Marsh is a professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and human capital... Show more
Marsh (NYSE: MRSH), the professional services firm formerly known as Marsh & McLennan Companies, is a bellwether for the global insurance brokerage and consulting industries. Its results offer investors a read on commercial insurance pricing, reinsurance demand, and corporate spending on strategy and human-capital services. This report is the first full quarter under the company's new "Marsh" brand following its January 2026 rebranding and ticker change from MMC to MRSH. With softer property and reinsurance rates pressuring the brokerage business, the third quarter tested whether growth in consulting and advisory work could carry the top line.
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, Marsh reported consolidated revenue of $6.9 billion, an 8% increase on a reported basis and 5% on an underlying basis, which strips out currency and acquisition impacts. GAAP operating income rose 4% to $1.2 billion, while adjusted operating income increased 6% to $1.5 billion. Adjusted operating margin was 22.7%. Net income attributable to the company was $808 million.
GAAP diluted EPS came in at $1.69, and adjusted EPS grew 10% to $2.03, exceeding the consensus estimate of roughly $2.01. Revenue of $6.86 billion also edged past the consensus of about $6.77 billion.
By segment, Risk and Insurance Services revenue increased 7% to $4.2 billion, or 3% underlying. Within that, the Risk business (insurance brokerage) grew 10% to $3.7 billion, while Reinsurance revenue fell 6% to $374 million. Consulting revenue rose 9% to $2.7 billion, with Management Consulting up 14% and People and Investments (formerly Mercer) up 6%.
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Investors responded favorably to the report. Marsh shares climbed about 4.7% in afternoon trading and closed near $186.43, up roughly 4.5% on the day, reflecting relief that double-digit adjusted EPS growth and raised efficiency targets outweighed softness in reinsurance. The results reinforced confidence in the company's diversification: management consulting and people-related services provided the momentum while cyclical pricing headwinds weighed on the brokerage and reinsurance lines.
Management reiterated its full-year 2026 outlook, expecting underlying revenue growth similar to 2025, another year of margin expansion, and solid adjusted EPS growth. A key watch item is the January 1 reinsurance renewal cycle, where the company expects soft market conditions to persist given abundant capacity.
Investors will also track the expanded Thrive efficiency program. The company raised its savings target to $600 million, with total related costs now expected around $750 million and most actions completed by the end of 2028. Management said the additional savings would fund reinvestment in sales, technology, and new capabilities.
Other factors to monitor include global commercial insurance pricing, which declined 5% in the quarter with property rates down 10%; fiduciary interest income, which fell year over year and is expected to decline further in the fourth quarter; and litigation costs tied to Greensill, which totaled $144 million. Ongoing capital deployment also remains a focus, with roughly $5.5 billion planned for 2026 across dividends, acquisitions, and buybacks.
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Industry InsuranceBrokersServices