Global broker Aon has posted a net profit of $US198 million ($222 million) for the three months to December 31, a big improvement on a $US6 million ($6.7 million) loss in the previous fourth quarter.

Total revenue for the quarter rose 9% to $US2.1 billion ($2.4 billion) over the corresponding 2008 figure.

Annual net profit slid 49% to $US747 million ($839 million). The sale of business units in 2008 inflated the previous result.

Aon’s 1% improvement in annual revenue of $US7.6 billion ($8.5 billion) reflected shifting currency and falling investment income although it was offset by the contribution of new acquisitions including UK reinsurance broking business Benfield.

Risk and insurance broking operations reported a 2% rise in revenue of $US6.3 billion ($7.1 billion), while investment income slid 57% to $US74 million ($83.1 million).