Aon Reports 'Worst' Second Quarter

Aon's second-quarter bottom line was “the worst in Aons history,” according to its CEO. At the same time, the Chicago-based brokerage is fielding accounting questions from government regulators and is looking to reposition the spinoff of its underwriting segment.

For the second quarter ending June 30, the Chicago-based Aon reported no net income, compared to $29 million for the same period in 2001. Net income per share remained unchanged, the broker said, at 11 cents. Revenues increased by 11 percent when compared to last year's second quarter, up $205 million to $2.1 billion in 2002.

Aons stock closed down 30 percent on Aug. 7, the day of the announcement, at $14.77 a share, off $6.43 a share.

The broader first-half picture was brighter for Aon. For the first half, revenues rose 13 percent to $4.2 billion, while net income soared 117 percent to $104 million.

However, “the second quarter bottom line results were the worst in Aons history due to certain unusual items, compressed operating margins, and lower investment income,” Patrick G. Ryan, Aon's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement–points he reiterated in an investors conference.

He said the brokerage firm has taken steps to improve performance, including management changes.

On May 30, Aon said it expected to incur “an expense” related to losses from an alleged fraud and breach of contract by National Program Services Inc., a managing general agent. Aon reported that the actual expense, reported in the second quarter, was determined to be $36 million.

Aon also noted that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission “is in discussions” with the firm regarding some of its financial statements. Aon said that while the two have not yet reached an agreement, the firm has determined that “certain non-cash, other-than-temporary losses should have been recorded in prior periods.”

If the SEC does decide Aon must restate its earnings, the broker said it would be looking at a reduction in prior earnings of $27 million for 1999, $24 million for 2000, and $5 million for the first quarter of 2002.

Mr. Ryan said the restatement would not affect shareholders equity. The ongoing discussions with the SEC, he said, “is not a revenue recognition problem.”

Aon Chief Financial Officer Harvey Medvin added that there is no dispute with the SEC. He said the two are working to clear up technical aspects of the brokerage's reporting.

Turning to plans to spin-off its underwriting subsidiary, Combined Insurance, into a separate company, Aon said that because of the current adverse climate in raising equity, it is now changing gears.

The broker said it is looking to either sell all or part of Combined Specialty, or combine a sale with a spinoff of a portion of the company. Mr. Ryan said an update on Aon's plans would be provided once they are finalized.

Mr. Ryan said he expects “significantly” improved results for the remainder of this year and into next year. He said the firms year-end results are expected to exceed $1.80 per share.

Mr. Ryan said that he and Mr. Medvin would provide certification of Aon's financial report, as requested by the SEC of certain U.S. corporations by Aug. 14.

Reproduced from National Underwriter Property & Casualty/Risk & Benefits Management Edition, August 12, 2002. Copyright 2002 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.

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Aon Reports 'Worst' Second Quarter

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