WTW Q2 net income more than doubles despite flat revenue

Earnings strength came from margin expansion and segment performance

WTW Q2 net income more than doubles despite flat revenue

Insurance News

By Kenneth Araullo

WTW reported its second-quarter 2025 financial results, with revenue largely unchanged from a year earlier, while net income rose compared to the same period in 2024.

Revenue for the quarter ended June 30 was $2.26 billion, down slightly from $2.27 billion in the prior-year quarter. The company said the change was mainly due to the sale of TRANZACT at the end of 2024. Excluding foreign currency effects, revenue decreased 1%, while organic revenue growth was 5%.

Net income for the second quarter reached $332 million, up from $142 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA was $470 million, or 20.8% of revenue, compared to $445 million, or 19.6%, in the second quarter of 2024. WTW reported a US GAAP tax rate of (6.8)% for the quarter.

WTW's first-quarter 2025 performance set the tone for its midyear results. The company reported $2.22 billion in revenue for Q1, a 5% decline from the previous year. Net income reached $239 million, up from $194 million a year earlier, and the operating margin improved to 19.4% compared to 12.0% in Q1 2024.

Cash flows from operating activities for the first six months of 2025 were $326 million, down from $431 million in the same period of 2024. Free cash flow fell to $217 million from $305 million year over year.

The company attributed the decrease to higher compensation and cash tax payments, as well as the loss of TRANZACT-related inflows following its sale. These factors were partially offset by lower spending on its Transformation program and operational improvements. During the quarter, WTW repurchased 1,614,427 shares for $500 million.

WTW segments – how did they fare?

By segment, health, wealth and career generated $1.18 billion in revenue for the quarter, compared to $1.26 billion in Q2 2024, a 6% decline on a reported basis. Revenue decreased 8% on a constant currency basis, but grew 4% organically. Operating income was $280 million, up from $276 million a year ago, with an operating margin of 23.8%, compared to 21.9% in the prior-year quarter.

Risk and broking revenue was $1.05 billion, up from $979 million last year, representing 7% reported growth and 6% on a constant currency basis. Organic revenue growth was 6%. Operating income rose to $222 million from $202 million, with the operating margin improving to 21.2% from 20.6% in Q2 2024.

Following its full-year 2024 results, WTW revised its strategic and financial projections for 2025, including expectations for an adjusted operating margin of 23.0% to 23.5% and adjusted diluted EPS between $16.00 and $17.00.

The company also increased its cost savings goal under its "Grow, Simplify & Transform" initiative to $450 million.

“Building on our strong first-half performance and continued momentum, we enter the second half of 2025 on track to deliver on our financial framework, including mid-single digit organic revenue growth, operating margin expansion, adjusted earnings per share growth, and free-cash-flow margin expansion,” CEO Carl Hess (pictured above) said.

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