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2016 was 18.2% compared to 16.0% in the prior year quarter, driven primarily by changes in the geographic distribution of income and certain favorable discrete tax adjustments.  The prior year quarter adjusted effective tax rate excludes the applicable tax impact associated with expenses related to certain legacy litigation.  These adjustments are discussed in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Operating Income and Diluted Earnings per Share" on page 12 of this press release.

Average diluted shares outstanding decreased to 269.6 million in the third quarter compared to 283.8 million in the prior year quarter. The Company repurchased 2.7 million Class A Ordinary Shares for approximately $300 million in the quarter.  As of September 30, 2016, the Company had $3.0 billion of remaining authorization under its share repurchase program.

Cash flow from operations for the first nine months of 2016 increased 14%, or $180 million, to $1,475 million compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by lower pension contributions, an increase in net income, underlying working capital improvements, and lower cash tax payments.

Free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, increased 24%, or $252 million, to $1,322 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the prior year period, driven by an increase in cash flow from operations and a $72 million decrease in capital expenditures.  A reconciliation of free cash flow to cash flow from operations can be found on the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Organic Revenue and Free Cash Flow" on page 11 of this press release.

THIRD QUARTER SEGMENT REVIEW

Certain noteworthy items impacted operating income and operating margins in the third quarters of 2016 and 2015.  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 and Free Cash Flow" 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

Risk Solutions total revenue increased 2% compared to the prior year quarter driven by 3% organic growth in commissions and fees and a 1% increase in commissions and fees related to acquisitions, net of divestitures, partially offset by a 2% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Retail organic revenue increased 4% compared to the prior year quarter, reflecting organic revenue growth in both the Americas and International businesses.  Americas organic revenue increased 5% driven by growth across all regions, highlighted by strong growth in Affinity and record new business generation and retention in US Retail.  International organic revenue increased 2% driven by effective management of the renewal book portfolio in continental Europe and solid growth in New Zealand and across Asia. 

Reinsurance organic revenue increased 1% compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to growth in net new business generation in treaty and growth in facultative placements, partially offset by an unfavorable market impact globally.

Compensation and benefits for the third quarter decreased 1%, or $5 million, compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to a $20 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from the timing of certain compensation expenses.

Other general expenses for the third quarter increased 6%, or $25 million, compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to an increase in expense to support 3% organic revenue growth in the quarter and a $9 million increase in errors and omissions expense, partially offset by a $14 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Third quarter operating income increased 2% to $330 million compared to the prior year quarter.  Adjusting for certain items detailed on page 12 of this press release, operating income increased 2% to $358 million, and operating margin increased 10 basis points to 20.9%, each compared to the prior year quarter.  The increase in adjusted operating margin was driven primarily by solid organic revenue growth of 3% and an 80 basis point favorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from the timing of certain compensation expenses and a 50 basis point unfavorable impact from higher errors and omissions expense.

HR SOLUTIONS

HR Solutions total revenue decreased 2% compared to the prior year quarter driven by a 4% decrease in commissions and fees resulting from net divestitures and a 2% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by 4% organic growth in commissions and fees.

Organic revenue in Consulting increased 3% compared to the prior year quarter, driven by growth in retirement consulting for delegated investment consulting services and growth in communications consulting. Organic revenue in Outsourcing increased 5% compared to the prior year quarter, due primarily to strong growth in HR BPO for cloud-based solutions and for off-cycle enrollments and project-related work in health care exchanges, partially offset by an anticipated modest decline in benefits administration.

Compensation and benefits for the third quarter decreased 5%, or $30 million, compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to a $31 million decrease in expenses related to net divestitures and a $10 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by an increase in expense to support 4% organic revenue growth.

Other general expenses for the third quarter increased $7 million compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to an increase in expense to support 4% organic revenue growth and $7 million of certain legacy information technology contract costs, partially offset by a $9 million decrease in expenses related to net divestitures, a $7 million decrease in intangible asset amortization from previous acquisitions, and a $6 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Third quarter operating income was $134 million, similar to the prior year quarter.  Adjusting for certain items detailed on page 12 of this press release, operating income decreased 4% to $178 million, and operating margin decreased 30 basis points to 17.1%, each compared to the prior year quarter.  The decrease in adjusted operating margin was primarily driven by a 70 basis point unfavorable impact from certain legacy information technology contract costs, a 70 basis point unfavorable impact related to previous portfolio repositioning activity and a 20 basis point unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by solid organic revenue growth of 4%.

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

Unallocated expenses for the third quarter decreased $3 million to $42 million compared to the prior year quarter.  Interest income decreased $2 million to $1 million compared to the prior year quarter.  Interest expense decreased $2 million to $70 million compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to a decline in costs related to certain derivative hedging programs which have expired. Other income in both the current and prior year quarter primarily includes gains on certain long term investments.

Conference Call, Presentation Slides and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 7:30 a.m., central time.  Interested parties can listen to the conference call via a live audio webcast and view the presentation slides at www.aon.com.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is a leading global provider of risk management, insurance brokerage and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 72,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative risk and people solutions. For further information on our capabilities and to learn how we empower results for clients, please visit: http://aon.mediaroom.com.

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. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as our outlook, future capital expenditures, growth in commissions and fees, changes to the composition or level of our revenues, cash flow and liquidity, expected tax rates, business strategies, competitive strengths, goals, the benefits of new initiatives, growth of our business and operations, plans and references to future successes, are forward-looking statements. Also, when we use the words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "probably", "potential", "looking forward", or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward looking statements:  general economic and political conditions in different countries in which Aon does business around the world; changes in the competitive environment; fluctuations in exchange and interest rates, including negative yields in some jurisdictions, that could influence revenue and expense; changes in global equity and fixed income markets that could affect the return on invested assets; changes in the funding status of Aon's various defined benefit pension plans and the impact of any increased pension funding resulting from those changes; the level of Aon's debt limiting financial flexibility; rating agency actions that could affect Aon's ability to borrow funds; the effect of the change in global headquarters and jurisdiction of incorporation, including differences in the anticipated benefits; changes in estimates or assumptions on our financial statements; limits on Aon's subsidiaries to make dividend and other payments to Aon; the impact of lawsuits and other contingent liabilities and loss contingencies arising from errors and omissions and other claims against Aon; 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; the impact of any investigations brought by regulatory authorities in the U.S., U.K. and other countries; the impact of any inquiries relating to compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and non-U.S. anti-corruption laws and with U.S. and non-U.S. trade sanctions regimes; failure to protect intellectual property rights or allegations that we infringe on the intellectual property rights of others; the effects of English law on our operating flexibility and the enforcement of judgments against Aon; the failure to retain and attract qualified personnel; international risks associated with Aon's global operations; the effect of natural or man-made disasters; the potential of a system or network breach or disruption resulting in operational interruption or improper disclosure of personal data; Aon's ability to develop and implement new technology; damage to our reputation among clients, markets or third parties; the actions taken by third parties that preform aspects of our business operations and client services;  the extent to which Aon manages risks associated with the various services, including fiduciary and investments and other advisory services and business process outsourcing services, among others, that Aon provides or will provide to clients; Aon's ability to grow, develop and integrate companies or new lines of business that it acquires; changes in commercial property and casualty markets, commercial premium rates or methods of compensation; changes in the health care system or our relationships with insurance carriers; and Aon's ability to implement initiatives intended to yield cost savings, and the ability to achieve those cost savings.

Any or all of Aon's forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate, and there are no guarantees about Aon's performance.  The factors identified above are not exhaustive.  Aon and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks may emerge frequently.  Further information concerning Aon and its businesses, including factors that potentially could materially affect Aon's financial results, is contained in Aon's filings with the SEC. See Aon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016 for a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to Aon's businesses. These factors may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports.  Aon is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statement that it may make from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Explanation of Non-GAAP Measures

This communication includes supplemental information related to organic revenue, free cash flow, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted earnings per share that exclude the effects of intangible asset amortization, capital expenditures, and certain other noteworthy items that affected results for the comparable periods.   Organic revenue includes the impact of intersegment and intrasegment activity and excludes the impact of foreign exchange rate changes, acquisitions, divestitures, transfers between business units, fiduciary investment income, and reimbursable expenses.  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 appendices.  Supplemental organic revenue information and additional measures that exclude the effects of certain items noted above that do not affect net income or any other GAAP reported amounts.  Free cash flow is cash flow from operating activity less capital expenditures. 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 Financial Statements.  Industry peers provide similar supplemental information regarding their performance, although they may not make identical adjustments.