Core Insights - WTW and Sompo Holdings have formed a global partnership to implement WTW's Radar technology across the SOMPO Group, marking the first global agreement for Radar in Japan [1][4] - Sompo Direct Insurance Inc. has already begun using Radar to enhance its automobile insurance pricing, allowing for more accurate risk assessment and premium adjustments [2][3] Company Overview - Sompo Holdings, Inc. is a leading global integrated insurance and financial services group with over 135 years of innovation, headquartered in Tokyo, and employs approximately 75,000 people across 29 countries [5] - Sompo Direct Insurance Inc. specializes in online automobile insurance, focusing on providing fast and reliable services to customers [7] Technology Implementation - Radar technology enables Sompo Direct to predict customer risks through advanced data analysis, facilitating rapid adjustments in insurance premiums based on market changes and customer profiles [2][3] - The deployment of Radar allows for agile pricing and quicker product launches, enhancing the overall efficiency of Sompo Direct's operations [3][4] Future Expansion - The SOMPO Group plans to expand the use of Radar beyond Japan, starting with Turkey and considering further expansion across Southeast Asia [4]

Leadership Changes - Willis, a WTW business, announced leadership changes within its Global Construction and Global Surety teams to strengthen industry expertise and enhance client service [1] - Bill Creedon, who led the Global Construction business for over five years, will become Chairman, focusing on client engagement, recruitment, and talent development [2] - Scott Hull will expand his role as Global Head of Construction and Surety, building on his current position as Global Head of Surety [3] - Goly Jafari has been appointed Global Deputy of Construction and Surety, previously serving as Head of Global Surety Strategy and Operations [4] Strategic Focus - The leadership changes reflect a commitment to collaboration and delivering integrated solutions for clients [5] - The company aims to drive greater value for clients through the strengthened leadership in the Construction and Surety practices [5]

Core Insights - Willis has launched a new Global Risk Engineering team as part of its Global Risk & Analytics business expansion [1] - The new team aims to enhance risk management capabilities through proprietary data, advanced analytics, and technology-enabled solutions [2][4] - The initiative is designed to provide tailored, data-driven solutions that improve resilience and optimize clients' total cost of risk (TCOR) [4][6] Group 1 - The Global Risk Engineering team consists of nearly 200 risk engineers operating across 30 countries, combining global expertise with local specialization [3] - This team supports multinational organizations by integrating Property and Casualty Risk Control expertise with advanced data science and industry-specific knowledge [3] - The new offering goes beyond traditional risk engineering by aligning proprietary data sets with specialized capabilities [4] Group 2 - The head of Risk Control & Claims Advocacy at Willis emphasized the importance of combining multidisciplinary expertise with proprietary data and technology to deliver customized solutions [5] - The launch reinforces the company's commitment to providing differentiated, technology-driven risk engineering solutions that enhance resilience and lower TCOR [6] - The focus is on helping clients navigate emerging risks, ESG and climate goals, and broader strategic challenges [5]

NEW YORK, Sept. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The world’s largest 300 pension funds reached a new US$ 24.4 trillion record in terms of their total assets under management, according to this year’s Global Top 300 Pension Funds report by leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, WTW’s Thinking Ahead Institute. The research highlights high-level trends in the pension fund industry and provides information on the changing composition of the top 300 list of pension funds globally, including the char ...

Core Insights - Willis Towers Watson's (WTW) Risk & Broking segment is pivotal for the firm's growth strategy, serving as a direct link between clients and insurers, thereby shaping recurring and diversified revenue streams [1][2] Group 1: Performance and Growth - The Risk & Broking segment drives growth momentum by leveraging expertise and analytics to create measurable business impact, with strong client retention and new business wins contributing to consistent revenue growth [2] - In Q2 2025, the Risk & Broking segment achieved 6% organic growth, with revenues reaching $1.1 billion and operating income increasing by 10% to $2.2 billion, resulting in a margin improvement to 21.2% year over year [3][4] - Operational scale, innovation, and transformation initiatives are translating into sustainable profitability, reinforcing the segment's role as a long-term growth engine for WTW [4] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Brown & Brown, Inc.'s Wholesale Brokerage segment has seen growth through higher commissions, fees, and organic expansion, indicating a competitive environment [5] - Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. generates a significant portion of its revenue from its Brokerage segment, benefiting from strong client retention and growing customer activity, which supports organic growth [6] Group 3: Valuation and Estimates - WTW shares have gained 4.4% year-to-date, contrasting with a 14.1% decline in the industry, indicating relative strength [7] - The shares trade at a price to forward 12-month earnings of 17.83, below the industry average of 20.62, suggesting potential undervaluation [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WTW's 2025 earnings indicates a 0.7% decline year over year, followed by a projected 13.5% increase in the subsequent year [11]

Core Viewpoint - Willis Towers Watson (WTW) is experiencing a short-term bullish trend as its shares are trading above the 50-day simple moving average, indicating potential upward momentum in the stock price [1] Price Performance - WTW shares have increased by 4.4% year-to-date, contrasting with a 14.1% decline in the industry [2] - The Finance sector and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite have risen by 12.9% and 9.9%, respectively, during the same period [2] - WTW has a market capitalization of $31.8 billion, with an average trading volume of 0.6 million shares over the last three months [2] Valuation - WTW shares are currently trading at a price-to-forward 12-month earnings ratio of 17.84X, which is lower than the industry average of 20.63X, indicating a potential value opportunity [4] Earnings Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WTW's 2025 earnings per share is $16.81, with projected revenues of $9.6 billion [7] - Expected long-term earnings growth is pegged at 7.5%, with 2026 earnings per share estimated to rise by 5.4% from 2025 estimates [8] Analyst Sentiment - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has increased by 1.5% in the past 30 days, while the estimate for 2026 has risen by 0.6% [9] Target Price - The average price target for WTW, based on short-term projections from 19 analysts, is $364.79 per share, suggesting an 11.6% upside from the last closing price [10] Strategic Focus - WTW emphasizes operational streamlining, investments in emerging opportunities, and strong client-centric services to support long-term growth [12] - The company aims for mid-single-digit organic revenue growth, supplemented by selective acquisitions and consistent margin improvement [13][14] Margin Expansion Efforts - WTW is focused on enhancing operating margins through efficiency improvements, offshoring, automation, and AI adoption, targeting approximately 100 basis points of annual margin expansion in its Retirement & Benefits segment over the next three years [15] Challenges - Rising expenses have pressured margins, necessitating prudent cost management [16] - WTW's profitability metrics are weaker compared to peers, with a return on equity of 21.6% and return on invested capital of 6.3%, both below industry averages [17] Shareholder Value - WTW has increased its dividend six times over the past five years, resulting in a 5.7% growth in payouts [18] - The company plans to repurchase approximately $1.5 billion worth of shares in 2025, subject to market conditions [18]

Core Insights - Willis Towers Watson (WTW) has launched a new digital insurance platform called Gemini, aimed at addressing rising risk complexities and unpredictable market conditions, providing clients with more reliable outcomes [1][10] Group 1: Gemini Platform Features - Gemini enhances reliability and efficiency in insurance programs, supported by A+ rated Lloyd's syndicates, and offers built-in price advantages for significant savings [2] - The platform is capable of managing a wide range of risks, including complex ones, and facilitates quicker placements through automatic alignment with lead terms [2] - Claims processes are improved by matching lead settlements, which reduces disputes and delays, fostering long-term stability during annual renewals [3] Group 2: Financial Implications - The introduction of Gemini is expected to boost WTW's financial performance by driving revenue growth through new client acquisition and improved retention [4] - Digital automation within Gemini may streamline quoting, binding, and claims processes, leading to cost reductions and improved profit margins [4] - The scalable nature of the platform could create opportunities for additional services and cross-selling, thereby strengthening WTW's market position and client trust [4] Group 3: Market Performance - WTW shares have increased by 4.4% year-to-date, contrasting with a 13.7% decline in the industry [7] - The current valuation of WTW shares is at a price to forward 12-month earnings ratio of 17.86, lower than the industry average of 20.76 [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WTW's 2025 earnings indicates a slight decline of 0.7% year-over-year, followed by a projected increase of 13.5% in the subsequent year [13]

Group 1 - LifeSight has been appointed by Emerson as its full master trust provider, covering all active, deferred, and drawdown members [1][2] - The partnership began with LifeSight providing Drawdown solutions in 2020, and the full transition was completed by April 2025, with LifeSight going live for Emerson members on February 1, 2025 [2] - The addition of Emerson's membership increases LifeSight's total to 430,000 members and over £24 billion in assets under management [4] Group 2 - Emerson emphasized the importance of technology and member engagement, with LifeSight's mobile app significantly enhancing member interaction with retirement savings [3] - Phil Lamb, Pensions Manager at Emerson, highlighted LifeSight's investment strategy, member communication, and technology as key factors in their selection process [4] - LifeSight offers a comprehensive solution for defined contribution pension schemes, addressing the complexities and costs faced by employers [6][7]

Company Expansion - Willis, a WTW business, announced a significant expansion of its Japanese Corporate Risk & Broking team, enhancing its ability to meet rising demand in Japan through deepened industry expertise and analytics [1] - The company has hired 22 new professionals across various business areas, significantly expanding its client-facing teams [2][3] Market Insights - The Japanese general insurance market is projected to grow from JPY 11.7 trillion (US$ 81.1 billion) in 2024 to JPY 12.7 trillion (US$ 93.9 billion) by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate of 2.2% [2] - Growth drivers include commercial lines, digital transformation, risk advisory services, and increased demand for protection against climate change, natural catastrophes, cyber threats, and supply chain disruptions [2] Specialty Lines and Talent Acquisition - Recent hires include professionals in Risk & Analytics, Facultative Reinsurance, Marine specialty line, Business Development, Large Account, and Claims, reflecting the company's commitment to supporting clients with large and complex risks [3] - The new talent includes individuals from leading companies such as Marsh, Aon, Tokio Marine, Mitsui Sumitomo, Marubeni, and Moody's RMS [3]

Core Insights - Willis, a WTW business, has launched Gemini, a digital facility aimed at providing sustainable capacity to clients' insurance portfolios, addressing risk complexity and market volatility [1][2] - Gemini offers a 2.5% discount on lead pricing and is supported by Lloyd's syndicates, enhancing client confidence in challenging conditions [2][5] - The service will be available exclusively to Willis clients for risks starting from September 1, 2025 [3] Features of Gemini - Gemini provides substantial capacity for any in-scope risk, regardless of complexity, ensuring competitive pricing and guaranteed discounts for clients [5] - The platform allows for auto-approval of up to 12.5% of whole placements following lead quotes, facilitating quick deployment of capacity [2][5] - Claims management is simplified by following lead claims settlements, reducing complexity for clients [5]