LONDON, July 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON) today reported results for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Net income attributable to Aon shareholders was $272 million, or $1.01 per share, compared to $178 million, or $0.62 per share, for the prior year quarter.  Net income per share attributable to Aon shareholders, adjusted for certain items, increased 6% to $1.39, compared to $1.31 in the prior year quarter.  If the Company were to hold foreign currency exchange rates constant, translating prior year quarter results at current quarter foreign exchange rates ("foreign currency translation"), there would be no material per share impact on either GAAP or adjusted net income from continuing operations. Certain items that impacted second quarter results and comparisons with the prior year quarter are detailed in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Operating Income and Diluted Earnings per Share" on page 12 of this press release. 

"Overall, we delivered positive performance across each of our key metrics in the second quarter, highlighted by four percent organic revenue growth in Retail Brokerage, 70 basis points of adjusted operating margin improvement in Risk Solutions, and substantial free cash flow growth of 51% for the first six months of the year," said Greg Case, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Although we expect continued volatility in the macroeconomic environment, we anticipate improved organic growth and operational performance in the second half of 2016.  Our industry-leading platform and innovative investments across data and analytics continue to position the firm for long-term growth, increased operating leverage and significant free cash flow generation towards our near-term goal of $2.4 billion for the full year 2017."

SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Total revenue decreased 1% to $2.8 billion compared to the prior year quarter driven primarily by a 2% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation and a 2% decrease in commissions and fees related to net divestitures, partially offset by 3% organic revenue growth.

Total operating expenses for the second quarter decreased 7% to $2.4 billion compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to a $176 million decrease in expense related to certain legacy litigation settlements in the prior year quarter, a $52 million decrease in expenses related to net divestitures, a $49 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation, and an $11 million decrease in intangible asset amortization, partially offset by $62 million of expense related to certain non-cash pension settlements and an increase in expense to support 3% organic revenue growth.

Depreciation expense increased $1 million to $58 million compared to the prior year period.

Intangible asset amortization expense decreased 14%, or $11 million, to $68 million compared to the prior year quarter, consisting of an $8 million decrease in HR Solutions and a $3 million decrease in Risk Solutions.

Foreign currency exchange rates in the second quarter had no material pretax impact (+$1 million in Risk Solutions, -$2 million in HR Solutions, and +$1 million Unallocated) on net income and a $1 million pretax unfavorable impact (+$1 million in Risk Solutions, -$3 million in HR Solutions, and +$1 million Unallocated) on adjusted net income if the Company were to translate prior year quarter results at current quarter foreign exchange rates. There was no material impact to earnings per share on either a GAAP or adjusted basis.

Effective tax rate used in the U.S. GAAP financial statements in the second quarter was 16.4%, compared to the prior year quarter of 12.2%.  After adjusting to exclude the applicable tax impact associated with expenses for certain non-cash pension settlements, the adjusted effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2016 was 17.4% compared to 18.0% in the prior year quarter, driven primarily by changes in the geographic distribution of income and certain favorable discrete tax adjustments.  The prior year quarter adjusted effective tax rate excludes the applicable tax impact associated with expenses related to certain legacy litigation.  These adjustments are discussed in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Operating Income and Diluted Earnings per Share" on page 12 of this press release.

Average diluted shares outstanding decreased to 269.8 million in the second quarter compared to 286.7 million in the prior year quarter, driven by the Company's repurchase of Class A ordinary shares in previous quarters.  As of June 30, 2016, the Company had $3.3 billion of remaining authorization under its share repurchase program.

Cash flow from operations for the first six months of 2016 increased 32%, or $186 million, to $764 million primarily driven by an increase in net income, a decline in cash tax payments, a decline in cash paid for pension contributions, and underlying working capital improvements.  Net income in the prior year period was unfavorably impacted by expenses related to legacy litigation.

Free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, increased 51%, or $224 million, to $660 million for the first six months of 2016 driven by an increase in cash flow from operations and a $38 million decrease in capital expenditures.  A reconciliation of free cash flow to cash flow from operations can be found on the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Organic Revenue and Free Cash Flow" on page 11 of this press release.

SECOND QUARTER SEGMENT REVIEW

Certain noteworthy items impacted operating income and operating margins in the second quarters of 2016 and 2015.  The second 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 and Free Cash Flow" 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 total revenue increased 1% compared to the prior year quarter driven by 3% organic growth in commissions and fees, partially offset by a 2% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Retail organic revenue increased 4% reflecting organic revenue growth in both the Americas and International businesses.  Americas organic revenue increased 2% driven by strong growth in Affinity and modest growth in Latin America and US Retail.  International organic revenue increased 6% reflecting solid growth across every major region, including Europe, Asia, and the Pacific, driven by strong new business generation and management of the renewal book portfolio. 

Reinsurance organic revenue increased 1% compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to growth in facultative placements, cedent demand in treaty placements, and new business generation, partially offset by an unfavorable market impact internationally.

Compensation and benefits for the second quarter increased 8%, or $79 million, compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to $61 million of expense related to certain non-cash pension settlements and an increase in expense to support 3% organic growth, partially offset by a $24 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation and a $3 million decrease in expenses related to net divestitures.

Other general expenses for the second quarter decreased 30%, or $159 million, compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to a $137 million decrease in expense related to certain legacy litigation settlements in the prior year quarter, a $14 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation, a $3 million decrease in intangible asset amortization, and expense discipline, partially offset by an increase in expense to support 3% organic revenue growth.

Second quarter operating income increased 34% to $373 million compared to the prior year quarter.  Adjusting for certain items detailed on page 12 of this press release, operating income increased 3% to $459 million, and operating margin increased 70 basis points to 24.9%, each compared to the prior year quarter.  The increase in adjusted operating margin was driven primarily by solid organic revenue growth of 3%, a 50 basis point favorable impact from foreign currency translation, and return on investments in data and analytics across the portfolio.

HR Solutions total revenue decreased 5% to $931 million compared to the prior year quarter driven by a 5% decrease in commissions and fees resulting from net divestitures and a 1% unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by 1% organic growth in commissions and fees.

Organic revenue in Consulting increased 1% driven primarily by continued growth in investment consulting and for pension solutions, partially offset by unfavorable timing of revenue in compensation consulting. Organic revenue in Outsourcing was flat due primarily to continued growth in HR BPO for cloud-based solutions, offset by a modest decline in benefits administration and project-related work.

Compensation and benefits for the second quarter decreased 8%, or $46 million, compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to a $34 million decrease in expenses related to net divestitures and a $7 million favorable impact from foreign currency translation.

Other general expenses for the second quarter decreased $38 million compared to the prior year quarter due primarily to a $39 million decrease in expense related to certain legacy litigation settlements in the prior year quarter, a $16 million decrease in expenses related to net divestitures, and an $8 million decrease in intangible asset amortization, partially offset by an increase in expense to support future growth.

Second quarter operating income increased 92% to $75 million compared to the prior year quarter.  Adjusting for certain items detailed on page 12 of this press release, operating income decreased 8% to $119 million, and operating margin decreased 40 basis points to 12.8%, each compared to the prior year quarter.  The decrease in adjusted operating margin was primarily driven by an increase in expense to support future growth, divestitures of certain businesses in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016, and a 10 basis point unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, partially offset by organic revenue growth of 1%.

Unallocated expenses for the second quarter increased $2 million to $43 million compared to the prior year quarter.  Interest income decreased $1 million to $3 million compared to the prior year quarter.  Interest expense increased $5 million to $73 million compared to the prior year quarter due to the overlap of $750 million of notes issued in the first quarter of 2016 and $500 million of notes that came due in the second quarter of 2016.  Other income includes losses on certain long-term investments and foreign exchange hedging programs, primarily offset by the sale of a certain business.  The prior year quarter primarily includes net gains on certain long term investments and the sale of certain businesses.

Conference Call, Presentation Slides and Webcast Details
The Company will host a conference call on Friday, July 29, 2016 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) is a leading global provider of risk management, insurance brokerage and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 72,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative risk and people solutions. For further information on our capabilities and to learn how we empower results for clients, please visit: http://aon.mediaroom.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This communication 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. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as our outlook, future capital expenditures, growth in commissions and fees, changes to the composition or level of our revenues, cash flow and liquidity, expected tax rates, business strategies, competitive strengths, goals, the benefits of new initiatives, growth of our business and operations, plans and references to future successes, are forward-looking statements. Also, when we use the words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "probably", "potential", "looking forward", or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward looking statements:  general economic and political conditions in different countries in which Aon does business around the world; changes in the competitive environment; fluctuations in exchange and interest rates, including negative yields in some jurisdictions, that could influence revenue and expense; changes in global equity and fixed income markets that could affect the return on invested assets; changes in the funding status of Aon's various defined benefit pension plans and the impact of any increased pension funding resulting from those changes; the level of Aon's debt limiting financial flexibility; rating agency actions that could affect Aon's ability to borrow funds; the effect of the change in global headquarters and jurisdiction of incorporation, including differences in the anticipated benefits; changes in estimates or assumptions on our financial statements; limits on Aon's subsidiaries to make dividend and other payments to Aon; the impact of lawsuits and other contingent liabilities and loss contingencies arising from errors and omissions and other claims against Aon; the impact of, and potential challenges in complying with, legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which Aon operates, particularly given the global scope of Aon's  businesses and the possibility of conflicting regulatory requirements across jurisdictions in which Aon does business; the impact of any investigations brought by regulatory authorities in the U.S., U.K. and other countries; the impact of any inquiries relating to compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and non-U.S. anti-corruption laws and with U.S. and non-U.S. trade sanctions regimes; failure to protect intellectual property rights or allegations that we infringe on the intellectual property rights of others; the effects of English law on our operating flexibility and the enforcement of judgments against Aon; the failure to retain and attract qualified personnel; international risks associated with Aon's global operations; the effect of natural or man-made disasters; the potential of a system or network breach or disruption resulting in operational interruption or improper disclosure of personal data; Aon's ability to develop and implement new technology; damage to our reputation among clients, markets or third parties; the actions taken by third parties that preform aspects of our business operations and client services;  the extent to which Aon manages risks associated with the various services, including fiduciary and investments and other advisory services and business process outsourcing services, among others, that Aon provides or will provide to clients; Aon's ability to grow, develop and integrate companies or new lines of business that it acquires; changes in commercial property and casualty markets, commercial premium rates or methods of compensation; changes in the health care system or our relationships with insurance carriers; and Aon's ability to implement initiatives intended to yield cost savings, and the ability to achieve those cost savings.

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.  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, 2015 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended march 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016 for a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to Aon's businesses. These factors may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports.  Aon is under no obligation, 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 related to organic revenue, free cash flow, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted earnings per share that exclude the effects of restructuring charges, intangible asset amortization, capital expenditures, transaction and integration costs and certain other noteworthy items that affected results for the comparable periods.  Organic revenue excludes from reported revenues the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, transfers between business units, reimbursable expenses and unusual items.  The impact of foreign exchange is determined by translating last year's revenue, expense or net income at this year's foreign exchange rates.  Reconciliations are provided in the attached appendices.  Supplemental organic revenue information and additional measures that exclude the effects of the restructuring charges and certain other items do not affect net income or any other GAAP reported amounts.  Free cash flow is cash flow from operating activity less capital expenditures. Management believes that these measures are important to make meaningful period-to-period comparisons and that this supplemental information is helpful to investors.  They should be viewed in addition to, not in lieu of, the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.  Industry peers provide similar supplemental information regarding their performance, although they may not make identical adjustments.

SOURCE Aon plc