By the Numbers: HR Consulting Financial Roundup

Aon/Hewitt
Aon's consulting revenues are up almost 5 percent in the first half of 2010, compared to the same six months of 2009. In the quarter ending on June 30, consulting revenue climbed almost 6 percent, an improvement from the 4.2 percent growth reported in the first quarter. Aon should get a significant boost in the second half of the year when it merges with Hewitt. The deal is scheduled to close in mid-November, pending board and regulatory approval. Hewitt's revenue climbed almost 6 percent in the quarter ending on June 30 and is up almost five percent through the first six months of 2010. Hewitt's "higher consulting revenues were primarily due to an increase in retirement and financial management consulting services, mostly in Europe and North America, and health management consulting services in North America," according to its most recent quarterly report.

Mercer HR
Mercer, the world's largest HR consulting practice, is not experiencing similar success. In the three months ending on June 30, consulting revenue increased by a more modest 2 percent. The firm experienced growth in health and benefits consulting due primarily to "increases in Canada, EMEA and Asia Pacific, partly offset by a reduction in the U.S. due to a near-term disruption in demand as Congress debated significant legislation changes to the U.S. healthcare system. Outsourcing revenue remained flat on an underlying basis, driven by growth in Asia Pacific," according to its most recent quarterly filing with the SEC. The firm's sister-operations management arm, Oliver Wyman, saw revenue increase by 6 percent in the second quarter of 2010.