For the quarter ended June 2024, Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) reported revenue of $2.74 billion, up 13.7% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.26, compared to $1.90 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.76 billion, representing a surprise of -0.73%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +0.89%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.24.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Arthur J. Gallagher performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Brokerage - Compensation expense ratio: 57.7% versus 55.3% estimated by two analysts on average.

• Risk Management Segment - Operating expense ratio: 18.7% versus 19.7% estimated by two analysts on average.

• Risk Management Segment - Compensation expense ratio: 61.1% compared to the 56.8% average estimate based on two analysts.

• Brokerage - Operating expense ratio: 14.2% versus 14.7% estimated by two analysts on average.

• Revenue- Fees: $827.10 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $913.83 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4.6%.

• Revenue- Commissions: $1.66 billion versus $1.63 billion estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +17.8% change.

• Revenue Risk Management Segment- Revenues before reimbursements: $358.60 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $355.99 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +12.6%.

• Reimbursements: $39.40 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $36.80 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +12.6%.

• Revenue Brokerage Segment- Commissions: $1.66 billion compared to the $1.61 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +17.8% year over year.

• Revenue Brokerage Segment- Fees: $477.60 million versus $570.23 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -0.2% change.

• Revenue Brokerage Segment- Supplemental revenues: $88.70 million compared to the $82.65 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +24.6% year over year.

• Revenue Brokerage Segment- Contingent revenues: $59.80 million compared to the $60.48 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +10.3% year over year.