For the year, net income declined 5 percent, or $41 million, to $706 million. Earnings per share dropped 20 cents to $2.37 a share. Revenues for the year increased 12 percent, or $917 million, to $8.5 billion.

Mr. Case noted that despite the continued pressures of the soft market and difficulties presented by the economic downturn, Aon's brokerage segment produced fourth-quarter organic growth of 3 percent. He said this was the highest rate of organic growth for the segment in three years. The firm's human resource consulting division produced organic growth of 2 percent in the quarter. Both segments were flat for the year.

In regard to the soft market, Mr. Case said pricing is down in the single-digit range generally, and the pricing environment is expected to continue “for the foreseeable future.”

Aon said its revenue increase was due to a 41 percent increase in commissions and fees resulting from the acquisition of Hewitt Associates, a human resource consulting and outsourcing solutions firm, that it completed in October.

Mr. Case said the firm experienced strong growth across all segments of the industry, with Asia Pacific and the United Kingdom showing organic growth of 7- and 6 percent, respectively. He credited a very high retention rate and growth in new business as drivers for the firm's performance.

On the consulting side, the wind down of some contracts has reduced earnings there, but this was expected, said Mr. Case.

“We are delivering solid progress against our core commitment to shareholders despite continued soft market conditions and a fragile global economy,” said Mr. Case.

In response to a question on the issue regarding the charging of fees to insurers in the United Kingdom, Mr. Case said the firm is not seeking to increase what it charges insurers for services. Instead, Aon's aim is to simplify its charges.

Traditionally, he explained, insurers have faced five to seven different types of charges for work the firm does on their behalf. Aon, he said, instead of doing a series of separate charges, is seeking to charge insurers only once.

“It's as simple as that,” said Mr. Case.