Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd Company
Q1 2025 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +8.13%.
Did WTW Beat Earnings? Q1 2025 Results
Willis Towers Watson came up short on both top and bottom lines in the first quarter of 2025, as the December 2024 divestiture of its TRANZACT business cast a long shadow over reported results. The professional services firm posted adjusted EPS of $3.13, missing the consensus estimate of $3.19 by 1.84%, while revenue of $2.22 billion fell 2.92% below expectations and declined 5.0% year-over-year, with the TRANZACT exit accounting for the bulk of that reported drag. Beneath the surface, however, organic revenue grew 5%, underpinned by a standout 7% organic expansion in Risk and Broking and 3% growth in Health, Wealth and Career, suggesting the core franchise remains on solid footing. Margins improved across both segments, with adjusted operating margin advancing 100 basis points to 21.6%. Looking ahead, management targets mid-single-digit organic revenue growth, roughly 100 basis points of average annual margin expansion in Risk and Broking over the next three years, and approximately $1.50 billion in full-year share repurchases, though a $0.25 to $0.35 EPS headwind from a new reinsurance joint venture with Bain Capital will weigh on year-over-year comparisons.
- 5% organic revenue growth driven by both segments
- Strong client retention and new business activity in Corporate Risk & Broking (8% organic growth)
- Health segment delivered 6% organic growth across all regions
- Transformation program savings contributing to margin expansion
- Sale of TRANZACT improved margin profile
- Adjusted operating margin expanded 100 basis points to 21.6%
“We had a solid start to the year, delivering results in line with our expectations and making strong progress on our strategy to accelerate our performance, enhance our efficiency and optimize our portfolio.”
Willis Towers Watson CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
WTW targets mid-single digit organic revenue growth plus opportunistic inorganic growth. The company expects continued annual adjusted operating margin expansion, with approximately 100 basis points of average annual margin expansion over the next 3 years in Risk & Broking, and incremental annual margin expansion at HWC and enterprise levels. Adjusted EPS is expected to grow annually driven by margin expansion and disciplined capital management. Free cash flow margin is expected to improve through evolving business mix, operating margin expansion, and working capital management. The company expects approximately $1.5 billion in share repurchases in 2025, subject to market conditions. The TRANZACT divestiture (which contributed $1.14 to 2024 adjusted diluted EPS) and the reinsurance joint venture with Bain Capital (expected $0.25 to $0.35 headwind on adjusted diluted EPS) will affect year-over-year comparisons. Foreign currency impact on adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be neutral in 2025 at current rates. The company also expects cash outflows in 2025 from payment of accrued Transformation program costs.
WTW YoY Financials
WTW Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.