Aon’s PEP Surges to $5B in Assets as Stock Rises 0.34% with $400M Volume Ranking 209th in Market Activity

On August 21, 2025, Aon (AON) rose 0.34% with a trading volume of $0.4 billion, ranking 209th in market activity. The firm’s pooled employer plan (Aon PEP) has reached $5 billion in live and committed assets since its 2021 launch, serving over 130 employers and more than 100,000 eligible employees. Rick Jones, Aon’s senior partner in wealth solutions, highlighted a 75% growth in new employer and asset additions in 2025, alongside improved participant enrollment and savings rates. The PEP’s expansion underscores its role in reducing administrative burdens for employers, with participating companies reporting a 50-75% reduction in 401(k) workload. Jennifer Brasher, head of wealth solutions in North America, emphasized Aon’s leadership in redefining retirement benefits through scalable, cost-effective solutions.

Employers adopting PEPs cite cost reduction, simplified compliance, and enhanced governance as key drivers. Aon’s PEP offers lower fees and access to diversified investment options, leveraging pooled assets to deliver economies of scale. Beth Jackman of Atmus Filtration Technologies noted that PEPs alleviate fiduciary risks and administrative pressures, enabling employers to focus on core operations. With industry research indicating 30% of plan sponsors prioritize administrative simplification, Aon’s growth aligns with broader trends in retirement plan modernization. The firm’s achievements position it to capitalize on the evolving demand for streamlined, employer-sponsored benefits.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a 1.98% average 1-day return. Over 365 days, the total return was 7.61%, with a Sharpe ratio of 0.94, reflecting favorable risk-adjusted performance. However, the approach faced a maximum drawdown of -29.16%, highlighting vulnerabilities during market downturns.