On the basis of adjustments, the operating income in the HR solutions segment dropped by 6 percent, from $147 million a year ago. The operating margins also saw a decrease of 120 basis points to 12.4 percent. The HR solutions' operating margins had fallen in the previous quarter as well by 590 basis points to 11.2 percent on higher costs. Aon mentioned, on a post-earnings conference call, that it is aiming long-term operating margins of 26 percent in its risk solutions segment and 22 percent in its HR solutions section. The net income attributable to shareholders from continuing operations of October-December quarter was $277 million, or 82 cents a share, as compared to $232 million, or 67 cents a share, a year ago. From its continuing operations, Aon, which sponsors English Premier League football club Manchester United, earned 97 cents a share, which did not include items.

 

According to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, the analysts see a profit of 96 cents a share on revenue of $3 billion. By September, the company’s shares, which were $54.58, a record-high on April 7, 2011, lost more than a quarter of their value by September, though they increased by more than 20 percent later. Chicago-based Aon disclosed its plans, earlier this month, to shift its headquarters to London for developing its access to fast-growing emerging markets and to enhance its presence in the British Capital's global insurance centre.