Aon Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results

Aon Corporation today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010.

Net income attributable to Aon stockholders increased 17% to $231 million or $0.67 per share, compared to $198 million or $0.69 per share for the prior year quarter.  Net income attributable to Aon stockholders from continuing operations increased 63% to $232 million or $0.67 per share, compared to $142 million or $0.49 per share for the prior year quarter.  Net income per share attributable to Aon stockholders from continuing operations, excluding certain items, decreased 13% to $0.84 compared to $0.96 for the prior year quarter reflecting the merger with Hewitt, including $37 million in additional intangible asset amortization and a higher effective tax rate.  Certain items that impacted fourth quarter results and comparisons with the prior year quarter are detailed in the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures on page 12 of this press release.

“In Risk Solutions, we posted our strongest rate of organic revenue growth in three years and expanded operating margin 70 basis points,” said Greg Case, president and chief executive officer.  “We begin 2011 in a position of strength, as the leading global professional services firm focused on risk and people.  The integration of Aon Hewitt is well underway and client reaction has been exceptional.  Cost savings related to our restructuring programs and operational initiatives are expected to drive significant margin improvement, and our strong cash flow generation provides financial flexibility as demonstrated by the repurchase of $150 million of Aon stock in the quarter.”

FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Total revenue increased 40% to $2.9 billion from the prior year quarter due to a 41% increase in commissions and fees resulting from acquisitions, primarily Hewitt, net of dispositions and a 2% increase in organic revenue, partially offset by a 1% decrease from foreign currency translation.

Total operating expenses increased 36% or $655 million to $2.5 billion due primarily to the inclusion of operating expenses related to the merger with Hewitt, partially offset by benefits related to the restructuring programs and an estimated $28 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased 92% or $61 million to $127 million compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to the inclusion of $37 million in intangible amortization and $26 million of depreciation expense related to 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, resulting in total intangible amortization related to the merger with Hewitt of approximately $2.0 billion.

Restructuring expenses were $57 million in the fourth quarter compared to $175 million in the prior year quarter.  In the fourth quarter, the Company incurred $52 million of costs under the Aon Hewitt restructuring program and $5 million of total costs under the Aon Benfield and 2007 restructuring programs.  The total expected cost of the Aon Hewitt restructuring plan is $325 million.  The Company has completed all restructuring activities and incurred 100% of the total costs for the 2007 program and has incurred approximately 88% of the total costs necessary to deliver the remaining savings under the Aon Benfield program.  An analysis of restructuring-related expenses by segment and type are detailed on page 13 of this release.

Restructuring savings in the fourth quarter related to the 2007 restructuring program are estimated at $128 million compared to $108 million in the prior year quarter.  Of the estimated restructuring savings in the fourth quarter, $107 million were related to the Risk Solutions segment primarily from workforce reductions.  Before any potential reinvestment of savings, the 2007 restructuring program is expected to deliver cumulative cost savings of $536 million in 2011.

Restructuring savings in the fourth quarter related to the Aon Benfield restructuring program are estimated at $27 million compared to $17 million in the prior year quarter.  Before any potential reinvestment of savings, the Benfield restructuring program is expected to deliver cumulative cost savings of $122 million in 2011.

Restructuring savings in the fourth quarter related to the Aon Hewitt restructuring program are estimated at $4 million.  The Aon Hewitt merger is expected to deliver cumulative cost savings of $355 million in 2013, 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 fourth quarter had no material 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 increased to 32.8% in the fourth quarter compared to 25.4% in the prior year quarter due primarily to certain deferred tax adjustments and changes in the geographical mix of income following the completed merger with Hewitt.  The Company anticipates an effective tax rate on net income from continuing operations of 30.0% for 2011.

Discontinued Operations after-tax loss was $1 million in the fourth quarter compared to an after-tax gain of $56 million or $0.20 per share in the prior year quarter.  The prior year quarter primarily reflects the recognition of a foreign tax credit carryback related to the sale of Combined Insurance Companies of America (CICA).

Average diluted shares outstanding increased to 346.7 million in the fourth quarter compared to 287.8 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 $15 million remaining under the share repurchase program which began in 2005 and $2 billion under the share repurchase program previously authorized in 2010.

FOURTH QUARTER SEGMENT REVIEW

Certain noteworthy items impacted operating income and operating margins in the fourth quarter of 2010 and 2009.  The fourth 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 (Formerly known as Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services)

Risk Solutions total revenue increased 4% to $1.8 billion compared to the prior year quarter due to 3% organic growth in commissions and fees and a 2% increase from acquisitions, primarily Allied North America, net of dispositions, partially offset by a 1% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation and a 14% decline in investment income.

Retail organic revenue increased 4% and reflects the highest rate of organic revenue growth since the second quarter of 2007.  By geographic region in Retail, the Americas organic revenue increased 3% due to strong growth in Latin America and modest growth in U.S. retail.  U.K. organic revenue increased 6% due primarily to strong new business growth and growth in the Affinity business.  EMEA organic revenue increased 5% due to strong new business growth in Continental Europe.  APAC organic revenue increased 7% reflecting strong new business growth in Australia and New Zealand.  Reinsurance organic revenue decreased 1% due primarily to soft pricing in the U.S. for treaty placements, partially offset by strong growth in capital market transactions and advisory business.

Compensation and benefits for the fourth quarter decreased 13% or $141 million compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to a $129 million decrease in restructuring related costs, benefits related to the restructuring programs and a $14 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation.  Other expenses for the fourth quarter increased 6% or $26 million as the prior year quarter benefitted from certain insurance recoveries, partially offset by a $28 million decrease in restructuring related costs, benefits related to the restructuring programs and a $6 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Fourth quarter operating income increased 93% to $374 million.  Adjusting for certain items detailed on page 12 of this press release, operating income increased 7% or $26 million to $387 million and operating margin increased 70 basis points to a record 21.9% compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to an increase in organic revenue and benefits related to the restructuring programs, partially offset by certain insurance recoveries that benefitted the prior year quarter.

HR SOLUTIONS (Formerly known as Consulting)

HR Solutions total revenue increased 229% to $1.2 billion compared to the prior year quarter due to acquisitions, primarily Hewitt, net of dispositions, partially offset by a 1% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation. Organic revenue in Consulting Services increased 2% primarily reflecting strong growth in global compensation consulting and investment consulting, partially offset by the impact of weak economic conditions on retirement consulting.  Organic revenue in Outsourcing decreased 2% due primarily to a decline in project-related revenue and price compression in Benefits Administration, partially offset by new client wins in Benefits Administration and growth in point solutions revenue in HR Business Process Outsourcing.

Compensation and benefits for the fourth quarter increased 251% or $527 million from the prior year quarter due primarily to the inclusion of operating expenses related to the merger with Hewitt, a $40 million increase in restructuring related costs and $11 million of costs related to changes in certain employee benefit plans, partially offset by benefits related to the restructuring programs.  Other expenses increased 305% or $247 million from the prior year quarter due primarily to the inclusion of Hewitt operating expenses, a $37 million increase in intangible asset amortization expense and $18 million of integration costs, partially offset by benefits related to the restructuring programs.

Fourth quarter operating income increased 46% to $86 million.  Adjusting for certain items detailed on page 12 of this press release, operating income increased 115% or $84 million to $157 million reflecting the merger with Hewitt.  Operating margin decreased 730 basis points to 13.6% versus the prior year quarter due primarily to an increase in intangible asset amortization expense related to the merger.

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Unallocated revenue declined $29 million compared to the prior year quarter.  The prior year quarter reflected revenue related to the Company’s equity ownership in certain insurance investment funds acquired with Benfield.  Unallocated expenses of $38 million include $3 million of transaction costs related to the merger with Hewitt.  The prior year quarter included $5 million of costs associated with the Company’s equity ownership in certain insurance investment funds.  Interest expense increased $30 million to $65 million due primarily to an increase in the average amount of debt outstanding following the merger with Hewitt.  Other expense was $3 million in the fourth quarter compared to other income of $7 million in the prior year quarter.  The fourth quarter includes an $8 million loss related to the early extinguishment of debt primarily acquired in the merger with Hewitt, partially offset by gains from investments.  The prior year quarter primarily included gains from investments and the sales of certain businesses.

2010 FULL YEAR SUMMARY

Total revenue for 2010 increased 12% to $8.5 billion due to a 12% increase in commissions and fees resulting from acquisitions, primarily Hewitt, net of dispositions and a 1% favorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by a $49 million decline in revenue from certain insurance investment funds and a $19 million or 26% decline in investment income.  Risk Solutions total revenue increased 2% to $6.4 billion and HR Solutions total revenue increased 67% to $2.1 billion.

Net income attributable to Aon stockholders for 2010 decreased 5% to $706 million compared to $747 million for the prior year.  The prior year includes the recognition of a foreign tax credit carryback related to the sale of CICA and a $43 million after-tax gain on the sale of Automobile Insurance Specialists (AIS).  Net income attributable to Aon stockholders from continuing operations increased 15% to $733 million compared to $636 million for the prior year.  Net income attributable to Aon stockholders, excluding certain items, increased 3% to $929 million compared to $906 million for the prior year.  Certain items that impacted full year results and comparisons against the prior year are detailed in the reconciliations of the impact of non-GAAP measures on page 12.

Net income attributable to Aon stockholders for 2010 decreased 8% to $2.37 per share compared to $2.57 per share for the prior year.  Net income attributable to Aon stockholders from continuing operations increased 12% to $2.46 per share compared to $2.19 per share for the prior year.  Net income attributable to Aon stockholders, excluding certain items, was similar at $3.12 per share compared to $3.11 per share for the prior year.  Certain items that impacted full year results and comparisons against the prior year are detailed in the reconciliations of the impact of non-GAAP measures on page 12.

During 2010, the Company repurchased approximately 6.1 million shares of common stock for $250 million at an average price of $41.17 per share.

Source : Aon Press Release

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