Aon Reports Q4 Results, Notes 'Strong Performance' In A Year Of 'Substantial Volatility'

Aon plc Class A Ordinary Shares (UK) (NYSE: AON) reported its fourth quarter results Friday morning. The company said that it earned $2.27 per share in the quarter on revenue of $3.3 billion. Wall Street analysts were expecting the company to earn $2.09 per share on revenue of $3.33 billion.

Net income for the quarter rose to $584 million from $459 million in the same quarter a year ago. Aon noted that its total operating expenses fell 3 percent in the quarter to $2.6 billion due primarily to a $130 million favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, a $35 million reduction in expense related to legacy litigation incurred a year ago, and a $12 million decrease in intangible asset amortization.

"Overall, our results reflect a strong performance for both the fourth quarter and the full year 2015. In a year of substantial volatility driven by macroeconomic factors and industry headwinds, we continued to invest heavily in client-serving capabilities across our industry-leading platform," said Greg Case, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These investments, combined with the leadership of our colleagues around the globe, contributed to our strongest quarterly rate of organic growth in Risk Solutions since 2007, record operating margins in both segments, record free cash flow of $1.7 billion, and the return of $1.9 billion of capital to shareholders."