UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

 

OR

 

o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number 1-7933

 

Aon Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

36-3051915

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

200 E. RANDOLPH STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

 

60601

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(312) 381-1000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number,

Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x  NO o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x  NO o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o  NO x

 

Number of shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, outstanding as of September 30, 2011:  323,289,389

 

 

 



 

Part I Financial Information

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Aon Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(millions, except per share data) 

 

September 30,
2011

 

September 30,
2010

 

September 30,
2011

 

September 30,
2010

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions, fees and other

 

$

2,708

 

$

1,786

 

$

8,255

 

$

5,560

 

Fiduciary investment income

 

15

 

15

 

38

 

43

 

Total revenue

 

2,723

 

1,801

 

8,293

 

5,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

1,634

 

1,050

 

4,843

 

3,382

 

Other general expenses

 

748

 

488

 

2,279

 

1,417

 

Total operating expenses

 

2,382

 

1,538

 

7,122

 

4,799

 

Operating income

 

341

 

263

 

1,171

 

804

 

Interest income

 

4

 

4

 

14

 

9

 

Interest expense

 

(60

)

(50

)

(186

)

(117

)

Other income (expense)

 

7

 

(9

)

1

 

3

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

292

 

208

 

1,000

 

699

 

Income taxes

 

84

 

61

 

274

 

182

 

Income from continuing operations

 

208

 

147

 

726

 

517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes

 

 

1

 

5

 

(38

)

Income taxes

 

 

1

 

1

 

(12

)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

 

4

 

(26

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

208

 

147

 

730

 

491

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

10

 

3

 

28

 

16

 

Net income attributable to Aon stockholders

 

$

198

 

$

144

 

$

702

 

$

475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Aon stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

198

 

$

144

 

$

698

 

$

501

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

 

4

 

(26

)

Net income

 

$

198

 

$

144

 

$

702

 

$

475

 

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Aon stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.59

 

$

0.52

 

$

2.07

 

$

1.80

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.01

 

(0.09

)

Net income

 

$

0.59

 

$

0.52

 

$

2.08

 

$

1.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Aon stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.59

 

$

0.51

 

$

2.04

 

$

1.78

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.01

 

(0.10

)

Net income

 

$

0.59

 

$

0.51

 

$

2.05

 

$

1.68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends per share paid on common stock

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.45

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

 

332.6

 

278.7

 

336.7

 

277.6

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

 

336.9

 

282.2

 

341.8

 

281.9

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

2



 

Aon Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

(millions, except par value) 

 

September 30,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

295

 

$

346

 

Short-term investments

 

607

 

785

 

Receivables, net

 

2,745

 

2,701

 

Fiduciary assets

 

10,315

 

10,063

 

Other current assets

 

538

 

624

 

Total Current Assets

 

14,500

 

14,519

 

Goodwill

 

8,835

 

8,647

 

Intangible assets, net

 

3,361

 

3,611

 

Fixed assets, net

 

773

 

781

 

Investments

 

254

 

312

 

Other non-current assets

 

1,022

 

1,112

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

28,745

 

$

28,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Fiduciary liabilities

 

$

10,315

 

$

10,063

 

Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt

 

163

 

492

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

1,611

 

1,810

 

Other current liabilities

 

676

 

584

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

12,765

 

12,949

 

Long-term debt

 

4,415

 

4,014

 

Pension and other post employment liabilities

 

1,543

 

1,896

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

1,743

 

1,817

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

20,466

 

20,676

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock-$1 par value

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized: 750 shares (issued: 2011 - 386.4; 2010 - 385.9)

 

386

 

386

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,975

 

4,000

 

Retained earnings

 

8,377

 

7,861

 

Treasury stock at cost (shares: 2011 - 63.1; 2010 - 53.6)

 

(2,605

)

(2,079

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(1,900

)

(1,917

)

TOTAL AON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

8,233

 

8,251

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

46

 

55

 

TOTAL EQUITY

 

8,279

 

8,306

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

28,745

 

$

28,982

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

3



 

Aon Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

 

(millions)

 

Shares

 

Common
Stock and
Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss, Net of Tax

 

Non-
controlling
Interests

 

Total

 

Comprehensive
Income

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

385.9

 

$

4,386

 

$

7,861

 

$

(2,079

)

$

(1,917

)

$

55

 

$

8,306

 

$

532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

702

 

 

 

28

 

730

 

$

730

 

Shares issued - employee benefit plans

 

0.5

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

 

Shares purchased

 

 

 

 

(828

)

 

 

(828

)

 

Shares reissued - employee benefit plans

 

 

(302

)

(36

)

302

 

 

 

(36

)

 

Tax benefit - employee benefit plans

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

27

 

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

179

 

 

 

 

 

179

 

 

Dividends to stockholders

 

 

 

(150

)

 

 

 

(150

)

 

Change in net derivative gains/losses

 

 

 

 

 

(14

)

 

(14

)

(14

)

Net foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

(11

)

(1

)

(12

)

(12

)

Net post-retirement benefit obligation

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

 

42

 

42

 

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

(15

)

(24

)

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests on subsidiary common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21

)

(21

)

 

Balance at September 30, 2011

 

386.4

 

$

4,361

 

$

8,377

 

$

(2,605

)

$

(1,900

)

$

46

 

$

8,279

 

$

746

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

4



 

Aon Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(millions)

 

September 30,
2011

 

September 30,
2010

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

730

 

$

491

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss from sales of businesses, net

 

(4

)

40

 

Depreciation of fixed assets

 

164

 

93

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

273

 

86

 

Stock compensation expense

 

179

 

166

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3

 

13

 

Change in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in funds held on behalf of clients

 

626

 

466

 

Receivables, net

 

(36

)

(40

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(227

)

(297

)

Restructuring reserves

 

(68

)

(54

)

Current income taxes

 

172

 

(14

)

Pension and other post employment liabilities

 

(334

)

(95

)

Other assets and liabilities

 

(65

)

(61

)

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

1,413

 

794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of long term investments

 

103

 

82

 

Purchases of long term investments

 

(28

)

(17

)

Net sales (purchases) of short term investments - non-fiduciary

 

176

 

(1,692

)

Net purchases of short term investments - funds held on behalf of clients

 

(626

)

(466

)

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(102

)

(90

)

Proceeds from sale of businesses

 

9

 

10

 

Capital expenditures

 

(151

)

(115

)

CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(619

)

(2,288

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(828

)

(100

)

Issuance of stock for employee benefit plans

 

165

 

98

 

Issuance of debt

 

1,572

 

1,805

 

Repayment of debt

 

(1,523

)

(81

)

Cash dividends to stockholders

 

(150

)

(123

)

Purchase of shares from noncontrolling interests

 

(24

)

(6

)

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests

 

(21

)

(15

)

CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

(809

)

1,578

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(36

)

34

 

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(51

)

118

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

346

 

217

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

295

 

$

335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

216

 

$

104

 

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

 

74

 

153

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

5



 

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1.  Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include all normal recurring adjustments that Aon Corporation (“Aon” or the “Company”) considers necessary to present fairly the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented.  The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Aon and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which Aon is considered to be the primary beneficiary.  The consolidated financial statements exclude special-purpose entities (“SPEs”) considered VIEs for which Aon is not the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.  These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The presentation of certain amounts in the financial statements and related notes for prior periods has been changed to conform to the presentation in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The purchase of shares from noncontrolling interests and dividends paid to noncontrolling interests are now shown separately within financing activities. These amounts were shown in operating activities in the prior year’s presentation. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of operating results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2011.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of reserves and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgments.  Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Aon adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate.  Illiquid credit markets, volatile equity markets, and foreign currency movements have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions.  As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.  Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

 

2.  Accounting Principles and Practices

 

Changes in Accounting Principles

 

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued final guidance on goodwill impairment that gives an entity the option to perform a qualitative assessment that may eliminate the requirement to perform the annual two-step test. The current two-step test requires an entity to assess goodwill for impairment by quantitatively comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill (Step 1). If the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, Step 2 of the test must be performed to measure the amount of goodwill impairment, if any. The recently issued guidance gives an entity the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity concludes that this is the case, it must perform the two-step test. Otherwise, the two-step test is not required. The guidance is effective for Aon beginning in the first quarter 2012, with earlier adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that updated principles related to the presentation of comprehensive income. The revised guidance will require companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements and eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The guidance, which must be applied retroactively, is effective for Aon beginning in the first quarter 2012, with earlier adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is expected to affect only the presentation of the consolidated financial statements, and will have no effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

 

6



 

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted guidance requiring additional disclosures for fair value measurements.  The amended guidance required entities to disclose additional information for assets and liabilities that are transferred between levels of the fair value hierarchy.  This guidance also clarified existing guidance pertaining to the level of disaggregation at which fair value disclosures should be made and the requirements to disclose information about the valuation techniques and inputs used in estimating Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements.  The guidance also required entities to disclose information in the Level 3 rollforward about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis.  See Note 15 “Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments” for these disclosures.

 

In September 2009, the FASB issued guidance that updated principles related to revenue recognition when there are multiple-element arrangements.  This guidance related to the determination of when the individual deliverables included in a multiple-element arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting and modified the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identifiable deliverables.  The guidance also expanded the disclosures required for multiple-element revenue arrangements.  The effective date for this guidance was January 1, 2011.  The Company early adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter 2010 and applied its requirements to all revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified after January 1, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

3.  Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash balances and all highly liquid investments with initial maturities of three months or less.  Cash and cash equivalents included restricted balances of $183 million and $60 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The increase in the restricted balances is primarily due to a requirement for the Company to hold approximately $123 million of operating funds in the U.K.

 

4.  Other Income (Expense)

 

Other income (expense) consists of the following (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Equity earnings (losses)

 

$

5

 

$

(1

)

$

9

 

$

5

 

Realized gain on sale of investments

 

1

 

 

10

 

1

 

Loss on disposal of businesses

 

 

(8

)

(1

)

(2

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

(19

)

 

Other

 

1

 

 

2

 

(1

)

 

 

$

7

 

$

(9

)

$

1

 

$

3

 

 

5.  Acquisitions and Dispositions

 

Acquisitions

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of one company in the HR Solutions segment and two companies in the Risk Solutions segment, including Glenrand MIB Limited (“Glenrand”).  For the same period in 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of the JP Morgan Compensation and Benefit Strategies Division of JP Morgan Retirement Plan Services, LLC, which is included in the HR Solutions segment, as well as 13 other companies, which are included in the Risk Solutions segment.

 

7



 

The following table includes the aggregate consideration transferred and the preliminary value of intangible assets recorded as a result of the Company’s acquisitions.

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

(millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Consideration

 

$

100

 

$

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

58

 

$

29

 

Other intangible assets

 

29

 

52

 

 

 

$

87

 

$

81

 

 

The results of operations of these acquisitions are included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from the dates they were acquired.  The results of operations of the Company would not have been materially different if these acquisitions had been reported from the beginning of the period.

 

Hewitt Associates, Inc.

 

On October 1, 2010, the Company completed its acquisition of Hewitt Associates, Inc. (“Hewitt”), one of the world’s leading human resource consulting and outsourcing companies.  Aon purchased all of the outstanding shares of Hewitt common stock in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.9 billion, of which the total amount of cash paid and the total number of shares of stock issued by Aon each represented approximately 50% of the aggregate consideration.

 

The Company incurred certain acquisition and integration costs associated with the transaction that were expensed as incurred.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company’s HR Solutions segment incurred $22 million and $42 million, respectively, of these Hewitt related costs that are recorded in Other general expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

The transaction has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting which requires, among other things, that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date.

 

8



 

The following table summarizes the recording of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date (in millions):

 

 

 

Amounts

 

 

 

recorded as of

 

 

 

the acquisition

 

 

 

date

 

Working capital (1)

 

$

348

 

Property, equipment, and capitalized software

 

297

 

Identifiable intangible assets:

 

 

 

Customer relationships

 

1,800

 

Trademarks

 

890

 

Technology

 

215

 

Other non-current assets (2)

 

350

 

Long-term debt

 

346

 

Other non-current liabilities (3)

 

367

 

Net deferred tax liability (4)

 

1,034

 

Net assets acquired

 

2,153

 

Goodwill

 

2,779

 

Total consideration transferred

 

$

4,932

 

 


(1)  Includes cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, client receivables, other current assets, accounts payable and other current liabilities.

 

(2) Includes primarily deferred contract costs and long-term investments.

 

(3) Includes primarily unfavorable lease obligations and deferred contract revenues.

 

(4) As of the acquisition date, included in Other current assets ($31 million), Other non-current assets ($30 million), Other current liabilities ($7 million) and Other non-current liabilities ($1.1 billion) in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

The acquired customer relationships are being amortized over a weighted average life of 12 years.  The technology asset is being amortized over 7 years and trademarks were determined to have indefinite useful lives.

 

9



 

A single estimate of fair value results from a complex series of the Company’s judgments about future events and uncertainties and relies heavily on estimates and assumptions. The Company’s judgments used to determine the fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact the Company’s results of operations.

 

Dispositions — Continuing Operations

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company completed the sale of two companies in the Risk Solutions segment.  A pretax loss of $1.8 million was recognized on these sales, which is included in Other income (expense) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Dispositions — Discontinued Operations

 

Income from discontinued operations of $4 million, which represents proceeds from the sale of businesses in prior periods, was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. A loss from discontinued operations of $26 million, related primarily to the settlement of legacy litigation, was incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 

6.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Risk
Solutions

 

HR
Solutions

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

 

$

5,549

 

$

3,098

 

$

8,647

 

Goodwill related to current year acquisitions

 

54

 

4

 

58

 

Goodwill related to disposals

 

(2

)

 

(2

)

Goodwill related to prior year acquisitions

 

 

67

 

67

 

Transfers

 

(83

)

83

 

 

Foreign currency revaluation and other

 

11

 

54

 

65

 

Balance as of September 30, 2011

 

$

5,529

 

$

3,306

 

$

8,835

 

 

Other intangible assets by asset class are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Carrying
Amount

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Carrying
Amount

 

Intangible assets with indefinite lives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademarks

 

$

1,024

 

$

 

$

1,024

 

$

1,024

 

$

 

$

1,024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets with finite lives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademarks

 

4

 

1

 

3

 

3

 

 

3

 

Customer Related and Contract Based

 

2,608

 

543

 

2,065

 

2,605

 

344

 

2,261

 

Marketing, Technology and Other

 

607

 

338

 

269

 

606

 

283

 

323

 

 

 

$

4,243

 

$

882

 

$

3,361

 

$

4,238

 

$

627

 

$

3,611

 

 

Amortization expense on intangible assets with finite lives was $91 million and $273 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.  Amortization expense on intangible assets with finite lives was $30 million and $86 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

 

The estimated future amortization for intangible assets as of September 30, 2011 is as follows (in millions):

 

10



 

Remainder of 2011

 

$

88

 

2012

 

413

 

2013

 

383

 

2014

 

333

 

2015

 

287

 

Thereafter

 

833

 

 

 

$

2,337

 

 

7.  Restructuring

 

Aon Hewitt Restructuring Plan

 

On October 14, 2010, Aon announced a global restructuring plan (“Aon Hewitt Plan”) in connection with the acquisition of Hewitt.  The Aon Hewitt Plan is intended to streamline operations across the combined Aon Hewitt organization and includes an estimated 1,500 to 1,800 job eliminations. The Company expects these restructuring activities and related expenses to affect continuing operations into 2013.  The Aon Hewitt Plan is expected to result in cumulative costs of approximately $325 million through the end of the plan, consisting of approximately $180 million in employee termination costs and approximately $145 million in real estate realization costs.

 

From the inception of the Aon Hewitt Plan through September 30, 2011, approximately 1,030 jobs have been eliminated and total expenses of $132 million have been incurred.  The Company recorded $26 million and $80 million of restructuring and related charges in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.  All costs associated with the Aon Hewitt Plan are included in the HR Solutions segment.  Charges related to the restructuring are included in Compensation and benefits and Other general expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

The following summarizes restructuring and related costs by type that have been incurred and are estimated to be incurred through the end of the restructuring initiative related to the Aon Hewitt Plan (in millions):

 

 

 

2010

 

Third Quarter
2011

 

Nine
Months
2011

 

Total
Inception to
Date

 

Estimated Total
Cost for
Restructuring
Plan (1)

 

Workforce reduction

 

$

49

 

$

15

 

$

39

 

$

88

 

$

180

 

Lease consolidation

 

3

 

8

 

33

 

36

 

95

 

Asset impairments

 

 

3

 

7

 

7

 

47

 

Other costs associated with restructuring (2)

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

3

 

Total restructuring and related expenses

 

$

52

 

$

26

 

$

80

 

$

132

 

$

325

 

 


(1)         Actual costs, when incurred, will vary due to changes in the assumptions built into this plan.  Significant assumptions likely to change when plans are finalized and implemented include, but are not limited to, changes in severance calculations, changes in the assumptions underlying sublease loss calculations due to changing market conditions, and changes in the overall analysis that might cause the Company to add or cancel component initiatives.

 

(2)         Other costs associated with restructuring initiatives, including moving costs and consulting and legal fees, are recognized when incurred.

 

Following the Hewitt acquisition and the associated increase in personnel and property portfolio, the Company continues to review the propriety of its existing leasehold restructuring accruals based on its current plans.  In the second quarter of 2011, the Company reoccupied some of its previously vacated leasehold space and therefore determined that certain amounts previously accrued for this space were no longer necessary.  The reversal of these accruals for each of the Company’s restructuring plans is discussed below.  In addition, the reoccupation of this space resulted in expenses that had previously been included as part of lease consolidation costs being reversed and included within Other general expenses.  The impact on each of the Company’s restructuring plans is discussed below.

 

11



 

Aon Benfield Restructuring Plan

 

The Company announced a global restructuring plan (“Aon Benfield Plan”) in conjunction with its acquisition of Benfield in 2008.  The Aon Benfield Plan is intended to integrate and streamline operations across the combined Aon Benfield organization.  The Aon Benfield Plan includes an estimated 875 job eliminations. Additionally, duplicate space and assets will be abandoned.  The Company originally estimated that the Aon Benfield Plan would result in cumulative costs totaling approximately $185 million over a three-year period, of which $104 million was recorded as part of the Benfield purchase price allocation and $81 million of which was expected to result in future charges to earnings. The Company currently estimates the Aon Benfield Plan will result in cumulative costs totaling approximately $160 million, of which $53 million was recorded as part of the purchase price allocation, $79 million has been recorded in earnings from inception to date, and an estimated additional $28 million will be recorded in future earnings. The Company expects to incur all remaining costs for the Aon Benfield Plan in the fourth quarter 2011.

 

The Company recorded $3 million of restructuring and related charges in the three months ended September 30, 2011, and a net restructuring benefit of $2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Included in this nine month net benefit is $18 million related to the reversal of accruals associated with reoccupying leasehold space. In addition, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, a benefit of $2 million and charges of $4 million, respectively, related to lease expenses were recorded as part of Other general expenses that were previously included as lease restructuring consolidation costs.

 

The Company recorded $5 million and $20 million of restructuring and related charges in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

 

As of September 30, 2011, approximately 715 jobs have been eliminated under the Aon Benfield Plan. Total payments of $119 million have been made under the Aon Benfield Plan, from inception to date.

 

All costs associated with the Aon Benfield Plan are included in the Risk Solutions segment.  Charges related to the restructuring are included in Compensation and benefits and Other general expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

The following summarizes the restructuring and related costs by type that have been incurred and are estimated to be incurred through the end of the restructuring initiative related to the Aon Benfield Plan (in millions):

 

 

 

Purchase
Price
Allocation

 

2009

 

2010

 

Third
Quarter
2011

 

Nine Months
2011

 

Total
Inception to
Date

 

Estimated
Total Cost for
Restructuring
Period (1)

 

Workforce reduction

 

$

32

 

$

38

 

$

15

 

$

3

 

$

14

 

$

99

 

$

125

 

Lease consolidation

 

20

 

14

 

7

 

(1

)

(17

)

24

 

26

 

Asset impairments

 

 

2

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

4

 

Other costs associated with restructuring (2)

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

1

 

1

 

5

 

5

 

Total restructuring and related expenses

 

$

53

 

$

55

 

$

26

 

$

3

 

$

(2

)

$

132

 

$

160

 

 


(1)         Actual costs, when incurred, will vary due to changes in the assumptions built into this plan.  Significant assumptions likely to change when plans are finalized and implemented include, but are not limited to, changes in severance calculations, changes in the assumptions underlying sublease loss calculations due to changing market conditions, and changes in the overall analysis that might cause the Company to add or cancel component initiatives.

 

(2)         Other costs associated with restructuring initiatives, including moving costs and consulting and legal fees, are recognized when incurred.

 

12



 

2007 Restructuring Plan

 

In 2007, the Company announced a global restructuring plan intended to create a more streamlined organization and reduce future expense growth to better serve clients (“2007 Plan”).  The plan was completed in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the Company does not expect to incur any further expenses.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded a restructuring benefit of $3 million and $8 million, respectively, related to the reversal of accruals associated with reoccupied leasehold space.  In addition, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, $2 million and $5 million, respectively, of lease expenses were recorded as part of Other general expenses that were previously included as restructuring lease consolidation costs.

 

The Company recorded $3 million and $95 million of restructuring and related charges in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

 

The total cumulative pretax charges for the 2007 Plan are $740 million including costs related to workforce reduction, lease consolidation costs, asset impairments, as well as other expenses necessary to implement the restructuring.

 

As of September 30, 2011, the Company’s liabilities for its restructuring plans are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Aon
Hewitt
Plan

 

Aon
Benfield
Plan

 

2007
Plan

 

Other

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2010

 

$

 

$

45

 

$

202

 

$

16

 

$

263

 

Assumed Hewitt restructuring liability (1)

 

43

 

 

 

 

43

 

Expensed

 

52

 

24

 

92

 

 

168

 

Cash payments

 

(8

)

(38

)

(178

)

(8

)

(232

)

Foreign exchange translation and other

 

1

 

(5

)

(3

)

2

 

(5

)

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

88

 

26

 

113

 

10

 

237

 

Expensed (2)

 

73

 

(2

)

(8

)

 

63

 

Cash payments

 

(70

)

(14

)

(45

)

(2

)

(131

)

Foreign exchange translation and other

 

1

 

(1

)

6

 

 

6

 

Balance at September 30, 2011

 

$

92

 

$

9

 

$

66

 

$

8

 

$

175

 

 


(1) The Company assumed a $43 million net real estate related restructuring liability in connection with the Hewitt acquisition.

(2) Includes impact of reoccupying previously vacated leased properties.

 

Aon’s restructuring liabilities are included in both Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

8.  Investments

 

The Company earns income on cash balances and investments, as well as on premium trust balances that Aon maintains for premiums collected from insureds but not yet remitted to insurance companies, and funds held under the terms of certain outsourcing agreements to pay certain obligations on behalf of clients.  Premium trust balances and a corresponding liability are included in Fiduciary assets and Fiduciary liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

13



 

The Company’s interest-bearing assets and other investments are included in the following categories in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

295

 

$

346

 

Short-term investments

 

607

 

785

 

Fiduciary assets

 

4,109

 

3,489

 

Investments

 

254

 

312

 

 

 

$

5,265

 

$

4,932

 

 

The Company’s investments are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Equity method investments

 

$

172

 

$

174

 

Other investments, at cost (1)

 

67

 

123

 

Fixed-maturity securities

 

15

 

15

 

 

 

$

254

 

$

312

 

 


(1)  The reduction in other investments is primarily due to sales and redemptions.

 

9.  Debt

 

At September 30, 2011, the Company had $100 million in commercial paper outstanding as compared to no commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2010. The Company utilizes the proceeds from the commercial paper market from time to time in order to meet short term working capital needs.

 

On May 24, 2011 Aon entered into an underwriting agreement for the sale of $500 million of 3.125% unsecured Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Notes”).  On June 15, 2011, Aon entered into a Term Credit Agreement for unsecured term loan financing of $450 million (“2011 Term Loan Facility”) due on October 1, 2013.  The 2011 Term Loan Facility is a variable rate loan that is based on LIBOR plus a margin and at September 30, 2011, the effective annualized rate was approximately 1.56%.  The Company used the net proceeds from the Notes issuance and 2011 Term Loan Facility borrowings to repay all amounts outstanding under its $1.0 billion three-year credit agreement dated August 13, 2010 (“2010 Term Loan Facility”), which was entered into in connection with the acquisition of Hewitt.  The Company recorded a $19 million loss on the extinguishment of the 2010 Term Loan Facility as a result of the write-off of the related deferred financing costs, which is included in Other income (expense) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

On March 8, 2011, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Aon issued CAD 375 million ($363 million at September 30, 2011 exchange rates) of 4.76% senior unsecured debt securities, which are due in March 2018 and are guaranteed by the Company.  The Company used the net proceeds from this issuance to repay its CAD 375 million 5.05% debt securities upon their maturity on April 12, 2011.

 

10.  Stockholders’ Equity

 

Common Stock

 

In 2007, Aon’s Board of Directors increased the Company’s authorized share repurchase program to $4.6 billion.  In January 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program under which up to $2 billion of common stock may be repurchased (“2010 Share Repurchase

 

14



 

Program”).  Repurchases under the 2010 Share Repurchase Program commenced in the first quarter 2011, upon conclusion of the prior program.  Shares may be repurchased through the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, including structured repurchase programs, from time to time, based on prevailing market conditions, and will be funded from available capital.  Any repurchased shares will be available for employee stock plans and for other corporate purposes.

 

In the third quarter 2011, Aon repurchased 3.8 million shares at an average price per share of $45.61 for a total cost of $175 million.  In the first nine months of 2011, Aon repurchased 16.4 million shares at an average price per share of $50.39, for a total cost of $828 million.  In the third quarter 2010, Aon did not repurchase any shares.  In the first nine months of 2010, Aon repurchased 2.4 million shares for a total cost of $100 million.  Since the inception of its share repurchase program in 2005, Aon has repurchased a total of 128.3 million shares for an aggregate cost of $5.4 billion.  As of September 30, 2011, Aon was authorized to purchase up to $1.2 billion of additional shares under the 2010 Share Repurchase Program.

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, Aon issued 0.5 million shares of common stock in relation to the exercise of options issued to former holders of Hewitt options as part of the Hewitt acquisition.  In addition, in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 Aon reissued 6.7 million shares of treasury stock for employee benefit programs and 0.2 million shares in connection with employee stock purchase plans.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Aon reissued 6.8 million shares of treasury stock for employee benefit programs and 0.3 million shares in connection with employee stock purchase plans.

 

Participating Securities

 

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are participating securities, as defined, and therefore, are included in computing basic and diluted earnings per share using the two class method.  Certain of Aon’s restricted stock awards allow the holder to receive a non-forfeitable dividend equivalent.

 

Income from continuing operations, income (loss) from discontinued operations and net income, attributable to participating securities, were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

3

 

$

3

 

$

11

 

$

11

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Net income

 

$

3

 

$

3

 

$

11

 

$

10

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Shares for basic earnings per share (1)

 

332.6

 

278.7

 

336.7

 

277.6

 

Common stock equivalents

 

4.3

 

3.5

 

5.1

 

4.3

 

Shares for diluted earnings per share

 

336.9

 

282.2

 

341.8

 

281.9

 

 


(1)  Includes 5.2 million and 5.8 million of participating securities for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 5.5 million and 6.1 million of participating securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

15



 

Certain common stock equivalents, primarily related to stock options, were not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.  The number of shares excluded from the calculation was 1.0 million and 5.1 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The number of shares excluded from the calculation was 0.1 million and 5.0 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The components of other comprehensive income (loss), net of related tax, are as follows (in millions): 

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net change in derivative (losses) gains

 

(9

)

2

 

(14

)

(24

)

Net foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(209

)

207

 

(12

)

(66

)

Net post-retirement benefit obligations

 

15

 

13

 

42

 

68

 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(203

)

222

 

16

 

(22

)

Less: other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(1

)

5

 

(1

)

16

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Aon stockholders

 

$

(202

)

$

217

 

$

17

 

$

(38

)

 

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related tax, are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

September 30,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Net derivative losses

 

$

(38

)

$

(24

)

Net foreign currency translation adjustments

 

157

 

168

 

Net post-retirement benefit obligations

 

(2,019

)

(2,061

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

$

(1,900

)

$

(1,917

)

 

11.   Employee Benefits

 

The following table provides the components of the net periodic benefit cost for Aon’s U.S. pension plans, along with the material international plans, which are located in the U.K., the Netherlands, and Canada (in millions):

 

16



 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

U.S.

 

International

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

 

$

5

 

$

3

 

Interest cost

 

31

 

32

 

67

 

61

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(30

)

(30

)

(73

)

(60

)

Amortization of net loss

 

8

 

7

 

14

 

14

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

9

 

$

9

 

$

13

 

$

18

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

U.S.

 

International

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

 

$

15

 

$

9

 

Interest cost

 

92

 

93

 

201

 

183

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(90

)

(89

)

(217

)

(177

)

Amortization of net loss

 

23

 

18

 

41

 

40

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

25

 

$

22

 

$

40

 

$

55

 

 

Based on current assumptions, in 2011, Aon plans to contribute $114 million and $365 million to its U.S. and material international defined benefit pension plans, respectively.  For the first nine months of 2011, contributions of $96 million have been made to the Company’s U.S. pension plans and $292 million have been made to its material international pension plans.

 

12.  Stock Compensation Plans

 

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income in Compensation and benefits (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Restricted stock units (“RSUs”)

 

$

31

 

$

29

 

$

108

 

$

99

 

Performance plans

 

24

 

10

 

59

 

51

 

Stock options

 

2

 

3

 

7

 

13

 

Employee stock purchase plans

 

2

 

1

 

5

 

3

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

59

 

$

43

 

$

179

 

$

166

 

 

Stock Awards

 

In the first nine months of 2011, the Company granted approximately 1.2 million shares in connection with the 2008 Leadership Performance Plan cycle, 0.3 million shares related to a 2006 performance plan, and restricted shares of approximately 3.3 million in connection with the Company’s incentive compensation plans.  In the first nine months of 2010, the Company granted approximately 1.7 million shares in connection with the completion of the 2007 Leadership Performance Plan cycle and restricted shares of approximately 3.3 million in connection with the Company’s incentive compensation plans.

 

17



 

A summary of the status of Aon’s non-vested stock awards is as follows (shares in thousands):

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Shares

 

Fair
Value (1)

 

Shares

 

Fair
Value (1)

 

Non-vested at beginning of period

 

10,674

 

$

38

 

12,850

 

$

36

 

Granted

 

4,831

 

50

 

4,984

 

39

 

Vested

 

(4,850

)

42

 

(6,288

)

35

 

Forfeited

 

(410

)

39

 

(412

)

38

 

Non-vested at end of period

 

10,245

 

42

 

11,134

 

38

 

 


(1) Represents per share weighted average fair value of award at date of grant

 

Information regarding Aon’s performance-based plans follows (shares in thousands, dollars in millions):

 

 

 

As of September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Potential RSUs to be issued based on current performance levels

 

5,791

 

4,883

 

Unamortized expense, based on current performance levels

 

$

107

 

$

107

 

 

Stock Options

 

In connection with its incentive compensation plans, in the third quarter of 2011 the Company did not grant any options.  In the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, the Company granted 80,000 stock options at $53 per share and 143,000 stock options at $38 per share, respectively.

 

The weighted average assumptions, the weighted average expected life and estimated fair value of employee stock options are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average volatility

 

N/A

 

27.8

%

26.1

%

28.5

%

Expected dividend yield

 

N/A

 

1.6

%

1.3

%

1.6

%

Risk-free rate

 

N/A

 

2.2

%

2.2

%

3.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average expected life, in years

 

N/A

 

6.1

 

5.5

 

6.1

 

Weighted average estimated fair value per share

 

N/A

 

$

9.13

 

$

10.92

 

$

10.37

 

 

A summary of the status of Aon’s stock options and related information is as follows (shares in thousands):

 

18



 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

13,919

 

$

32

 

15,937

 

$

33

 

Granted

 

80

 

53

 

142

 

38

 

Exercised

 

(3,781

)

32

 

(2,382

)

30

 

Forfeited and expired

 

(300

)

37

 

(402

)

34

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

9,918

 

32

 

13,295

 

33

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

8,566

 

30

 

10,535

 

32

 

 

The weighted average remaining contractual life, in years, of outstanding options was 3.3 years and 3.6 years at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on options with an exercise price less than the Company’s closing stock price of $41.98 as of September 30, 2011, which would have been received by the option holders had those option holders exercised their options as of that date.  At September 30, 2011, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding was $105 million, of which $101 million was exercisable.

 

Other information related to the Company’s stock options is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised

 

$

4

 

$

5

 

$

69

 

$

26

 

Cash received from the exercise of stock options

 

8

 

12

 

129

 

71

 

Tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options

 

 

 

12

 

4

 

 

Unamortized deferred compensation expense, which includes both options and awards, amounted to $294 million as of September 30, 2011, with a remaining weighted-average amortization period of approximately 2.0 years.

 

13.  Derivatives and Hedging

 

Aon is exposed to risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  To manage the risk related to these exposures, Aon enters into various derivative transactions that reduce Aon’s market risks by creating offsetting exposures.  Aon does not enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

 

Aon and its subsidiaries are exposed to foreign exchange risk when they receive revenues, pay expenses, or enter into intercompany loans denominated in a currency that differs from their functional currency.  Aon uses foreign exchange derivatives, typically forward contracts, options and cross currency swaps, to reduce its overall exposure to the effects of currency fluctuations on cash flows.  Aon has hedged these exposures up to five years in the future.  Aon also uses foreign exchange derivatives, typically forward contracts and options, to hedge its net investments in foreign operations for up to two years in the future and to reduce the impact of currency fluctuations on the translation of

 

19



 

the financial statements for foreign operations and to manage the Company’s global liquidity profile for one year in the future.

 

Interest Rate Risk Management

 

Aon holds variable-rate short-term brokerage and other operating deposits. Aon uses interest rate derivatives, typically swaps, to reduce its exposure to the effects of interest rate fluctuations on the forecasted interest receipts from these deposits for up to two years in the future.

 

Certain derivatives also give rise to credit risks from the possible non-performance by counterparties.  The credit risk is generally limited to the fair value of those contracts that are favorable to Aon.  Aon has limited its credit risk by using International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) master agreements, collateral and credit support arrangements, entering into non-exchange-traded derivatives with highly-rated major financial institutions and by using exchange-traded instruments.  Aon monitors the credit-worthiness of, and exposure to, its counterparties.  As of September 30, 2011, all net derivative positions were free of credit risk contingent features.  In addition, Aon did not receive or pledge collateral for any derivatives as of September 30, 2011.

 

The notional and fair values of derivative instruments are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative Assets (1)

 

Derivative Liabilities (2)

 

 

 

Notional Amount

 

Fair Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

Sept. 30,
2011

 

Dec. 31,
2010

 

Sept. 30,
2011

 

Dec. 31,
2010

 

Sept. 30,
2011

 

Dec. 31,
2010

 

Derivatives accounted for as hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

1,452

 

$

1,326

 

$

15

 

$

15

 

$

 

$

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

1,328

 

1,522

 

135

 

157

 

172

 

157

 

Total

 

2,780

 

2,848

 

150

 

172

 

172

 

157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

260

 

238

 

2

 

2

 

8

 

1

 

Total

 

$

3,040

 

$

3,086

 

$

152

 

$

174

 

$

180

 

$

158

 

 


(1) Included within Other assets

(2) Included within Other liabilities

 

20



 

The amounts of derivative gains (losses) recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Gain (Loss) recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts (1)

 

$

1

 

$

(12

)

$

(1

)

$

(10

)

Foreign exchange contracts (2)

 

(10

)

41

 

(31

)

(99

)

Total

 

(9

)

29

 

(32

)

(109

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Net Investment Hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

$

13

 

$

(131

)

$

(4

)

$

74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (Loss) reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income (Effective Portion):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow Hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts (1)

 

$

 

$

4

 

$

1

 

$

15

 

Foreign exchange contracts (2)

 

3

 

22

 

(12

)

(84

)

Total

 

3

 

26

 

(11

)

(69

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Net Investment Hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 


(1) Included within Fiduciary investment income and Interest expense

(2) Included within Other general expenses and Interest expense

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative (1)

 

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Related Hedged Item (2)

 

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative (1)

 

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Related Hedged Item (2)

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Fair value hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

$

2

 

$

(2

)

$

(3

)

$

2

 

$

 

$

10

 

$

1

 

$

(9

)

 


(1) Relates to fixed rate debt

(2) Included in Interest expense

 

It is estimated that approximately $27 million of pretax losses currently included within Accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings in the next twelve months.

 

The amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on the ineffective portion of derivatives for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was inconsequential.

 

In both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, Aon recorded a loss of $9 million, respectively, in Other general expenses for foreign exchange derivatives not designated or qualifying as hedges. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, Aon recorded a gain of $3 million and $7 million, respectively.

 

21



 

14.  Variable Interest Entities

 

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

 

Aon has an ownership interest in Juniperus Insurance Opportunity Fund Limited (“Juniperus”), which is an investment vehicle that invests in an actively managed and diversified portfolio of insurance risks.  Aon has concluded that Juniperus is a VIE.  However, Aon has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary as it lacks the power to direct the activities of Juniperus that most significantly impact economic performance, and therefore this entity is not consolidated.  The investment in Juniperus is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

 

The Company’s potential loss at September 30, 2011 is limited to its investment in Juniperus of $60 million, which is recorded in Investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

15.  Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

 

Accounting standards establish a three tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

·                  Level 1 — observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets in active markets;

·                  Level 2 — inputs other than quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

·                  Level 3 — unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data which requires the use of valuation techniques and the development of assumptions.

 

The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:

 

Money market funds and highly liquid debt securities are carried at cost and amortized cost, respectively, as an approximation of fair value.  Based on market convention, the Company considers cost a practical and expedient measure of fair value.

 

Fixed maturity investments are carried at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices or on estimated values if they are not actively traded.  In some cases where a market price is not available, the Company will make use of acceptable expedients (such as matrix pricing) to estimate fair value.

 

Derivatives are carried at fair value, based upon industry standard valuation techniques that use, where possible, current market-based or independently sourced pricing inputs, such as interest rates, currency exchange rates, or implied volatilities.

 

Debt is carried at outstanding principal balance, less any unamortized discount or premium.  Fair value is based on quoted market prices or estimates using discounted cash flow analyses based on current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 

The following tables present the categorization of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in millions):

 

22



 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

Significant

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

Active Markets

 

Other

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

Balance at

 

for Identical

 

Observable

 

Inputs

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

 

Assets (Level 1)

 

Inputs (Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds and highly liquid debt securities (1)

 

$

2,500

 

$

2,450

 

$

50

 

$

 

Other investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

12

 

 

 

12

 

Government bonds

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

15

 

 

15

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

137

 

 

137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

180

 

 

180

 

 

 


(1)  Includes $2,450 million of money market funds and $50 million of highly liquid debt securities that are classified as fiduciary assets, short-term investments or cash equivalents in the condensed consolidated statements of financial position, depending on their nature and initial maturity.  See Note 8 “Investments” for additional information regarding the Company’s investments.

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements Using

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices in

 

Significant

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

Active Markets

 

Other

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

Balance at

 

for Identical

 

Observable

 

Inputs

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

Assets (Level 1)

 

Inputs (Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds and highly liquid debt securities (1)

 

$

2,618

 

$

2,591

 

$

27

 

$

 

Other investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

12

 

 

 

12

 

Government bonds

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

15

 

 

15

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

159

 

 

159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

158

 

 

158

 

 

 


(1)  Includes $2,591 million of money market funds and $27 million of highly liquid debt securities that are classified as fiduciary assets, short-term investments or cash equivalents in the condensed consolidated statements of financial position, depending on their nature and initial maturity.  See Note 8 “Investments” for additional information regarding the Company’s investments.

 

The following table presents the changes in the Level 3 fair-value category (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Other Investments

 

Other Investments

 

Other Investments

 

Other Investments

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

12

 

$

21

 

$

12

 

$

100

 

Total gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income

 

 

1

 

 

 

Purchases

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

 

(10

)

 

(1

)

Transfers (1)

 

 

 

 

(87

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

12

 

$

12

 

$

12

 

$

12

 

 


(1) Transfers represent the removal of the investment in PEPS I preferred stock as a result of consolidating PEPS I on January 1, 2010.

 

23



 

There are no realized or unrealized gains or losses related to assets and liabilities measured at fair value using level three inputs included in income for either the three or six months ended September 30, 2011.

 

The following table discloses the Company’s financial instruments where the carrying amounts and fair values differ (in millions):

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

 

 

Value

 

Value

 

Value

 

Value

 

Long-term debt

 

$

4,415

 

$

4,685

 

$

4,014

 

$

4,172

 

 

16.  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal

 

Aon and its subsidiaries are subject to numerous claims, tax assessments, lawsuits and proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business, which frequently include errors and omissions (“E&O”) claims.  The damages claimed in these matters are or may be substantial, including, in many instances, claims for punitive, treble or extraordinary damages.  Aon has historically purchased E&O insurance and other insurance to provide protection against certain losses that arise in such matters.  Aon has exhausted or materially depleted its coverage under some of the policies that protect the Company and, consequently, is self-insured or materially self-insured for some historical claims.  Accruals for these exposures, and related insurance receivables, when applicable, have been provided to the extent that losses are deemed probable and are reasonably estimable.  These accruals and receivables are adjusted from time to time as developments warrant.  Amounts related to settlement provisions are recorded in Other general expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

At the time of the 2004-05 investigation of the insurance industry by the Attorney General of New York and other regulators, purported classes of clients filed civil litigation against Aon and other companies under a variety of legal theories, including state tort, contract, fiduciary duty, antitrust and statutory theories and federal antitrust and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) theories.  The federal actions were consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and a state court collective action was filed in California.  In the New Jersey actions, the Court dismissed plaintiffs’ federal antitrust and RICO claims in separate orders in August and October 2007, respectively.  In August 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed the dismissals of most, but not all, of the claims.  In March 2011, Aon entered into a Memorandum of Understanding documenting a settlement of the civil cases consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Under that agreement, Aon will pay $550,000 in exchange for dismissal of the class claims. This agreement remains subject to court approval. Several non-class claims brought by individual plaintiffs who opted out of the class action proceeding will remain pending, but the Company does not believe these present material exposure to the Company individually or in the aggregate.  The outcome of these lawsuits, and any losses or other payments that may result, cannot be predicted at this time.

 

Following inquiries from regulators, the Company commenced an internal review of its compliance with certain U.S. and non-U.S. anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

 

24



 

(“FCPA”).  In January 2009, Aon Limited, Aon’s principal U.K. brokerage subsidiary, entered into a settlement agreement with the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) to pay a £5.25 million fine arising from its failure to exercise reasonable care to establish and maintain effective systems and controls to counter the risks of bribery arising from the use of overseas firms and individuals who helped it win business.  The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) continue to investigate these matters.  Aon is fully cooperating with these investigations and has agreed with the U.S. agencies to toll any applicable statute of limitations pending completion of the investigations.  Based on current information, the Company is unable to predict at this time when the SEC and DOJ matters will be concluded, or what regulatory or other outcomes may result.

 

A retail insurance brokerage subsidiary of Aon provides insurance brokerage services to Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Northrop”).  This Aon subsidiary placed Northrop’s excess property insurance program for the period covering 2005.  Northrop suffered a substantial loss in August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina damaged Northrop’s facilities in the Gulf states.  Northrop’s excess insurance carrier, Factory Mutual Insurance Company (“Factory Mutual”), denied coverage for the claim pursuant to a flood exclusion.  Northrop sued Factory Mutual in the United States District Court for the Central District of California and later sought to add this Aon subsidiary as a defendant, asserting that if Northrop’s policy with Factory Mutual does not cover the losses suffered by Northrop stemming from Hurricane Katrina, then this Aon subsidiary will be responsible for Northrop’s losses.  On August 26, 2010, the court granted in large part Factory Mutual’s motion for partial summary judgment regarding the applicability of the flood exclusion and denied Northrop’s motion to add this Aon subsidiary as a defendant in the federal lawsuit.  On January 27, 2011, Northrop filed suit against this Aon subsidiary in state court in Los Angeles, California, pleading claims for negligence, breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation.  Aon believes that it has meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.  The outcome of this lawsuit, and the amount of any losses or other payments that may result, cannot be predicted at this time.

 

Another retail insurance brokerage subsidiary of Aon has been sued in Tennessee state court by a client, Opry Mills Mall Limited Partnership (“Opry Mills”), that sustained flood damage to its property in May 2010.  The lawsuit seeks $200 million from numerous insurers with whom this Aon subsidiary placed the client’s property insurance coverage.  The insurers contend that only $50 million in coverage is available for the loss because the flood event occurred on property in a high hazard flood zone.  Opry Mills is seeking full coverage from the insurers for the loss and has sued this Aon subsidiary in the alternative for the same $150 million difference on various theories of professional liability if the court determines there is not full coverage.  Aon believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to vigorously defend itself against these claims.  The outcome of this lawsuit, and any losses or other payments that may result, cannot be predicted at this time.

 

From time to time, Aon’s clients may bring claims and take legal action pertaining to the performance of fiduciary responsibilities.  Whether client claims and legal action related to the Company’s performance of fiduciary responsibilities are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are resolved in a manner unfavorable to the Company, they may adversely affect Aon’s financial results and materially impair the market perception of the Company and that of its products and services.

 

Although the ultimate outcome of all matters referred to above cannot be ascertained, and liabilities in indeterminate amounts may be imposed on Aon or its subsidiaries, on the basis of present information, amounts already provided, availability of insurance coverages and legal advice received, it is the opinion of management that the disposition or ultimate determination of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position of Aon.  However, it is possible that

 

25



 

future results of operations or cash flows for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by an unfavorable resolution of these matters.

 

Guarantees and Indemnifications

 

Aon provides a variety of guarantees and indemnifications to its customers and others.  The maximum potential amount of future payments represents the notional amounts that could become payable under the guarantees and indemnifications if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties, without consideration of possible recoveries under recourse provisions or other methods.  These amounts may bear no relationship to the expected future payments, if any, for these guarantees and indemnifications.  Any anticipated amounts payable which are deemed to be probable and estimable are accrued in Aon’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Aon had total letters of credit (“LOCs”) outstanding for approximately $76 million and $71 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  These letters of credit cover the beneficiaries related to Aon’s Canadian pension plan scheme, secure deductible retentions on Aon’s own workers compensation program, an Aon Hewitt sublease agreement for office space, and one of the U.S. pension plans.  Aon also has issued letters of credit to cover contingent payments for taxes and other business obligations to third parties, and other guarantees for miscellaneous purposes at its international subsidiaries.  Amounts are accrued in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements to the extent the guarantees are probable and estimable.

 

Aon has certain contractual contingent guarantees for premium payments owed by clients to certain insurance companies.  Costs associated with these guarantees, to the extent estimable and probable, are provided in Aon’s allowance for doubtful accounts.  The maximum exposure with respect to such contractual contingent guarantees was approximately $8 million at September 30, 2011.

 

Aon has provided commitments to fund certain limited partnerships in which it has an interest in the event that the general partners request funding.  Some of these commitments have specific expiration dates and the maximum potential funding under these commitments was $69 million at September 30, 2011.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company funded $1 million and $13 million, respectively, of these commitments.

 

Aon expects that, as prudent business interests dictate, additional guarantees and indemnifications may be issued from time to time.

 

17.  Related Party Transactions

 

During the first nine months of 2011, the Company, in the ordinary course of business, provided retail brokerage, consulting and financial advisory services to, and received wholesale brokerage services from, an entity that is controlled by one of the Company’s stockholders.  These transactions were negotiated on an arms-length basis and contain customary terms and conditions.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, commissions and fee revenue from these transactions was approximately $3 million and $5 million, respectively.  At September 30, 2011, an amount less than $0.1 million were due to the Company.

 

18.  Segment Information

 

Aon classifies its businesses into two operating segments:  Risk Solutions and HR Solutions.  Unallocated income and expenses, when combined with the operating segments and after the

 

26



 

elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses, equal to the amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Operating segments have been determined using a management approach, which is consistent with the basis and manner in which Aon’s chief operating decision-maker uses financial information for the purposes of allocating resources and evaluating performance.  Aon evaluates performance based on stand-alone operating segment operating income and generally accounts for inter-segment revenue as if the revenue were from third parties and at what management believes are current market prices.

 

Risk Solutions acts as an advisor and insurance and reinsurance broker, helping clients manage their risks, via consultation, as well as negotiation and placement of insurance risk with insurance carriers through Aon’s global distribution network.

 

HR Solutions partners with organizations to solve their most complex benefits, talent and related financial challenges, and improve business performance by designing, implementing, communicating and administering a wide range of human capital, retirement, investment management, health care, compensation and talent management strategies.

 

Aon’s total revenue is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Risk Solutions

 

$

1,617

 

$

1,484

 

$

4,994

 

$

4,658

 

HR Solutions

 

1,112

 

321

 

3,319

 

960

 

Intersegment elimination

 

(6

)

(4

)

(20

)

(15

)

Total revenue

 

$

2,723

 

$

1,801

 

$

8,293

 

$

5,603

 

 

Commissions, fees and other revenues by product are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Retail brokerage

 

$

1,237

 

$

1,108

 

$

3,837

 

$

3,508

 

Reinsurance brokerage

 

365

 

361

 

1,119

 

1,108

 

Total Risk Solutions Segment

 

1,602

 

1,469

 

4,956

 

4,616

 

Consulting services

 

555

 

268

 

1,670

 

808

 

Outsourcing

 

561

 

53

 

1,667

 

151

 

Intrasegment

 

(4

)

 

(18

)

 

Total HR Solutions Segment

 

1,112

 

321

 

3,319

 

959

 

Intersegment

 

(6

)

(4

)

(20

)

(15

)

Total commissions, fees and other revenue

 

$

2,708

 

$

1,786

 

$

8,255

 

$

5,560

 

 

Fiduciary investment income by segment is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Risk Solutions

 

$

15

 

$

15

 

$

38

 

$

42

 

HR Solutions

 

 

 

 

1

 

Total fiduciary investment income

 

$

15

 

$

15

 

$

38

 

$

43

 

 

27



 

A reconciliation of segment operating income before tax to income from continuing operations before income taxes is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Risk Solutions

 

$

308

 

$

258

 

$

969

 

$

820

 

HR Solutions

 

77

 

54

 

315

 

148

 

Unallocated expenses

 

(44

)

(49

)

(113

)

(164

)

Operating income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

341

 

263

 

1,171

 

804

 

Interest income

 

4

 

4

 

14

 

9

 

Interest expense

 

(60

)

(50

)

(186

)

(117

)

Other (expense) income

 

7

 

(9

)

1

 

3

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

$

292

 

$

208

 

$

1,000

 

$

699

 

 

Unallocated expenses include administrative or other costs not attributable to the operating segments, such as corporate governance costs and the costs associated with corporate investments.  Interest income represents income earned primarily on operating cash balances and certain income producing securities.  Interest expense represents the cost of worldwide debt obligations.

 

Other income (expense) consists of equity earnings, realized gains or losses on the sale of investments, gains or losses on the disposal of businesses, and also includes the loss on extinguishment of debt.

 

28



 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THIRD QUARTER 2011 FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

The challenging global economic environment and competitive pricing pressure continues to provide headwinds for our Risk Solutions and HR Solutions businesses.  The current global economy continues to place pressure on our business in four primary ways:

 

·                  Pricing pressure in both the risk and benefits businesses resulting from the competitive environment and excess capacity due to an imbalance of supply and demand,

·                  decreased drivers of economic growth, such as payroll, number of active employees, corporate revenues and asset values,

·                  client cost-driven behavior, where clients are actively looking to reduce spending in order to meet budget reductions and/or decrease discretionary project spend, and

·                  sector specific weakness, including financial services, construction, private equity and mergers and acquisitions, all of which have been particularly impacted by the current economic downturn.

 

We focus on three key metrics each quarter that we communicate to shareholders.  Our performance against these three metrics for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 is as follows:

 

·                  Organic revenue growth, a non-GAAP measure as defined under the caption “Review of Consolidated Results — General” below, was 1% in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, an improvement compared to flat organic revenue growth in the third quarter 2010 and a 1% decline in the first nine months of 2010, as global economic conditions begin to stabilize following the economic slowdown that has impacted the global markets since 2008 with cautionary discretionary spend.

 

·                  Adjusted operating margin, a non-GAAP measure as defined under the caption “Review of Consolidated Results — General” below, for the third quarter was 14.3% for Aon overall, 19.0% for the Risk Solutions segment, and 11.2% for the HR Solutions segment.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, adjusted operating margin was 15.5% for Aon overall, 19.2% for the Risk Solutions segment and 13.2% for the HR Solutions segment.  Adjusted operating margins for both the quarter and first nine months declined across HR Solutions and for the Company overall compared to the prior year periods primarily due to higher intangible asset amortization expense associated with the acquisition of Hewitt, which is included in our results beginning October 1, 2010.  Risk Solutions segment adjusted operating margins increased for the quarter compared to the same quarter in the prior year due to organic revenue growth, however; decreased for the first nine months as revenue growth was partially offset by lease abandonment costs.

 

·                  Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Aon’s stockholders, a non-GAAP measure as defined under the caption “Review of Consolidated Results — General” below, was $0.69 per share in the third quarter of 2011 and $2.32 per share for the first nine months of 2011, compared to $0.61 and $2.26 per share in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively.

 

Additionally, the following is a summary of our third quarter and first nine months 2011 financial results:

 

·                  For the quarter, revenue increased $922 million, or 51%, to $2.7 billion as a result of acquisitions, primarily Hewitt, net of dispositions, a 5% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, and 1% growth in organic revenue. Fiduciary investment income was essentially flat when compared to the prior year.  Organic revenue

 

29



 

grew 3% in the Risk Solutions segment and declined 2% in  the HR Solutions segment.  Year to date, revenue increased $2.7 billion, or 48%, to $8.3 billion due primarily to an increase from the Hewitt acquisition and other acquisitions, net of dispositions, a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, and 1% organic revenue growth.

 

·                  Operating expenses for the quarter were $2.4 billion, an increase of 55% or $844 million over the prior year.   Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2011 were $7.1 billion, a 48% or $2.3 billion increase over 2010.  The increase in both periods is primarily a result of the inclusion of operating expenses from acquisitions, primarily Hewitt, and an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange rates.   Increases in intangible asset amortization expense of  $61 million and $187 million for the quarter and first nine months, respectively, were partially offset by benefits related to the restructuring initiatives and a decrease in restructuring related expenses.  In addition, the first nine months of prior year included a $49 million non-cash U.S defined benefit pension plan expense, arising from an adjustment to the market-related value of plan assets.

 

·                  Operating margin from continuing operations decreased to 12.5% in the third quarter 2011 from 14.6% in the third quarter 2010.  Operating margin was 14.1% as compared to 14.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

·                  Net income from continuing operations attributable to Aon stockholders for the third quarter 2011 increased $54 million, or 38%, from the third quarter 2010 to $198 million.  Year to date, Net income from continuing operations attributable to Aon stockholders increased $197 million, or 39%, compared to the first nine months 2010 to $698 million.

 

REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

 

General

 

In our discussion of operating results, we sometimes refer to supplemental information derived from consolidated financial information specifically related to organic revenue growth, adjusted operating margin, adjusted diluted earnings per share, and the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on operating results.

 

Organic Revenue

 

We use supplemental information related to organic revenue to help us and our investors evaluate business growth from existing operations.  Organic revenue excludes the impact of foreign exchange rate changes, acquisitions, divestitures, transfers between business units, fiduciary investment income, reimbursable expenses, and unusual items.  Supplemental information related to organic growth represents a measure not in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and should be viewed in addition to, not instead of, our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Industry peers provide similar supplemental information about their revenue performance, although they may not make identical adjustments.  Reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure, organic revenue growth percentages, to the reported Commissions, fees and other revenue growth percentages, has been provided in the “Review by Segment” caption, below.

 

30



 

Adjusted Operating Margins

 

We use adjusted operating margin as a measure of core operating performance of our Risk Solutions and HR Solutions businesses.  Adjusted operating margin excludes the impact of noteworthy items, including restructuring charges and Hewitt-related costs. This supplemental information related to adjusted operating margin represents a measure not in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and should be viewed in addition to, not instead of, our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

A reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the reported operating margin is as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

Total Aon (1)

 

Risk
Solutions

 

HR
Solutions

 

Total Aon (1)

 

Risk
Solutions

 

HR
Solutions

 

Revenue - U.S. GAAP

 

$

2,723

 

$

1,617

 

$

1,112

 

$

8,293

 

$

4,994

 

$

3,319

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income - U.S. GAAP

 

$

341

 

$

308

 

$

77

 

$

1,171

 

$

969

 

$

315

 

Restructuring charges

 

26

 

 

26

 

70

 

(10

)

80

 

Pension adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hewitt related costs

 

22

 

 

22

 

42

 

 

42

 

Operating income - as adjusted

 

$

389

 

$

308

 

$

125

 

$

1,283

 

$

959

 

$

437

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margins - U.S. GAAP

 

12.5

%

19.0

%

6.9

%

14.1

%

19.4

%

9.5

%

Operating margins - as adjusted

 

14.3

%

19.0

%

11.2

%

15.5

%

19.2

%

13.2

%

 


(1) Includes unallocated expenses and the elimination of inter-segment revenue.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

 

 

 

Total Aon (1)

 

Risk
Solutions

 

HR
Solutions

 

Total Aon (1)

 

Risk
Solutions

 

HR
Solutions

 

Revenue - U.S. GAAP

 

$

1,801

 

$

1,484

 

$

321

 

$

5,603

 

$

4,658

 

$

960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income - U.S. GAAP

 

$

263

 

$

258

 

$

54

 

$

804

 

$

820

 

$

148

 

Restructuring charges

 

8

 

8

 

 

115

 

106

 

9

 

Pension adjustment

 

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

Hewitt related costs

 

19

 

 

1

 

19

 

 

1

 

Operating income - as adjusted

 

$

290

 

$

266

 

$

55

 

$

987

 

$

926

 

$

158

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating margins - U.S. GAAP

 

14.6

%

17.4

%

16.8

%

14.3

%

17.6

%

15.4

%

Operating margins - as adjusted

 

16.1

%

17.9

%

17.1

%

17.6

%

19.9

%

16.5

%

 


(1) Includes unallocated expenses and the elimination of inter-segment revenue.

 

Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

 

We also use adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations as a measure of Aon’s core operating performance.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share excludes the impact of restructuring charges and Hewitt-related costs, along with related income taxes and represents a measure not in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should be viewed in addition to, not instead of, our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Reconciliations of this non-GAAP measure to the reported diluted earnings per share are as follows (in millions except per share data):

 

31



 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

As
Adjusted

 

U.S. GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

As
Adjusted

 

Operating Income

 

$

341

 

$

48

 

$

389

 

$

1,171

 

$

112

 

$

1,283

 

Interest income

 

4

 

 

4

 

14

 

 

14

 

Interest expense

 

(60

)

 

(60

)

(186

)

 

(186

)

Other income

 

7

 

 

7

 

1

 

19

 

20

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

292

 

48

 

340

 

1,000

 

131

 

1,131

 

Income taxes

 

84

 

14

 

98

 

274

 

36

 

310

 

Income from continuing operations

 

208

 

34

 

242

 

726

 

95

 

821

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

10

 

 

10

 

28

 

 

28

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to Aon stockholders

 

$

198

 

$

34

 

$

232

 

$

698

 

$

95

 

$

793

 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

0.59

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.69

 

$

2.04

 

$

0.28

 

$

2.32

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

 

336.9

 

336.9

 

336.9

 

341.8

 

341.8

 

341.8

 

 

Impact of Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuations

 

Because we conduct business in more than 120 countries, foreign exchange rate fluctuations have a significant impact on our business.  In comparison to the U.S. dollar, foreign exchange rate movements may be significant and may distort true period-to-period comparisons of changes in revenue or pretax income.  Therefore, to give financial statement users more meaningful information about our operations, we have provided a discussion of the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on our financial results.  The methodology used to calculate this impact isolates the impact of the change in currencies between periods by translating last year’s revenue, expenses and net income at this year’s foreign exchange rates.  Currency fluctuations had a favorable impact of $0.03 and $0.04 in the third quarter and first nine months 2011, respectively, on adjusted net income from continuing operations per diluted share when the Company translates prior year quarter results at current quarter foreign exchange rates.

 

Summary of Results

 

The consolidated results of continuing operations follow (in millions):

 

32


 


 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions, fees and other

 

$

2,708

 

$

1,786

 

$

8,255

 

$

5,560

 

Fiduciary investment income

 

15

 

15

 

38

 

43

 

Total revenue

 

2,723

 

1,801

 

8,293

 

5,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

1,634

 

1,050

 

4,843

 

3,382

 

Other general expenses

 

748

 

488

 

2,279

 

1,417

 

Total operating expenses

 

2,382

 

1,538

 

7,122

 

4,799

 

Operating income

 

341

 

263

 

1,171

 

804

 

Interest income

 

4

 

4

 

14

 

9

 

Interest expense

 

(60

)

(50

)

(186

)

(117

)

Other (expense) income

 

7

 

(9

)

1

 

3

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

292

 

208

 

1,000

 

699

 

Income taxes

 

84

 

61

 

274

 

182

 

Income from continuing operations

 

208

 

147

 

726

 

517

 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, after-tax

 

 

 

4

 

(26

)

Net income

 

208

 

147

 

730

 

491

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

10

 

3

 

28

 

16

 

Net income attributable to Aon stockholders

 

$

198

 

$

144

 

$

702

 

$

475

 

 

Revenue

 

Revenue increased by $922 million, or 51%, in the third quarter 2011 compared to 2010, and increased $2.7 billion, or 48%, on a year-to-date basis.  The third quarter increase consists of a $791 million increase in the HR Solutions segment and a $133 million, or 9%, increase in the Risk Solutions segment.   Fiduciary investment income was flat to prior year.  The increase in the HR Solutions segment compared to the prior year quarter was primarily driven by the Hewitt acquisition and a favorable impact from foreign exchange rates.  Organic revenue in the HR Solutions segment for the quarter declined 2% compared to 2010.  The 9% increase in the Risk Solutions segment reflects a 5% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, 3% organic revenue growth, and a 1% increase from acquisitions, net of dispositions.

 

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased $2.7 billion from the comparable prior year, due to a $2.4 billion increase in HR Solutions and $340 million, or 7%, increase in Risk Solutions partially offset by a $4 million decrease in Fiduciary investment income.  The increase in HR Solutions was primarily driven by the Hewitt acquisition and a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates.  Organic revenue in HR Solutions was flat compared to the first nine months 2010.  The 7% increase in the Risk Solutions segment reflects a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, 2% organic revenue growth, and a 1% increase from acquisition, net of dispositions, partially offset by a $5 million decrease in Fiduciary investment income.

 

Compensation and Benefits

 

Compensation and benefits increased $584 million, or 56%, from third quarter 2010.  On a year-to-date basis, Compensation and benefits increased $1.5 billion, or 43%, from last year.  In both periods, the increase was driven by the inclusion of staff costs from acquisitions, primarily the Hewitt and Glenrand acquisitions, and an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange rates, partially offset by the realization of benefits from restructuring initiatives. In addition, the first nine months of the prior year included a $49 million non-cash U.S. defined benefit pension plan expense, arising from an adjustment to the market-related value of plan assets.

 

33



 

Other General Expenses

 

Other general expenses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 compared to the prior year increased $260 million, or 53%, and $862 million, or 61%, respectively.  The increase for both periods was due largely to the impact of acquisitions, including the Hewitt and Glenrand acquisitions, reflecting the inclusion of operating expenses and increases in intangible asset amortization expense of $61 million and $187 million for the quarter and first nine months, respectively.  Excluding the impact from acquisitions, the increase was due primarily from the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and lease termination costs.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income represents income earned on operating cash balances and other income-producing investments.  It does not include interest earned on funds held on behalf of clients.  For the third quarter 2011, Interest income was consistent with the prior year.  For the first nine months 2011, Interest income increased $5 million from the comparable period in 2010 due to higher levels of interest bearing assets.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense, which represents the cost of our worldwide debt obligations, increased $10 million and $69 million from third quarter and the first nine months of 2010, respectively, due mainly to an increase in the level of debt outstanding related to the Hewitt acquisition.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Other income was $7 million and $1 million for the third quarter and first nine months 2011, respectively, as compared to Other expense of $9 million and Other income of $3 million for the third quarter and first nine months 2010, respectively.  Gains from the sale of certain investments and distributions from certain private equity securities impacted both the quarter and first nine months.  Offsetting these items for the first nine months, however, were a $19 million loss on the extinguishment of debt obligations and a $13 million write-down of certain investments that had incurred losses related to earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan.

 

Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes for the third quarter was $292 million, a 40% increase from $208 million in 2010.  For the first nine months 2011, Income from continuing operations before income taxes was $1 billion, a 43% increase from $699 million in 2010.  For both periods, the increase in income was driven by the inclusion of Hewitt’s operating results, the positive impact of foreign exchange rates, and 1% of organic revenue growth, which was partially offset by the loss on the extinguishment of debt.

 

Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 28.9% and 29.4% for the third quarter 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 27.4% and 26.1% for the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The 2011 rate reflects changes in the geographical mix of income and the net favorable impact of discrete items including benefits from the resolution of an income tax audit and the expiration of statutes of limitation.  The tax rate for the first nine months of 2010 was favorably impacted by deferred tax adjustments.  The underlying tax rate for continuing operations for 2011 is expected to be approximately 29%.

 

Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Aon Stockholders

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to Aon stockholders for the third quarter increased to $198 million or $0.59 diluted net income per share from $144 million or $0.51 diluted net income per share in 2010.  For the first nine months of 2011, Income from continuing operations attributable to Aon stockholders increased to $698 million or $2.04 diluted net income per share from $501 million or $1.78 diluted net income per share in 2010.

 

34



 

Discontinued Operations

 

Income from discontinued operations of $4 million (no per share impact), which represents proceeds from the sale of businesses in prior periods, was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. A loss from discontinued operations of $26 million ($0.10 per share), related primarily to the settlement of legacy litigation, was incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 

Restructuring Initiatives

 

Aon Hewitt Restructuring Plan

 

On October 14, 2010, we announced a global restructuring plan (“Aon Hewitt Plan”) in connection with the acquisition of Hewitt.  The Aon Hewitt Plan is intended to streamline operations across the combined Aon Hewitt organization and includes an estimated 1,500 to 1,800 job eliminations. We expect these restructuring activities and related expenses to affect continuing operations into 2013.  The Aon Hewitt Plan is expected to result in cumulative costs of approximately $325 million through the end of the plan, consisting of approximately $180 million in employee termination costs and approximately $145 million in real estate realization costs.

 

From the inception of the Aon Hewitt Plan through September 30, 2011, approximately 1,030 jobs have been eliminated and total expenses of $132 million have been incurred.  We recorded $26 million and $80 million of restructuring and related charges in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.  All costs associated with the Aon Hewitt Plan are included in the HR Solutions segment.  Charges related to the restructuring are included in Compensation and benefits and Other general expenses in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

The following summarizes the restructuring and related costs, by type, that have been incurred and are estimated to be incurred through the end of the restructuring initiative related to the Aon Hewitt Plan (in millions):

 

 

 

2010

 

Third Quarter
2011

 

Nine
Months
2011

 

Total
Inception to
Date

 

Estimated Total
Cost for
Restructuring
Plan (1)

 

Workforce reduction

 

$

49

 

$

15

 

$

39

 

$

88

 

$

180

 

Lease consolidation

 

3

 

8

 

33

 

36

 

95

 

Asset impairments

 

 

3

 

7

 

7

 

47

 

Other costs associated with restructuring (2)

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

3

 

Total restructuring and related expenses

 

$

52

 

$

26

 

$

80

 

$

132

 

$

325

 

 


(1) Actual costs, when incurred, will vary due to changes in the assumptions built into this plan.  Significant assumptions likely to change when plans are finalized and implemented include, but are not limited to, changes in severance calculations, changes in the assumptions underlying sublease loss calculations due to changing market conditions, and changes in the overall analysis that might cause the Company to add or cancel component initiatives.

 

(2) Other costs associated with restructuring initiatives, including moving costs and consulting and legal fees, are recognized when incurred.

 

The restructuring plan, before any potential reinvestment of savings, is expected to deliver approximately $280 million of annual savings in 2013.  We estimate that we realized approximately $37 million and $95 million in restructuring cost savings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively.  With other integration savings, we expect to achieve approximately $355 million in annual cost savings across Aon Hewitt in 2013, which includes the approximately $280 million of annual savings related to the restructuring plan, and additional savings in areas such as information technology, procurement and public company costs.  All of the components of the restructuring and integration plan are not finalized and actual total savings, costs and timing may vary from those estimated due to changes in the scope or assumptions underlying the plan.

 

35



 

 

Following the Hewitt acquisition and the associated increase in personnel and property portfolio, we continue to review the propriety of our existing leasehold restructuring accruals based on our current plans.  In the second quarter of 2011, we reoccupied some of our previously vacated leasehold space and therefore determined that certain amounts previously accrued for the space were no longer necessary.  The reversal of these accruals for each of our restructuring plans is discussed below.  In addition, the reoccupation of this space resulted in expenses that had previously been included as part of lease consolidation costs being reversed and included within Other general expenses.  The impact on each of our restructuring plans is discussed below.

 

Aon Benfield Restructuring Plan

 

We announced a global restructuring plan (“Aon Benfield Plan”) in conjunction with our 2008 merger with Benfield.  The restructuring plan is intended to integrate and streamline operations across the combined Aon Benfield organization.  The Aon Benfield Plan includes an estimated 875 job eliminations. Additionally, duplicate space and assets will be abandoned.  We originally estimated that this plan would result in cumulative costs totaling approximately $185 million over a three-year period, of which $104 million was recorded as part of the Benfield purchase price allocation and $81 million of which was expected to result in future charges to earnings.  We currently estimate the Aon Benfield Plan will result in cumulative costs totaling approximately $160 million, of which $53 million was recorded as part of the purchase price allocation, $79 million has been recorded in earnings from inception to date, and an estimated additional $28 million will be recorded in future earnings. We expect to incur all remaining costs for the Aon Benfield Plan in the fourth quarter 2011.

 

The Aon Benfield Plan, before any potential reinvestment of savings, is now expected to deliver cumulative cost savings of approximately $139 million in 2012.  We estimate that we realized approximately $30 million and $89 million of cost savings in the third quarter and first nine months 2011, respectively.  The actual savings, total costs and timing of the restructuring plan may vary from those estimated due to changes in the scope, underlying assumptions of the plan, and foreign exchange rates.

 

We recorded $3 million of restructuring and related charges in the three months ended September 30, 2011, and a net restructuring benefit of $2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Included in this nine month net benefit is $18 million related to the reversal of accruals associated with reoccupying leasehold space. In addition, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, a benefit of $2 million and charges of $4 million, respectively, related to lease expenses were recorded as part of Other general expenses that were previously included as lease restructuring consolidation costs.

 

We recorded $5 million and $20 million of restructuring and related charges in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

 

 

As of September 30, 2011, approximately 715 jobs have been eliminated under the Aon Benfield Plan. Total payments of $119 million have been made under the Aon Benfield Plan, from inception to date.

 

All costs associated with the Aon Benfield Plan are included in the Risk Solutions segment.  Charges related to the restructuring are included in Compensation and benefits and Other general expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

The following is a summary of the restructuring and related expenses by type that have been incurred and are estimated to be incurred through the end of the restructuring initiative related to the Aon Benfield Plan (in millions):

 

 

 

Purchase
Price
Allocation

 

2009

 

2010

 

Third
Quarter
2011

 

Nine Months
2011

 

Total
Inception to
Date

 

Estimated
Total Cost for
Restructuring
Period (1)

 

Workforce reduction

 

$

32

 

$

38

 

$

15

 

$

3

 

$

14

 

$

99

 

$

125

 

Lease consolidation

 

20

 

14

 

7

 

(1

)

(17

)

24

 

26

 

Asset impairments

 

 

2

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

4

 

Other costs associated with restructuring (2)

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

1

 

1

 

5

 

5

 

Total restructuring and related expenses

 

$

53

 

$

55

 

$

26

 

$

3

 

$

(2

)

$

132

 

$

160

 

 


(1)    Actual costs, when incurred, will vary due to changes in the assumptions built into this plan.  Significant assumptions likely to change when plans are finalized and implemented include, but are not limited to, changes in severance calculations, changes in the

 

36



 

assumptions underlying sublease loss calculations due to changing market conditions, and changes in the overall analysis that might cause us to add or cancel component initiatives.

 

(2)   Other costs associated with restructuring initiatives, including moving costs and consulting and legal fees, are recognized when incurred.

 

2007 Restructuring Plan

 

In 2007, we announced a global restructuring plan intended to create a more streamlined organization and reduce future expense growth to better serve clients (“2007 Plan”).  The plan was completed in the fourth quarter of 2010 and we do not expect to incur any further expenses.  In the third quarter of 2011, we recorded a restructuring benefit of $3 million related to the reversal of accruals associated with reoccupied leasehold space.  In addition, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, $2 million and $5 million of lease expenses were recorded as part of Other general expenses that were previously included as restructuring lease consolidation costs.

 

We recorded $3 million and $95 million of restructuring and related charges under the 2007 Plan in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

 

The total cumulative pretax charges for the 2007 Plan are $740 million including costs related to workforce reduction, lease consolidation costs, asset impairments, as well as other expenses necessary to implement the restructuring.

 

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Liquidity

 

Executive Summary

 

We believe that our balance sheet and strong cash flow provide us with financial flexibility to create long-term value for our stockholders.  Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flow from operations, available cash reserves and debt capacity available under our various credit facilities.  Our primary uses of liquidity are operating expenses, principal and interest payments on our debt obligations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases, restructuring initiatives, pension obligations and stockholder dividends.

 

Cash on our balance sheet includes funds available for general corporate purposes.  Funds held on behalf of clients in a fiduciary capacity are segregated and shown together with uncollected insurance premiums in Fiduciary assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, with a corresponding amount in Fiduciary liabilities. The Company is permitted to earn income on these funds and therefore for cash flow presentation purposes, the activity in the funds is shown as a component of our investing cash flows, with a corresponding offset to operating cash flows.  Fiduciary funds cannot be used for general corporate purposes, and should not be considered as a source of liquidity for Aon.

 

37



 

 

Summary Cash Flow table

 

 

 

Nine months ended,
September 30

 

(millions) 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, adjusted for non-cash items

 

$

1,345

 

$

889

 

Change in assets and liabilities, excluding funds held on behalf of clients

 

(558

)

(561

)

 

 

787

 

328

 

Funds held on behalf of clients

 

626

 

466

 

 

 

1,413

 

794

 

Cash used for investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Excluding funds held on behalf of clients

 

7

 

(1,822

)

Funds held on behalf of clients

 

(626

)

(466

)

 

 

(619

)

(2,288

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used for financing activities

 

(809

)

1,578

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(36

)

34

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

(51

)

$

118

 

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months 2011 increased $619 million compared to 2010. Excluding the change in funds held on behalf of clients, cash provided by operating activities increased $459 million compared to 2011. The primary contributors to cash flow from operations in 2011, excluding the change in funds held on behalf of clients, were net income (adjusted for non-cash items) of $456 million, partially related to Aon Hewitt earnings in the nine month 2011 results, and current income taxes of $172 million, predominately related to a US tax refund of $91 million in 2011. These items were partially offset by $227 million decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which declined primarily due to incentive compensation payments. Although receivables, net remained relatively consistent between periods, there was a temporary increase in unbilled receivables of $343 million as compared to June 30, 2011, primarily due to a temporary delay in invoicing HR Solutions’ customers. This increase in unbilled receivables resulted in a temporary decrease in cash collections of approximately $150 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011. We expect this temporary increase in unbilled receivables and the resulting decrease in operating cash flow to reverse and return to historical levels in the near term.  Pension contributions were $388 million and $221 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 respectively.  In 2011, we expect to contribute approximately $479 million to our pension plans, with the majority attributable to non-U.S. pension plans, and expect 2012 contributions to increase modestly. Our future contributions to our pension plans are subject to changes in foreign exchange rates.

 

We expect cash generated by operations for 2011 to be sufficient to service our debt and contractual obligations, fund cash requirements of our restructuring programs, finance capital expenditures, continue acquisitions of shares under our share repurchase program, and continue to pay dividends to our stockholders.  Although 2011 cash from operations is expected to be sufficient to service these obligations, we have the ability to borrow under our credit facilities to accommodate timing differences in cash flows.  We have committed credit facilities of approximately $1.3 billion, all of which was available and committed at September 30, 2011.  We can access these facilities on a same day, or next day, basis.  Additionally, we believe that we could access capital markets for debt financing for longer-term funding, under current market conditions, if needed.

 

38



 

Investing Activities

 

Cash used for investing activities for the first nine months 2011 was $619 million. Excluding the change in funds held on behalf of clients, $7 million was provided by investing activities, primarily comprised of $251 million in sales, net of purchases, of investments, and proceeds from the sale of operations of $9 million. This was partially offset by capital expenditures of $151 million, and $102 million for business acquisitions, the largest being Glenrand MIB limited.

 

Cash used for investing activities was $2.3 billion in 2010, primarily comprised of $2.1 billion in purchases, net of sales, of Short-term investments, including $1.5 billion in restricted funds associated with the Hewitt acquisition, and of $466 million for funds held on behalf of clients. Additionally, business acquisitions were $90 million, representing numerous acquisitions, the largest being JP Morgan Compensation and Benefit Strategies, and capital expenditures were $115 million.

 

Financing Activities

 

Cash used by financing activities in the first nine months 2011 was $809 million. This was primarily driven by the purchase of $828 million of treasury stock, repayment of $1,523 million of debt, $150 million in cash dividends to shareholders, $24 million purchase of shares from non controlling interests, and $21 million dividends paid to non controlling interests, partially offset by $1,572 million issuance of debt, and proceeds from the exercise of stock options and issuance of shares purchased through the employee stock purchase programs of $165 million.

 

Cash provided by financing activities in 2010 was $1.6 billion. This was primarily driven by the issuance of $1.7 billion of debt, net of repayments, of which $1.5 billion relates to the Notes that were issued in connection with the Hewitt acquisition. Cash dividends to shareholders were $123 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The purchase of $100 million of treasury shares was largely offset by $98 million of proceeds primarily from the exercise of stock options.

 

Cash and Investments

 

At September 30, 2011, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $902 million, a decrease of $229 million from December 31, 2010.  Of the total balance as of September 30, 2011, $183 million was restricted as to its use, which was comprised of $123 million of operating funds in the U.K. as required by the Financial Services Authority and $58 million held as collateral for various business purposes.  At September 30, 2011, $114 million of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held in the U.S. and $788 million was held by our subsidiaries in other countries.  Due to differences in tax rates, the repatriation of funds from certain countries into the U.S. could have an unfavorable tax impact.

 

In our capacity as an insurance broker or agent, we collect premiums from insureds and, after deducting our commission, remit the premiums to the respective insurance underwriter.  We also collect claims or refunds from underwriters on behalf of insureds, which are then returned to the insureds.  Unremitted insurance premiums and claims are held by us in a fiduciary capacity.  In addition, some of our outsourcing agreements require us to hold funds on behalf of clients to pay obligations on their behalf.  The levels of fiduciary assets and liabilities can fluctuate significantly, depending on when we collect the premiums, claims and refunds, make payments to underwriters and insureds, collect funds from clients and make payments on their behalf, and foreign currency movements.  Fiduciary assets, because of their nature, are required to be invested in very liquid securities with highly-rated, credit-worthy financial institutions.  In our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, the amount we report for Fiduciary assets and Fiduciary liabilities are equal.  Our Fiduciary assets included cash and investments of $4.1 billion and fiduciary

 

39



 

receivables of $6.2 billion at September 30, 2011.  While we earn investment income on the fiduciary assets held in cash and investments, the cash and investments are not owned by us, and cannot be used for general corporate purposes.

 

As disclosed in Note 15 “Fair Value and Financial Instruments,” of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the majority of our investments carried at fair value are money market funds.  Money market funds are carried at cost as an approximation of fair value.  Based on market convention, we consider cost a practical and expedient measure of fair value.  These money market funds are held throughout the world with various financial institutions.  We do not believe that there are any market liquidity issues affecting the fair value of these investments.

 

As of September 30, 2011, our investments in money market funds and highly liquid debt instruments had a fair value of $2.5 billion and are reported as Short-term investments or Fiduciary assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position depending on their nature and initial maturity.

 

The following table summarizes our Fiduciary assets and non-fiduciary Cash and cash equivalents, and Short-term investments as of September 30, 2011 (in millions):

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Classification

 

 

 

Asset Type

 

Cash and Cash
Equivalents

 

Short-term
Investments

 

Fiduciary Assets

 

Total

 

Certificates of deposit, bank deposits or time deposits

 

$

295

 

$

 

$

2,215

 

$

2,510

 

Money market funds

 

 

606

 

1,844

 

2,450

 

Highly liquid debt instruments

 

 

 

50

 

50

 

Other investments due within one year

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Cash and investments

 

295

 

607

 

4,109

 

5,011

 

Fiduciary receivables

 

 

 

6,206

 

6,206

 

Total

 

$

295

 

$

607

 

$

10,315

 

$

11,217

 

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

In the first quarter 2011, we completed the $4.6 billion share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors in 2005 and began to repurchase shares under our new share repurchase program which was authorized by our Board of Directors in January 2010. Under the 2010 Share Repurchase Program, we are authorized to repurchase up to $2 billion of common stock.  Shares may be repurchased through the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, including structured repurchase programs, from time to time, based on prevailing market conditions, and will be funded from available capital.  Any repurchased shares will be available for employee stock plans and for other corporate purposes.

 

In the third quarter 2011, we repurchased 3.8 million shares at an average price per share of $45.61 for a total cost of $175 million.  In the first nine months of 2011, we repurchased 16.4 million shares at an average price per share of $50.39, for a total cost of $828 million. In the third quarter 2010, we did not repurchase any shares.  In the first nine months of 2010, we repurchased 2.4 million shares for a total cost of $100 million.  Since the inception of its share repurchase program in 2005, we have repurchased a total of 128.3 million shares for an aggregate cost of $5.4 billion.  As of

 

40



 

September 30, 2011, we were authorized to purchase up to $1.2 billion of additional shares under the 2010 Share Repurchase Program.

 

For information regarding share repurchases made during the third quarter of 2011, see Part II, Item 2 — “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” below.

 

Shelf Registration Statement

 

On June 8, 2009, we filed a registration statement with the SEC, registering the offer and sale from time to time of an indeterminate amount of, among other securities, debt, preferred stock, common stock and convertible securities.  Our offer and sale of $1.5 billion in unsecured notes on September 7, 2010 to partially finance the Hewitt acquisition and our offer and sale of $500 million in unsecured notes on May 24, 2011 to partially refinance our three-year 2010 Term Loan Facility entered into in connection with the Hewitt acquisition were each issued under this registration statement.  The availability of any further potential liquidity under this shelf registration statement is dependent on investor demand, market conditions and other factors.  There can be no assurance regarding when, or if, we will issue any additional securities under the registration statement.

 

Credit Facilities

 

At September 30, 2011, we have a three-year $400 million unsecured revolving credit facility in the U.S. (“U.S. Facility”), which expires in December 2012.  Sixteen banks are participating in the facility, which is for general corporate purposes, including commercial paper support.  Additionally, we have a five-year €650 million ($884 million at September 30, 2011 exchange rates) multi-currency foreign credit facility (“Euro Facility”) available, which expires in October 2015.  At September 30, 2011, we had no borrowings under either of these credit facilities.

 

For both our U.S. and Euro Facilities, the two most significant covenants require us to maintain a ratio of consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), adjusted for Hewitt related transaction costs and up to $50 million in non-recurring cash charges (“Adjusted EBITDA”) to consolidated interest expense of 4 to 1 and a ratio of consolidated debt to Adjusted EBITDA of not greater than 3 to 1.  We were in compliance with these and all other covenants as of September 30, 2011.

 

Rating Agency Ratings

 

The major rating agencies’ ratings of our debt at November 1, 2011 appear in the table below.

 

 

 

Ratings

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Long-

 

Commercial

 

 

 

 

 

term Debt

 

Paper

 

Outlook

 

Standard & Poor’s

 

BBB+

 

A-2

 

Stable

 

Moody’s Investor Services

 

Baa2

 

P-2

 

Stable

 

Fitch, Inc.

 

BBB+

 

F-2

 

Stable

 

 

A downgrade in the credit ratings of our senior debt and commercial paper would increase our borrowing costs, reduce or eliminate our access to capital, reduce our financial flexibility, increase our commercial paper interest rates or possibly restrict our access to the commercial paper market altogether, or may impact future pension contribution requirements.

 

41



 

Letters of Credit and Other Guarantees

 

We have total letters of credit outstanding for approximately $76 million at September 30, 2011.  These letters of credit cover the beneficiaries related to our Canadian pension plan scheme, secure deductible retentions on our own workers compensation program, an Aon Hewitt sublease agreement for office space, and one of the U.S. pension plans.  We also have issued letters of credit to cover contingent payments for taxes and other business obligations to third parties, and other guarantees for miscellaneous purposes at our international subsidiaries.  Amounts are accrued in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements to the extent the guarantees are probable and estimable.

 

We have certain contractual contingent guarantees for premium payments owed by clients to certain insurance companies.  Costs associated with these guarantees, to the extent estimable and probable, are provided in our allowance for doubtful accounts.  The maximum exposure with respect to such contractual contingent guarantees was approximately $8 million at September 30, 2011.

 

We have provided commitments to fund certain limited partnerships in which we have an interest in the event that the general partners request funding.  Some of these commitments have specific expiration dates and the maximum potential funding under these commitments was $69 million at September 30, 2011.  In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we funded $1 million and $13 million, respectively, of these commitments.

 

Adequacy of Liquidity Sources

 

We believe that cash flows from operations and available credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs, including principal and interest payments on debt obligations, capital expenditures, pension contributions, cash restructuring costs, and anticipated working capital requirements, for the foreseeable future. Our cash flows from operations, borrowing availability and overall liquidity are subject to risks and uncertainties. See “Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” below.

 

Financial Condition

 

At September 30, 2011, our net assets of $8.3 billion, representing total assets minus total liabilities, were flat versus $8.3 billion at December 31, 2010.  Working capital increased $165 million to $1.7 billion.

 

Borrowings

 

Total debt at September 30, 2011 was $4.6 billion, an increase of $72 million from December 31, 2010. The increase in total debt from December 31, 2010 was due to $100 million in commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2011.

 

On May 24, 2011 we entered into an underwriting agreement for the sale of $500 million of 3.125% unsecured Senior Notes due 2016.  On June 15, 2011, we entered into a Term Credit Agreement for unsecured term loan financing of $450 million (“2011 Term Loan Facility”) due on October 1, 2013.  The variable annual interest rate on the 2011 Term Loan Facility is LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which was approximately 1.56% at September 30, 2011.  We used the net proceeds from the notes issuance and 2011 Term Loan Facility borrowings to repay all amounts outstanding under our $1.0 billion three-year credit agreement dated August 13, 2010 (“2010 Term Loan Facility), which was entered into in connection with the acquisition of Hewitt.  We recorded a $19 million loss on the extinguishment of the 2010 Term Loan Facility as a result of the write-off of the related deferred financing costs, which is included in Other income (expense).

 

42



 

On March 8, 2011, one of our indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries issued CAD 375 million ($363 million at September 30, 2011 exchange rates) of 4.76% senior unsecured debt securities, which are due in March 2018 and are guaranteed by us.  We used the net proceeds from the debt issuance to repay our CAD 375 million 5.05% debt securities upon its maturity on April 12, 2011.

 

Our total debt as a percentage of total capital attributable to Aon stockholders was 35.7% and 35.3% at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

Equity

 

Equity at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $8.3 billion. Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax decreased $17 million from December 31, 2010.

 

The $17 million decrease in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax from December 31, 2010, primarily reflects the following:

 

·      positive net foreign currency translation adjustments of $11 million, which was attributable to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies,

·      a decrease of $42 million in net post-retirement benefit obligations, and

·      net derivative losses of $14 million

 

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

 

Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

 

We have an ownership interest in Juniperus Insurance Opportunity Fund Limited, which is an investment vehicle that invests in an actively managed and diversified portfolio of insurance risks.  We have concluded that Juniperus is a VIE.  However, we have concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary as we lack the power to direct the activities of Juniperus that most significantly impact economic performance.  The investment in Juniperus is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

 

Our potential loss at September 30, 2011 is limited to its investment in Juniperus of $60 million, which is recorded in Investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

REVIEW BY SEGMENT

 

General

 

We serve clients through the following segments:

 

·      Risk Solutions acts as an advisor and insurance and reinsurance broker, helping clients manage their risks, via consultation, as well as negotiation and placement of insurance risk with insurance carriers through our global distribution network.

 

43



 

·      HR Solutions partners with organizations to solve their most complex benefits, talent and related financial challenges, and improve business performance by designing, implementing, communicating and administering a wide range of human capital, retirement, investment management, health care, compensation and talent management strategies.

 

Risk Solutions

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenue

 

$

1,617

 

$

1,484

 

$

4,994

 

$

4,658

 

Operating income

 

308

 

258

 

969

 

820

 

Operating margin

 

19.0

%

17.4

%

19.4

%

17.6

%

 

The demand for property and casualty insurance generally rises as the overall level of economic activity increases and generally falls as such activity decreases, affecting both the commissions and fees generated by our brokerage business. The economic activity that impacts property and casualty insurance is described as exposure units, and is most closely correlated with employment levels, corporate revenue and asset values.  During the third quarter 2011 we continued to see a “soft market”, which began in 2007, in our retail brokerage product line.  In a soft market, premium rates flatten or decrease, along with commission revenues, due to increased competition for market share among insurance carriers or increased underwriting capacity.  Changes in premiums have a direct and potentially material impact on the insurance brokerage industry, as commission revenues are generally based on a percentage of the premiums paid by insureds.

 

Additionally, beginning in late 2008 and continuing into third quarter 2011, we faced difficult conditions as a result of unprecedented disruptions in the global economy, the repricing of credit risk and the deterioration of the financial markets.  Weak global economic conditions have reduced our customers’ demand for our retail brokerage and reinsurance brokerage products, which have had a negative impact on our operational results.

 

Risk Solutions generated approximately 59% of our consolidated total revenues in the third quarter and first nine months 2011.  Revenues are generated primarily through fees paid by clients, commissions and fees paid by insurance and reinsurance companies, and investment income on funds held on behalf of clients.  Our revenues vary from quarter to quarter throughout the year as a result of the timing of our clients’ policy renewals, the net effect of new and lost business, the timing of services provided to our clients, and the income we earn on investments, which is heavily influenced by short-term interest rates.

 

We operate in a highly competitive industry and compete with many retail insurance brokerage and agency firms, as well as with individual brokers, agents, and direct writers of insurance coverage.  Specifically, we address the highly specialized product development and risk management needs of commercial enterprises, professional groups, insurance companies, governments, health care providers, and non-profit groups, among others; provide affinity products for professional liability, life, disability income, and personal lines for individuals, associations, and businesses; provide products and services via GRIP Solutions; provide reinsurance services to insurance and reinsurance companies and other risk assumption entities by acting as brokers or intermediaries on all classes of reinsurance; provide capital management transaction and advisory products and services, including mergers and acquisitions and other financial advisory services, capital raising, contingent capital

 

44



 

financing, insurance-linked securitizations and derivative applications; provide managing underwriting to independent agents and brokers as well as corporate clients; provide risk consulting, actuarial, loss prevention, and administrative services to businesses and consumers; and manage captive insurance companies.

 

Revenue

 

Commissions, fees and other revenue for Risk Solutions was as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Retail brokerage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

$

641

 

$

574

 

$

1,855

 

$

1,677

 

International (1)

 

596

 

534

 

1,982

 

1,831

 

Total retail brokerage

 

1,237

 

1,108

 

3,837

 

3,508

 

Reinsurance brokerage

 

365

 

361

 

1,119

 

1,108

 

Total

 

$

1,602

 

$

1,469

 

$

4,956

 

$

4,616

 

 


(1) Includes the U.K., Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

 

In the third quarter 2011, commissions, fees and other revenue increased $133 million, or 9%, from 2010 due to a 5% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, 3% organic revenue growth, and a 1% increase from acquisitions, net of dispositions.  For the first nine months 2011, Commissions, fees and other revenue increased $340 million, or 7%, from 2010 driven primarily by a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, 2% in organic revenue growth, and a 1% increase from acquisitions, net of dispositions.

 

Reconciliation of organic revenue growth to reported commissions, fees and other revenue growth for 2011 versus 2010 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

Acquisitions,

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

Currency

 

Divestitures,

 

Organic

 

Three months ended September 30, 2011

 

Change

 

Impact

 

& Other

 

Revenue

 

Retail brokerage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

12

%

2

%

6

%

4

%

International (1)

 

12

 

9

 

(1

)

4

 

Total retail brokerage

 

12

 

5

 

3

 

4

 

Reinsurance brokerage

 

1

 

4

 

(2

)

(1

)

Total

 

9

%

5

%

1

%

3

%

 

45



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

Acquisitions,

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

Currency

 

Divestitures,

 

Organic

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2011

 

Change

 

Impact

 

& Other

 

Revenue

 

Retail brokerage:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

11

%

2

%

6

%

3

%

International (1)

 

8

 

6

 

(1

)

3

 

Total retail brokerage

 

9

 

4

 

2

 

3

 

Reinsurance brokerage

 

1

 

3

 

(1

)

(1

)

Total

 

7

%

4

%

1

%

2

%

 


(1) Includes the U.K., Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

 

Retail brokerage Commissions, fees and other revenue increased 12% in the third quarter driven by a 5% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, 4% growth in organic revenue in both the Americas and International operations, and a 3% increase related to acquisitions, net of dispositions. For the first nine months 2011, the revenue increase of 9% was driven by a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, 3% growth in organic revenue across the Americas and International operations, and a 2% increase related to acquisitions, net of dispositions.

 

Americas Commissions, fees and other revenue increased 12% in the third quarter reflecting a 6% increase from acquisitions, net of dispositions, 4% growth in organic revenue due to growth in Latin America and US Retail and 2% from favorable foreign exchange rates.  For the first nine months 2011, revenue increased 11% as a result of a 6% increase from acquisitions, net of dispositions, 3% growth in organic revenue, and 2% impact from favorable foreign exchange rates.  Organic revenue growth increased due to continued growth in Latin America and Affinity products.

 

International Commissions, fees and other revenue increased 12% in the third quarter driven by a favorable impact of 9% from foreign exchange rates and 4% organic revenue growth, which was partially offset by a 1% decrease from dispositions, net of acquisitions.  The 4% organic revenue growth in the third quarter was driven by growth in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. For the first nine months 2011, International revenue increased 8%, driven by a 6% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates and 3% in organic revenue growth, partially offset by a 1% decrease from acquisitions, net of dispositions.

 

Reinsurance brokerage Commissions, fees and other revenue increased 1% in the third quarter compared to prior year, reflecting a 4% increase from favorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by a 1% decrease in organic revenue and a 2% decrease from dispositions, net of acquisitions.   The decrease in organic revenue is due primarily to a decline in global facultative placements. For the first nine months 2011, revenue increased 1% reflecting a 3% increase from favorable foreign exchange rates, partially offset by a 1% decrease in organic revenue and a 1% decrease from dispositions, net of acquisitions.  The decrease in organic revenue on a year-to-date basis is due primarily to a decline in the capital market transactions and advisory business and facultative placements.

 

Operating Income

 

Operating income for the third quarter 2011 increased $50 million, or 19%, from 2010 to $308 million in 2011, and operating income margins increased to 19.0% from 17.4% in 2010.  For the first

 

46



 

nine months ended 2011, Operating income increased $149 million, or 18%, from 2010 to $969 million in 2011, and operating income margins increased to 19.4% from 17.6% in 2010.  Operating margin improvement in both periods was driven by revenue growth, reduced costs of restructuring initiatives and realization of the benefits of those restructuring plans, which was partially offset by a decline in fiduciary investment income and the negative impact from foreign exchange rates. For the nine month period, margin was also adversely impacted by the lease termination cost.

 

HR Solutions

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenue

 

$

1,112

 

$

321

 

$

3,319

 

$

960

 

Operating income

 

77

 

54

 

315

 

148

 

Operating margin

 

6.9

%

16.8

%

9.5

%

15.4

%

 

In October 2010, we completed the acquisition of Hewitt, one of the world’s leading human resource consulting and outsourcing companies.  Hewitt operates globally together with Aon’s existing consulting and outsourcing operations under the newly created Aon Hewitt brand.   Hewitt’s operating results are included in Aon’s results of operations beginning October 1, 2010.

 

Our HR Solutions segment generated approximately 41% of our consolidated total revenues in the third quarter and first nine months 2011, and provides a broad range of human capital services, as follows:

 

Consulting Services:

 

·      Health and Benefits advises clients about how to structure, fund, and administer employee benefit programs that attract, retain, and motivate employees.  Benefits consulting includes health and welfare, executive benefits, workforce strategies and productivity, absence management, benefits administration, data-driven health, compliance, employee commitment, investment advisory and elective benefits services.

·      Retirement specializes in global actuarial services, defined contribution consulting, investment consulting, tax and ERISA consulting, and pension administration.

·      Compensation focuses on compensatory advisory/counsel including: compensation planning design, executive reward strategies, salary survey and benchmarking, market share studies and sales force effectiveness, with special expertise in the financial services and technology industries.

·      Strategic Human Capital delivers advice to complex global organizations on talent, change and organizational effectiveness issues, including talent strategy and acquisition, executive on-boarding, performance management, leadership assessment and development, communication strategy, workforce training and change management.

 

Outsourcing Services:

 

·    Benefits Outsourcing applies our HR expertise primarily through defined benefit (pension), defined contribution (401(k)), and health and welfare administrative services.  Our model replaces the resource-intensive processes once required to administer benefit plans with more efficient, effective, and less costly solutions.

 

·    Human Resource Business Processing Outsourcing (“HR BPO”) provides market-leading solutions to manage employee data; administer benefits, payroll and other human resources processes; and record and manage talent, workforce and other core HR process transactions

 

47



 

as well as other complementary services such as absence management, flexible spending, dependent audit and participant advocacy.

 

Beginning in late 2008, the disruption in the global credit markets and the deterioration of the financial markets created significant uncertainty in the marketplace.  Weak economic conditions globally continued into third quarter 2011.  The prolonged economic downturn is adversely impacting our clients’ financial condition and therefore the levels of business activities in the industries and geographies where we operate.  While we believe that the majority of our practices are well positioned to manage through this time, these challenges are reducing demand for some of our services and putting continued pressure on the pricing of those services, which is having an adverse effect on our new business and results of operations.

 

Revenue

 

Commissions, fees and other revenue for HR Solutions increased $791 million, or 246%, in the third quarter 2011 from 2010, and $2.4 billion, or 246%, on a year-to-date basis.  The third quarter revenue increase was primarily driven by the impact of the Hewitt acquisition and a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates partially offset by a 2% organic revenue decline.  The first nine months revenue increase was due to acquisitions, primarily Hewitt, net of dispositions, and a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates.  Organic revenue was flat for the first nine months 2011.

 

Commissions, fees and other revenue were as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Consulting services

 

$

555

 

$

268

 

$

1,670

 

$

808

 

Outsourcing

 

561

 

53

 

1,667

 

151

 

Intrasegment

 

(4

)

 

(18

)

 

Total

 

$

1,112

 

$

321

 

$

3,319

 

$

959

 

 

Organic revenue growth for the third quarter and first nine months 2011 is detailed in the following reconciliation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

Acquisitions,

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

Currency

 

Divestitures,

 

Organic

 

 

 

Change

 

Impact

 

& Other

 

Revenue

 

Consulting services

 

107

%

5

%

104

%

(2

)%

Outsourcing

 

958

 

3

 

957

 

(2

)

Intrasegment

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Total

 

246

%

4

%

244

%

(2

)%

 

48



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

Acquisitions,

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

Currency

 

Divestitures,

 

Organic

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2011

 

Change

 

Impact

 

& Other

 

Revenue

 

Consulting services

 

107

%

4

%

103

%

%

Outsourcing

 

1,004

 

4

 

1,002

 

(2

)

Intrasegment

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Total

 

246

%

4

%

242

%

%

 

Consulting services revenue increased $287 million, or 107%, for the third quarter due primarily to the Hewitt acquisition and a 5% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates.  Organic revenue declined 2% for the third quarter due to a decline in health and benefits and communication consulting partially offset by growth in global compensation and investment management consulting.  For the first nine months 2011, revenue increased $2.4 billion, or 246%, as a result of the Hewitt acquisition and a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates.  Organic revenue growth was flat, which was driven mainly by growth in global compensation, investment management consulting and human capital consulting offset by declines in retirement.

 

Outsourcing revenue increased $508 million, or 958% for the third quarter due primarily to the Hewitt acquisition and a 3% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates.  Organic revenue declined 2% due to a decline in project related revenue and price compression offset by new client wins.  For the first nine months 2011, revenue increased $1.5 billion, or 1,004%, primarily driven by the Hewitt acquisition and a 4% favorable impact from foreign exchange rates, which was partially offset by a 2% decrease in organic revenue due primarily to price compression and a decline in project-related revenue, offset by new client wins.

 

Operating Income

 

Operating income was $77 million, an increase of $23 million, or 43%, from third quarter 2010.  For the first nine months, operating income was $315 million, an increase of $167 million, or 113%, from last year.  For both periods, this increase was principally driven by the acquisition of Hewitt and expense savings driven by operational improvement, partially offset by higher restructuring costs and Hewitt-related integration costs.  Operating margin for this segment was 6.9% in the third quarter, which is a decrease from 16.8% in 2010.  For the first nine months 2011, the operating margin was 9.5%, a decrease from 15.4% in 2010.  For both periods, the decrease in operating margin was driven largely by the impact of higher intangible amortization expense related to the acquisition of Hewitt.

 

Unallocated Income and Expense

 

A reconciliation of our operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes is as follows (in millions):

 

49



 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Solutions

 

$

 308

 

$

 258

 

$

 969

 

$

 820

 

HR Solutions

 

77

 

54

 

315

 

148

 

Unallocated expense

 

(44

)

(49

)

(113

)

(164

)

Operating income

 

341

 

263

 

1,171

 

804

 

Interest income

 

4

 

4

 

14

 

9

 

Interest expense

 

(60

)

(50

)

(186

)

(117

)

Other income (expense)

 

7

 

(9

)

1

 

3

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

$

 292

 

$

 208

 

$

 1,000

 

$

 699

 

 

Unallocated operating expense

 

Unallocated operating expense includes corporate governance costs not allocated to the operating segments.  Net unallocated expenses decreased $5 million to $44 million in the third quarter 2010 and declined $51 million to $113 million for the first nine months 2011.  The decrease in the third quarter was driven by $18 million of costs related to the Hewitt acquisition in 2010, offset by an $11 million decrease in the value of life insurance contracts for key executives where Aon is the beneficiary. The decrease for the first nine months was driven by a $49 million one-time pension expense included in the 2010 expense.

 

Interest income

 

Interest income consists primarily of income earned on our operating cash balances and other income-producing securities, and does not include interest earned on funds held on behalf of clients.  Interest income was $4 million in the third quarter 2011, flat from 2010, and $14 million in the first nine months 2011, an increase of $5 million from the comparable period in 2010.  This year-to-date increase resulted from higher cash balances.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense represents the cost of our worldwide debt obligations and increased $10 million and $69 million from the third quarter and first nine months 2010, respectively, primarily as a result of the debt issued in connection with the Hewitt acquisition.

 

Other income (expense)

 

Other income was $7 million and $1 million, for the third quarter and first nine months 2011, respectively, as compared to Other expense of $9 million and Other income of $3 million for the third quarter and first nine months 2010, respectively.  Gains from the sale of certain investments and distributions from certain private equity securities impacted both the quarter and first nine months.  Offsetting these items for the first nine months, however, were a $19 million loss on the extinguishment of debt obligations and a $13 million write-down of certain investments that had incurred losses related to earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

There have been no changes in our critical accounting policies, which include restructuring, pensions, goodwill and other intangible assets, contingencies, share-based payments, and income taxes, as discussed in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

50



 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Note 2 “Accounting Principles and Practices” of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contains a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact or future potential impact on our financial results, if determinable.

 

INFORMATION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report 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.  Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events.  They use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” and other similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and “would.”  You can also identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as:  market and industry conditions, including competitive and pricing trends; changes in our business strategies and methods of generating revenue; the development and performance of our services and products; changes in the composition or level of our revenues; our cost structure and the outcome of cost-saving or restructuring initiatives; the outcome of contingencies; dividend policy; the expected impact of acquisitions and dispositions; pension obligations; cash flow and liquidity; future actions by regulators; and the impact of changes in accounting rules.  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 Aon does business around the world;

·      changes in the competitive environment;

·      changes in global equity and fixed income markets that could influence the return on invested assets;

·      changes in the funding status of our various defined benefit pension plans and the impact of any increased pension funding resulting from those changes;

·      rating agency actions that could affect our ability to borrow funds;

·      fluctuations in exchange and interest rates that could impact revenue and expense;

·      the impact of class actions and individual lawsuits including client class actions, securities class actions, derivative actions and ERISA class actions;

·      the impact of investigations brought by U.S. state attorneys general, U.S. state insurance regulators, U.S. federal prosecutors, U.S. federal regulators, and regulatory authorities in the U.K. and other countries;

·      the cost of resolution of other contingent liabilities and loss contingencies, including potential liabilities arising from errors and omission claims against us;

·      failure to retain and attract qualified personnel;

·      the impact of, and potential challenges in complying with, legislation and regulation in the jurisdictions in which we operate, particularly given the global scope of our business and the possibility of conflicting regulatory requirements across jurisdictions in which we do business;

·      the extent to which we retain existing clients and attract new businesses and our ability to incentivize and retain key employees;

·      the extent to which we manage certain risks created in connection with the various services, including fiduciary and advisory services, among others, that we currently provide, or will provide in the future, to clients;

 

51



 

·      our ability to maintain the security and privacy of confidential information belonging to our clients, and in the case of our HR Solutions clients, our clients’ current and former employees;

·      our ability to innovate and keep pace with rapid and continuing changes in technology, industry standards and client preferences;

·      disruption from the merger with Hewitt making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships;

·      the possibility that the expected efficiencies and cost savings from the merger with Hewitt will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;

·      the risk that the Hewitt businesses will not be integrated successfully;

·      our ability to implement restructuring initiatives and other initiatives intended to yield cost savings, and the ability to achieve those cost savings;

·      our implementation of changes to the methods in which we internally process and monitor transactions;

·      changes in commercial property and casualty markets and commercial premium rates that could impact revenues;

·      the outcome of inquiries from regulators and investigations related to compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and non-U.S. anti-corruption laws; and

·      changes in costs or assumptions associated with our HR Solutions’ outsourcing and consulting arrangement that affect the profitability of these arrangements.

 

Any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be inaccurate, and there are no guarantees about our 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.  Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.  We are under no obligation (and expressly disclaim any obligation) to update or alter any forward-looking statement that we may make from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Further information about factors that could materially affect Aon, including our results of operations and financial condition, is contained in the “Risk Factors” section in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to potential fluctuations in earnings, cash flows and the fair value of certain of our assets and liabilities due to changes in interest and foreign exchange rates.  To manage the risk from these exposures, we enter into a variety of derivative instruments.  We do not enter into derivatives or financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

We are subject to foreign exchange rate risk from translating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. Our primary exposures are to the British pound, the Euro, the Canadian dollar, and the Australian dollar.  We use over-the-counter (“OTC”) options and forward contracts to reduce the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the translation of our foreign operations’ financial statements.

 

Additionally, some of our foreign brokerage subsidiaries receive revenues in currencies that differ from their functional currencies.  Our U.K. subsidiary earns a portion of its revenue in U.S. dollars and Euros but most of its expenses are incurred in pounds sterling.  Our policy is to convert into pounds sterling sufficient U.S. dollar and Euro revenue to fund the subsidiary’s pound sterling expenses using OTC options and forward exchange contracts.  At September 30, 2011, we have hedged approximately 41% and 85% of our U.K. subsidiaries’ expected U.S. dollar and Euro transaction exposures for the next twelve months, respectively.  We do not generally hedge these exposures beyond three years.

 

52



 

The translated value of revenue and expense from our international brokerage operations are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.  Diluted earnings per share were positively impacted by approximately $0.02 in the third quarter 2011 and $0.03 for the first nine months 2011, related to translation losses.  Adjusted diluted earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure as defined under the caption “Review of Consolidated Results’, were positively impacted by approximately $0.03 and $0.04 in the third quarter and first nine months 2011, respectively, related to translation losses.

 

We also use forward contracts to offset foreign exchange risk associated with foreign denominated inter-company notes.

 

Our income is affected by changes in international and domestic short-term interest rates.  We monitor our net exposure to short-term interest rates and, as appropriate, hedge our exposure with various derivative financial instruments.  This activity primarily relates to brokerage funds held on behalf of clients in the U.S. and on the continent of Europe.  A decrease in global short-term interest rates adversely affects our income.

 

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  We have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report of September 30, 2011.  Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded as of September 30, 2011 that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that the information relating to Aon, including our consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to Aon’s management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting.  During the first quarter 2010, the Company commenced a review and subsequent project to replace and upgrade certain core financial systems.  These financial system enhancements and related processes are expected to result in modifications to our internal controls principally in Europe, Middle East and Africa and Latin America, supporting financial transaction processing and reporting.  The implementation of these changes to software and systems is expected to continue to be executed in phases throughout 2011 and into 2012. During the third quarter 2011, the Company upgraded the financial systems relating to the Order-To-Cash PeopleSoft platform used by the HR Solutions North American operations. In conjunction with this upgrade, the Company has implemented additional manual controls to mitigate internal control risks and performed testing to ensure data integrity.   Other than the changes above, no changes in Aon’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a — 15(F) of the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Aon’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

53



 

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

See Note 16 (Commitments and Contingencies) to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I, Item 1, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS.

 

The risk factors set forth in Part 1, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 reflect certain risks associated with existing and potential lines of business and contain “forward-looking statements” as discussed in Part I, Item 2 of this report.  Readers should consider them in addition to the other information contained in this report as our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected if any of these risks actually occur.  There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

ITEM 2.                  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

(a)  None.

(b)  None.

(c)  Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

The following information relates to the repurchase of equity securities by Aon or any affiliated purchaser during each month within the third quarter of 2011:

 

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

 

Average Price Paid
per Share (1)

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs

 

Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(1) (2)

 

7/1/11 – 7/31/11

 

390,100

 

$

51.25

 

390,100

 

$

1,341,977,624

 

8/1/11 – 8/31/11

 

3,447,591

 

44.97

 

3,447,591

 

1,186,934,206

 

9/1/11 – 9/30/11

 

 

 

 

1,186,934,206

 

Total

 

3,837,691

 

$

45.61

 

3,837,691

 

1,186,934,206

 

 


(1)   Does not include commissions paid to repurchase shares.

(2)   In the fourth quarter of 2007, our Board of Directors increased the authorized share repurchase program to $4.6 billion.  As of March 31, 2011, this program was fully utilized upon the repurchase of 118.7 million shares of common stock at an average price (excluding commissions) of $40.97 per share in first quarter 2011, for an aggregate purchase price of $4.6 billion since inception of this stock repurchase program.  In January 2010, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program under which up to $2.0 billion of common stock may be repurchased from time to time depending on market conditions or other factors through open market or privately negotiated transactions.  In the first nine months of 2011, we repurchased 16.4 million shares through this program through the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The remaining authorized amount for stock purchase under the 2010 program is $1.2 billion.  Shares may be repurchased through the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, including structured repurchase programs.

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 

Exhibits — The exhibits filed with this report are listed on the attached Exhibit Index.

 

54



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

Aon Corporation

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

November 4, 2011

 

By:

/s/ Laurel Meissner

 

 

LAUREL MEISSNER

 

 

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND

 

 

GLOBAL CONTROLLER

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer and duly authorized officer of Registrant)

 

55



 

AON CORPORATION

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Exhibit

10.1

 

Facility Agreement — Amendment Request Letter, dated as of July 18, 2011 between Aon Corporation and Citibank International plc as agent

12.1

 

Statement regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

31.1

 

Certification of CEO.

31.2

 

Certification of CFO.

32.1

 

Certification of CEO Pursuant to section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

32.2

 

Certification of CFO Pursuant to section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

101

 

Interactive Data Files. The following materials are filed electronically with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

 

 

101.INS XBRL Report Instance Document

 

 

101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

 

56