AON (NYSE:AON) Upgraded at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AON (NYSE:AON) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Saturday,Wall Street Zen reports.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of AON from $380.00 to $410.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of AON from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of AON from $396.00 to $412.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of AON from $420.00 to $435.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of AON from $406.00 to $419.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $412.62.

AON Stock Down 9.8%

Shares of NYSE:AON opened at $320.59 on Friday. AON has a twelve month low of $304.59 and a twelve month high of $382.34. The company has a market capitalization of $68.00 billion, a PE ratio of 17.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $353.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $333.95.

AON (NYSE:AON) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $3.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.80 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.28 billion. AON had a net margin of 22.27% and a return on equity of 42.13%. AON’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.49 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that AON will post 19.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AON Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd were issued a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. AON’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.08%.

Insider Transactions at AON

In other AON news, General Counsel Darren Zeidel sold 1,950 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $372.05, for a total transaction of $725,497.50. Following the sale, the general counsel directly owned 13,404 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,986,958.20. The trade was a 12.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders sold 4,450 shares of company stock worth $1,659,242 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AON

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wealth Watch Advisors INC purchased a new position in AON during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. acquired a new stake in shares of AON in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AON during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Strive Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AON during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in AON in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 86.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key AON News

Here are the key news stories impacting AON this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The acquisition would significantly expand Aon’s presence in the U.S. middle-market, adding USI’s risk management, health insurance and retirement-plan businesses, which generate approximately $3 billion in annual revenue. Aon expects the combined platform to produce $395 million in annual run-rate net adjusted EBITDA synergies and to be accretive to adjusted EPS beginning in 2028. Aon to acquire USI to establish the premier U.S. middle-market platform
• Positive Sentiment: Management said USI would improve Aon’s access to the fast-growing excess-and-surplus insurance market and enhance its data and analytics capabilities. USI CEO Mike Sicard is expected to become Aon’s president and global CEO of Middle Market after closing, supporting integration and leadership continuity. Aon CEO says insurance broker seeks to build premiere middle market platform
• Neutral Sentiment: The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Aon held an investor call to outline the deal’s financing, strategic rationale and anticipated synergies, making regulatory and integration execution key near-term catalysts. Aon M&A call transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Aon plans to finance the purchase with new debt, increasing balance-sheet risk and potentially limiting financial flexibility. Investors may also be concerned that the $17 billion purchase price creates substantial execution risk before the projected 2028 earnings benefits are realized. Aon close to acquiring USI in $17 billion deal

About AON

Aon plc is a global professional services firm that provides a broad suite of risk, retirement and health solutions to corporations, institutions and individuals. The company operates primarily as an insurance broker and risk adviser, helping clients identify, quantify and transfer risk across property, casualty, cyber and other areas. Aon also offers reinsurance brokerage and capital market solutions that connect insurers, reinsurers and corporate buyers.

In addition to traditional brokerage activities, Aon delivers consulting and outsourcing services in areas such as human capital, benefits, and retirement plan design and administration.