Aon Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results

Third Quarter Key Metrics

• Total revenue was flat at $2.7 billion, including organic revenue growth of 5%
• Operating margin increased 5,150 basis points to 21.9%, and operating margin, adjusted for certain items, increased 100 basis points to 23.1%
• EPS increased 148% to $1.92, and EPS, adjusted for certain items, increased 16% to $2.02
• For the first nine months of 2022, cash flows from operations increased 74% to $2,177 million, and free cash flow increased 79% to $2,051 million

Third Quarter Highlights

• Repurchased 4.2 million class A ordinary shares for approximately $1.2 billion
• Established the Strategy and Technology Group within Reinsurance, which combines strategic advice with data-driven consulting, analytics, and modeling tools to help clients deploy capital efficiently and effectively
• Within Wealth Solutions, achieved $1 billion in U.S. plan assets and commitments for Aon's pooled employer plan (PEP), and reached a new pension risk transfer milestone, advising on transactions totaling over $200 billion of premium since 2010
• Appointed James Platt as Chief Digital Officer and Mindy Simon as Chief Operating Officer, accelerating the digital delivery of our capabilities and furthering our growth enablement from Aon Business Services

DUBLIN, Oct. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON) today reported results for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

Net income (loss) attributable to Aon shareholders increased to $408 million, or $1.92 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $(900) million, or $(3.99) per share, in the prior year period. Net income per share attributable to Aon shareholders, adjusted for certain items, increased 16% to $2.02 on a diluted basis, including an unfavorable impact of $0.05 per share if prior year period results were translated at current period foreign exchange rates ("foreign currency translation"), compared to $1.74 in the prior year period. Certain items that impacted third quarter results and comparisons with the prior year period are detailed in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Operating Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share" on page 10 of this press release.

"In the third quarter, our team continued to deliver strong top and bottom-line results, highlighted by 5% organic revenue growth and 16% adjusted EPS growth, and contributing to strong year-to-date progress on our key financial metrics, including 7% organic revenue growth year-to-date, adjusted operating margin expansion of 80 basis points, and strong free cash flow growth," said Greg Case, Chief Executive Officer. "These results demonstrate the importance of our Aon United strategy in helping clients navigate growing volatility and make better decisions that protect and grow their business."

THIRD QUARTER 2022 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Total revenue in the third quarter was flat at $2.7 billion compared to the prior year period reflecting 5% organic revenue growth and a 1% favorable impact from fiduciary investment income, offset by a 5% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation and a 1% unfavorable impact from acquisitions, divestitures, and other.

Total operating expenses in the third quarter decreased 40% to $2.1 billion compared to the prior year period due primarily to the $1.0 billion payment made in connection with the termination of the proposed combination with Willis Towers Watson (the "Termination Fee") and certain transaction costs incurred related to the termination in the prior year period (together, the "transaction costs") and a $138 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by an increase in expense associated with 5% organic revenue growth and investments in long-term growth.

Foreign currency translation in the third quarter had a $9 million, or $0.04 per share, favorable impact on net income and a $10 million, or $0.05 per share, unfavorable impact on adjusted net income. If currency were to remain stable at today's rates, the Company would expect an unfavorable impact of approximately $0.11 per share, or an approximately $33 million decrease in operating income, in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Effective tax rate in the third quarter was 18.0%, compared to (2.6)% in the prior year period. The primary driver of the change was the impact of the $1 billion Termination Fee payment in the prior year period. After adjusting to exclude the applicable tax impact associated with certain non-GAAP adjustments, the adjusted effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2022 decreased to 19.1% compared to 23.9% in the prior year period. The primary drivers of the change in the adjusted tax rate were the geographical distribution of income and a net favorable impact from discrete items.

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding decreased to 212.6 million in the third quarter compared to 225.4 million in the prior year period. The Company repurchased 4.2 million Class A Ordinary Shares for approximately $1.2 billion in the third quarter. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had approximately $6.7 billion of remaining authorization under its share repurchase program.

YEAR TO DATE 2022 CASH FLOW SUMMARY

Cash flows provided by operations for the first nine months of 2022 increased $926 million, or 74%, to $2,177 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the transaction costs in the prior year period, and strong operating income growth, partially offset by higher receivables and incentive compensation payments following strong performance in 2021.

Free cash flow, defined as cash flows from operations less capital expenditures, increased 79%, to $2,051 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to the prior year period, reflecting an increase in cash flows from operations, partially offset by a $24 million increase in capital expenditures.

THIRD QUARTER 2022 REVENUE REVIEW

The third quarter revenue reviews provided below include supplemental information related to organic revenue growth, which is a non-GAAP measure that is described in detail in "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Organic Revenue Growth and Free Cash Flow" on page 9 of this press release.

Total revenue was flat at $2,696 million compared to the prior year period, with organic revenue growth of 5%, driven by ongoing strong retention and net new business generation.

Commercial Risk Solutions organic revenue growth of 5% reflects strong growth across most major geographies driven by strong retention, new business generation, and management of the renewal book portfolio. Strength in retail brokerage was highlighted by double-digit growth in the UK, Asia, and Latin America, driven by continued strength in core P&C. U.S. retail brokerage was pressured primarily by transaction solutions, which declined primarily due to lower external deal volume. On average globally, exposures and pricing were modestly positive, resulting in a modestly positive market impact.

Reinsurance Solutions organic revenue growth of 7% reflects strong growth in treaty, driven by strong retention and new business generation, as well as solid growth in both facultative placements and the Strategy and Technology Group. Market impact was modestly positive on results in the quarter. The majority of revenue in our treaty portfolio is recurring in nature and is recorded in connection with the major renewal periods that take place throughout the first half of the year, while the second half of the year is largely driven by facultative placements and capital markets that are more transactional in nature.

Health Solutions organic revenue growth of 5% reflects double-digit growth in Human Capital, driven by data and advisory solutions. Results also reflect growth globally in core health and benefits brokerage, driven by strong retention and management of the renewal book portfolio, partially offset by a negative impact from the timing of certain revenues, as described in the second quarter and prior year period.

Wealth Solutions organic revenue growth of 2% reflects growth in Retirement, driven by higher utilization rates and project work related to pension de-risking and ongoing impacts of regulatory changes. In Investments, a decrease in AUM-based delegated investment management revenue was partially offset by growth in project-related work.

THIRD QUARTER 2022 EXPENSE REVIEW

Compensation and benefits expense decreased $303 million, or 17%, compared to the prior year period due primarily to a $245 million decrease in transaction costs and a $106 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by an increase in expense associated with 5% organic revenue growth.

Information technology expense increased $3 million, or 2%, compared to the prior year period due primarily to an increase in expense associated with 5% organic revenue growth, partially offset by a $17 million decrease in transaction costs.

Premises expense decreased $27 million, or 28%, compared to the prior year period due primarily to a $22 million decrease in transaction costs and an $8 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Depreciation of fixed assets decreased $19 million, or 34%, compared to the prior year period due primarily to a $16 million decrease in transaction costs.

Amortization and impairment of intangible assets decreased $2 million, or 6%, compared to the prior year period.

Other general expenses decreased $1,049 million, or 78%, compared to the prior year period due primarily to a decrease in transaction costs, partially offset by an increase in expense associated with 5% organic revenue growth, including an increase in travel and entertainment expense.

THIRD QUARTER 2022 INCOME SUMMARY

Certain noteworthy items impacted adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margins in the third quarters of 2022 and 2021, which are also described in detail in "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Operating Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share" on page 10 of this press release.

Operating income (loss) increased $1.4 billion to $590 million and operating margin increased from (29.6)% to 21.9%, each compared to the prior year period. Operating income, adjusted for certain items increased $26 million to $624 million and operating margin, adjusted for certain items, increased 100 basis points to 23.1%, each compared to the prior year period. Operating income increased primarily due to the reduction in operating expenses, as described above, and the increase in operating income, as adjusted for certain items primarily reflects strong organic revenue growth, partially offset by increased expenses and investments in long-term growth.

Interest income increased $4 million to $7 million compared to the prior year period. Interest expense increased $23 million to $103 million compared to the prior year period, reflecting an increase in total debt. Other pension expense was $3 million, compared to $5 million of income in the prior year period. Other income was $19 million, compared to $5 million in the prior year period, primarily reflecting net gains due to the favorable impact of exchange rates on the remeasurement of assets and liabilities in non-functional currencies.

Conference Call, Presentation Slides and Webcast Details

The Company will host a conference call on Friday, October 28, 2022 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) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Our colleagues provide our clients in over 120 countries and sovereignties with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business.

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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. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. In addition, results for prior periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future period, particularly in light of macroeconomic conditions and the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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, 2021 for a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to Aon and its businesses. These factors may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Aon is not under, 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 not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"), including organic revenue growth, free cash flow, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted net income attributable to Aon shareholders, adjusted net income per share, and adjusted effective tax rate that exclude the effects of intangible asset amortization and impairment, capital expenditures, and certain other noteworthy items that affected results for the comparable periods. Organic revenue growth includes the impact of intercompany activity and excludes foreign exchange rate changes, acquisitions, divestitures, transfers between revenue lines, fiduciary investment income, and gains or losses on derivatives accounted for as hedges. Currency impact is determined by translating last year's revenue, expense, or net income at this year's foreign exchange rates. Reconciliations to the closest U.S. GAAP measure for each non-GAAP measure presented in this communication are provided in the attached appendices. Supplemental organic revenue growth information and additional measures that exclude the effects of certain items noted above do not affect net income or any other U.S. GAAP reported amounts. Free cash flow is cash flows from operating activity less capital expenditures. The adjusted effective tax rate excludes the applicable tax impact associated with expenses for estimated intangible asset amortization and impairment, and certain other noteworthy items. Management believes that these measures are important to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons and that this supplemental information is helpful to investors. Non-GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, Aon's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Industry peers provide similar supplemental information regarding their performance, although they may not make identical adjustments.

SOURCE Aon plc