largest insurance broker, yesterday said third-quarter profits rose 20 percent amid solid results from its core brokering, money management and consulting units.

New York-based Marsh & McLennan's net income totalled $223 million, or 81 cents per diluted share, up from $186 million, or 69 cents in the year ago quarter.

The results met analysts' consensus estimate of 81 cents, as polled by market research firm First Call/Thomson Financial.

Marsh & McLennan shares closed on Monday at 74-13/16, close to its year high around 82, after making gains last week on the prospect of new financial services legislation which could see Marsh expand into new areas or become a merger target for a large bank.

Marsh & McLennan's overall revenue for the quarter rose 30 percent to $2.2 billion from $1.7 billion in the year ago quarter.

A.J.C. Smith, the company's chairman, said the company was pleased with performance in each of its businesses.

Marsh, the insurance brokering unit, increased revenue to $1.05 billion for the quarter, up from $764 million last time.