CHARLOTTE (AP) — Insurance brokerage Marsh & McLennan Cos. yesterday said its profit slipped six percent in the fourth quarter, indicating it is weathering the financial crisis better than some of the other big insurance brokers.

But the company, led by Bermudian chief executive officer Brian Duperreault, said it saw significant declines in consulting revenues.

Its adusted earnings beat Wall Street estimates and its shares rose nearly 10 percent in premarket trading.

The New York-based company reported it earned $80 million, or 15 cents per share, in the last three months of 2008. That's down from $85 million, or 16 cents per share, a year ago.

Earnings from continuing operations slid 19 percent to $73 million, or 14 cents per share, from $90 million, or 17 cents per share. On an adjusted basis, excluding one-time items, Marsh & McLennan said it earned 37 cents per share, up 54 percent from the year ago period. Total revenue fell 8.7 percent to $2.66 billion.

Thomson Reuters says analysts expected a profit of 32 cents per share on revenue of $2.98 billion. Analysts do not always include one-time charges in their estimates.

Marsh & McLennan, which competes with Aon Corp., helps companies find commercial insurance coverage.

Results for the most recent quarter include investment income of $19 million, primarily due to mark-to-market gains in private equity investments, the company said.

Revenue from the firm's core risk consulting and technology segment declined 11 percent to $188 million. The company's consulting segment also saw its revenue decline, down eight percent to $807 million in the fourth quarter.

For full year 2008, Marsh & McLennan lost $73 million, or 14 cents per share, compared with a profit of $2.48 billion, or $4.53 per share, in 2007.

Total revenue grew 3.7 percent to $11.59 billion from $11.18 billion a year ago.

Marsh & McLennan shares rose $2.66, or 14 percent, to $21.37 in premarket trading.