Aon Q4 2025 Aon PLC Earnings Call | AllMind AI Earnings | AllMind AI
Q4 2025 Aon PLC Earnings Call
Speaker #1: Good morning, and thank you for holding. Welcome to Aon PLC's fourth quarter 2025 conference call. At this time, all parties will be in a listen-only mode until the question-and-answer portion of today's call.
Operator: Good morning, and thank you for holding. Welcome to Aon PLC's Q4 2025 conference call. At this time, all parties will be in a listen-only mode until the question and answer portion of today's call. I'd also like to remind all parties that this call is being recorded. If anyone has an objection, you may disconnect your line at this time. It is important to note that some of the comments in today's call may constitute certain statements that are forward-looking in nature, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results of those anticipated.
Operator: Good morning, and thank you for holding. Welcome to Aon PLC's Q4 2025 conference call. At this time, all parties will be in a listen-only mode until the question and answer portion of today's call. I'd also like to remind all parties that this call is being recorded. If anyone has an objection, you may disconnect your line at this time. It is important to note that some of the comments in today's call may constitute certain statements that are forward-looking in nature, as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results of those anticipated.
Speaker #1: I'd also like to remind all parties that this call is being recorded. If anyone has an objection, you may disconnect your line at this time.
Speaker #1: It is important to note that some of the comments in today's call may constitute certain statements that are forward-looking in nature, as defined by the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995.
Speaker #1: Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results of those anticipated. For information concerning these risk factors, please refer to our earnings release for this quarter and to our most recent quarterly or annual SEC filings.
Operator: For information concerning these risk factors, please refer to our earnings release for this quarter and to our most recent quarterly or annual SEC filings, all of which are available on our website. Now it's my pleasure to turn the call over to Greg Case, President and CEO of Aon PLC.
For information concerning these risk factors, please refer to our earnings release for this quarter and to our most recent quarterly or annual SEC filings, all of which are available on our website. Now it's my pleasure to turn the call over to Greg Case, President and CEO of Aon PLC.
Speaker #1: All of which are available on our website. Now it's my pleasure to turn the call over to Greg Case, President and CEO of Aon PLC.
Speaker #2: Good morning, and welcome to our fourth quarter and full-year earnings call. I'm joined by Edmund Reese, our CFO, and the financial presentation, which Edmund will reference in his remarks, is posted on our website.
Greg Case: Good morning, and welcome to our Q4 and full year earnings call. I'm joined by Edmund Reese, our CFO, and the financial presentation, which Edmund will reference in his remarks, is posted on our website. 2025 was a year of great strategic progress and performance milestones for Aon. Among the highlights, we advanced the disciplined execution of our 3x3 Plan, which continues to accelerate our Aon United strategy by further integrating risk capital and human capital, expanding Aon Client Leadership and leveraging Aon Business Services to drive greater capability, innovation, and efficiency. This work is enhancing our relevance and delivery capability to meet rising client demand amid increasing complexity. We outlined this momentum at our first investor day in two decades, where we demonstrated the strength of Aon United and the central role of the 3x3 Plan, including the power of ABS.
Greg Case: Good morning, and welcome to our Q4 and full year earnings call. I'm joined by Edmund Reese, our CFO, and the financial presentation, which Edmund will reference in his remarks, is posted on our website. 2025 was a year of great strategic progress and performance milestones for Aon. Among the highlights, we advanced the disciplined execution of our 3x3 Plan, which continues to accelerate our Aon United strategy by further integrating risk capital and human capital, expanding Aon Client Leadership and leveraging Aon Business Services to drive greater capability, innovation, and efficiency.
Speaker #2: 2025 was a year of great strategic progress and performance milestones for Aon. Among the highlights, we advanced the disciplined execution of our three-by-three plan, which continues to accelerate our Aon United strategy by further integrating risk capital and human capital, expanding Aon client leadership, and leveraging Aon business services to drive greater capability, innovation, and efficiency.
Speaker #2: This work is enhancing our relevance and delivery capability to meet rising client demand amid increasing complexity. We outlined this momentum at our first investor day in two decades, where we demonstrated the strength of Aon United and the central role of the three-by-three plan.
This work is enhancing our relevance and delivery capability to meet rising client demand amid increasing complexity. We outlined this momentum at our first investor day in two decades, where we demonstrated the strength of Aon United and the central role of the 3x3 Plan, including the power of ABS.
Speaker #2: Including the power of ABS, we believe our performance this year is proof that our strategy is working. Producing tangible, sustainable results today and positioning us for long-term success.
Greg Case: We believe our performance this year is proof that our strategy is working, producing tangible, sustainable results today and positioning us for long-term success. We continue to innovate. ABS provides the foundation to deliver innovative solutions and deploy AI where it drives real value across our business. We expanded our Risk Analyzers, launched Aon Broker Copilot, and more recently, launched Claims Copilot. In addition, we help clients access alternative forms of capital through cat bonds, which may include parametric triggers, where market issuance rose more than 40% in 2025, and Aon's issuance increased more than 50%. We continued to innovate in population health by helping employers manage healthcare costs through GLP-1 strategies. We also launched our Data Center Lifecycle Insurance Program, DCLP, which provides coverage for data centers from construction through operational readiness under a single integrated facility.
We believe our performance this year is proof that our strategy is working, producing tangible, sustainable results today and positioning us for long-term success. We continue to innovate. ABS provides the foundation to deliver innovative solutions and deploy AI where it drives real value across our business. We expanded our Risk Analyzers, launched Aon Broker Copilot, and more recently, launched Claims Copilot.
Speaker #2: We continue to innovate. ABS provides the foundation to deliver innovative solutions and deploy AI where it drives real value across our business. We expanded our risk analyzers, launched Aon Broker Copilot, and more recently launched Claims Copilot.
In addition, we help clients access alternative forms of capital through cat bonds, which may include parametric triggers, where market issuance rose more than 40% in 2025, and Aon's issuance increased more than 50%. We continued to innovate in population health by helping employers manage healthcare costs through GLP-1 strategies. We also launched our Data Center Lifecycle Insurance Program, DCLP, which provides coverage for data centers from construction through operational readiness under a single integrated facility.
Speaker #2: In addition, we help clients access alternative forms of capital through cap bonds, which may include parametric triggers. We're market issuance rose more than 40% in 2025, and Aon's issuance increased more than 50%.
Speaker #2: And we continue to innovate in population health by helping employers manage healthcare costs through GLP-1 strategies. We also launched our data center lifecycle insurance protection program, DCLP, which provides coverage for data centers from construction through operational readiness, under a single integrated facility.
Speaker #2: This solution continues to gain traction, and we recently announced a billion-dollar expansion increasing total capacity to 2.5 billion. We substantially advanced our middle market strategy, including great progress in building upon our independent and connected strategy with NFP.
Greg Case: This solution continues to gain traction, and we recently announced a billion-dollar expansion, increasing total capacity to $2.5 billion. We substantially advanced our middle market strategy, including great progress in building upon our independent and connected strategy with NFP. The business is performing well with strong producer retention as we build upon NFP's strong client relationships with the full breadth of Aon's capabilities. We're also accelerating the connection of NFP onto our ABS platform, which we believe will further enhance performance over time, highlighting our even greater conviction in the power of ABS to onboard middle market companies. And we continued our very effective tuck-in M&A strategy, further accessing the large $31 billion North American addressable market.
This solution continues to gain traction, and we recently announced a billion-dollar expansion, increasing total capacity to $2.5 billion. We substantially advanced our middle market strategy, including great progress in building upon our independent and connected strategy with NFP. The business is performing well with strong producer retention as we build upon NFP's strong client relationships with the full breadth of Aon's capabilities.
Speaker #2: The business is performing well with strong producer retention, as we build upon NFP's strong client relationships with the full breadth of Aon's capabilities. We're also accelerating the connection of NFP onto our ABS platform, which we believe will further enhance performance over time.
We're also accelerating the connection of NFP onto our ABS platform, which we believe will further enhance performance over time, highlighting our even greater conviction in the power of ABS to onboard middle market companies. And we continued our very effective tuck-in M&A strategy, further accessing the large $31 billion North American addressable market.
Speaker #2: Highlighting our even greater conviction in the power of ABS, the onboard middle market companies. And we continue our very effective tuck-in M&A strategy, further accessing the large $31 billion North American Addressable Market.
Speaker #2: As we close 2025, we enter the final year of our three-by-three plan with strong momentum. Fueled by our client-centric strategy and integrated capabilities, that enable us to win more opportunities, deepen client relationships, and deliver more value.
Greg Case: As we close 2025, we enter the final year of our 3x3 Plan with strong momentum, fueled by our client-centric strategy and integrated capabilities that enable us to win more opportunities, deepen client relationships, and deliver more value in an increasingly complex macro environment. Turning to our results, we finished the year strong with continued momentum in Q4 and delivered on our full year objectives, including 6% organic revenue growth for the second straight year, 90 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion, strong adjusted EPS growth, and double-digit free cash flow growth. These results demonstrate the consistency and durability of our business model and the impact of our Aon United strategy. They also reflect investments in revenue-generating talent and the impact of our solutions.
As we close 2025, we enter the final year of our 3x3 Plan with strong momentum, fueled by our client-centric strategy and integrated capabilities that enable us to win more opportunities, deepen client relationships, and deliver more value in an increasingly complex macro environment. Turning to our results, we finished the year strong with continued momentum in Q4 and delivered on our full year objectives, including 6% organic revenue growth for the second straight year, 90 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion, strong adjusted EPS growth, and double-digit free cash flow growth.
Speaker #2: In an increasingly complex macro environment, we are turning to our strengths with continued momentum in results. We finished the year in the fourth quarter and delivered on our full-year objectives, including 6% organic revenue growth for the second straight year, 90 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion, strong adjusted EPS growth, and double-digit free cash flow growth.
Speaker #2: These results demonstrate the consistency and durability of our business model and the impact of our Aon United strategy. They also reflect investments in revenue-generating talent and the impact of our solutions.
These results demonstrate the consistency and durability of our business model and the impact of our Aon United strategy. They also reflect investments in revenue-generating talent and the impact of our solutions.
Speaker #2: To set the context for our results, I will highlight four representative examples that are driving results and fueling momentum into 2026. First, a client story that shows how our teams are trusted strategic advisors to clients and how we bring the best of Aon to the market.
Greg Case: To set the context for our results, I will highlight four representative examples that are driving results and fueling momentum into 2026. First, a client story that shows how our teams are trusted strategic advisors to clients and how we bring the best of Aon to the market. After partnering with a large international construction client for several years, the company needed a dedicated broker to support the full life cycle of a new data center project. We combined our role as a trusted advisor with a United global team, bringing together account leadership with construction, data center, energy, and cyber specialists to deliver an integrated proposal. Our winning response showed the full capabilities of Aon, including DCLP, advanced climate analytics, and proprietary Risk Analyzers, all aligned to the client's long-term growth strategy....
To set the context for our results, I will highlight four representative examples that are driving results and fueling momentum into 2026. First, a client story that shows how our teams are trusted strategic advisors to clients and how we bring the best of Aon to the market. After partnering with a large international construction client for several years, the company needed a dedicated broker to support the full life cycle of a new data center project.
Speaker #2: After partnering with a large international construction client for several years, the company needed a dedicated broker to support the full lifecycle of a new data center project.
We combined our role as a trusted advisor with a United global team, bringing together account leadership with construction, data center, energy, and cyber specialists to deliver an integrated proposal. Our winning response showed the full capabilities of Aon, including DCLP, advanced climate analytics, and proprietary Risk Analyzers, all aligned to the client's long-term growth strategy....
Speaker #2: We combined our roles as a trusted advisor with a united global team, bringing together account leadership with construction, data center, energy, and cyberspecialists to deliver an integrated proposal.
Speaker #2: Our winning response showed the full capabilities of Aon, including DCLP, advanced climate analytics and proprietary risk analyzers, all aligned to the client's long-term growth strategy.
Speaker #2: We demonstrated distinctive ability to support both construction and operations, leveraging data and insights to improve capital efficiency, and resilience. The client credited our team's expertise and our global connectivity and capabilities as central to the win.
Greg Case: We demonstrated distinctive ability to support both construction and operations, leveraging data and insights to improve capital efficiency and resilience. The client credited our team's expertise and our global connectivity and capabilities as central to the win, reinforcing our strength in leveraging trusted relationships and leading analytics to create high-quality growth opportunities. Second, we continued to innovate and lead in the data center opportunity. In addition to our DCLP capacity increase and the client story I just referenced, our reinsurance team recently designed and placed the first-ever data center-specific treaty, delivering a solution that aligns up to $5 billion of capital through the insurance, insurance value chain behind a single leading insurer, and we're actively engaged with several others to help them expand and strengthen their capabilities to provide capacity for clients.
We demonstrated distinctive ability to support both construction and operations, leveraging data and insights to improve capital efficiency and resilience. The client credited our team's expertise and our global connectivity and capabilities as central to the win, reinforcing our strength in leveraging trusted relationships and leading analytics to create high-quality growth opportunities. Second, we continued to innovate and lead in the data center opportunity.
Speaker #2: Reinforcing our strength and leveraging trusted relationships and leading analytics to create high-quality growth opportunities. Second, we continue to innovate and lead in the data center opportunity.
Speaker #2: In addition to our DCLP capacity increase and the client story I just referenced, our reinsurance team recently designed and placed the first-ever data center-specific treaty delivering a solution that aligns up to $5 billion of capital through the issuance, insurance value chain behind a single leading insurer.
In addition to our DCLP capacity increase and the client story I just referenced, our reinsurance team recently designed and placed the first-ever data center-specific treaty, delivering a solution that aligns up to $5 billion of capital through the insurance, insurance value chain behind a single leading insurer, and we're actively engaged with several others to help them expand and strengthen their capabilities to provide capacity for clients.
Speaker #2: And we're actively engaged with several others to help them expand and strengthen their capabilities to provide capacity for clients. Our advisory capabilities around site selection, design, and engineering, ing, as well as tremendous data and advanced analytics, are critical to informing effective capital protection decisions in the face of extreme weather, supply chain, and cyber risk.
Greg Case: Our advisory capabilities around site selection, design, and engineering, as well as tremendous data and advanced analytics, are critical to inform an effective capital protection decisions in the face of extreme weather, supply chain, and cyber risk. And while we're still in the very early days of this generational opportunity with data centers, we have some exciting wins under our belt, and our leadership in this space is another factor that supports sustainable organic revenue growth. It's also another impressive example of Aon innovating to solve client problems. Third, talent continues to be a critical driver of our success and ability to achieve sustainable growth. Our client-centric strategy remains focused on attracting, developing, and retaining top performers who see the value they can bring to clients and grow their business with our best-in-class analytics and capabilities.
Our advisory capabilities around site selection, design, and engineering, as well as tremendous data and advanced analytics, are critical to inform an effective capital protection decisions in the face of extreme weather, supply chain, and cyber risk. And while we're still in the very early days of this generational opportunity with data centers, we have some exciting wins under our belt, and our leadership in this space is another factor that supports sustainable organic revenue growth. It's also another impressive example of Aon innovating to solve client problems.
Speaker #2: And while we're still in the very early days of this generational opportunity with data centers, we have some exciting wins under our belt, and our leadership in this space is another factor that supports sustainable organic revenue growth.
Speaker #2: It's also another impressive example of Aon innovating to solve client problems. Third, talent continues to be a critical driver of our success and ability to achieve sustainable growth.
Third, talent continues to be a critical driver of our success and ability to achieve sustainable growth. Our client-centric strategy remains focused on attracting, developing, and retaining top performers who see the value they can bring to clients and grow their business with our best-in-class analytics and capabilities.
Speaker #2: Our client-centric strategy remains focused on attracting, developing, and retaining top to clients and grow their business with our performers who see the value they can bring best-in-class analytics and capabilities.
Speaker #2: We continue to hire in high-growth priority areas and revenue-generating talent increase the net 6% this past year. We're also expanding with existing clients through Aon client leadership and seeing higher new business and better retention with ACL-covered clients.
Greg Case: We continue to hire in high-growth priority areas, and revenue-generating talent increased a net 6% this past year. We're also expanding with existing clients through Aon Client Leadership and seeing higher new business and better retention with ACL-covered clients. Finally, our capital position, which Edmund will detail further, puts us in a position of strength and flexibility. This year, we continued to generate strong free cash flow and further strengthened our capital position through disciplined portfolio management, including the sale of NFP Wealth. Our enhanced capital position will remain focused and balanced on investments in high-growth opportunities and capital return to maximize shareholder value. In summary, as we head into 2026, the final year of our 3x3 Plan, we're well positioned to continue our strong execution. The four megatrends we've highlighted, trade, technology, weather, and workforce, are as relevant as ever.
We continue to hire in high-growth priority areas, and revenue-generating talent increased a net 6% this past year. We're also expanding with existing clients through Aon Client Leadership and seeing higher new business and better retention with ACL-covered clients. Finally, our capital position, which Edmund will detail further, puts us in a position of strength and flexibility. This year, we continued to generate strong free cash flow and further strengthened our capital position through disciplined portfolio management, including the sale of NFP Wealth.
Speaker #2: Finally, our capital position—which Edmund will detail further—puts us in a position of strength and flexibility. This year, we continued to generate strong free cash flow and further strengthened our capital position through disciplined portfolio management, including the sale of NFP Wealth.
Speaker #2: Our enhanced capital position will remain focused and balanced on investments in high-growth opportunities and capital return to maximize shareholder value. In summary, as we head into 2026, the final year of our three-by-three plan, we're well positioned to continue our strong execution.
Our enhanced capital position will remain focused and balanced on investments in high-growth opportunities and capital return to maximize shareholder value. In summary, as we head into 2026, the final year of our 3x3 Plan, we're well positioned to continue our strong execution. The four megatrends we've highlighted, trade, technology, weather, and workforce, are as relevant as ever.
Speaker #2: The four megatrends we've highlighted: trade, technology, weather, and workforce are as relevant as ever. We're building momentum with clients as our globally connected team is equipped to deliver data-driven insights and better outcomes for our clients.
Greg Case: We're building momentum with clients as our globally connected team is equipped to deliver data-driven insights and better outcomes for our clients. At the same time, we're committed to delivering strong performance, including sustainable organic revenue growth, supported by our investments in ABS and talent. It's inspiring to see all that our colleagues have accomplished on behalf of our clients to achieve greater resilience and growth over the last year. Our conviction and level of excitement as we execute our strategic vision has never been greater. Aon United is more than just delivering on our objectives in any given year. It's about delivering for our clients, colleagues, and shareholders over the long term. And in an increasingly complex world, Aon is better positioned than ever, strategically, operationally, and financially to achieve this mission. Finally, to our over 60,000 colleagues around the world, thank you.
We're building momentum with clients as our globally connected team is equipped to deliver data-driven insights and better outcomes for our clients. At the same time, we're committed to delivering strong performance, including sustainable organic revenue growth, supported by our investments in ABS and talent. It's inspiring to see all that our colleagues have accomplished on behalf of our clients to achieve greater resilience and growth over the last year. Our conviction and level of excitement as we execute our strategic vision has never been greater.
Speaker #2: At the same time, we're committed to delivering strong performance including sustainable organic revenue growth, supported by our investments in ABS, and talent. It's inspiring to see all that our colleagues have accomplished on behalf of our clients to achieve greater resilience and growth over the last year.
Speaker #2: Our conviction and level of excitement as we execute our strategic vision has never been greater. And United is more than just delivering on our objectives in any given year.
Aon United is more than just delivering on our objectives in any given year. It's about delivering for our clients, colleagues, and shareholders over the long term. And in an increasingly complex world, Aon is better positioned than ever, strategically, operationally, and financially to achieve this mission. Finally, to our over 60,000 colleagues around the world, thank you.Thank you for your relentless commitment to our clients, each other, and our Aon United strategy. Now, let me turn the call over to Edmund for his comments and insights. Edmund?
Speaker #2: It's about delivering for our clients, colleagues, and shareholders over the long term. And in an increasingly complex world, Aon is better positioned than ever strategically, operationally, and financially to achieve this mission.
Speaker #2: Finally, to our over 60,000 colleagues around the world, thank you. Thank you for your relentless commitment to our clients, each other, and our Aon United strategy.
Greg Case: Thank you for your relentless commitment to our clients, each other, and our Aon United strategy. Now, let me turn the call over to Edmund for his comments and insights. Edmund?
Speaker #2: Now let me turn the call over to Edmund for his comments and insights. Edmund? Thank you, Greg, and good morning, everyone. I'm energized to be here discussing Q4 2025, a quarter that delivered results within our guidance expectations and capped off strong full-year performance that continues to reflect our disciplined execution of the three-by-three plan, the power of our financial model, and the momentum we have built across the firm, even in this macro environment.
Edmund Reese: Thank you, Greg, and good morning, everyone. I'm energized to be here discussing Q4 2025, a quarter that delivered results within our guidance expectations and capped off strong full-year performance that continues to reflect our disciplined execution of the three-by-three plan, the power of our financial model, and the momentum we have built across the firm, even in this macro environment. Throughout the year, we've been focused on communicating our strategy and the consistency of our delivery. Our team is executing, and it is reflected in our results. Before diving into the quarter's results and our outlook for 2026, I want to take a moment, consistent with how we frame this section each year, to underscore the core growth drivers that are underpinning our momentum.
Edmund Reese: Thank you, Greg, and good morning, everyone. I'm energized to be here discussing Q4 2025, a quarter that delivered results within our guidance expectations and capped off strong full-year performance that continues to reflect our disciplined execution of the three-by-three plan, the power of our financial model, and the momentum we have built across the firm, even in this macro environment. Throughout the year, we've been focused on communicating our strategy and the consistency of our delivery.
Speaker #2: Throughout the year, we've been focused on communicating our strategy, and the consistency of our delivery. Our team has executed and is reflected in our results.
Our team is executing, and it is reflected in our results. Before diving into the quarter's results and our outlook for 2026, I want to take a moment, consistent with how we frame this section each year, to underscore the core growth drivers that are underpinning our momentum.
Speaker #2: Before diving into the quarter's results and our outlook for 2026, I want to take a moment consistent with how we frame this section each year.
Speaker #2: To underscore the core growth drivers that are underpinning our momentum. These drivers reflect the intentional choices we've made over the first two years of the Three-by-Three Plan and are not only delivering in the current period, but also fortifying our ability to sustain performance through 2026 and beyond.
Edmund Reese: These drivers reflect the intentional choices we've made over the first two years of the 3x3 Plan and are not only delivering in the current period, but also fortifying our ability to sustain performance through 2026 and beyond. First, with two consecutive years of 6% organic revenue growth, we have more conviction than ever in our ability to deliver sustainable top-line growth. This conviction is grounded in the strength of our 3x3 Plan, now in its maturity phase, and in the deliberate investments we've made to support long-term growth. We continue to add revenue-generating talent, strengthen Aon Client Leadership, and accelerate our presence in the middle market, where demand signals remain robust, and clients continue to benefit from our broad capabilities. These investments are contributing to top-line growth today, and they have a cumulative and compounding impact that benefits the years ahead.
These drivers reflect the intentional choices we've made over the first two years of the 3x3 Plan and are not only delivering in the current period, but also fortifying our ability to sustain performance through 2026 and beyond. First, with two consecutive years of 6% organic revenue growth, we have more conviction than ever in our ability to deliver sustainable top-line growth. This conviction is grounded in the strength of our 3x3 Plan, now in its maturity phase, and in the deliberate investments we've made to support long-term growth.
Speaker #2: First, with two consecutive years of 6% organic revenue growth, we have more conviction than ever in our ability to deliver sustainable top-line growth. This conviction is grounded in the strength of our three-by-three plan, now in its maturity phase.
Speaker #2: And in the deliberate investments we've made to support long-term growth, we continue to add revenue-generating talent, strengthen Aon client leadership, and accelerate our presence in the middle market, where demand signals remain robust and clients continue to benefit from our broad capabilities.
We continue to add revenue-generating talent, strengthen Aon Client Leadership, and accelerate our presence in the middle market, where demand signals remain robust, and clients continue to benefit from our broad capabilities. These investments are contributing to top-line growth today, and they have a cumulative and compounding impact that benefits the years ahead.
Speaker #2: These investments are contributing to top-line growth today, and they have a cumulative and compounding impact that benefits the years ahead. Second, we achieved critical milestones by integrating NFP and delivering double-digit free cash flow growth in 2025.
Edmund Reese: Second, we achieved critical milestones by integrating NFP and delivering double-digit free cash flow growth in 2025. These results are the product of disciplined prioritization and execution. And third, our strong operating cash generation, coupled with our disciplined portfolio management, including the sale of the NFP Wealth business, brings our total capital available in 2026 to $7 billion. This means that in addition to our organic revenue growth, we are in an even stronger position from which to execute our balanced capital allocation model, including the pursuit of high return inorganic investments that amplify our organic growth momentum. Overall, our performance this quarter and for the year demonstrates the power of our disciplined execution and the strength of the strategic choices we've made to drive the durable growth reflected in our results. With that context, let's turn to the detailed results.
Second, we achieved critical milestones by integrating NFP and delivering double-digit free cash flow growth in 2025. These results are the product of disciplined prioritization and execution. And third, our strong operating cash generation, coupled with our disciplined portfolio management, including the sale of the NFP Wealth business, brings our total capital available in 2026 to $7 billion. This means that in addition to our organic revenue growth, we are in an even stronger position from which to execute our balanced capital allocation model, including the pursuit of high return inorganic investments that amplify our organic growth momentum.
Speaker #2: These results are the product of discipline prioritization and execution. And third, our strong operating cash generation coupled with our discipline portfolio management, including the sale of the NFP Wealth business, brings our total capital available in 2026 to 7 billion.
Speaker #2: This means that in addition to our organic revenue growth, we are in an even stronger position from which to execute our balanced capital allocation model, including the pursuit of high return in organic investments that amplify our organic growth momentum.
Overall, our performance this quarter and for the year demonstrates the power of our disciplined execution and the strength of the strategic choices we've made to drive the durable growth reflected in our results. With that context, let's turn to the detailed results.
Speaker #2: Overall, our performance this quarter and for the year demonstrates the power of our disciplined execution and the strength of the strategic choices we've made to drive the durable growth reflected in our results.
Speaker #2: With that context, let's turn to the detailed results. Our full-year performance is right in line with our guidance for mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth, adjusted operating margin expansion, strong earnings, and double-digit free cash flow growth.
Edmund Reese: Our full-year performance is right in line with our guidance for mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth, adjusted operating margin expansion, strong earnings, and double-digit free cash flow growth. Organic revenue growth was 6%, and total revenue increased 9% year-over-year to $17 billion. Adjusted operating margin expanded by 90 basis points over last year and reached 32.4%. Adjusted EPS was $17.07, up 9% year-over-year. And finally, free cash flow increased 14% over 2024. For the fourth quarter, organic revenue growth was 5%, and total revenue impacted by the wealth and straws dispositions increased 4% year-over-year to $4.3 billion. Adjusted operating margin expanded by 220 basis points over last year and reached 35.5%.
Our full-year performance is right in line with our guidance for mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth, adjusted operating margin expansion, strong earnings, and double-digit free cash flow growth. Organic revenue growth was 6%, and total revenue increased 9% year-over-year to $17 billion. Adjusted operating margin expanded by 90 basis points over last year and reached 32.4%.
Speaker #2: Organic revenue growth was 6% in total revenue increase 9% year over year to 17 billion. Adjusted operating margin expanded by 90 basis points over last year and reached 32.4%.
Adjusted EPS was $17.07, up 9% year-over-year. And finally, free cash flow increased 14% over 2024. For the fourth quarter, organic revenue growth was 5%, and total revenue impacted by the wealth and straws dispositions increased 4% year-over-year to $4.3 billion. Adjusted operating margin expanded by 220 basis points over last year and reached 35.5%.
Speaker #2: Adjusted EPS was 17.07, up 9% year over year. And finally, free cash flow increased 14% over 2024. For the fourth quarter, organic revenue growth was 5% and total revenue impacted by the wealth and straws dispositions increased 4% year over year to 4.3 billion.
Speaker #2: Adjusted operating margin expanded by 220 basis points over last year and reached 35.5%. Adjusted EPS was up 10% to $4.85. And finally, free cash flow increased 16%.
Edmund Reese: Adjusted EPS was up 10% to $4.85. And finally, free cash flow increased 16%. Let's get into the details of these results, starting with organic revenue growth on Slide 6. Organic revenue growth was 5% in the quarter, with both commercial risk and reinsurance delivering 6% or better growth on the back of new business and continued strong retention. This performance reflects the importance of hiring in priority growth areas and the strength of our analytical and advisory capabilities, which are helping clients capitalize on favorable pricing conditions. In commercial risks, 6% growth reflected continued strength in our core P&C business globally, including strong growth in the US, EMEA, and Latin America. Additionally, construction delivered another quarter of double-digit growth, driven by ongoing demand for large global infrastructure projects, including data center construction for major technology clients.
Adjusted EPS was up 10% to $4.85. And finally, free cash flow increased 16%. Let's get into the details of these results, starting with organic revenue growth on Slide 6. Organic revenue growth was 5% in the quarter, with both commercial risk and reinsurance delivering 6% or better growth on the back of new business and continued strong retention. This performance reflects the importance of hiring in priority growth areas and the strength of our analytical and advisory capabilities, which are helping clients capitalize on favorable pricing conditions.
Speaker #2: Let's get into the details of these results. Starting with organic revenue growth on slide six. Organic revenue growth was 5% in the quarter with both commercial risk and reinsurance delivering 6% or better growth on the back of new business and continued strong retention.
Speaker #2: This performance reflects the importance of hiring and priority growth areas and the strength of our analytical and advisory capabilities, which are helping clients capitalize on favorable pricing conditions.
In commercial risks, 6% growth reflected continued strength in our core P&C business globally, including strong growth in the US, EMEA, and Latin America. Additionally, construction delivered another quarter of double-digit growth, driven by ongoing demand for large global infrastructure projects, including data center construction for major technology clients.
Speaker #2: Risk, 6% growth reflected in commercial, continued strength in our core P&C business globally, including strong growth in the US, EMEA, and Latin America. Additionally, construction delivered another quarter of double-digit growth, driven by ongoing demand for large, global infrastructure projects, including data center construction for major technology clients.
Speaker #2: I'll also note that while the lift from M&A services was modest, we remained well-positioned in this space and expect M&A activity to support our mid-single-digit or greater growth as we enter 2026.
Edmund Reese: I'll also note that while the lift from M&A services was modest, we remain well-positioned in this space and expect M&A activity to support our mid-single digit or greater growth as we enter 2026. Reinsurance delivered 8% growth, driven by double-digit growth in both insurance-linked securities and our strategy and technology group, as well as continued strength in facultative placements. Insurance-linked securities benefited from record cat bond issuances, which reached $59 billion outstanding as investors increasingly seek uncorrelated asset classes. STG also saw elevated demand for our analytics, which helped clients access alternative forms of capital. Looking ahead, our data indicates softer Jan. 1 property renewals with rate declines of 15% to 20%.
I'll also note that while the lift from M&A services was modest, we remain well-positioned in this space and expect M&A activity to support our mid-single digit or greater growth as we enter 2026. Reinsurance delivered 8% growth, driven by double-digit growth in both insurance-linked securities and our strategy and technology group, as well as continued strength in facultative placements.
Speaker #2: Reinsurance delivered 8% growth driven by double-digit growth in both insurance-linked securities and our strategy and technology group, as well as continued strength in facultative placements.
Speaker #2: Insurance-linked securities benefited from record cap bond issuances, which reached 59 billion outstanding as investors increasingly seek uncorrelated asset classes. STG also saw elevated demand for our analytics, which helped clients access alternative forms of capital.
Insurance-linked securities benefited from record cat bond issuances, which reached $59 billion outstanding as investors increasingly seek uncorrelated asset classes. STG also saw elevated demand for our analytics, which helped clients access alternative forms of capital. Looking ahead, our data indicates softer Jan. 1 property renewals with rate declines of 15% to 20%.
Speaker #2: Looking ahead, our data indicates softer Jan 1 property renewals with rate declines of 15 to 20%. Even with this market headwind, we continue to expect full-year 2026 organic revenue growth in line with our mid-single-digit or greater objective.
Edmund Reese: Even with this market headwind, we continue to expect full year 2026 organic revenue growth in line with our mid-single digit or greater objective, supported by higher limits, ongoing strength in international facultative placements, record activity in insurance-linked securities, and growing demand for STG analytics. We are uniquely positioned at the intersection of insurance and capital markets, helping clients access alternative capital at scale. This positioning becomes even more valuable in a softer rate environment, where innovation matters as much as price. Health Solutions grew 2% this quarter, and this growth reflects mid-single digit growth in our core health and benefits offerings across the US and EMEA, partially offset by delayed closed sales moving into Q1 2026 and slower discretionary spend in talent solutions. While consulting services in areas like talent may experience short-term deferrals, these needs are structural, and demand typically rebounds as conditions normalize.
Even with this market headwind, we continue to expect full year 2026 organic revenue growth in line with our mid-single digit or greater objective, supported by higher limits, ongoing strength in international facultative placements, record activity in insurance-linked securities, and growing demand for STG analytics. We are uniquely positioned at the intersection of insurance and capital markets, helping clients access alternative capital at scale. This positioning becomes even more valuable in a softer rate environment, where innovation matters as much as price.
Speaker #2: Supported by higher limits, ongoing strength in international facultative placements, record activity in insurance-linked securities, and growing demand for STG analytics. We are uniquely positioned at the intersection of insurance and capital markets, helping clients access alternative capital at scale.
Speaker #2: This positioning becomes even more valuable in a softer rate environment, where innovation matters as much as price. Health Solutions grew 2% this quarter, and this growth reflects mid-single-digit growth in our core Health and Benefits offerings across the US and EMEA, partially offset by delayed closed sales moving into Q1 '26 and slower discretionary spend in Talent Solutions.
Health Solutions grew 2% this quarter, and this growth reflects mid-single digit growth in our core health and benefits offerings across the US and EMEA, partially offset by delayed closed sales moving into Q1 2026 and slower discretionary spend in talent solutions. While consulting services in areas like talent may experience short-term deferrals, these needs are structural, and demand typically rebounds as conditions normalize.
Speaker #2: While consulting services in areas like talent may experience short-term deferrals, these needs are structural and demand typically rebounds as conditions normalize. We continue to expect health to remain an area of strength and well within our mid-single-digit or greater objective.
Edmund Reese: We continue to expect health to remain an area of strength and well within our mid-single digit or greater objective. Wealth generated 2% growth, in line with the 1% to 2% we guided to last quarter. Performance for the quarter and the full year was led by strong advisory demand in the UK, and EMEA related to ongoing regulatory change. Importantly, for the full year, all four of our solution lines were in line with our mid-single digit or greater objective. Growth was broad-based, with commercial risk, and reinsurance at 6%, and each of our human capital solutions delivering 5%. Let me walk through the components of our Q4 organic revenue growth on Slide 7. We extended our consistent track record of strong new business generation in Q4.
We continue to expect health to remain an area of strength and well within our mid-single digit or greater objective. Wealth generated 2% growth, in line with the 1% to 2% we guided to last quarter. Performance for the quarter and the full year was led by strong advisory demand in the UK, and EMEA related to ongoing regulatory change. Importantly, for the full year, all four of our solution lines were in line with our mid-single digit or greater objective.
Speaker #2: Wealth-generated 2% growth in line with the quarter. 1 to 2% we guided to last Performance for the quarter and the full year was led by strong advisory demand in the UK and EMEA related to ongoing regulatory change.
Speaker #2: Importantly, for the full year, all four of our solution lines were in line with our mid-single-digit or greater objective. Growth was broad-based with commercial risk and reinsurance at 6%, and each of our human capital solutions delivering 5%.
Growth was broad-based, with commercial risk, and reinsurance at 6%, and each of our human capital solutions delivering 5%. Let me walk through the components of our Q4 organic revenue growth on Slide 7. We extended our consistent track record of strong new business generation in Q4.
Speaker #2: Let me walk through the components of our Q4 organic revenue growth on slide seven. We extended our consistent track record of strong new business generation in Q4.
Speaker #2: New business contributed 9 points to organic revenue growth, supported by steady new client acquisition and expanded mandates with existing clients. Our investment in revenue-generating talent particularly in high-growth sectors like construction and energy has supported the 10-point new business contribution to organic revenue growth for the year.
Edmund Reese: New business contributed 9 points to organic revenue growth, supported by steady new client acquisition and expanded mandates with existing clients. Our investment in revenue-generating talent, particularly in high-growth sectors like construction and energy, has supported the 10-point new business contribution to organic revenue growth for the year. In 2025, despite intense competitive pressure for talent, revenue-generating hires were up 6%, firmly within our 4% to 8% objective. The 2024 and 2025 cohorts are tracking to similar seasoning curves for both incremental revenue and timing, and together contributed approximately 50 basis points to 2025 organic revenue growth. We expect continued momentum and compounding benefits from the seasoning of the 2024 and 2025 cohorts.
New business contributed 9 points to organic revenue growth, supported by steady new client acquisition and expanded mandates with existing clients. Our investment in revenue-generating talent, particularly in high-growth sectors like construction and energy, has supported the 10-point new business contribution to organic revenue growth for the year. In 2025, despite intense competitive pressure for talent, revenue-generating hires were up 6%, firmly within our 4% to 8% objective.
Speaker #2: In 2025, despite intense competitive pressure for talent, revenue-generating hires were up 6%, firmly within our 4 to 8% objective. The 2024 and 2025 cohorts are tracking to similar seasoning curves for both incremental revenue and timing, and together contributed approximately 50 basis points to 2025 organic revenue growth.
The 2024 and 2025 cohorts are tracking to similar seasoning curves for both incremental revenue and timing, and together contributed approximately 50 basis points to 2025 organic revenue growth. We expect continued momentum and compounding benefits from the seasoning of the 2024 and 2025 cohorts.
Speaker #2: We expect continued momentum in compounding benefit from the seasoning of the 2024 and 2025 cohorts. We plan to continue investing in growth and to expand this population by an additional 4 to 8% in 2026.
Edmund Reese: We plan to continue investing in growth and to expand this population by an additional 4 to 8% in 2026, and again, this is because we see specific opportunities in high-growth priority areas. Q4 2025 retention remains strong at a mid-90s rate, supported by continued improvement in commercial risk and reinsurance. Increased engagement through our Enterprise Client Group and enhanced service delivery from our ABS capabilities are playing a meaningful role in sustaining and strengthening client relationships. Net new business contributed 3 points to organic revenue growth in the quarter. Net market impact, which captures the impact of rate and exposure, contributed 1 point to organic revenue growth, consistent with each quarter this year and within our 0 to 2-point estimated range.
We plan to continue investing in growth and to expand this population by an additional 4 to 8% in 2026, and again, this is because we see specific opportunities in high-growth priority areas. Q4 2025 retention remains strong at a mid-90s rate, supported by continued improvement in commercial risk and reinsurance. Increased engagement through our Enterprise Client Group and enhanced service delivery from our ABS capabilities are playing a meaningful role in sustaining and strengthening client relationships.
Speaker #2: And again, this is because we see specific opportunities in high-growth priority areas. Q4 '25 retention remains strong, and the mid-90s rate is supported by continued improvement in commercial risk and reinsurance.
Speaker #2: Increased engagement through our Enterprise Client Group and enhanced service delivery from our ABS capabilities are playing a meaningful role in sustaining and strengthening client relationships.
Speaker #2: Net new business contributed 3 points to organic revenue growth in the quarter. Net market impact which captures the impact of rate and exposure contributed 1 point to organic revenue growth, consistent with each quarter this year and within our 0 to 2-point estimated range.
Net new business contributed 3 points to organic revenue growth in the quarter. Net market impact, which captures the impact of rate and exposure, contributed 1 point to organic revenue growth, consistent with each quarter this year and within our 0 to 2-point estimated range.
Speaker #2: Reinsurance was down primarily from rate declines on 10-1 renewals and that impact was offset by limit and coverage increases across cyber and commercial risk, supporting clients managing rising healthcare costs and health, as well as rate benefits and wealth.
Edmund Reese: Reinsurance was down primarily from rate declines on 10-1 renewals, and that impact was offset by limit and coverage increases across cyber and commercial risk, supporting clients managing rising healthcare costs and health, as well as rate benefits and wealth. One final point on revenue. Fourth quarter fiduciary investment income was $63 million, down 17% versus the prior year, as higher average balances were more than offset by lower interest rates. Our full-year 2025 results underscore why we have high conviction in our durable mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth model. We are executing on each component of the model. First, delivering 9 to 11 points of growth from new business. We delivered 10 points with significant contribution from our investment hires and NFP revenue synergies. Second, maintaining a mid-90s high retention rate. We improved 50 basis points over last year.
Reinsurance was down primarily from rate declines on 10-1 renewals, and that impact was offset by limit and coverage increases across cyber and commercial risk, supporting clients managing rising healthcare costs and health, as well as rate benefits and wealth. One final point on revenue. Fourth quarter fiduciary investment income was $63 million, down 17% versus the prior year, as higher average balances were more than offset by lower interest rates.
Speaker #2: And one final point on revenue. Fourth-quarter fiduciary investment income was $63 million, down 17% versus the prior year, as higher average balances were more than offset by lower interest rates.
Speaker #2: Our full-year 2025 results underscore why we have high conviction in our durable mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth model. We are executing on each component of the model.
Our full-year 2025 results underscore why we have high conviction in our durable mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth model. We are executing on each component of the model. First, delivering 9 to 11 points of growth from new business. We delivered 10 points with significant contribution from our investment hires and NFP revenue synergies. Second, maintaining a mid-90s high retention rate. We improved 50 basis points over last year.
Speaker #2: First, delivering 9 to 11 points of growth from new business. We delivered 10 points, with significant contribution from our investment hires and NFP revenue synergies.
Speaker #2: Second, maintaining a mid-'90s high retention rate we improved 50 basis points over last year. Finally, achieving a 0 to 2-point net market contribution in this macro environment.
Edmund Reese: Finally, achieving a 0 to 2-point net market contribution in this macro environment. We consistently delivered 1 point in each quarter this year. Turning now to margins on Slide 8. Q4 adjusted operating income increased 11% to $1.5 billion, and adjusted operating margin expanded 220 basis points to 35.5%. For the full year, adjusted operating margin was 32.4%, and we delivered 90 basis points of margin expansion. We continue to expand margins primarily through ABS-enabled scale improvements, ongoing disciplined expense management, including the NFP OpEx synergies, and the benefits from the restructuring initiative to accelerate our 3x3 Plan. We ended the year with $160 million in restructuring savings, $10 million ahead of our plan, supported by $50 million of savings in Q4.
Finally, achieving a 0 to 2-point net market contribution in this macro environment. We consistently delivered 1 point in each quarter this year. Turning now to margins on Slide 8. Q4 adjusted operating income increased 11% to $1.5 billion, and adjusted operating margin expanded 220 basis points to 35.5%. For the full year, adjusted operating margin was 32.4%, and we delivered 90 basis points of margin expansion.
Speaker #2: We consistently delivered 1 point in each quarter this year. Turning now to margins on slide eight. Q4 adjusted operating income increased 11% to $1.5 billion, and adjusted operating margin expanded 220 basis points to 35.5%.
Speaker #2: For the full year, adjusted operating margin was 32.4%, and we delivered 90 basis points of margin expansion. We continue to expand margins primarily through ABS-enabled scale improvements, ongoing disciplined expense management—including the NFP OPEX synergies—and the benefits from the restructuring initiative to accelerate our three-by-three plan.
We continue to expand margins primarily through ABS-enabled scale improvements, ongoing disciplined expense management, including the NFP OpEx synergies, and the benefits from the restructuring initiative to accelerate our 3x3 Plan. We ended the year with $160 million in restructuring savings, $10 million ahead of our plan, supported by $50 million of savings in Q4.
Speaker #2: We ended the year with 160 million in restructuring savings, 10 million ahead of our plan, supported by 50 million of savings in Q4. Restructuring savings contributed approximately 115 basis points to adjusted operating margin in Q4 and approximately 90 basis points to full-year margin expansion.
Edmund Reese: Restructuring savings contributed approximately 115 basis points to adjusted operating margin in Q4 and approximately 90 basis points to full-year margin expansion. As we enter the final year of the accelerating Aon United AAU restructuring program, we have identified additional opportunity to accelerate the NFP integration into ABS, leveraging our global capability centers and deepening integration across our technology platforms. We now expect to complete the AAU investment at $1.3 billion, and we are firmly on pace to deliver $450 million in total savings. We have used the AAU program to strengthen our foundation for ongoing margin expansion within our core business operations, and we have clear visibility to growth at higher profit margins, driven by continued operating leverage through ABS.
Restructuring savings contributed approximately 115 basis points to adjusted operating margin in Q4 and approximately 90 basis points to full-year margin expansion. As we enter the final year of the accelerating Aon United AAU restructuring program, we have identified additional opportunity to accelerate the NFP integration into ABS, leveraging our global capability centers and deepening integration across our technology platforms.
Speaker #2: As we enter the final year of the accelerating Aon United AAU restructuring program, we have identified additional opportunity to accelerate the NFP integration into ABS, leveraging our global capability centers and deepening integration across our technology platforms.
Speaker #2: We now expect to complete the AAU investment at $1.3 billion and we are firmly on pace to deliver $450 million in total savings. We have used the AAU program to strengthen our foundation for ongoing margin expansion within our core business operations.
We now expect to complete the AAU investment at $1.3 billion, and we are firmly on pace to deliver $450 million in total savings. We have used the AAU program to strengthen our foundation for ongoing margin expansion within our core business operations, and we have clear visibility to growth at higher profit margins, driven by continued operating leverage through ABS.
Speaker #2: And we have clear profit margins driven by visibility to growth at higher continued operating leverage through ABS. Moving the interests of their income and taxes on slide nine.
Edmund Reese: With respect to interest income and taxes on slide 9, interest income was $14 million in the fourth quarter and up $10 million over last year, driven by interest earned on proceeds from the sale of NFP Wealth. Interest expense came in at $191 million, $16 million lower than last year, primarily due to lower average debt balances. We expect Q1 2026 interest expense to be approximately $185 million. Other expense was $21 million, compared to a $2 million benefit last year, driven by gains from balance sheet currency exposure, gains from the divestment of our non-core personal lines business, and our hedging program. We estimate Q1 2026 other expense to range between $20 and $25 million.
With respect to interest income and taxes on slide 9, interest income was $14 million in the fourth quarter and up $10 million over last year, driven by interest earned on proceeds from the sale of NFP Wealth. Interest expense came in at $191 million, $16 million lower than last year, primarily due to lower average debt balances. We expect Q1 2026 interest expense to be approximately $185 million.
Speaker #2: Interest income was $14 million in the fourth quarter and up $10 million over last year, driven by interest earned on proceeds from the sale of NFP Wealth.
Speaker #2: Interest expense came in at $191 million, $16 million lower than last year, primarily due to lower average debt balances. We expect Q1 '26 interest expense to be approximately $185 million.
Speaker #2: Other expense was 21 million compared to 2 million benefit last year driven by gains from balance sheet currency exposure, gains from the divestment of our non-core personal lines business, and our hedging program.
Other expense was $21 million, compared to a $2 million benefit last year, driven by gains from balance sheet currency exposure, gains from the divestment of our non-core personal lines business, and our hedging program. We estimate Q1 2026 other expense to range between $20 and $25 million.
Speaker #2: We estimate Q1 '26 other expense to range between $20 million and $25 million. Finally, the Q4 tax rate was 20%, bringing the full-year tax rate to 19.5%, 60 bps better than last year and in line with our estimate of 19.5% to 20.5%.
Edmund Reese: Finally, the Q4 tax rate was 20%, bringing the full year tax rate to 19.5%, 60 bps better than last year, and in line with our estimate of 19.5% to 20.5%. Turning now to free cash flow and capital allocation. On Slide 10, we generated $1.3 billion of free cash flow in the fourth quarter, bringing our full year free cash flow to $3.2 billion, an increase of 14% compared to 2024. As we expected, our double-digit free cash flow was driven by strong adjusted operating income, including contributions from NFP as integration costs wound down. Turning to capital on the right-hand side of the page, our strong free cash flow growth enabled us to continue to execute our capital allocation model.
Finally, the Q4 tax rate was 20%, bringing the full year tax rate to 19.5%, 60 bps better than last year, and in line with our estimate of 19.5% to 20.5%. Turning now to free cash flow and capital allocation. On Slide 10, we generated $1.3 billion of free cash flow in the fourth quarter, bringing our full year free cash flow to $3.2 billion, an increase of 14% compared to 2024.
Speaker #2: Turning now to free cash flow and capital allocation on slide 10. We generated $1.3 billion of free cash flow in the fourth quarter, bringing our full-year free cash flow to $3.2 billion, an increase of 14% compared to 2024.
Speaker #2: As we expected, our double-digit free cash flow was driven by strong adjusted operating income including contributions from NFP as integration costs wound down. Turning the capital on the right-hand side of the page.
As we expected, our double-digit free cash flow was driven by strong adjusted operating income, including contributions from NFP as integration costs wound down. Turning to capital on the right-hand side of the page, our strong free cash flow growth enabled us to continue to execute our capital allocation model.
Speaker #2: Our strong free cash flow growth enabled us to continue to execute our capital allocation model. We paid down 1.9 billion of debt in 2025 and coupled with strong earnings growth lowered our leverage ratio to 2.9 times.
Edmund Reese: We paid down $1.9 billion of debt in 2025, and coupled with strong earnings growth, lowered our leverage ratio to 2.9 times. Both the level and the timing are consistent with the 2.8 to 3 times Q4 2025 objective established when we announced the NFP acquisition, again, reflecting our disciplined execution. Additionally, we remained active in M&A, continuing our programmatic tuck-in acquisitions across high-growth priority areas, including middle market acquisitions through NFP, which acquired $42 million of EBITDA for the full year, in line with our expectations. Finally, in 2025, we returned $1.6 billion in capital to shareholders, including $1 billion in share repurchases.
We paid down $1.9 billion of debt in 2025, and coupled with strong earnings growth, lowered our leverage ratio to 2.9 times. Both the level and the timing are consistent with the 2.8 to 3 times Q4 2025 objective established when we announced the NFP acquisition, again, reflecting our disciplined execution.
Speaker #2: Both the level and the timing are consistent with the 2.8 to 3 times Q4 2025 objective established when we announced the NFP acquisition—again, reflecting our disciplined execution.
Speaker #2: Additionally, we remained active in M&A. Continuing our programmatic tuck-in acquisitions across high growth priority areas including middle market acquisitions through NFP which acquired 42 million of EBITDA for the full year in line with our expectations.
Additionally, we remained active in M&A, continuing our programmatic tuck-in acquisitions across high-growth priority areas, including middle market acquisitions through NFP, which acquired $42 million of EBITDA for the full year, in line with our expectations. Finally, in 2025, we returned $1.6 billion in capital to shareholders, including $1 billion in share repurchases.
Speaker #2: And finally, in 2025, we returned $1.6 billion in capital to shareholders, including $1 billion in share repurchases. The strength of our results in 2025 demonstrates commitment to our balanced capital allocation model.
Edmund Reese: The strength of our results in 2025 demonstrate commitment to our balanced capital allocation model, prioritizing our leverage objective, consistently growing the dividend, and executing our disciplined approach to high return M&A and capital return. I will conclude my prepared remarks on Slide 11 with our 2026 guidance and some forward-looking perspective on our growth objectives. As we enter the final year of our 3x3 Plan, the drivers of growth are stable, and we are executing on both our strategy and the financial model with precision. We carry substantial momentum into 2026, and in summary, our full year 2026 guidance includes mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth, 70 to 80 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion, strong adjusted EPS growth, and double-digit free cash flow growth. Let me walk through the key drivers of each guidance point, starting first with organic revenue growth.
The strength of our results in 2025 demonstrate commitment to our balanced capital allocation model, prioritizing our leverage objective, consistently growing the dividend, and executing our disciplined approach to high return M&A and capital return. I will conclude my prepared remarks on Slide 11 with our 2026 guidance and some forward-looking perspective on our growth objectives. As we enter the final year of our 3x3 Plan, the drivers of growth are stable, and we are executing on both our strategy and the financial model with precision.
Speaker #2: Prioritizing our leverage objective consistently growing the dividend and executing our disciplined approach to high return M&A and capital return. I will conclude my prepared remarks on slide 11 with our 2026 guidance and some forward-looking perspective on our growth objectives.
Speaker #2: As we enter the final year of our three-by-three plan, the drivers of growth are stable and we are executing on both our strategy and the financial model with precision.
Speaker #2: We carry substantial momentum into 2026, and in summary, our full-year '26 guidance includes mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth, 70 to 80 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion, strong adjusted EPS growth, and double-digit free cash flow growth.
We carry substantial momentum into 2026, and in summary, our full year 2026 guidance includes mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth, 70 to 80 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion, strong adjusted EPS growth, and double-digit free cash flow growth. Let me walk through the key drivers of each guidance point, starting first with organic revenue growth.
Speaker #2: And let me walk through the key drivers of each guidance point, starting first with organic revenue growth. We expect mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth, fueled by recurring new business wins with both existing and new clients, the compounding contribution from revenue-generating hires and priority areas, and within the Enterprise Client Group, and creative growth in the middle market, including revenue synergies from NFP.
Edmund Reese: We expect mid-single digit or greater organic revenue growth, fueled by recurring new business wins with both existing and new clients, the compounding contribution from revenue-generating hires in priority areas and within the Enterprise Client Group, and accretive growth in the middle market, including revenue synergies from NFP. We also expect continued mid-nineties retention and 0 to 2 points from the net market impact, which assumes we continue to offset rate pressure in property and treaty. On adjusted operating margin, we expect 70 to 80 basis points of expansion, driven by three key components. First, the impact of lower interest rates on investment income from fiduciary balances is expected to dilute margins by 20 basis points. Second, we expect $180 million in restructuring savings over 2026 and 2027, including additional savings from accelerating the NFP integration.
We expect mid-single digit or greater organic revenue growth, fueled by recurring new business wins with both existing and new clients, the compounding contribution from revenue-generating hires in priority areas and within the Enterprise Client Group, and accretive growth in the middle market, including revenue synergies from NFP. We also expect continued mid-nineties retention and 0 to 2 points from the net market impact, which assumes we continue to offset rate pressure in property and treaty.
Speaker #2: We also expect continued mid-90s retention and 0 to 2 points from the net market impact, which assumes we continue to offset rate pressure and property and treaty.
Speaker #2: On the adjusted operating margin, we expect 70 to 80 basis points of expansion driven by three key components. First, the impact of lower interest rates on investment income from fiduciary balances is expected to dilute margins by 20 basis points.
On adjusted operating margin, we expect 70 to 80 basis points of expansion, driven by three key components. First, the impact of lower interest rates on investment income from fiduciary balances is expected to dilute margins by 20 basis points. Second, we expect $180 million in restructuring savings over 2026 and 2027, including additional savings from accelerating the NFP integration.
Speaker #2: Second, we expect 180 million in restructuring savings over '26 and '27 including additional savings from accelerating the NFP integration. For 2026, 100 million of savings will contribute approximately 50 basis points of margin expansion.
Edmund Reese: For 2026, $100 million of savings will contribute approximately 50 basis points of margin expansion. Third, and most important, we expect 40 to 50 basis points of margin expansion from the operating leverage in the scalable ABS platform. Our ABS growth engine continues to deliver scale benefits, capacity for growth investments, and margin expansion that drives earnings growth. Our expectations for mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth and 70 to 80 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion support a strong adjusted EPS growth outlook for 2026. Embedded in this earnings guidance is a 2-point EPS tailwind from FX based on today's FX rates remaining stable, a 2-point headwind from the sale of the NFP Wealth business, an expected tax rate of 19.5% to 20.5%, excluding any extraordinary discrete items, and a non-cash pension expense of $80 million.
For 2026, $100 million of savings will contribute approximately 50 basis points of margin expansion. Third, and most important, we expect 40 to 50 basis points of margin expansion from the operating leverage in the scalable ABS platform. Our ABS growth engine continues to deliver scale benefits, capacity for growth investments, and margin expansion that drives earnings growth. Our expectations for mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth and 70 to 80 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion support a strong adjusted EPS growth outlook for 2026.
Speaker #2: Third, and most important, we expect 40 to 50 basis points on margin expansion from the operating leverage and the scalable ABS platform. Our ABS growth engine continues to deliver scale benefits, capacity for growth investments, and margin expansion that drives earnings growth.
Speaker #2: Our expectations for mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth and 70 to 80 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion support a strong adjusted EPS growth outlook for 2026.
Speaker #2: Embedded in this earnings guidance is a two-point EPS tailwind from FX based on today's FX rates remaining stable. A two-point headwind from the sale of the NFP wealth business and expected tax rate of 19.5 to 20.5% excluding any extraordinary discrete items.
Embedded in this earnings guidance is a 2-point EPS tailwind from FX based on today's FX rates remaining stable, a 2-point headwind from the sale of the NFP Wealth business, an expected tax rate of 19.5% to 20.5%, excluding any extraordinary discrete items, and a non-cash pension expense of $80 million.
Speaker #2: And a non-cash pension expense of 80 million. Our financial model is built on sustainable top-line growth, consistent strong earnings, and reliably converting those earnings into double-digit free cash flow growth.
Edmund Reese: Our financial model is built on sustainable top-line growth, consistent strong earnings, and reliably converting those earnings into double-digit free cash flow growth. In 2026, we expect $4.3 billion of free cash flow generation from operating income and working capital improvements. The tax impact from the over $2 billion in proceeds generated from the NFP Wealth sale will be reflected in operating cash flows and will reduce free cash flow by approximately $300 million... prior to any benefit from the usage of those proceeds. Of course, with over $2 billion in proceeds, we have significantly strengthened our capital position with approximately $7 billion of available capital and substantial strategic flexibility. In 2026, we will remain committed to disciplined capital allocation, balancing investment for growth with capital return to shareholders.
Our financial model is built on sustainable top-line growth, consistent strong earnings, and reliably converting those earnings into double-digit free cash flow growth. In 2026, we expect $4.3 billion of free cash flow generation from operating income and working capital improvements. The tax impact from the over $2 billion in proceeds generated from the NFP Wealth sale will be reflected in operating cash flows and will reduce free cash flow by approximately $300 million... prior to any benefit from the usage of those proceeds.
Speaker #2: In 2026, we expect 4.3 billion of free cash flow generation from operating income and working capital improvements. The tax impact from the over $2 billion in proceeds generated from the NFP wealth sale will be reflected in operating cash flows and will reduce free cash flow by approximately 300 million prior to any benefit from the usage of those proceeds.
Speaker #2: Of course, with over $2 billion in proceeds, we have significantly strengthened our capital position, with approximately $7 billion of available capital and substantial strategic flexibility.
Of course, with over $2 billion in proceeds, we have significantly strengthened our capital position with approximately $7 billion of available capital and substantial strategic flexibility. In 2026, we will remain committed to disciplined capital allocation, balancing investment for growth with capital return to shareholders.
Speaker #2: In 2026, we will remain committed to disciplined capital allocation balancing investment for growth with capital return to shareholders. We plan to return at least $1 billion in share repurchases while continuing to evaluate our inorganic pipeline for high margin, high growth areas across risk capital and human capital.
Edmund Reese: We plan to return at least $1 billion in share repurchases while continuing to evaluate our inorganic pipeline for high margin, high growth areas across risk capital and human capital. In closing, our performance in 2025 demonstrates the resilience of the firm and the precision with which we are managing the business, executing the 3x3 Plan, delivering on our financial model, and allocating capital with a sharp focus on returns. Our disciplined execution is evident in our organic revenue growth, margin expansion, and enhanced earnings power. This consistency gives us confidence that what you are seeing today is not episodic. It is the result of our strategy and financial model producing durable outcomes and gives us even greater conviction in our ability to continue creating long-term value for shareholders. So with that, let's open up the line for questions. Kevin, back to you.
We plan to return at least $1 billion in share repurchases while continuing to evaluate our inorganic pipeline for high margin, high growth areas across risk capital and human capital. In closing, our performance in 2025 demonstrates the resilience of the firm and the precision with which we are managing the business, executing the 3x3 Plan, delivering on our financial model, and allocating capital with a sharp focus on returns. Our disciplined execution is evident in our organic revenue growth, margin expansion, and enhanced earnings power.
Speaker #2: In closing, our performance in 2025 demonstrates the resilience of the firm and the precision with which we are managing the business. Executing the three-by-three plan, delivering on our financial model, and allocating capital with a sharp focus on returns.
Speaker #2: Our disciplined execution is evident in our organic revenue growth, margin expansion, and enhanced earnings power. This consistency gives us confidence that what you are seeing today is not our strategy and financial model producing durable, greater conviction in our ability to continue creating long-term value for shareholders.
This consistency gives us confidence that what you are seeing today is not episodic. It is the result of our strategy and financial model producing durable outcomes and gives us even greater conviction in our ability to continue creating long-term value for shareholders. So with that, let's open up the line for questions. Kevin, back to you.
Speaker #2: So with that, let's open up the line for questions. Kevin, back to you. Certainly. Would I be conducting a question-and-answer session if you'd like to be placed into question Q?
Operator: Certainly. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you'd like to be placed in the question queue, please press star one on your telephone keypad, and we ask you please ask one question, one follow-up, then return to the queue. If you'd like to remove yourself from the queue, please press star two. Once again, that's star one to enter the queue, and please ask one question, one follow-up, then return to the queue. Our first question is coming from Bob Huang from Morgan Stanley. Your line is now live.
Operator: Certainly. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you'd like to be placed in the question queue, please press star one on your telephone keypad, and we ask you please ask one question, one follow-up, then return to the queue. If you'd like to remove yourself from the queue, please press star two. Once again, that's star one to enter the queue, and please ask one question, one follow-up, then return to the queue. Our first question is coming from Bob Huang from Morgan Stanley. Your line is now live.
Speaker #2: Please press star one on your telephone keypad, and we ask that you please ask one question one follow-up that returns to the Q. If you'd like to remove yourself from the Q, please press star two.
Speaker #2: Once again, that's *star one* to enter the queue, and please ask one question and one follow-up that returns to the queue. Our first question is coming from Bob Huang from Morgan Stanley.
Speaker #2: Your line is now
Speaker #2: live. Good morning
Bob Huang: Good morning, and congratulations on the quarter. Maybe if I can just ask a question to follow up on talent and retention, in today's environment. Obviously, net hire has been a strength to your growth, but can you give me, can you maybe give us a little bit more color in terms of what competition for talent looks like today? Obviously, there are some brokers that are extremely aggressive out there. Does that significantly impact you in terms of talent retention and hires, especially in key growth areas like data centers, energy, infrastructure, things of that nature? Just curious about attrition, retention, things of that nature.
Bob Huang: Good morning, and congratulations on the quarter. Maybe if I can just ask a question to follow up on talent and retention, in today's environment. Obviously, net hire has been a strength to your growth, but can you give me, can you maybe give us a little bit more color in terms of what competition for talent looks like today? Obviously, there are some brokers that are extremely aggressive out there. Does that significantly impact you in terms of talent retention and hires, especially in key growth areas like data centers, energy, infrastructure, things of that nature? Just curious about attrition, retention, things of that nature.
Speaker #3: and congratulations on the quarter. Maybe if I can just ask a question to follow up on talent and retention in today's environment. Obviously, net hire has been a strength to your growth.
Speaker #3: But can you give me a can you maybe give us a little bit more color in terms of what competition for talent looks like today?
Speaker #3: Obviously, there are some brokers that are extremely aggressive out there. Does that significantly impact you in terms of talent retention and hires? Especially in key growth areas like data centers, energy, infrastructure, things of that nature.
Speaker #3: Just curious about attrition and retention, things of that nature.
Speaker #4: Well, thanks for that question. I appreciate it. And I'll offer a couple of thoughts. And Edmund, jump on in here. First of all, for us, talent is fundamental.
Greg Case: Bob, thanks for that question. Appreciate it. And, I'll offer a couple of thoughts, and Edmund, jump on in here. First of all, for us, talent is fundamental. You know this, Bob. We've talked about this, you know, pretty much on every call. And what you see us doing is continuing to invest, not just in additional talent in priority areas. We've talked about construction, energy, health, mid-market, and data centers, et cetera, but helping that talent be more effective. Literally, the tour de force investment around Aon Business Services is really around content, capability. So not only our existing colleagues, but new colleagues who come into the firm have an opportunity to do things with clients they've never done before. As such, Bob, we are uniquely positioned to bring talent into the firm.
Greg Case: Bob, thanks for that question. Appreciate it. And, I'll offer a couple of thoughts, and Edmund, jump on in here. First of all, for us, talent is fundamental. You know this, Bob. We've talked about this, you know, pretty much on every call. And what you see us doing is continuing to invest, not just in additional talent in priority areas. We've talked about construction, energy, health, mid-market, and data centers, et cetera, but helping that talent be more effective.
Speaker #4: You know this, Bob. We've talked about this pretty much on every call. And what you see us doing is continuing to invest, not just in additional talent in priority areas.
Speaker #4: We've talked about construction and energy and health and mid-market and data centers, etc. But helping that talent be more effective. Literally, the tour de force investment around Aon Business Services is really around content, capability, so not only our existing colleagues, but new colleagues who come into the firm, have an opportunity to do things with clients they've never done before.
Literally, the tour de force investment around Aon Business Services is really around content, capability. So not only our existing colleagues, but new colleagues who come into the firm have an opportunity to do things with clients they've never done before. As such, Bob, we are uniquely positioned to bring talent into the firm.
Speaker #4: As such, Bob, we are uniqueally positioned to bring talent into the firm. That's why in the current environment, as Edmund described, we're well up on a net basis from a talent standpoint.
Greg Case: That's why, you know, in the current environment, as Edmund described, you know, we're well up on a net basis from a talent standpoint. And we're gonna continue to make investments to support our mission and our efforts here and look forward to it. And the reaction we're getting as colleagues come in is incredibly positive, but it's met and exceeded by the, you know, the reaction of our existing colleagues who see the opportunity that we bring to their, you know, to their back door on behalf of clients that really no one else can bring. So for us, it's always been competitive out there. We'll continue to be, and we're gonna enter the fray with a lot of confidence and excited on behalf of our colleagues and clients.
That's why, you know, in the current environment, as Edmund described, you know, we're well up on a net basis from a talent standpoint. And we're gonna continue to make investments to support our mission and our efforts here and look forward to it. And the reaction we're getting as colleagues come in is incredibly positive, but it's met and exceeded by the, you know, the reaction of our existing colleagues who see the opportunity that we bring to their, you know, to their back door on behalf of clients that really no one else can bring.
Speaker #4: And we're going to continue to make investments to support our mission and our efforts here, and look forward to it. The reaction we're getting as colleagues come in is incredibly positive.
Speaker #4: But it's met, and exceeded by the direction of our existing colleagues who see the opportunity that we bring to their back door on behalf of clients that really no one else can bring.
Speaker #4: So for us, it's always been competitive out there. We'll continue to be, and we're going to enter the fray with a lot of confidence and excited on behalf of our colleagues and clients.
So for us, it's always been competitive out there. We'll continue to be, and we're gonna enter the fray with a lot of confidence and excited on behalf of our colleagues and clients. But Edmund, what else would you add to that?
Speaker #4: But Edmund, what else would you add to that?
Greg Case: But Edmund, what else would you add to that?
Speaker #5: I'll just emphasize the one point that you have and then talk a little bit about the contribution on that point. I mean, clearly, it's an aggressive and competitive intense environment right now.
Edmund Reese: I'll just emphasize the one point that you have and then talk a little bit about the contribution on that point. I mean, clearly, it's an aggressive and competitive, intense environment right now, and as you just said, Greg, our talent, the attractiveness of it, we're not immune to that. But the point you made about being up 6% net in revenue-generating hires for the year means that we not only were we in line with our objectives, but we're on our front foot, and this continues, to your point, to be a high area of focus for us right now. I mentioned in the prepared remarks that the 2024 and the 2025 cohorts, Bob, are contributing to strong growth, 50 basis points of contribution, and that means that the 2024 cohort was right in line with what we guided to earlier.
Edmund Reese: I'll just emphasize the one point that you have and then talk a little bit about the contribution on that point. I mean, clearly, it's an aggressive and competitive, intense environment right now, and as you just said, Greg, our talent, the attractiveness of it, we're not immune to that. But the point you made about being up 6% net in revenue-generating hires for the year means that we not only were we in line with our objectives, but we're on our front foot, and this continues, to your point, to be a high area of focus for us right now.
Speaker #5: And as you just said, Greg, our talent, the attractiveness of it, we're not immune to that. But the point you made about being up 6% net in revenue-generating hires for the year, means that we not only were we in line with our objectives, but we're on our front foot in this continues to your point to be a high area of focus for us right now.
Speaker #5: I mentioned in the prepared remarks that the '24 and the '25 cohorts, Bob, are contributing to the strong growth—50 bps of contribution—and that means that the '24 cohort was right in line with what we guided to earlier.
I mentioned in the prepared remarks that the 2024 and the 2025 cohorts, Bob, are contributing to strong growth, 50 basis points of contribution, and that means that the 2024 cohort was right in line with what we guided to earlier.
Speaker #5: We said 30 to 35 basis points for the full year. They're tracking in line with that. And so is the 25. And that's showing up to your question in the priority areas.
Edmund Reese: We said 30 to 35 basis points for the full year. They're tracking in line with that, and so is the 25, and that's showing up, to your question, in the priority areas. I mentioned double-digit growth in construction, strong growth in energy, and in our core health and benefits business. Also showing up in new business, where we finished the year with 10 points of contribution from new business. Those things are being impacted by our hiring in those priority areas. So we expect, again, to Greg's point, we have the capacity through ABS to continue making this investment. Our objective, again, going into 2026, is another 4 to 8%. We're gonna stay focused on creating this capacity, building the capabilities that Greg just mentioned to attract them and retain them. That's part of our strategy for growth moving forward.
We said 30 to 35 basis points for the full year. They're tracking in line with that, and so is the 25, and that's showing up, to your question, in the priority areas. I mentioned double-digit growth in construction, strong growth in energy, and in our core health and benefits business. Also showing up in new business, where we finished the year with 10 points of contribution from new business. Those things are being impacted by our hiring in those priority areas.
Speaker #5: I mentioned double-digit growth in construction, strong growth in energy, and in our core health and benefits business. Also showing up in new business where we finished the year with 10 points of contribution.
Speaker #5: From new business, those things are being impacted by our hiring in those priority areas. So we expect, again, to Greg's point, we have the capacity through ABS to continue making this investment.
So we expect, again, to Greg's point, we have the capacity through ABS to continue making this investment. Our objective, again, going into 2026, is another 4 to 8%. We're gonna stay focused on creating this capacity, building the capabilities that Greg just mentioned to attract them and retain them. That's part of our strategy for growth moving forward.
Speaker #5: Our objective again going in the 26 is another 4 to 8%. We're going to stay focused on creating this capacity. Building the capabilities that Greg just mentioned to attract them and retain them, that's part of our strategy for growth moving forward.
Speaker #2: Got it. I really appreciate that. Sounds like the talent is strong, benches deep in core areas. Maybe the other question is really on acquisition and inorganic growth.
Bob Huang: Got it. I really appreciate that. Sounds like the talent is strong, bench is deep in core areas. Maybe the other question is really on acquisition and inorganic growth. You're obviously very optimistic in the middle market environment. Just given the broader market volatility, pricing deceleration, do you foresee more attractive valuation for M&A, or do you, in other words, do you see more opportunities for inorganic growth, or is it something that just given the current environment, how do you think about, is there a way to think about, are you stepping on the gas, so to speak, or is there some something more of a, it's time to dial back a little bit on that side?
Bob Huang: Got it. I really appreciate that. Sounds like the talent is strong, bench is deep in core areas. Maybe the other question is really on acquisition and inorganic growth. You're obviously very optimistic in the middle market environment. Just given the broader market volatility, pricing deceleration, do you foresee more attractive valuation for M&A, or do you, in other words, do you see more opportunities for inorganic growth, or is it something that just given the current environment, how do you think about, is there a way to think about, are you stepping on the gas, so to speak, or is there some something more of a, it's time to dial back a little bit on that side?
Speaker #2: You're obviously very optimistic in the middle market environment. Just given the pricing broader market volatility, deceleration, do you foresee more attractive valuation for M&A?
Speaker #2: Or in other words, do you see more opportunities for inorganic growth? Or is it something that, just given the current environment, how do you think about is there a way to think about, are you stepping on the gas, so to speak?
Speaker #2: Or is there some something more of a, it's time to dial back a little bit on that side?
Speaker #5: Well, let's first just because this is an important question and we should just take our time, make sure that we understand this, just to talk about the capital allocation first and maybe Greg and I both can make a comment on your question about valuations.
Edmund Reese: Well, let's first, just because it's an important question, and we should just take our time and make sure that we understand this, just to talk about the capital allocation first, and maybe Greg and I both can make a comment on your your question about valuations. But I think the first part is capital allocation. I just first need to reiterate that we are just really pleased, first, with the free cash flow generation in 2025, and then the execution of our capital allocation model over 2025, paying down $2 billion of debt and meeting the leverage objective, paying a dividend that was 10% higher, over $40 million to the question that you're asking of middle market acquired EBITDA, primarily through NFP, and $1 billion in capital return versus share repurchases. That means we continue our track record of disciplined execution on this capital allocation model.
Edmund Reese: Well, let's first, just because it's an important question, and we should just take our time and make sure that we understand this, just to talk about the capital allocation first, and maybe Greg and I both can make a comment on your your question about valuations. But I think the first part is capital allocation.
Speaker #5: But I think the first part is capital allocation. I just first need to reiterate that we are just really pleased first with the free cash flow generation in '25 and then the execution of our capital allocation model over '25, paying down $2 billion of debt and meeting the leverage objective paying a dividend that was 10% higher over 40 million to the question that you're asking of middle market acquired EBITDA, primarily through NFP.
I just first need to reiterate that we are just really pleased, first, with the free cash flow generation in 2025, and then the execution of our capital allocation model over 2025, paying down $2 billion of debt and meeting the leverage objective, paying a dividend that was 10% higher, over $40 million to the question that you're asking of middle market acquired EBITDA, primarily through NFP, and $1 billion in capital return versus share repurchases. That means we continue our track record of disciplined execution on this capital allocation model.
Speaker #5: And a billion in capital returns versus share repurchases. That means we continue our track record of disciplined execution on this capital allocation model. As we go into this new environment into 2026, we're focused on continuing that, the strong free cash flow generation and we're in a position of strength with $7 billion and available capital.
Edmund Reese: As we go into this new environment into 2026, we're focused on continuing that, the strong free cash flow generation, and we're in a position of strength with $7 billion in available capital. So what does it look like? How do we allocate that? First, I think now that we've met the leverage objective, focused on paying that, again, increasing dividend, but M&A is gonna be a key part of the capital allocation model. As I said in the prepared remarks, it complements the organic revenue growth, and we've been a great acquirer. It is important to highlight the point we made at Investor Day, that our acquisitions over the last decade have generated 12% revenue growth after we've owned them for a year, that the portfolio IRR of acquisitions over the last decade have been above 20%, and we continue to lead the industry in ROIC.
As we go into this new environment into 2026, we're focused on continuing that, the strong free cash flow generation, and we're in a position of strength with $7 billion in available capital. So what does it look like? How do we allocate that? First, I think now that we've met the leverage objective, focused on paying that, again, increasing dividend, but M&A is gonna be a key part of the capital allocation model.
Speaker #5: So what does it look like? How do we allocate that? First, I think now that we've met the leverage objective, focused on paying that again increasing dividend, but M&A is going to be a key part of the capital allocation model.
Speaker #5: As I said in the prepared remarks, it complements the organic revenue growth. And we've been a great acquirer. It is important to highlight the point we made at Investor Day that our acquisitions over the last decade have generated 12% revenue growth after we've owned them for a year, that the portfolio IRR of acquisitions over the last decade have been above 20%.
As I said in the prepared remarks, it complements the organic revenue growth, and we've been a great acquirer. It is important to highlight the point we made at Investor Day, that our acquisitions over the last decade have generated 12% revenue growth after we've owned them for a year, that the portfolio IRR of acquisitions over the last decade have been above 20%, and we continue to lead the industry in ROIC.
Speaker #5: And we continue to lead the industry in ROIC. So we evaluate opportunities for that strategic fit for that type of financial profile. When we look at the environment, getting to your point now, getting to your question, the portfolio of pipeline opportunities to unlock growth, we got a robust pipeline.
Edmund Reese: So we evaluate opportunities for that strategic fit for that type of financial profile. When we look at the environment, getting to your point now, getting to your question, the portfolio of pipeline opportunities to unlock growth, we got a robust pipeline. But again, we're gonna be focused on the high margin, high growth areas across both risk capital and human capital. We're gonna continue to scale in middle market through NFP, particularly in North America commercial risk. And there are some geographic areas of priority for us where we think there's specific opportunities. So that will be a part of it. I think the market is attractive. We have a strong pipeline, but again, they have to meet the criteria financially and strategically.
So we evaluate opportunities for that strategic fit for that type of financial profile. When we look at the environment, getting to your point now, getting to your question, the portfolio of pipeline opportunities to unlock growth, we got a robust pipeline. But again, we're gonna be focused on the high margin, high growth areas across both risk capital and human capital. We're gonna continue to scale in middle market through NFP, particularly in North America commercial risk.
Speaker #5: But again, we're going to be focused on the high-margin, high-growth areas across both Risk Capital and Human Capital. We're going to continue to scale in middle market through NFP, particularly in North America commercial risk.
Speaker #5: And there are some geographic areas of priority for us where we think there's specific opportunity. So that will be a part of it. I think the market is attractive.
And there are some geographic areas of priority for us where we think there's specific opportunities. So that will be a part of it. I think the market is attractive. We have a strong pipeline, but again, they have to meet the criteria financially and strategically.
Speaker #5: We have a strong pipeline. But again, they have to meet the criteria financially and strategically. And finally, I'll just say the share repurchases will continue to be a part of the balanced capital allocation model as well.
Edmund Reese: And finally, I'll just say the share repurchases will continue to be a part of the balanced capital allocation model as well, where we hit the commitment that we made for 2025. Sitting here in January, we feel very comfortable about at least $1 billion in share repurchases, and any changes of that will be dependent on the pipeline opportunities, meeting the criteria that I just talked about. So, we won't let any excess cash sit on the balance sheet. And all this, I would just say, is a continuation of our capital allocation model. That's about balancing investment for growth and capital return to shareholders. That's a discipline that we've had that I think benefits shareholders, and allows us to maintain industry-leading ROIC. On valuations, I'll make my final point. I, I think there's always a lag.
And finally, I'll just say the share repurchases will continue to be a part of the balanced capital allocation model as well, where we hit the commitment that we made for 2025. Sitting here in January, we feel very comfortable about at least $1 billion in share repurchases, and any changes of that will be dependent on the pipeline opportunities, meeting the criteria that I just talked about.
Speaker #5: We hit the commitment that we made for 2025, sitting here in January we feel very comfortable about at least a billion in share repurchases.
Speaker #5: And any changes to that will be dependent on the pipeline opportunities meeting the criteria that I just talked about. So we won't let any excess cash sit on the balance sheet.
So, we won't let any excess cash sit on the balance sheet. And all this, I would just say, is a continuation of our capital allocation model. That's about balancing investment for growth and capital return to shareholders. That's a discipline that we've had that I think benefits shareholders, and allows us to maintain industry-leading ROIC. On valuations, I'll make my final point. I, I think there's always a lag.
Speaker #5: And all this, I would just say, is a continuation of our capital allocation model. That's about balancing investment for growth in capital return to shareholders.
Speaker #5: That's a discipline that we've had that I think benefits shareholders and allows us to maintain industry-leading ROIC. On valuations, I'll make my final point.
Speaker #5: I think there's always a lag. Sellers anchor and trailing EBITDA. In prior transaction comps, so you don't necessarily see sort of lower valuations in this market right now.
Edmund Reese: Sellers anchor in trailing EBITDA in prior transaction comps, so you don't necessarily see sort of lower valuations in this market right now. I think debt cost drives the lag here. The quality assets, the type of assets that we're looking at, remain resilient. They're high growth, high margin assets, so I think you see strong valuations there. The bid-ask spreads are changing in these market. But look, we will continue to have our criteria for assessment and evaluation, and we'll make decisions for high return, things that allow us to continue to be leading ROIC. That's more of a comprehensive answer than you asked, but I think this is an important topic, and I wanted to hit on all of that.
Sellers anchor in trailing EBITDA in prior transaction comps, so you don't necessarily see sort of lower valuations in this market right now. I think debt cost drives the lag here. The quality assets, the type of assets that we're looking at, remain resilient. They're high growth, high margin assets, so I think you see strong valuations there. The bid-ask spreads are changing in these market.
Speaker #5: I think debt costs drives the lag here. The quality assets, the type of assets that we're looking at remain resilient. They're high growth, high margin assets.
Speaker #5: So I think you see strong valuations there. The bid-ask spreads are changing in these markets. But look, we will continue to have our criteria for assessment and evaluation.
But look, we will continue to have our criteria for assessment and evaluation, and we'll make decisions for high return, things that allow us to continue to be leading ROIC. That's more of a comprehensive answer than you asked, but I think this is an important topic, and I wanted to hit on all of that.
Speaker #5: And we'll make decisions for high-return things that allow us to continue to be leading ROIC. That's more of a comprehensive answer than you asked.
Speaker #5: But I think this is an important topic and I wanted to hit on all of that.
Speaker #2: No, I really appreciate that. Thank you very much.
Bob Huang: No, I really appreciate that. Thank you very much.
Bob Huang: No, I really appreciate that. Thank you very much.
Speaker #1: Thank you. Next question today is coming from Elise Greenspan from Wells Fargo. Your line is now
Operator: Thank you. Next question today is coming from Elyse Greenspan from Wells Fargo. Your line is now live.
Operator: Thank you. Next question today is coming from Elyse Greenspan from Wells Fargo. Your line is now live.
Speaker #6: Hi, thanks. Good morning. I guess my first question—I'm going to follow up on Bob's question on capital, right? So, Edmund, you outlined or you said you have $7 billion of total capital available in '26.
Elyse Greenspan: Hi, thanks. Good morning. I guess, my first question, I'm gonna follow up on Bob's question, on capital, right? So Edmund, you outlined or you said you have $7 billion of total capital available in 2026. The buyback was set at $1 billion. So I guess from a timing perspective, do you guys have line of sight on a deal or potentially deals for the first half of the year that will consume a lot of that $7 billion? And is that why you're only, you know, expecting to buy back the $1 billion?
Elyse Greenspan: Hi, thanks. Good morning. I guess, my first question, I'm gonna follow up on Bob's question, on capital, right? So Edmund, you outlined or you said you have $7 billion of total capital available in 2026. The buyback was set at $1 billion. So I guess from a timing perspective, do you guys have line of sight on a deal or potentially deals for the first half of the year that will consume a lot of that $7 billion? And is that why you're only, you know, expecting to buy back the $1 billion?
Speaker #6: The buyback was set at $1 billion. So I guess from a timing perspective, do you guys have line of sight on a deal or potentially deals for the first half of the year that will consume a lot of that $7 billion?
Speaker #6: And is that why you're only expecting to buy back the $1?
Speaker #6: billion? Elise,
Edmund Reese: Elyse, at first, it's important to add two words before one billion, and that's at least $1 billion. We want to have the strategic flexibility. Given the pipeline right now, there's not a specific deal or, or asset that we're looking at. We, as I just said, have a robust pipeline of opportunities in some of the spaces that we talked about. They have to meet the strategic criteria, they have to meet the financial criteria, and we want to make that decision. We think that we've been very good at balancing the investments for inorganic growth and capital return. In fact, we put up a slide during Investor Day that showed roughly a 55, 45 balance. And ultimately, and over time, we expect to have a balance like that.
Edmund Reese: Elyse, at first, it's important to add two words before one billion, and that's at least $1 billion. We want to have the strategic flexibility. Given the pipeline right now, there's not a specific deal or, or asset that we're looking at. We, as I just said, have a robust pipeline of opportunities in some of the spaces that we talked about. They have to meet the strategic criteria, they have to meet the financial criteria, and we want to make that decision.
Speaker #5: First, it's important to add two words before $1 billion: that's at least $1 billion. We want to have the strategic flexibility given the pipeline right now.
Speaker #5: There's not a specific deal or asset that we're looking at. As I just said, we have a robust pipeline of opportunities in some of the spaces that we talked about.
Speaker #5: They have to meet the strategic criteria. They have to meet the financial criteria. And we want to make that decision. We think that we've been very good at balancing the investments for inorganic growth and capital return.
We think that we've been very good at balancing the investments for inorganic growth and capital return. In fact, we put up a slide during Investor Day that showed roughly a 55, 45 balance. And ultimately, and over time, we expect to have a balance like that. So we want to make sure that we have the strategic flexibility to make the right decisions on behalf of the investors here. But Greg, let me let you comment on that.
Speaker #5: In fact, we put up a slide during Investor Day that showed roughly a 55-45 balance. And ultimately, and over time, we expect to have a balance like that.
Speaker #5: So, we want to make sure that we have the strategic flexibility to make the right decisions on behalf of the investors here. But Greg, let me let you comment on that.
Edmund Reese: So we want to make sure that we have the strategic flexibility to make the right decisions on behalf of the investors here. But Greg, let me let you comment on that.
Greg Case: ... Listen, Edmund, I think you've covered it well, but at least listen, Edmund answered the prior question with really a layout of how we think about capital allocation. It's exactly consistent with what we've done historically, and the ethic around that is high, and he went through all the different aspects. I would add one to that. We are so dedicated to actually generating capital that gets the maximum possible return to shareholders. We also executed a divestiture. NFP Wealth really required our NFP teams to come together, our AON teams to come together, and in the context of bringing NFP into the fold, we actually executed a divestiture to generate additional capital so we could prioritize. What I'm trying to do here for you, Elyse, is highlight, this is how strongly we feel about the principles that Edmund laid out.
Greg Case: ... Listen, Edmund, I think you've covered it well, but at least listen, Edmund answered the prior question with really a layout of how we think about capital allocation. It's exactly consistent with what we've done historically, and the ethic around that is high, and he went through all the different aspects. I would add one to that. We are so dedicated to actually generating capital that gets the maximum possible return to shareholders.
Speaker #2: Listen, Edmund, I think you've covered it well. But Elise, listen, Edmund answered the prior question with really a layout of how we think about capital allocation.
Speaker #2: It's exactly consistent with what we've done historically. And the ethic around that is high. And he went through all the different aspects. I would add one to that.
Speaker #2: We are so dedicated to actually generating capital that gets the maximum possible return to shareholders. We also executed a very divestiture. NFP Wealth really required our NFP teams to come together, our AM teams to come together.
We also executed a divestiture. NFP Wealth really required our NFP teams to come together, our AON teams to come together, and in the context of bringing NFP into the fold, we actually executed a divestiture to generate additional capital so we could prioritize. What I'm trying to do here for you, Elyse, is highlight, this is how strongly we feel about the principles that Edmund laid out.
Speaker #2: And in the context of bringing NFP into the fold, we actually executed a divestiture to generate additional capital so we could prioritize. What I'm trying to do here for you, Elise, is highlight this is how strongly we feel about the principles that Edmund laid out.
Speaker #2: So, we're essentially applying those in the current environment. The environment's moving around. It'll be what it'll be. But watch us do what we do.
Greg Case: So we're essentially applying those in the current environment. The environment's moving around, it'll be what it'll be, but watch us do what we do, and that's another proof point on how focused we are on the highest possible return on capital allocation we can get.
So we're essentially applying those in the current environment. The environment's moving around, it'll be what it'll be, but watch us do what we do, and that's another proof point on how focused we are on the highest possible return on capital allocation we can get.
Speaker #2: And that's another proof point on how focused we are on return on capital allocation—we can on the highest possible.
Speaker #2: get. Thanks.
Elyse Greenspan: Thanks. Then, my follow-up is on the data center opportunity. Appreciate some of the comments and prepared remarks, but I guess I was hoping, you know, just give us a little bit more color on, you know, how much of a contributor were, you know, data centers to organic in the Q4, and how would you expect, I guess, the tailwind from that opportunity to benefit your organic growth in 2026?
Elyse Greenspan: Thanks. Then, my follow-up is on the data center opportunity. Appreciate some of the comments and prepared remarks, but I guess I was hoping, you know, just give us a little bit more color on, you know, how much of a contributor were, you know, data centers to organic in the Q4, and how would you expect, I guess, the tailwind from that opportunity to benefit your organic growth in 2026?
Speaker #6: And then my follow-up is on the data center opportunity. I appreciate some of the comments and prepared remarks. But I guess I was hoping just give us a little bit more color on how much of a contributor we're data centers to organic in the Q4.
Speaker #6: And how would you expect, I guess, the tailwind from that opportunity to benefit your organic growth in 2026?
Speaker #2: Well, first of all, Elise, the data center opportunity let me just offer a couple of thoughts. And Edmund can really just talk about the mechanics of how we're thinking about it for '26 and '27.
Greg Case: Well, first of all, Elyse, the data center opportunity, let me just offer a couple of thoughts, and Edmund can really just talk about the mechanics of how we're thinking about it for 2026 and 2027. But remember, the data center opportunity; it is unique. It is. It's never been seen before. It is monumental. It also requires a level of response and complexity that's beyond what the traditional industry has ever accomplished. Just be clear about that. This requires real, new, net new innovation around alternative forms of capital, how we think about risk, how we pool risk, all those pieces.
Greg Case: Well, first of all, Elyse, the data center opportunity, let me just offer a couple of thoughts, and Edmund can really just talk about the mechanics of how we're thinking about it for 2026 and 2027. But remember, the data center opportunity; it is unique. It is. It's never been seen before. It is monumental. It also requires a level of response and complexity that's beyond what the traditional industry has ever accomplished. Just be clear about that. This requires real, new, net new innovation around alternative forms of capital, how we think about risk, how we pool risk, all those pieces.
Speaker #2: But remember, the data center opportunity is unique. It has never been seen before. It is monumental. It also requires a level of response and complexity that's beyond what the traditional industry has ever accomplished.
Speaker #2: Just to be clear about that, this requires real new net new innovation around alternative forms of capital, how we think about risk, how we pool risk, all those pieces.
Speaker #2: All I'm trying to highlight is, and while I think we probably do a third or more of what the data centers that are out there now, we're incredibly well positioned.
Greg Case: All I'm trying to highlight is, while, you know, I think we probably do 1/3 or more of the data centers that are out there now, we're incredibly well positioned, and we're having the dialogues no one else is having, but we're at the beginning of this process. So, you know, if you think about it, there are lots of data centers out there, thousands of them. But as we think about the build that's going on now, you know, last week at Davos, this was one of the primary discussion points, and it was really this and AI and how they fit together. This race is just beginning. The opportunity is just beginning. So, you know, I would characterize, but Edmund, want to get your input here as well.
All I'm trying to highlight is, while, you know, I think we probably do 1/3 or more of the data centers that are out there now, we're incredibly well positioned, and we're having the dialogues no one else is having, but we're at the beginning of this process. So, you know, if you think about it, there are lots of data centers out there, thousands of them.
Speaker #2: And we're having the dialogues no one else is having. But we're at the beginning of this process. So, if you think about it, there are lots of data centers out there—thousands of them.
Speaker #2: But as we think about the build that's going on now, last week at Davos, this was one of the primary discussion points. And it was really this in AI and how they fit together.
But as we think about the build that's going on now, you know, last week at Davos, this was one of the primary discussion points, and it was really this and AI and how they fit together. This race is just beginning. The opportunity is just beginning. So, you know, I would characterize, but Edmund, want to get your input here as well.
Speaker #2: This race is just beginning. The opportunity is just beginning. So I would characterize it, but Edmund, I want to get your input here as well.
Speaker #2: This is another proof point on both our ability to innovate and drive net new insight into the market. And second, it just reinforces mid-single-digit or greater organic revenue growth.
Greg Case: This is another proof point on both our ability to innovate and drive net new insight into the market. And second, it just reinforces mid-single-digit, or greater organic revenue growth. That's really all we're trying to do. And so that's what I would factor in. It's another, it's another weight on the scale, if you think about sort of what's going to drive that over time, and we'll see how it plays. But, it's, it's a unique opportunity, and we're very well positioned. But Edmund, what else would you add?
This is another proof point on both our ability to innovate and drive net new insight into the market. And second, it just reinforces mid-single-digit, or greater organic revenue growth. That's really all we're trying to do. And so that's what I would factor in. It's another, it's another weight on the scale, if you think about sort of what's going to drive that over time, and we'll see how it plays. But, it's, it's a unique opportunity, and we're very well positioned. But Edmund, what else would you add?
Speaker #2: That's really all we're trying to do. And so that's what I would factor in. It's another weight on the scale if you think about sort of what's going to drive that over time.
Speaker #2: And we'll see how it plays. But it's a unique opportunity. And we're very well positioned. But Edmund,
Speaker #2: what else would you add?
Speaker #5: Great. You hit that so
Edmund Reese: Greg, you hit that so thoroughly. Well, the only thing that I'll add is just backing it up to our commercial risk business, where we see this contribution showing up. We've now had 6% for the year in commercial risk and 6% or better for the last three quarters. Again, very much in line with what we've been talking about, and I highlighted earlier, global strength in core P&C, the contribution from net new business retention, but the priority growth areas, construction, which is where we see our data center contribution show up, being at a double-digit growth and contributing to that. I think in addition to the innovation that you just mentioned on data center, we also sort of have the tailwind from potential a pickup in M&A to support that growth in commercial risk as well.
Edmund Reese: Greg, you hit that so thoroughly. Well, the only thing that I'll add is just backing it up to our commercial risk business, where we see this contribution showing up. We've now had 6% for the year in commercial risk and 6% or better for the last three quarters. Again, very much in line with what we've been talking about, and I highlighted earlier, global strength in core P&C, the contribution from net new business retention, but the priority growth areas, construction, which is where we see our data center contribution show up, being at a double-digit growth and contributing to that.
Speaker #5: thoroughly. The only thing that I'll add is just backing it up. To our commercial risk business, where we see this contribution showing up, we've now had 6% for the year in commercial risk and 6% or better for the last three quarters.
Speaker #5: Again, very much in line with what we've been talking about. And I highlighted earlier global strength and core P&C, the contribution from net new business retention but the priority growth areas: construction, which is where we see our data center contribution show up, being at a double-digit growth and contributing to that.
Speaker #5: I think, in addition to the innovation that you just mentioned on data center, we also sort of have the tailwind from potential pickup in M&A to support that growth in commercial risk as well.
I think in addition to the innovation that you just mentioned on data center, we also sort of have the tailwind from potential a pickup in M&A to support that growth in commercial risk as well. So to your point, Greg, we just feel very much confident in the mid-single-digit or greater growth for commercial risk that'll be supported by us leading in this data center space.
Speaker #5: So to your point, Greg, we just feel very much confident in the mid-single digit or greater growth for commercial risk. That'll be supported by the us leading in this data center
Edmund Reese: So to your point, Greg, we just feel very much confident in the mid-single-digit or greater growth for commercial risk that'll be supported by us leading in this data center space.
Speaker #5: space. Thank
Elyse Greenspan: Thank you.
Elyse Greenspan: Thank you.
Operator: Thank you. Next question today is coming from Matthew Heineman from Citi. Your line is now live.
Operator: Thank you. Next question today is coming from Matthew Heineman from Citi. Your line is now live.
Speaker #1: Thank you. you. Next question. Today is coming from Matthew Heinemann from City Airlines now live.
Speaker #7: Hi, good morning, everybody. I wanted to follow up on your comment to that last question, Greg. And one of the things I'm trying to understand is, given there's a totally different set of constituents really driving a lot of this investment, I'm curious whether or not we should think about market share in this new opportunity correlating at all the historical market share in historical data center
Matthew Heineman: Hi, good morning, everybody. I wanted to follow up on your comment to that last question, Greg. One of the things I'm trying to understand is, given there's a totally different set of constituents, really driving a lot of this investment, I'm curious whether or not we should think about market share in this new opportunity correlating at all the historical market share in historical data center builds?
Matthew Heinemann: Hi, good morning, everybody. I wanted to follow up on your comment to that last question, Greg. One of the things I'm trying to understand is, given there's a totally different set of constituents, really driving a lot of this investment, I'm curious whether or not we should think about market share in this new opportunity correlating at all the historical market share in historical data center builds?
Speaker #7: builds. Matthew, love the question.
Greg Case: Matthew, love the question. Apologies. You're reflecting the overall integrated challenge here. And this is why, you know, in some respects, it's so profound, but almost amusing on sort of how sort of different constituents now approach the market. Past is not prologue. This is net new innovation. By the way, the constituents here are the hyperscalers, they're the builders, they're the asset gatherers who want to create investment into this category. They're the banks who basically think they're doing primary credit, sort of in the middle of all this. There's an entire constituency that lays out here. And the response is, as we talk about mid-single digit or greater, and Elyse's question, is really around, it isn't just commercial risk, it's reinsurance. It's why for us, Matthew, risk capital matters so much.
Greg Case: Matthew, love the question. Apologies. You're reflecting the overall integrated challenge here. And this is why, you know, in some respects, it's so profound, but almost amusing on sort of how sort of different constituents now approach the market. Past is not prologue. This is net new innovation. By the way, the constituents here are the hyperscalers, they're the builders, they're the asset gatherers who want to create investment into this category.
Speaker #2: Apologies. You're reflecting the overall integrated challenge here. And this is why in some respects, it's so profound but almost amusing on sort of how there are different constituents now approach the market.
Speaker #2: Past is not prologue. This is net new innovation. By the way, the constituents here are the hyperscalers. They're the builders. They're the asset gatherers who want to create investment into this category.
Speaker #2: They're the banks who basically think they're doing primary credit sort of in the middle of all this. There's an entire constituency that lays out here.
They're the banks who basically think they're doing primary credit, sort of in the middle of all this. There's an entire constituency that lays out here. And the response is, as we talk about mid-single digit or greater, and Elyse's question, is really around, it isn't just commercial risk, it's reinsurance. It's why for us, Matthew, risk capital matters so much.
Speaker #2: And the response is, as we talk about mid-single digit or greater—and Elise's question is really around—it isn't just commercial risk, it's reinsurance.
Speaker #2: It's why for us, Matthew, risk capital matters so much. As we described, we didn't show up and say, 'Well, we need to coordinate so we can actually meet client demand here.' We didn't just coordinate.
Greg Case: As we described, you know, this is, we didn't, we didn't show up and say, "Well, we need to coordinate, so we can actually meet client demand here." We didn't just coordinate, we changed structure, risk capital. It's connecting reinsurance into the commercial risk environment in a way that's never been connected before. So for us, you know, we don't take anything for granted. Our view is we need net new innovation, and no matter where we are in our current position, leading or not, this race is just beginning. It is not in mid-game, it's not in end game. It's profound, but it is in, it is beginning. And so for us, our, our obligation on behalf of clients, all categories I just described, is massively more innovation.
As we described, you know, this is, we didn't, we didn't show up and say, "Well, we need to coordinate, so we can actually meet client demand here." We didn't just coordinate, we changed structure, risk capital. It's connecting reinsurance into the commercial risk environment in a way that's never been connected before. So for us, you know, we don't take anything for granted.
Speaker #2: We changed structure. Risk capital. It's connecting reinsurance into the commercial risk environment in a way that's never been connected before. So for us, we don't take anything for granted.
Speaker #2: Our view is we need net new innovation. Position, leading or not, and no matter where we are in our current—this race is just beginning.
Our view is we need net new innovation, and no matter where we are in our current position, leading or not, this race is just beginning. It is not in mid-game, it's not in end game. It's profound, but it is in, it is beginning. And so for us, our, our obligation on behalf of clients, all categories I just described, is massively more innovation.
Speaker #2: It is not in mid-game. It's not in end-game. It's profound. But it is beginning. And so for us, our obligation on behalf of clients, all categories I just described, is massively more innovation.
Speaker #2: This is why we—I must say, you go back to 2023—we doubled down on an integrated, AI-embedded capability. And we doubled down on risk capital and human capital.
Greg Case: This is why, you know, we, I must say, you go back to 2023, we doubled down on an integrated AI-embedded capability, and we doubled down on risk capital and human capital. We changed the organization, and we applied it through enterprise client. We did that two and a half years ago. In some respects, we're preparing for what we need now in order to deliver against this marketplace. So we're feeling good about that progress. It's one of the reasons we spent $1 billion to accelerate it. So for us, we like our position, we love the demand profile, we see opportunity that's very, very unique. We see a level of investment, players who have, you know, who have capital that no one's ever seen before, with an absolute focus to drive.
This is why, you know, we, I must say, you go back to 2023, we doubled down on an integrated AI-embedded capability, and we doubled down on risk capital and human capital. We changed the organization, and we applied it through enterprise client. We did that two and a half years ago. In some respects, we're preparing for what we need now in order to deliver against this marketplace.
Speaker #2: We changed organization, and we applied it through the enterprise client. We did that two and a half years ago. In some respects, we're preparing for what we need now in order to deliver against this marketplace.
Speaker #2: So we’re feeling good about that progress. It’s one of the reasons we spent the $1 billion to accelerate it. So for us, we like our position.
So we're feeling good about that progress. It's one of the reasons we spent $1 billion to accelerate it. So for us, we like our position, we love the demand profile, we see opportunity that's very, very unique. We see a level of investment, players who have, you know, who have capital that no one's ever seen before, with an absolute focus to drive.
Speaker #2: We love the demand profile. We see opportunity that's very, very unique. We see a level of investment players who have capital that no one's ever seen before with an absolute focus to drive so for us, we think this, by the way, is an industry opportunity.
Greg Case: So for us, we think this, by the way, is an industry opportunity. So it's not any one single player. The question is, can the industry respond and make a difference and be relevant? If our industry can respond and make a difference and be relevant, this is profound for everyone, and we certainly think, you know, if we can serve a primary role in the tip of the spear here, we're thrilled to do it on behalf of our clients.
So for us, we think this, by the way, is an industry opportunity. So it's not any one single player. The question is, can the industry respond and make a difference and be relevant? If our industry can respond and make a difference and be relevant, this is profound for everyone, and we certainly think, you know, if we can serve a primary role in the tip of the spear here, we're thrilled to do it on behalf of our clients.
Speaker #2: So it's not any one single player. The question is, can the industry respond and make a difference and be relevant? If our industry can respond and make a difference and be relevant, this is profound for everyone.
Speaker #2: And we certainly think if we can serve a primary role in the tip of the spear here, we're thrilled to do it on behalf of our clients.
Speaker #5: Thanks for that. I guess relationships matter too. So I'm just curious with respect to the M&A practice you have, given the some of the asset owners or financing parties, how big of advantage that is.
Matthew Heineman: Thanks for that. I guess, you know, relationships matter too. So I'm just curious, with respect to the M&A practice you have, given some of the asset owners or financing parties, how big of an advantage that is, if at all?
Matthew Heinemann: Thanks for that. I guess, you know, relationships matter too. So I'm just curious, with respect to the M&A practice you have, given some of the asset owners or financing parties, how big of an advantage that is, if at all?
Speaker #5: If at all.
Speaker #2: Listen, being able to sit down with the primary players here at the top of the house and help them understand that, in the end, this isn't just brute force investment.
Greg Case: Listen, being able to sit down with the prime, with the primary players here at the top of the house and help them understand that in the end, this isn't just brute, isn't just brute force investment. This is very much around an integrated risk management strategy will change the economics of how these play out over time, beyond just the build, but also the operations. When you think about, you know, business interruption measured at $1 million a minute now, there's a way to think about this differently, and you have to think about it differently. So, you know, you're right. Being able to actually access the principals is fundamental, and we are in a very privileged position to do this. It's one of the aspects of our M&A services business and with financial sponsors, that puts us in a unique position.
Greg Case: Listen, being able to sit down with the prime, with the primary players here at the top of the house and help them understand that in the end, this isn't just brute, isn't just brute force investment. This is very much around an integrated risk management strategy will change the economics of how these play out over time, beyond just the build, but also the operations.
Speaker #2: This is very much around an integrated risk management strategy will change the economics of how these play out over time. Beyond just the build, but also the operations.
Speaker #2: I mean, think about business interruption measured at million dollars a minute now. There's a way to think about this differently. And you have to think about it differently.
When you think about, you know, business interruption measured at $1 million a minute now, there's a way to think about this differently, and you have to think about it differently. So, you know, you're right. Being able to actually access the principals is fundamental, and we are in a very privileged position to do this. It's one of the aspects of our M&A services business and with financial sponsors, that puts us in a unique position.
Speaker #2: So you're right. Being able to actually access the principles is fundamental. And we are in a very privileged position to do this. It's one of the aspects of our M&A services business and, with financial sponsors, that puts us in a unique position.
Speaker #2: In addition to the work we do with the hyperscalers, in addition to the work we do with the asset gatherers, in addition to the work we do with the constructors, the builders—because, make no mistake about it, they're in a very unique position.
Greg Case: In addition to the work we do with the hyperscalers, in addition to the work we do with the asset gatherers, in addition to the work we do with the constructors, the builders. Because make no mistake about it, they're in a very unique position. They're being called on to do things they've never done before, and they're being asked to take on risk, on behalf of the scalers, that is also uncomfortable. So how one thinks about that risk management profile and how we deliver against it. And then remember, Matthew, this only matters if our analytics can convince capital to come in and buy down the volatility. Otherwise, we don't have a transaction. So we have to get the capital to work to do this. This is why, in the end, this is tour de force analytics, the analyzers and the capability.
In addition to the work we do with the hyperscalers, in addition to the work we do with the asset gatherers, in addition to the work we do with the constructors, the builders. Because make no mistake about it, they're in a very unique position. They're being called on to do things they've never done before, and they're being asked to take on risk, on behalf of the scalers, that is also uncomfortable.
Speaker #2: They're being called on to do things they've never done before. And they're being asked to take on risk on behalf of the scalers that is also uncomfortable.
Speaker #2: So how one thinks about that risk management profile and how we deliver against it and then remember, Matthew, this only matters if our analytics can convince capital to come in and buy down the volatility.
So how one thinks about that risk management profile and how we deliver against it. And then remember, Matthew, this only matters if our analytics can convince capital to come in and buy down the volatility. Otherwise, we don't have a transaction. So we have to get the capital to work to do this. This is why, in the end, this is tour de force analytics, the analyzers and the capability.
Speaker #2: Otherwise, we don't have a transaction. So we have to get the capital to work to do this. This is why in the end, this is tour de force analytics.
Speaker #2: The analyzers and the capability. It's tour de force reinsurance, access markets. And it's tour de force commercial risk. And then, to be clear, one of the pieces here I just have to throw in—and this is, man, this is front and center at Davos last week—the human capital application of this is going to be massive.
Greg Case: It's tour de force reinsurance, you know, excess markets, and it's tour de force commercial risk. And then to be clear, one other piece here I just have to throw in, and this is, man, this is front and center at Davos last week. The human capital application of this is going to be massive, and everyone was gonna, is gonna talk about AI and job reduction. Don't-- We don't think about it that way. We think about it as how we amplify the capability we've got and help our clients navigate the path from here on, as you embed this kind of capability into their firms, not just the hyperscalers. We're talking about the users now. The human capital opportunity here we think is profound as well.
It's tour de force reinsurance, you know, excess markets, and it's tour de force commercial risk. And then to be clear, one other piece here I just have to throw in, and this is, man, this is front and center at Davos last week. The human capital application of this is going to be massive, and everyone was gonna, is gonna talk about AI and job reduction.
Speaker #2: And everyone is going to talk about AI and job reduction. We don't think about it that way. We think about it as how we amplify the capability we've got and help our clients navigate the path of the 'from/to' as you embed this kind of capability into their firms, not just the hyperscalers.
Don't-- We don't think about it that way. We think about it as how we amplify the capability we've got and help our clients navigate the path from here on, as you embed this kind of capability into their firms, not just the hyperscalers. We're talking about the users now. The human capital opportunity here we think is profound as well.
Speaker #2: We're talking about the users now, and the human capital opportunity here, we think, is profound as well. So anyway, I know that's maybe more than you wanted.
Greg Case: So again, I know that's maybe more than you wanted, but, you know, we're pretty optimistic about this opportunity, and, and for, for Aon, certainly, but, you know, equally for our industry.
So again, I know that's maybe more than you wanted, but, you know, we're pretty optimistic about this opportunity, and, and for, for Aon, certainly, but, you know, equally for our industry.
Speaker #2: But we're pretty optimistic about this opportunity—and for Aon, certainly, but equally for our industry.
Speaker #5: I appreciate all of it. Thank
Speaker #5: I appreciate all of it. Thank you. Thank you.
Matthew Heineman: Appreciate all of it. Thank you.
Matthew Heinemann: Appreciate all of it. Thank you.
Operator: Thank you. Next question today is coming from Charlie Lederer from BMO. Your line is now live.
Operator: Thank you. Next question today is coming from Charlie Lederer from BMO. Your line is now live.
Speaker #6: Next question today is coming from Charlie Lever from BMO. Your line is now open.
Speaker #6: live. Hey, good
Charles Lederer: Hey, good morning. Thank you. Maybe I'll move off of data centers. Can you maybe put a finer point on the incremental opportunities you identified with the upsizing of the AAU savings and with NFP? I guess, what's the pacing of these savings and how much from the 50 basis points you laid out for this year?
Charles Lederer: Hey, good morning. Thank you. Maybe I'll move off of data centers. Can you maybe put a finer point on the incremental opportunities you identified with the upsizing of the AAU savings and with NFP? I guess, what's the pacing of these savings and how much from the 50 basis points you laid out for this year?
Speaker #7: Morning. Thank you. Maybe I'll move off of data centers. Can you maybe put a finer point on the incremental opportunities you identified with the upsizing of the AAU savings with NFP?
Speaker #7: I guess what's the pacing of these savings and how much in the 50 basis points you laid out for this
Speaker #7: Year? Well, maybe, Charlie, I just really want to—
Greg Case: Well, maybe, Charlie, if I just, I just really want to start with just maybe a quick overview of it. Literally, the discipline with which we undertaken this is really sort of at the helm of Edmund, and I really want him describing exactly the discipline and the approach and the, and the progress. But remember, let me provide, you know, the quick overview. What got us here? You know, what drove this was our initial investment, and the incredible progress we've actually made so far against it. And now what we're talking about doing is taking this proven progress and applying it into the middle market. So that's in exactly the same timeframe that we had before. But remember, I alluded to it in the prior discussion with Matthew.
Greg Case: Well, maybe, Charlie, if I just, I just really want to start with just maybe a quick overview of it. Literally, the discipline with which we undertaken this is really sort of at the helm of Edmund, and I really want him describing exactly the discipline and the approach and the, and the progress. But remember, let me provide, you know, the quick overview. What got us here?
Speaker #2: Start with just maybe a quick overview, but literally, the discipline of which we undertake in this is really sort of at the helm of Edmund.
Speaker #2: And I really want him describing exactly the
Speaker #1: and the progress . approach This one and the But remember , let me provide a quick overview . What got us here , what drove this was our initial investment and the incredible progress we've we've actually we've actually made so far against it .
You know, what drove this was our initial investment, and the incredible progress we've actually made so far against it. And now what we're talking about doing is taking this proven progress and applying it into the middle market. So that's in exactly the same timeframe that we had before. But remember, I alluded to it in the prior discussion with Matthew.
Speaker #1: know what You drove this was our initial investment . And the incredible progress we've we've actually we've actually made so far against it .
Speaker #1: now what And we're talking about doing is taking this proven progress and into the middle market . So applying it that's in exactly the same time frame that we had before .
Greg Case: What we did in 2023 is made a decision to double down on Aon business services connected to the, to the rest of the firm. By the way, embedded in Aon business services is an AI platform. I mean, I kid you not, literally on Monday, you know, two days from now, we're literally going to show up in Orlando. There will be literally 1,600 clients and markets in the property symposium and casualty symposium of Aon. The entire world's gonna shut down on property casualty for the most part, for three days. And that will be driven by a set of analyzers and content capability that's come out of the investment that we've made. This is why we're so excited about it, the power of it. And now we see that opportunity.
What we did in 2023 is made a decision to double down on Aon business services connected to the, to the rest of the firm. By the way, embedded in Aon business services is an AI platform. I mean, I kid you not, literally on Monday, you know, two days from now, we're literally going to show up in Orlando. There will be literally 1,600 clients and markets in the property symposium and casualty symposium of Aon.
Speaker #1: But remember I alluded to it in the prior discussion with Matthew . What we did is made in 23 a decision to double down on Aon business services connected to the to the rest of the firm .
Speaker #1: By the way , embedded in AI services business is an AI platform . I mean , I kid you not literally . On Monday .
Speaker #1: You know , two days from now , we're literally going to show up in Orlando . There will be literally 1600 clients and markets in the property symposium and Casualty Symposium of The Aon .
The entire world's gonna shut down on property casualty for the most part, for three days. And that will be driven by a set of analyzers and content capability that's come out of the investment that we've made. This is why we're so excited about it, the power of it. And now we see that opportunity.
Speaker #1: entire world is going to shut down on property casualty for the most part for three days . And that will be driven by a set of analyzers and content out of the investment that capability .
Greg Case: This is, by the way, an AI platform at scale, globally, that no one else has. We've spent 2.5 years working on now. Now we're gonna finish in the third year. What Edmund highlighted was, in addition to what we've done in the core business and the work we began with NFP, the success of NFP for the last, you know, now coming on, you know, first full year, but 2 years, 2.5 years in this effort together, has truly proven the opportunity inside the middle market. We always had high expectations; now we see them even greater than ever before, and that's what we're talking about, the additional spend on in the current timeframe. But Edmund, how, how else would you describe it?
This is, by the way, an AI platform at scale, globally, that no one else has. We've spent 2.5 years working on now. Now we're gonna finish in the third year. What Edmund highlighted was, in addition to what we've done in the core business and the work we began with NFP, the success of NFP for the last, you know, now coming on, you know, first full year, but 2 years, 2.5 years in this effort together, has truly proven the opportunity inside the middle market.
Speaker #1: that's come no one else Globally that has . We've spent two and a half years That's on going to and now we're now , finish in year .
Speaker #1: about it . it . And now we by the made see that why we're so we've AI way , an of at scale .
Speaker #1: the third And highlighted was , in what addition Edmund to what we've the core done in business and the work we with began NFP , the success of NFP for the last , you know , now coming on , you know , first full year , but two years , two and a half years in this effort together has truly proven the opportunity inside the middle market .
We always had high expectations; now we see them even greater than ever before, and that's what we're talking about, the additional spend on in the current timeframe. But Edmund, how, how else would you describe it?
Speaker #1: always had We high expectations . Now we see them even greater than ever before . And that's what we're talking about . The additional spend on in the frame .
Edmund Reese: I mean, I think the key. I'm just excited about our opportunity here, what we've accomplished and the opportunity, Greg. The key is that we are staying consistent with completing the AAU program this year in 2026, and the savings have moved from $350 million to $450 million. I step back and look, we started this program in 2023 when we announced it, and we've accomplished a lot. Mindy and I have both been talking about our applications going down 25%, about the applications going into the cloud, 80% of them by the end of this year here. We now, to help drive revenue, have a full suite of analyzers in EMEA and US, given the investment that we've made as part of AAU.
Edmund Reese: I mean, I think the key. I'm just excited about our opportunity here, what we've accomplished and the opportunity, Greg. The key is that we are staying consistent with completing the AAU program this year in 2026, and the savings have moved from $350 million to $450 million. I step back and look, we started this program in 2023 when we announced it, and we've accomplished a lot.
Speaker #1: But Edmund, current time—how else would you describe it?
Speaker #2: mean , I I think the I'm key , just excited about our opportunity here , what we've accomplished in the opportunity , Greg , the key is that we are staying consistent with completing the AAU program this year .
Speaker #2: In 2026 , and the savings have moved from 350 million to 450 million . And I step back and look , we started this program in 2023 when we announced it .
Mindy and I have both been talking about our applications going down 25%, about the applications going into the cloud, 80% of them by the end of this year here. We now, to help drive revenue, have a full suite of analyzers in EMEA and US, given the investment that we've made as part of AAU.
Speaker #2: And we've accomplished a lot . Mindy and I have both been talking about our applications going down 25% , about the applications going into the cloud , 80% of them by the end of this year .
Speaker #2: Here we now, to help drive revenue, have a full suite of analyzers in EMEA and US, given the investment that we've made as part of AAO, and we are continuing to add colleagues. But have a quarter today in our global capability centres, standardizing our operations and creating operating leverage.
Edmund Reese: And we are continuing to move our colleagues, but have a quarter of them today in our global capability centers, standardizing our operations and creating operating leverage. So, and we knew that building this foundation was sort of a catalyst that allowed us to continue to bring on these middle-market platforms. Greg, you know that me and the NFP team, we went to our global capability centers over the past months in many different countries, and the NFP team saw that they could standardize their operations, to your specific question. They could integrate their technology platforms and innovate and drive product development that was applicable to the middle market. Given that we're so focused on this $31 billion middle market opportunity, we think this is a significant opportunity for us in Aon. So as opposed to doing this over multiple years, we'll accelerate this into 2026.
And we are continuing to move our colleagues, but have a quarter of them today in our global capability centers, standardizing our operations and creating operating leverage. So, and we knew that building this foundation was sort of a catalyst that allowed us to continue to bring on these middle-market platforms. Greg, you know that me and the NFP team, we went to our global capability centers over the past months in many different countries, and the NFP team saw that they could standardize their operations, to your specific question.
Speaker #2: So, and we knew that building this foundation was sort of a catalyst that allowed us to continue to bring on these middle market platforms.
Speaker #2: Greg , you know that me and the NFP team , we went to our global capability centers over the past months and , in many different countries , and the NFP team saw that they could standardize their operations to your specific question .
They could integrate their technology platforms and innovate and drive product development that was applicable to the middle market. Given that we're so focused on this $31 billion middle market opportunity, we think this is a significant opportunity for us in Aon. So as opposed to doing this over multiple years, we'll accelerate this into 2026.
Speaker #2: They can integrate their technology platforms and innovate and drive product development that is applicable to the middle market. Given that we're so focused on this $31 billion middle market opportunity, we think this is a significant opportunity for us in Aon.
Edmund Reese: We'll see revenue growth and synergies from it, and it's all because ABS is the scalable foundation that enables us to do this and expand margins, in the near term and over the medium and long term. So we're quite excited about this.
We'll see revenue growth and synergies from it, and it's all because ABS is the scalable foundation that enables us to do this and expand margins, in the near term and over the medium and long term. So we're quite excited about this.
Speaker #2: So as opposed to doing this over multiple years , we'll accelerate this into 2026 . We'll see revenue growth in synergies from it .
Speaker #2: And it's all because ABS is the scalable foundation that enables us to do this . And expand margins in the near term and over the and long medium term .
Charles Lederer: Thanks. For my follow-up, and this is dovetail to that question and also sort of a use of capital question. On the free cash flow guide, you laid out you're committed to the $4.3 billion you had Investor Day. I guess, if I just look at the adjusted earnings growth, you're implicitly kind of forecasting in your guide and factoring in these upside costs and the tax payment you mentioned on the NFP Wealth sale. Can you help us think about the moving pieces of how you're going to get to that $4.3 billion in 2026? Thanks.
Charles Lederer: Thanks. For my follow-up, and this is dovetail to that question and also sort of a use of capital question. On the free cash flow guide, you laid out you're committed to the $4.3 billion you had Investor Day. I guess, if I just look at the adjusted earnings growth, you're implicitly kind of forecasting in your guide and factoring in these upside costs and the tax payment you mentioned on the NFP Wealth sale. Can you help us think about the moving pieces of how you're going to get to that $4.3 billion in 2026? Thanks.
Speaker #2: So we're quite excited about this.
Speaker #3: Thanks for my follow up . And this is dovetailed to that question . And also sort of Elisa's capital question on the free cash flow guide .
Speaker #3: You your committed to the 4.3 billion you at Investor Day . I guess if I just look at the adjusted earnings growth , you're implicitly kind of forecasting in your guide and factoring in these upside costs and the tax payment .
Speaker #3: You mentioned on the NFP wealth sale, can you help us think about the moving pieces of how you're going to get to that $4.3 billion in '26?
Edmund Reese: To clarify, the $4.3 billion is prior to the tax impact from NFP Wealth, is driven by the same items that have allowed us to drive double-digit free cash flow over the last 10 years, to drive it in 2024 as well, the operating cash flows that we have, and the continued working capital improvement. And right now, what we're experiencing is the completion of the AAU program that we just talked about in the last question, and the wind down of the original NFP integration costs that we have here. So I think about going into 2025-2026 with an outlook for double-digit free cash flow growth in line with our history.
Edmund Reese: To clarify, the $4.3 billion is prior to the tax impact from NFP Wealth, is driven by the same items that have allowed us to drive double-digit free cash flow over the last 10 years, to drive it in 2024 as well, the operating cash flows that we have, and the continued working capital improvement. And right now, what we're experiencing is the completion of the AAU program that we just talked about in the last question, and the wind down of the original NFP integration costs that we have here. So I think about going into 2025-2026 with an outlook for double-digit free cash flow growth in line with our history.
Speaker #3: Thanks .
Speaker #2: And to clarify , the 4.3 billion is prior to the tax impact from NFP , wealth is driven by the same items that have allowed us to drive double digit free cash flow over the last ten years to drive it in 2024 as well .
Speaker #2: operating cash flows that we have in the continued working capital now , . improvement And right what we're experiencing is the completion of the AAO program that we just talked about in the last question , and the wind down of the original NFP integration costs that we have here .
Speaker #2: So I think about going into 2025 , outlook for double 2026 with an digit free cash flow growth line with our in history .
Edmund Reese: I think that's anchored in completing the restructuring program, including the acceleration of NFP, the operating income growth, the working capital loss, working capital improvements offset by the tax on the NFP, wealth proceeds here. So we have momentum going into 2026 and confidence in the double-digit growth for 2026.
I think that's anchored in completing the restructuring program, including the acceleration of NFP, the operating income growth, the working capital loss, working capital improvements offset by the tax on the NFP, wealth proceeds here. So we have momentum going into 2026 and confidence in the double-digit growth for 2026.
Speaker #2: I think that's anchored in completing the I restructuring program, including the acceleration of NFP, the operating income growth, the working capital loss, working capital improvements offset by the tax on the NFP wealth proceeds here.
Charles Lederer: Thank you.
Charles Lederer: Thank you.
Speaker #2: So we have momentum going into 26 and confidence double digit in the growth for 2026 .
Operator: Thank you. Our final question today is coming from David Motamedi from Evercore ISI. Your line is now live.
Operator: Thank you. Our final question today is coming from David Motamedi from Evercore ISI. Your line is now live.
Speaker #3: Thank you .
Speaker #4: Thank you. Our final question today comes from David Montgomery from Evercore ISI. Your line is now live.
David Motemaden: Hey, thanks. Good morning. I also just wanted to clarify, just on the $7 billion of available capital in 2026. Do you guys expect to deploy all of that, in 2026? And then, relatedly, in the past, you guys have given an acquired EBITDA target. Is that something you guys can share, for 2026?
David Motemaden: Hey, thanks. Good morning. I also just wanted to clarify, just on the $7 billion of available capital in 2026. Do you guys expect to deploy all of that, in 2026? And then, relatedly, in the past, you guys have given an acquired EBITDA target. Is that something you guys can share, for 2026?
Speaker #5: Hey , thanks . I Good morning . also just wanted to clarify , just on the $7 billion of available capital in 2026 , do you guys expect to deploy all of that in 2026 and then , relatedly , in the past , you guys have given acquired EBITDA .
Edmund Reese: On the first... So two questions there. In terms of the deployment, of course, in that is the capacity that we have maintaining our leverage objectives as well. So if there's acquisition, of course, we would use debt capacity associated with that, but outside of it, we would either return, just as we do each year, any excess capital through share repurchases and not allow, excess cash to be sitting on the balance sheet here, just as we've done in all the other past years. As we think about the pipeline of opportunities, again, we're very, pleased with the $42 million in acquired EBITDA after selling NFP Wealth. We said $35 to 40 million expectations for the year, coming in at, $42. We feel very pleased with that.
Edmund Reese: On the first... So two questions there. In terms of the deployment, of course, in that is the capacity that we have maintaining our leverage objectives as well. So if there's acquisition, of course, we would use debt capacity associated with that, but outside of it, we would either return, just as we do each year, any excess capital through share repurchases and not allow, excess cash to be sitting on the balance sheet here, just as we've done in all the other past years.
Speaker #5: Target. Is that something you guys can share for 2026?
Speaker #2: On the first two questions , there , in terms of the deployment , of course , in that is capacity that we have maintaining our leverage objectives as well .
Speaker #2: So if there's acquisition , of course we would use debt capacity associated with that . But outside of it , we would either return just as we do each year in the excess capital through share repurchases .
Speaker #2: And not allow excess cash to be sitting on the balance sheet here, just as we've done in all the other years in the past.
As we think about the pipeline of opportunities, again, we're very, pleased with the $42 million in acquired EBITDA after selling NFP Wealth. We said $35 to 40 million expectations for the year, coming in at, $42. We feel very pleased with that.
Speaker #2: As we think about the pipeline of opportunities, again, we're very pleased with the $42 million in acquired, after selling EBITDA NFP Wealth.
Edmund Reese: We have a pipeline and a desire for high capital deployment in NFP, but we'll continue to balance that with the other opportunities in the pipeline as well, and think about using capital for the entire pipeline as opposed to just one component of the business, given that we have strong opportunities across all of risk capital and human capital.
We have a pipeline and a desire for high capital deployment in NFP, but we'll continue to balance that with the other opportunities in the pipeline as well, and think about using capital for the entire pipeline as opposed to just one component of the business, given that we have strong opportunities across all of risk capital and human capital.
Speaker #2: We said 35 to 40 million expectations for the year coming in at 42 . We feel very pleased with that . We have a pipeline in the desire for high capital deployment in NFP , but we'll continue to balance that with the other opportunities in the pipeline as well .
Speaker #2: And think about using capital for the entire pipeline as opposed to just one component of the business. Given that we have strong opportunities across all of risk capital, in human capital.
David Motemaden: Great. Thank you.
David Motemaden: Great. Thank you.
Operator: Thank you. We've reached the end of our question and answer session. I'd like to turn the floor back over for any further closing comments.
Operator: Thank you. We've reached the end of our question and answer session. I'd like to turn the floor back over for any further closing comments.
Speaker #5: Great . Thank you .
Speaker #4: Thank you . We reached out of our question and answer session . I'd like to turn the floor back over for any further closing comments .
Edmund Reese: I think we are good. Thank you for joining us, today. We're very excited for our results in 2025 and the momentum that we have going into 2026. I just want to end the call with exactly what Greg said, an appreciation and a shout to our over 60,000 colleagues around the world. We thank you for all that you're doing each day, and we look forward to going into 2026. With that, Kevin, I think we should end the call.
Edmund Reese: I think we are good. Thank you for joining us, today. We're very excited for our results in 2025 and the momentum that we have going into 2026. I just want to end the call with exactly what Greg said, an appreciation and a shout to our over 60,000 colleagues around the world. We thank you for all that you're doing each day, and we look forward to going into 2026. With that, Kevin, I think we should end the call.
Speaker #2: I , I think we are good . Thank you for joining us today . We're very excited for our results in 2025 . And the that we momentum have going into 2026 .
Speaker #2: I just want to end the call with exactly what Greg said in appreciation, and the shout-out to our over 60,000 colleagues around the world.
Operator: Sure. That does conclude today's teleconference webcast. You may disconnect your line at this time, and have a wonderful day. We thank you for your participation today.
Operator: Sure. That does conclude today's teleconference webcast. You may disconnect your line at this time, and have a wonderful day. We thank you for your participation today.
Speaker #2: We thank you for all that you're doing each day , and we look forward to going into 2026 with that . Kevin , I think we should end the call .
Speaker #4: So that does conclude today's teleconference webcast. You may disconnect your line at this time and have a wonderful day. We thank you for your participation today.
