Dan Glaser, President and CEO, said: “Our performance this quarter was outstanding. The company achieved the strongest underlying growth in two decades, and experienced an acceleration in growth across all of our businesses. We grew underlying revenue by 13%, adjusted operating income by 24%, and adjusted EPS by 33%.
“These results are a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our colleagues around the world. We look forward to carrying this momentum into the second half of the year.”
Consolidated Results
Consolidated revenue in the second quarter of 2021 was $5.0 billion, an increase of 20% compared with the second quarter of 2020. On an underlying basis, revenue increased 13%. Operating income was $1.2 billion, an increase of 39% from the prior year. Adjusted operating income, which excludes noteworthy items as presented in the attached supplemental schedules, rose 24% to $1.2 billion. Net income attributable to the Company was $820 million, or $1.60 per diluted share, compared with $1.12 in the second quarter of 2020. Adjusted earnings per share rose 33% to $1.75 per diluted share compared with $1.32 for the prior year period.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, consolidated revenue was $10.1 billion, an increase of 14%, or 9% on an underlying basis compared to the prior period. Operating income was $2.6 billion, an increase of 32% from the prior year period. Adjusted operating income rose 22% to $2.6 billion. Net income attributable to the Company was $1.8 billion. Fully diluted earnings per share was $3.51 compared with $2.60 in the first six months of 2020. Adjusted earnings per share increased 26% to $3.74 compared with $2.96 for the comparable period in 2020.
Risk & Insurance Services
Risk & Insurance Services revenue was $3.1 billion in the second quarter of 2021, an increase of 21%, or 13% on an underlying basis. Operating income rose 37% to $950 million, and adjusted operating income was $927 million, an increase of 22% from the prior year period. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, revenue was $6.4 billion, an increase of 15%, or 10% on an underlying basis. Operating income rose 30% to $2.0 billion, and adjusted operating income was $2.0 billion, an increase of 19% from the prior year period.
Marsh's revenue in the second quarter was $2.7 billion, an increase of 14% on an underlying basis. In US/Canada, underlying revenue rose 15%. International operations produced underlying revenue growth of 13%, reflecting 16% growth in EMEA, 10% growth in Asia Pacific, and 2% in Latin America. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, Marsh’s underlying revenue growth was 11% compared to the prior period a year ago.
Guy Carpenter's revenue in the second quarter was $488 million, an increase of 12% on an underlying basis. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, Guy Carpenter’s underlying revenue growth was 8%.
Consulting
Consulting revenue in the second quarter was $1.9 billion, an increase of 17% or 12% on an underlying basis compared to the same period a year ago. Operating income increased 35% to $344 million, and adjusted operating income increased 34% to $356 million. For the first six months of 2021, revenue was $3.8 billion, an increase of 11%, or an increase of 8% on an underlying basis. Operating income of $705 million increased 31% and adjusted operating income increased 31% to $726 million.
Mercer's revenue was $1.3 billion in the second quarter, an increase of 6% on an underlying basis. Career with revenue of $187 million, was up 15% on an underlying basis. Wealth revenue of $625 million increased 4% on an underlying basis, and Health revenue of $462 million increased 4% on an underlying basis. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, Mercer’s revenue was $2.6 billion, an increase of 3% on an underlying basis compared to the same period a year ago.
Oliver Wyman’s revenue was $618 million in the second quarter, an increase of 28% on an underlying basis. For the first six months ended June 30, 2021, Oliver Wyman’s revenue was $1.2 billion, an increase of 19% on an underlying basis.