Arthur J Gallagher has recorded a strong December quarter “to finish an excellent year”, CEO Patrick Gallagher says.

Fourth-quarter revenue was up 10% compared with the previous corresponding period to $US1.03 billion ($1.46 billion).

EBITDAC (earnings from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortisation and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables) increased 12% to $US242 million ($342 million).

The annual result was even more impressive. Revenue of $US4.05 billion ($5.73 billion) was up 17% on the previous year and EBITDAC climbed 22% to $US992.8 million ($1.4 billion).

Arthur J Gallagher completed 15 acquisitions with combined annualised revenue of $US46 million ($65 million) in the fourth quarter, bringing the total number of acquisitions for the year to 42, with estimated annualised revenues totalling $US223 million ($315 million).

The company says integration programs related to larger mergers in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada are “effectively done”, while integration processes in the UK will be largely completed by the end of this year.

Arthur J Gallagher believes the best result has yet to be extracted from its growing Australian operation.

“Margins are excellent in most of our units around the world, with some further opportunities for efficiencies in Australia,” the company says.

A local spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au further “efficiencies in the way we operate” will be gained through greater utilisation of new technology and process streamlining as the integration effort continues. They declined to comment on whether “opportunities for efficiencies” would include job losses.