Insurance brokers have reported mixed results for 2011’s thirdquarter, with Willis Group Holdings PLC posting an 8 percentdecrease in net income; Arthur J. Gallagher posting a 14 percentincrease; and Aon Corp. reporting a 38 percent increase—but facingquestions from financial analysts over the performance of itsconsulting unit.

Chicago-based Aon reports its third-quarter net income rose $54million to $198 million. Revenues jumped 51 percent, or $922million, to $2.7 billion.

However, the focus of financial analysts’ questions was Aon’sconsulting business, particularly the integration of thehuman-resources and outsourcing consulting firm Hewitt with AonConsulting.

Despite reporting a 246 percent increase in revenues, organicgrowth came in at -2 percent for the division.

Aon says the decline was due “primarily to a decline in healthand benefits and communications consulting” on the consultingservices side, and on the outsourcing side the decline was due “toa decline in project-related revenue and price compression.”

Aon says restructuring expense for Aon Hewitt rose to $26million, but adds that it has completed all restructuringactivities. The cost was primarily related to workforce reductionand lease consolidation.

Last year, Aon said it planned to eliminate between1,500 and 1,800 positions globally related to the Hewittacquisition completed a year ago last month.

J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman, president and COO of ArthurJ. Gallagher, was upbeat about the firm’s third-quarter netincome of $49 million, which represents a 14 percent increaseyear-over-year. “This is the third quarter that we have been inpositive organic territory, and I’m pleased with that,” hesays.

The firm says organic growth in commissions, fees andsupplemental-commission revenues grew by more than 5 percent in thethird quarter. Revenues rose 22 percent, or $103 million, to $562million.

For Willis, third-quarter net income dropped $5 million to $60million compared to a year ago due in part to a charge for itsoperational review, along with declines in its Loan Protectorbusiness.

Revenues increased 4 percent, or $29 million, to $762million.

Organic growth in the third quarter rose 2 percent on thestrength of Willis’ global and international business. NorthAmerica organic growth was -4 percent.

Willis’ operational review resulted in a $15 million charge forthe third quarter and $130 million for the first nine months ofthis year. The review resulted in the elimination of 200 positionsin the third quarter and 800 positions through the first ninemonths of this year.

The firm says it has “identified further opportunities forefficiencies” and its operational review will result in a totalcharge of approximately $160 million for the year.