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Aon plc: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 1 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue grew 6%, organic 5%: Total revenue rose to $5.0 billion. Organic growth was 5%, currency added 4 points, and divestitures reduced growth by 3 points. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 14% to $6.48: Diluted EPS was $5.63, up 27%. Currency translation added $0.36 per share to adjusted EPS of $6.48. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin up 70 basis points: Adjusted operating income rose 8% to $1.97 billion, and adjusted operating margin reached 39.1%. Reported operating margin was 34.1%, up from 30.9%. Source
  • 2026 guidance reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed its 2026 guidance for organic growth, margin expansion, adjusted EPS growth and free cash flow growth. Source
  • Risk Capital revenue up 10%: Risk Capital revenue rose $311 million to $3.5 billion. Human Capital revenue fell less than 1% to $1.5 billion. Source
  • Full-year currency benefit raised to $0.44: If currency rates stay at current levels, management expects a full-year 2026 adjusted EPS currency benefit of about $0.44 per share, up from $0.39. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $363 million: Free cash flow was $363 million, up 332%, after capital expenditures of $67 million, which rose $11 million. Source
  • $662 million returned to shareholders: Capital returned in the quarter totaled $662 million across dividends and share repurchases. Source

“Our strong start to the year reflects continued execution of our 3x3 Plan and progress accelerating our client‑centric Aon United strategy,”

Greg Case, president and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic revenue growth SourceFull year 2026mid-single-digit or greaterKept
Adjusted operating margin expansion SourceFull year 202670-80 basis pointsKept
Free cash flow growth SourceFull year 2026double-digitKept
Currency impact on adjusted EPS SourceFull year 2026approximately $0.44 per shareRaised from approximately $0.39 per share

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Full-year 2026 guidance for organic growth, margin expansion, adjusted EPS growth and free cash flow growth was reaffirmed. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 favorable currency impact on adjusted EPS moved to about $0.44 per share from about $0.39 per share. Source
  • New guidance: A second-quarter 2026 currency impact on adjusted EPS was given for the first time, as de minimis. Source
  • New: The quarterly dividend was increased 10%, announced April 10. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue grew 6%, organic 5%: Total revenue rose to $5.0 billion. Organic growth was 5%, currency added 4 points, and divestitures reduced growth by 3 points. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 14% to $6.48: Diluted EPS was $5.63, up 27%. Currency translation added $0.36 per share to adjusted EPS of $6.48. Source
  • Adjusted operating margin up 70 basis points: Adjusted operating income rose 8% to $1.97 billion, and adjusted operating margin reached 39.1%. Reported operating margin was 34.1%, up from 30.9%. Source
  • Adjusted income growth drivers named: Management credited adjusted operating income growth to organic growth, net restructuring savings and currency, offset in part by higher expenses and lower fiduciary investment income. Source
  • Net income to shareholders rose 26%: Net income attributable to Aon shareholders was $1.2 billion, up 26%, with the effective tax rate at 20.2%. Source
  • 2026 guidance reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed its 2026 guidance for organic growth, margin expansion, adjusted EPS growth and free cash flow growth. Source

Segments and regions

  • Risk Capital revenue up 10%: Risk Capital revenue rose $311 million to $3.5 billion. Human Capital revenue fell less than 1% to $1.5 billion. Source
  • Commercial Risk Solutions organic growth 7%: Commercial Risk Solutions grew 7% organically, with double-digit growth in North America and growth in EMEA. Source
  • Reinsurance Solutions organic growth 4%: Reinsurance Solutions grew 4% organically, with treaty placements growing and facultative placements rising at a double-digit rate. Source

“In the first quarter, we delivered 5% organic revenue growth, expanded operating margin, and generated significant free cash flow, reinforcing our confidence in achieving our full‑year objectives.”

Greg Case, president and CEO

Products and customers

  • North America growth in M&A and P&C: Within North America, M&A services, U.S. core P&C and construction were highlighted for growth. Source
  • Health Solutions core and international growth: Health Solutions grew 4% organically on core health and benefits, with particular growth internationally. Source
  • Retirement demand from regulatory change: Wealth Solutions organic growth of 1% came from Retirement, with UK and EMEA advisory demand tied to regulatory change. Reported Wealth revenue fell 19%. Source

Costs and expenses

  • Operating expenses rose 2%: Total operating expenses rose 2% to $3.3 billion. Compensation and benefits rose 6%, reflecting organic growth, long-term investment and currency. Source
  • Amortization fell after NFP Wealth sale: Intangible amortization fell 24%, mainly from lower intangible assets after the NFP Wealth sale. Source
  • Other expense fell on one-off gains: Other general expense fell 8%, helped by non-recurring gains from legal recoveries and portfolio sales, and by lower transaction costs. Source
  • Restructuring program expense fell 16%: Accelerating Aon United program expense was $92 million, down 16%, mainly on lower workforce optimization costs. Source

“As risk and complexity continue to grow, demand is increasing among global, large, and middle‑market clients for integrated, high‑value solutions that combine expertise, data, and analytics at scale,”

Greg Case, president and CEO

Margins, tax and other income

  • Effective tax rate eased to 20.2%: The effective tax rate was 20.2% against 21.4%. The adjusted rate was 20.3% against 20.9%, reflecting income geography and discrete items. Source
  • NFP Wealth gain excluded from adjusted: Other income of $5 million includes a $20 million gain from the prior-year NFP Wealth sale, which is excluded from adjusted results. Source
  • Adjusted other expense narrowed: Adjusted other expense was $15 million against $30 million, helped by currency remeasurement and lower non-cash pension expense. Source
  • Full-year currency benefit raised to $0.44: If currency rates stay at current levels, management expects a full-year 2026 adjusted EPS currency benefit of about $0.44 per share, up from $0.39. Source

Demand and market conditions

  • Commercial market impact slightly positive: Commercial Risk Solutions recorded a slightly positive net market impact, alongside net new business and retention. Source
  • Reinsurance market impact modestly negative: Reinsurance Solutions recorded a modest negative net market impact in the quarter. Source
  • Net new business and retention drove growth: Organic growth of 5% was attributed to net new business and ongoing retention across the group. Source

Cash flow and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow rose to $430 million: Cash from operations rose $290 million to $430 million, reflecting adjusted operating income growth and lower cash taxes. Source
  • Free cash flow rose to $363 million: Free cash flow was $363 million, up 332%, after capital expenditures of $67 million, which rose $11 million. Source
  • $662 million returned to shareholders: Capital returned in the quarter totaled $662 million across dividends and share repurchases. Source
  • Repurchases of $500 million in quarter: The company repurchased 1.5 million class A shares for about $500 million. About $0.8 billion of authorization remained at March 31, 2026. Source
  • Quarterly dividend raised 10%: The quarterly dividend was increased 10% on April 10, which management described as the sixth consecutive double-digit annual increase. Source
  • Interest expense fell on lower debt: Interest expense fell $27 million to $179 million, as total debt was lower. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Aon United and 3x3 Plan continue: Management said it continues to execute the Aon United strategy through the 3x3 Plan to meet rising client demand. Source
  • Analytics and technology spend cited: Management linked investment in analytics, technology and capital solutions to a larger addressable market. Source
  • Acquisitions used $296 million cash: Cash paid for acquisitions was $296 million in the quarter, compared with $116 million a year earlier. Source
  • Aon Business Services technology spend: Information technology expense rose 6%, including Aon Business Services investment in ongoing technology initiatives. Source
  • Divestitures reduced revenue growth 3%: Divestitures, mainly the sales of NFP Wealth and Stroz Friedberg, reduced reported revenue growth by 3%. Source

Coming up, as management said on 1 May 2026

  • NFP integration costs through Q2: Integration costs related to the NFP acquisition are expected to continue through the end of the second quarter of 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Investment income Source$55 million (fiduciary) vs $67 million

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Talent Solutions saw slower discretionary spend, which partly offset Health Solutions growth. Source
  • Demand: Wealth Solutions growth in the U.S. advisory business was soft, offsetting part of Retirement growth. Source
  • Financial: Lower fiduciary investment income offset part of the adjusted operating income increase, alongside higher expenses from organic growth. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: In the prior release, management expected a first-quarter currency benefit of about $0.36 per share on adjusted EPS.
  • Not stated: Management said it continues to execute the Aon United strategy through the 3x3 Plan. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.