Dan Glaser, President and CEO, said: "We delivered another quarter of excellent results. For the second consecutive quarter, underlying growth was at the highest level in over two decades. We grew underlying revenue by 13%, adjusted operating income by 19%, and adjusted EPS by 32%. For the first nine months of 2021, we achieved 10% underlying revenue growth, 21% adjusted operating income growth, and 28% adjusted EPS growth."
"Given the outstanding quarter and year-to-date performance, we are on track for a terrific year."
Consolidated Results
Consolidated revenue in the third quarter of 2021 was $4.6 billion, an increase of 16% compared with the third quarter of 2020. On an underlying basis, revenue increased 13%. Operating income was $740 million, an increase of 37% from the prior year. Adjusted operating income, which excludes noteworthy items as presented in the attached supplemental schedules, rose 19% to $759 million. Net income attributable to the Company was $537 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, compared with $0.62 in the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted earnings per share rose 32% to $1.08 per diluted share compared with $0.82 for the prior year period.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, consolidated revenue was $14.7 billion, an increase of 15%, or 10% on an underlying basis compared to the prior period. Operating income was $3.3 billion, an increase of 33% from the prior year period. Adjusted operating income rose 21% to $3.4 billion. Net income attributable to the Company was $2.3 billion. Fully diluted earnings per share was $4.56 compared with $3.21 in the first nine months of 2020. Adjusted earnings per share increased 28% to $4.82 compared with $3.77 for the comparable period in 2020.
Risk & Insurance Services
Risk & Insurance Services revenue was $2.7 billion in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 17%, or 13% on an underlying basis. Operating income rose 21% to $403 million, and adjusted operating income was $469 million, an increase of 21% from the prior year period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, revenue was $9.0 billion, an increase of 16%, or 11% on an underlying basis. Operating income rose 28% to $2.4 billion, and adjusted operating income was $2.5 billion, an increase of 20% from the prior year period.
Marsh's revenue in the third quarter was $2.4 billion, an increase of 13% on an underlying basis. In U.S./Canada, underlying revenue rose 16%. International operations produced underlying revenue growth of 9%, reflecting 12% growth in Latin America, 9% growth in Asia Pacific, and 8% growth in EMEA. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Marsh’s underlying revenue growth was 12% compared to the prior period a year ago.
Guy Carpenter's revenue in the third quarter was $314 million, an increase of 15% on an underlying basis. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Guy Carpenter’s underlying revenue growth was 10%.
Consulting
Consulting revenue in the third quarter was $1.9 billion, an increase of 13% or 12% on an underlying basis compared to the same period a year ago. Operating income increased 45% to $404 million, and adjusted operating income increased 15% to $350 million. For the first nine months of 2021, revenue was $5.7 billion, an increase of 12%, or an increase of 9% on an underlying basis. Operating income of $1.1 billion increased 36% and adjusted operating income increased 25% to $1.1 billion.
Mercer's revenue was $1.3 billion in the third quarter, an increase of 7% on an underlying basis. Career revenue of $253 million was up 13% on an underlying basis. Wealth revenue of $613 million increased 6% on an underlying basis, and Health revenue of $449 million increased 4% on an underlying basis. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Mercer’s revenue was $3.9 billion, an increase of 4% on an underlying basis compared to the same period a year ago.
Oliver Wyman’s revenue was $610 million in the third quarter, an increase of 25% on an underlying basis. For the first nine months ended September 30, 2021, Oliver Wyman’s revenue was $1.8 billion, an increase of 21% on an underlying basis.