CHICAGO, May 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aon Corporation today reported first quarter 2006 net income of $198 million or $0.57 per share compared to $200 million or $0.59 per share in 2005. Net income from continuing operations was $198 million or $0.57 per share compared to $198 million or $0.58 per share a year ago.
Certain items affect the comparison of first quarter 2006 results with 2005 results. These items, which are detailed in a reconciliation of the impact of non-GAAP measures on page 11, include restructuring charges of $0.06 in first quarter 2006, a $0.07 gain in first quarter 2006 related to a previously sold claims business and the revaluation of Endurance Specialty Holdings warrants, which resulted in a loss of $0.03 in first quarter 2006 and a gain of $0.03 in first quarter 2005. Taking into account the items detailed on page 11, adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter 2006 is $0.60, an increase of 18% over the prior year.
Greg Case, Aon's president and CEO, said, "Our first quarter results reflect another step in realizing the full potential of the Aon franchise. Core operating performance exceeded our expectations, and was materially better than last year. Each of our operating segments showed margin improvement on positive organic growth. Americas-Brokerage, led by our U.S. retail brokerage business, performed well, and our consulting and underwriting businesses showed improved growth. We continue to enjoy great success in the marketplace in winning new business and retaining existing business."
First Quarter Segment Review
Aon is providing enhanced consolidated and segment disclosure that includes a separate line for compensation and benefits (previously reported in general expenses). On a consolidated basis, compensation and benefits expense for first quarter 2006 was $1.1 billion, including $25 million of workforce reduction costs related to the 2005 restructuring plan.
Risk and Insurance Brokerage Services first quarter revenue increased 3% to $1.4 billion, with 2% organic revenue growth. Investment income included a $35 million gain principally related to the contribution of the Company's convertible preferred stock investment in a previously sold claims business to one of its U.K. pension plans.
Organic revenue in Brokerage-Americas rose 5%, primarily driven by our U.S. retail business, and growth in Affinity and Latin America. Excluding the impact of contingent commissions Brokerage-Americas organic growth was 6%. Brokerage-International organic revenue grew 1%, reflecting new business generation particularly in France, the Middle East and Africa.
Reinsurance organic revenue was unchanged year-over-year, reflecting new business and improved pricing in the Americas offset by the impact of higher risk retention by clients and weaker pricing in the international markets.
First quarter pretax income increased 4% to $249 million from $240 million in 2005, and the pretax margin was 17.9% for 2006 and 17.8% for 2005. Excluding the items described on page 12, the pretax margin improved to 18.0% for 2006 from 16.1% for 2005, principally due to revenue growth and the benefits of operational improvements and cost reduction initiatives.
Consulting revenue was $308 million during the quarter, with 4% organic revenue growth, primarily from operations in the U.K. and Canada, as well as from compensation consulting.
First quarter pretax income increased 15% to $30 million, and the pretax margin improved to 9.7% from 8.4% a year ago. Principal contributors to the year over year improvement were higher consulting services revenue and a decline in operating expenses. Excluding the items described on page 12, the pretax margin improved to 12.0% in 2006.
Insurance Underwriting revenue increased 7% to $841 million in the quarter, with segment organic revenue growth, which is based on written premiums and fees, of 13%. In the Accident & Health and Life business, organic revenue grew 10% primarily driven by strong growth in the Company's supplemental health product. Warranty, Credit and P&C organic revenue growth was 15% in the quarter reflecting strong growth in the sale of electronic and other warranty and credit products. First quarter pretax income rose 16% to $79 million reflecting improved profitability in each sub-segment, and higher investment income. The pretax margin improved to 9.4% in 2006 from 8.6% in 2005.
Corporate and Other segment revenue was nil in the quarter compared to $29 million in 2005. First quarter 2006 results included a $17 million pretax loss related to the revaluation of Endurance warrants compared to a $16 million pretax gain in 2005.
The pretax loss in the Corporate and Other segment was $54 million compared with a loss of $24 million a year ago, primarily reflecting the impact of the Company's investment in Endurance warrants.
Restructuring Plan
The previously announced three-year restructuring plan is currently expected to result in cumulative pretax charges of $290 million, including employee termination and lease consolidation costs, asset impairments, and other costs associated with the restructuring. The increase from our previous estimate results primarily from newly identified IT initiatives. Annualized cost savings are now targeted at approximately $190 million by 2008. Certain aspects of the plan are not finalized, and actual total costs, the timing of the costs, and ultimate savings may vary from the estimates due to changes in the scope or assumptions underlying this plan. An analysis of restructuring related expenses by segment for the first quarter of 2006 is presented in the attached reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.
Below is a summary of full year 2005 and first quarter 2006 restructuring costs and an estimate of restructuring and related expenses through the end of 2007 by type and by geographic region.
Actual Estimated
------------------------ ------------------------
Full First
Year Quarter Remainder
(millions) 2005 2006 Total 2006 2007 Total
------------------------ ------------------------
Workforce reduction $ 116 $ 25 $ 141 $ 25 $ 14 $ 180
Lease consolidation 20 5 25 25 12 62
Asset impairments 17 1 18 1 5 24
Other costs associated
with restructuring 5 2 7 11 6 24
------------------------ ------------------------
Total restructuring
and related expenses $ 158 $ 33 $ 191 $ 62 $ 37 $ 290
======================== ========================
(millions)
By Region: United United Continent of Rest of
States Kingdom Europe World Total
---------------------------------------------------------
2005 (incurred) $ 28 $92 $ 30 $8 $ 158
2006 (incurred) 12 13 5 3 33
2006 remaining
estimated 14 34 10 4 62
2007 estimated 27 7 2 1 37
---------------------------------------------------------
Total incurred
and remaining
estimated $ 81 $ 146 $ 47 $ 16 $ 290
=========================================================
Effective Tax Rate
The effective tax rate for continuing operations was 35.0% for the first quarter of 2006 compared to 36.1% for the first quarter of 2005. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2006 reflects the geographic distribution of earnings and lower tax rates in certain countries, partially offset by the impact of restructuring charges.
Foreign Exchange Impact
First quarter 2006 earnings per share were negatively affected by $0.02 due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the first quarter 2005. In addition, first quarter 2006 earnings per share included $0.01 of currency hedging losses compared to $0.02 of hedging gains in 2005.
Accounting Change
As of January 1, 2006, Aon adopted FASB Statement No.123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, as permitted. Accordingly, prior period amounts have not been restated.
Stock option based compensation expense (included in compensation and benefits expense) related to the adoption of Statement No.123(R) was $7 million pretax or $0.01 per share in the first quarter of 2006.
Financial Condition
Total debt and preferred stock decreased $71 million to $2.0 billion at March 31, 2006 from March 31, 2005. Total debt and preferred stock as a percentage of total capital decreased to 27.5% from 29.4% over the same period. Stockholders' equity was $5.3 billion. Compared to December 31, 2005, total debt decreased $96 million.
During first quarter 2006, Aon contributed to various U.K. pension plans certain financial instruments valued at $164 million. The financial instruments consisted of Private Equity Partnership Structures I, LLC (PEPS I) securities, Endurance warrants, and the convertible preferred stock investment related to the 2004 sale of a claims business.
Approximately 95% of Aon's investment portfolio at quarter end was in short-term and fixed maturities, with 99% of the fixed income securities rated investment grade.
Stock Repurchase Program
During the first quarter of 2006, Aon completed the repurchase of approximately 6.2 million shares of common stock for $247 million. Through March 31, 2006, the Company has repurchased approximately 6.8 million shares for $272 million under the existing $1 billion buyback authorization announced in November 2005.
Universal Shelf Registration
Aon expects to file shortly a universal shelf registration on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the issuance of up to $2 billion of debt and equity securities.
Annual Stockholders Meeting
The 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Friday, May 19, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. central time. A listen-only webcast of the presentation and questions by stockholders attending the meeting in Chicago can be accessed at http://www.aon.com/ and will be archived for two weeks.
The Company will host an audio webcast to discuss first quarter results on Friday, May 5 at 10:00 a.m. central time that can be accessed at http://www.aon.com/ .
Aon Corporation ( http://www.aon.com/ ) is a leading provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human capital and management consulting, and specialty insurance underwriting. There are 46,000 employees working in Aon's 500 offices in more than 120 countries. Backed by broad resources, industry knowledge and technical expertise, Aon professionals help a wide range of clients develop effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions.
This press release 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. Potential factors that could impact results include: general economic conditions in different countries in which we do business around the world, changes in global equity and fixed income markets that could affect the return on invested assets, fluctuations in exchange and interest rates that could influence revenue and expense, rating agency actions that could affect our ability to borrow funds, funding of our various pension plans, changes in the competitive environment, our ability to implement restructuring initiatives and other initiatives intended to yield cost savings, our ability to execute the stock repurchase program, changes in commercial property and casualty markets and commercial premium rates that could impact revenues, changes in revenues and earnings due to the elimination of contingent commissions, other uncertainties surrounding a new compensation model, the impact of investigations brought by state attorneys general, state insurance regulators, federal prosecutors, and federal regulators, the impact of class actions and individual lawsuits including client class actions, securities class actions, derivative actions, and ERISA class actions, the cost of resolution of other contingent liabilities and loss contingencies, and the difference in ultimate paid claims in our underwriting companies from actuarial estimates. Further information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Company's financial results, is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This press release includes supplemental information related to organic revenue growth, a measure that management believes is important to evaluate changes in revenue from existing operations. We believe that this supplemental information is helpful to investors. Organic revenue growth excludes from reported revenues the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, transfers between business units, investment income, reimbursable expenses, unusual items, and for the underwriting segment only, an adjustment between written and earned premium. A reconciliation is provided in the attached schedules. The supplemental organic revenue growth information does not affect net income or any other GAAP reported amounts. It should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, the Company's Consolidated Summary of Operations. Industry peers provide similar supplemental information regarding their revenue performance, although they may not make identical adjustments.
This press release also includes supplemental information related to several measures -- income per share, expenses, and margins - that exclude the effects of the restructuring charges and certain other noteworthy items that impacted revenue and pretax income in the comparable periods. Management believes that these measures are important to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons and that this supplemental information is helpful to investors. The measures that exclude the effects of the restructuring charges and certain other items do not affect net income or any other GAAP reported amounts. They should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, the Company's Consolidated Summary of Operations. Industry peers provide similar supplemental information regarding their performance, although they may not make identical adjustments.
Aon Corporation
Consolidated Summary of Operations First Quarter Ended
--------------------------------
(millions except per share data) Mar. 31, Mar. 31, Percent
2006 2005 (1) Change
-------- ---------- ----------
Revenue
Brokerage commissions and fees $1,664 $1,675 (1) %
Premiums and other 749 698 7
Investment income 110 91 21
-------- ---------- ----------
Total revenue 2,523 2,464 2
-------- ---------- ----------
Expenses
Compensation and benefits 1,138 1,123 1
Other general expenses 573 536 7
Benefits to policyholders 419 393 7
Depreciation and amortization 57 67 (15)
Interest expense 31 34 (9)
Provision for New York and other
state settlements 1 1 -
-------- ---------- ----------
Total expenses 2,219 2,154 3
-------- ---------- ----------
Income from continuing operations
before provision for income tax 304 310 (2)
Provision for income tax (35.0%
in 2006 and 36.1% in 2005) 106 112 (5)
-------- ---------- ----------
Income from continuing operations 198 198 -
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of tax (1) 2 N/A
-------- ---------- ----------
Income before accounting change 197 200 (2)
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax (2) 1 - N/A
-------- ---------- ----------
Net income $198 $200 (1) %
======== ========== ==========
Preferred stock dividends - (1) (100)
-------- ---------- ----------
Net income available for common
stockholders $198 $199 (1) %
======== ========== ==========
Basic net income per share:
Income from continuing operations $0.61 $0.61 - %
Discontinued operations - 0.01 (100)
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle - - -
-------- ---------- ----------
Net income $0.61 $0.62 (2) %
======== ========== ==========
Diluted net income per share:
Income from continuing operations $0.57 $0.58 (2) %
Discontinued operations - 0.01 (100)
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle - - -
-------- ---------- ----------
Net income $0.57 $0.59 (3) %
======== ========== ==========
Diluted average common and common
equivalent shares outstanding 350.2 337.1 4 %
======== ========== ==========
(1) Certain amounts relating to discontinued operations have been
reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation.
(2) Adoption of FASB Statement No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payments,"
effective January 1, 2006, net of tax.
Aon Corporation
Revenue - First Quarter Continuing Operations
First Quarter Ended
-------------------------------------------------------
Organic
Less: Revenue
Acquisi- Growth
tions, Orga- with-
Divesti- nic out
Mar. Less: tures Less: Rev- Contin-
Mar. 31, Cur- & All enue gent
31, 2005 Percent rency Trans- Other Growth Comm-
2006 (1) Change Impact fers (2) (3) issions
------ ------ ------- ------ ------- ----- ------ -------
(millions)
Revenue
Risk and insurance
brokerage services
Risk management
and insurance
brokerage
- Americas $530 $452 17% 1% 2% 9% 5% 6%
Risk management
and insurance
brokerage
- International 617 660 (7) (7) (1) - 1 1
Reinsurance
brokerage
and related
services 246 240 3 (3) 3 3 - 1
------ ------- ----- ------ ------- ------ ----- -------
Total risk and
insurance
brokerage
services 1,393 1,352 3 (4) 1 4 2 3
------ ------- ----- ------ ------- ------ ----- -------
Consulting
Consulting
services 238 240 (1) (3) (3) 1 4 4
Outsourcing 70 69 1 (2) 3 (3) 3 3
------ ------- ----- ------ ------- ------ ----- -------
Total
consulting 308 309 - (2) (2) - 4 4
------ ------- ----- ------ ------- ------ ----- -------
Insurance
underwriting
Accident & health
and life 481 440 9 (1) - - 10 10
Warranty, credit
and property
& casualty 360 349 3 (2) - (10) 15 15
------ ------- ----- ------ ------- ------ ----- -------
Total insurance
underwriting 841 789 7 (2) - (4) 13 13
------ ------- ----- ------ ------- ------ ----- -------
Corporate and
other - 29 (100) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Intersegment
revenues (19) (15) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
------ ------- ----- ------ ------- ------ ----- -------
Total $2,523 $2,464 2% (3)% -% (1)% 6% 6%
====== ======= ===== ====== ======= ====== ===== =======
(1) Certain amounts relating to discontinued operations have been
reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation.
(2) Includes the impact of investment income, reimbursable expenses,
adjustment between written and earned premium and fees in insurance
underwriting only, and unusual items.
(3) Organic revenue growth excludes the impact of foreign exchange,
acquisitions, divestitures, transfers and items described in (2).
Written premiums and fees are the basis for organic revenue growth
within the Insurance Underwriting segment.
Aon Corporation
Risk and Insurance Brokerage
Services - Continuing
Operations First Quarter Ended
-----------------------------------------
(millions) Mar. 31, Mar. 31, Percent
2006 2005 (1) Change
------------- ------------- -----------
Revenue
Operating revenue $1,327 $1,327 - %
Investment income 66 25 164
------------- ------------- -----------
Total revenue 1,393 1,352 3
------------- ------------- -----------
Expenses
Compensation & benefits 801 789 2
Other expenses 343 323 6
------------- ------------- -----------
Total expenses 1,144 1,112 3
------------- ------------- -----------
Income from continuing operations
before provision for income tax
$249 $240 4 %
============= ============= ===========
Pretax margin - income from
continuing operations before
provision for income tax 17.9% 17.8%
Consulting - Continuing Operations First Quarter Ended
-----------------------------------------
(millions) Mar. 31, Mar. 31, Percent
2006 2005 Change
------------- ------------- -----------
Revenue
Operating revenue $306 $308 (1)%
Investment income 2 1 100
------------- ------------- -----------
Total revenue 308 309 -
------------- ------------- -----------
Expenses
Compensation & benefits 194 197 (2)
Other expenses 84 86 (2)
------------- ------------- -----------
Total expenses 278 283 (2)
------------- ------------- -----------
Income from continuing operations
before provision for income tax $30 $26 15%
============= ============= ===========
Pretax margin - income from
continuing operations before
provision for income tax 9.7% 8.4%
Insurance Underwriting -
Continuing Operations First Quarter Ended
-----------------------------------------
(millions) Mar. 31, Mar. 31, Percent
2006 2005 Change
------------- ------------- -----------
Revenue
Premiums and other $799 $753 6%
Investment income 42 36 17
------------- ------------- -----------
Total revenue 841 789 7
------------- ------------- -----------
Expenses
Benefits to policyholders 419 393 7
Compensation and benefits 135 131 3
Other expenses 208 197 6
------------- ------------- -----------
Total expenses 762 721 6
------------- ------------- -----------
Income from continuing operations
before provision for income tax $79 $68 16%
============= ============= ===========
Pretax margin - income from
continuing operations before
provision for income tax 9.4% 8.6%
(1) Certain amounts relating to discontinued operations have been
reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation.
Aon Corporation
Corporate and Other - Continuing
Operations First Quarter Ended
---------------------------------
Mar. 31, Mar. 31, Percent
(millions) 2006 2005 (2) Change
---------- ---------- ---------
Revenue
Income from marketable equity
securities and other investments (1) $6 $30 (80)%
Limited partnership investments - 1 (100)
Net loss on disposals and related
expenses (6) (2) N/A
---------- ---------- ---------
Total revenue - 29 (100)
---------- ---------- ---------
Expenses
Compensation and benefits 8 6 33
Other general expenses 15 13 15
Interest expense 31 34 (9)
---------- ---------- ---------
Total expenses 54 53 2
---------- ---------- ---------
Loss before income tax $(54) $(24) N/A %
========== ========== =========
(1) Includes gain (loss) from Endurance warrants of ($17) million and $16
million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
(2) Certain amounts related to revenue have been reclassified to conform
to the 2006 presentation.
Aon Corporation
Reconciliation of the Impact of Non-GAAP Measures on Diluted Earnings Per
Share from Continuing Operations
First Quarter Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005
First Quarter Ended
----------------------------------
March 31, March 31, Percent
(millions except per share data) 2006 2005 Change
------------- ---------- ---------
Diluted earnings per share from
continuing operations - as reported $0.57 $0.58 (2)%
After tax earnings per share
adjustments:
Restructuring charges 0.06 -
Gain on sale of Cambridge preferred
stock investment (0.07) -
Contingent commissions (0.01) (0.02)
Stock option expense 0.01 -
Endurance warrants 0.03 (0.03)
Hedging (gains) losses 0.01 (0.02)
------------- ----------
Total after tax earnings per
share adjustments 0.03 (0.07)
------------- ----------
Diluted earnings per share from
continuing operations - as adjusted $0.60 $0.51 18%
============= ========== =========
Diluted average common and common
equivalent shares outstanding 350.2 337.1
============= ==========
Aon Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Segments
First Quarter March 31, 2006 and 2005 (1)
First Quarter Ended March 31, 2006
----------------------------------
Risk and
Insurance
(millions) Brokerage Insurance Corporate
Services Consulting Underwriting & Other Total
--------- ---------- ------------ --------- ------
Revenue as
reported $ 1,393 $308 $841 $(19) $2,523
Gain on
sale of
Cambridge
preferred
stock
investment (35) - - - (35)
Contingent
commissions (6) - - - (6)
Endurance
warrants - - - 17 17
-------- ------ ----- ----- --------
Revenue as
adjusted $ 1,352 $308 $841 $(2) $2,499
======== ====== ===== ===== ========
Income (loss)
from
continuing
operations
before
provision
for income tax
- as reported $249 $30 $79 $(54) $304
Provision for
Daniel & NY
and other
state
settlements 1 - - - 1
Restructuring
charges 26 6 - 1 33
Gain on sale
of Cambridge
preferred
stock
investment (35) - - - (35)
Contingent
commissions (6) - - - (6)
Endurance
warrants - - - 17 17
Stock option
expense 5 1 1 - 7
Hedging losses 3 - - - 3
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Income (loss)
from continuing
operations
before provision
for income tax -
as adjusted $243 $37 $80 $(36) $324
====== ===== ====== ====== =====
Income from
continuing
operations
before
provision for
income tax -
margins as
adjusted 18.0% 12.0% 9.5% N/A 13.0%
====== ===== ====== ====== ======
First Quarter Ended March 31, 2005
----------------------------------
Risk and
Insurance
(millions) Brokerage Insurance Corporate
Services Consulting Underwriting & Other Total
--------- ---------- ------------ ------- -----
Revenue as
reported $ 1,352 $309 $789 $14 $2,464
Contingent
commissions (13) - - - (13)
Endurance
warrants - - - (16) (16)
--------- ---------- ------------- ------ -------
Revenue as
adjusted $ 1,339 $309 $789 $(2) $2,435
========= ========== ============= ====== =======
Income (loss)
from continuing
operations
before provision
for income tax
- as reported $240 $26 $68 $(24) $310
Provision for
Daniel & NY
and other
state
settlements 1 - - - 1
Contingent
commissions (13) - - - (13)
Endurance
warrants - - - (16) (16)
Hedging gains (12) - - - (12)
-------- --------- ----------- ------- ------
Income (loss)
from continuing
operations
before
provision for
income tax -
as adjusted $216 $26 $68 $(40) $270
======== ========= =========== ======== ======
Income from
continuing
operations
before
provision for
income tax -
margins as
adjusted 16.1% 8.4% 8.6% N/A 11.1%
======= ========= ========== ======= ======
(1) Certain noteworthy items impacted revenue and pretax income in 2006
and 2005, which are described in this schedule.
The pretax income (loss) amounts and related margins shown in the
captions "Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision
for income tax - as adjusted" are non-GAAP measures.
Aon Corporation
Preliminary Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
As of
---------------------------------
(billions) Mar. 31, 2006 Dec. 31, 2005
----------------- ---------------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Investments
Fixed maturities at fair value $4.2 $4.2
Short-term investments 4.7 4.3
Other investments 0.4 0.6
----------------- ---------------
Total investments 9.3 9.1
Cash 0.5 0.5
Receivables 10.0 9.7
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs 1.2 1.2
Goodwill 4.4 4.4
Other Intangible Assets 0.1 0.1
Property and Equipment, net 0.5 0.5
Other Assets 2.6 2.3
----------------- ---------------
TOTAL ASSETS $28.6 $27.8
================= ===============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Insurance Premiums Payable $10.2 $9.4
Policy Liabilities
Future policy benefits 1.7 1.7
Policy and contract claims 1.8 1.8
Unearned and advance premiums and
contract fees 3.1 3.0
----------------- ---------------
Total Policy Liabilities 6.6 6.5
General Liabilities
General expenses 1.7 1.7
Notes payable 2.0 2.1
Pension, post-employment and
post-retirement liabilities 1.5 1.5
Other liabilities 1.3 1.3
----------------- ---------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 23.3 22.5
Stockholders' Equity 5.3 5.3
----------------- ---------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY $28.6 $27.8
================= ===============
Investor Contact: Craig Streem
Corporate Vice President, Investor Relations
312-381-3983
Media Contact: Al Orendorff
Director, Public Relations
312-381-3153
