Aon (AON)

Risks

• An overall decline in economic and business activity could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of our business.
• We face significant competitive pressures from traditional and non-traditional competitors that could affect our business.
• If our clients are not satisfied with our services, we may face additional cost, loss of profit opportunities, damage to our reputation, or legal liability.
• Damage to our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our business.
• Revenues from commission arrangements may fluctuate due to many factors, including cyclical or permanent changes in the insurance and reinsurance markets outside of our control.
• The profitability of our operations may not meet our expectations due to unexpected costs, cost overruns, inflation, early contract terminations, unrealized assumptions used in our contract bidding process or the inability to maintain our prices.
• In our investment consulting business, we advise or act on behalf of clients regarding their investments. The results of these investments are uncertain and subject to numerous factors, some of which are within our control and some which are not. Clients that experience losses or lower than expected investment returns may leave us for competitors and/or assert claims against us.
• The anticipated benefits of the redomiciliation from the U.K. to Ireland may not be realized.
• We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could negatively impact our financial results and cash flows.
• Changes in interest rates and deterioration of credit quality could reduce the value of our cash balances and investment portfolios and adversely affect our financial condition or results.
• Our pension obligations and value of our pension assets could adversely affect our shareholders’ equity, net income, cash flow, and liquidity.
• We have debt outstanding that could adversely affect our financial flexibility.
• A decline in the credit ratings of our senior debt and commercial paper may adversely affect our borrowing costs, access to capital, and financial flexibility.
• Our global effective tax rate is subject to a variety of different factors, which could create volatility in that tax rate, expose us to greater than anticipated tax liabilities or cause us to adjust previously recognized tax assets and liabilities.
• Changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions could negatively affect our financial position and results of operations.
• We may be required to record goodwill or other long-lived asset impairment charges, which could result in a significant charge to earnings.
• We are a holding company and, therefore, may not be able to receive dividends or other payments in needed amounts from our subsidiaries.
• We are subject to E&O claims against us as well as other contingencies and legal proceedings, some of which, if determined unfavorably to us, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
• Our businesses are subject to extensive governmental regulation, which could reduce our profitability, limit our growth, or subject us to legal and regulatory actions.
• Failure to protect our intellectual property rights, or allegations that we have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others, could harm our reputation, ability to compete effectively, and financial condition.
• Our results of operations have been adversely affected and could be materially adversely affected in the future by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
• The economic and political conditions of the countries and regions in which we operate could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity, and prospects for growth.
• Our success depends on our ability to retain, attract and develop experienced and qualified personnel, including our senior management team and other personnel.
• Our global operations expose us to various international risks that could adversely affect our business.
• The occurrence of natural or man-made disasters could result in declines in business and increases in claims that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
• Our inability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem could cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm, or legal liability.
• We rely on third parties to perform key functions of our business operations enabling our provision of services to our clients. These third parties may act in ways that could harm our business.
• Our business is exposed to risks associated with the handling of client funds.
• In connection with the implementation of our corporate strategies and initiatives, we face risks associated with, among others, the acquisition or disposition of businesses, the integration and development of acquired businesses, and the entry into new lines of business or products.
• We are subject to various risks and uncertainties in connection with the sale of the Divested Business.
• We rely on complex information technology systems and networks to operate our business. Any significant system or network disruption due to a breach in the security of our information technology systems could have a negative impact on our reputation, operations, sales, and operating results.
• Improper disclosure of confidential, personal, or proprietary data could result in regulatory scrutiny, legal liability, or harm to our reputation.
• Our business performance and growth plans could be negatively affected if we are not able to develop, implement, update, and enhance technology-based solutions to support our business operations or if we are not able to effectively drive value for our clients through innovation and technology-based solutions.
• We are incorporated in Ireland, and Irish law differs from the laws in effect in the U.S. and may afford less protection to holders of our securities.
• As an Irish public limited company, certain capital structure decisions regarding the Company will require the approval of shareholders, which may limit the Company’s flexibility to manage its capital structure.