AON’S NINE-MONTH INCOME RISES 24% ON HIGHER COMMISSIONS

Global broking and consulting group Aon has reported a 24% rise in income for the first nine months of the year to $938m, driven by higher commissions in its human resources consulting and retail broking operations. Aon’s total commissions and fees for the period rose 1.7% to $8.73bn, while total operating expenses fell 0.5% to $7.42bn. The HR Solutions segment saw operating income jump 54% to $249m as commissions and fees grew 3.9% to $3bn, with organic growth of 4%. The group’s Risk Solutions segment posted operating income of $1.21bn, an increase of 6.9%, on commissions and fees of $5.76bn, up 0.7%, with organic growth of 2%. Within the segment, retail broking generated revenues of $4.62bn, up 1.6%, with organic growth of 3%. For the third quarter, Aon’s net earnings rose 21% to $309m as total commissions and fees increased 3.1% to $2.87bn. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.29, 16¢ ahead of analysts’ forecast. The broking segment posted quarterly commissions and fees of $1.83bn, up 0.9%, with organic growth of 1%. The HR segment saw revenues rise 7.7% to $1.06bn, with organic growth of 7%.