Business briefs

Aon plans possible spin off of unit

CHICAGO -- Aon Corp, the world's second-largest insurance broker, said quarterly net income rose 24 percent, and that it was considering "strategic options" for one of its units. Second-quarter net earnings rose to $240 million, or 75 cents a share, from $193 million, or 57 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter. Aon said it was planning a spinoff of its Combined Insurance Co. of America unit.

Ryerson reports strong profit

CHICAGO -- Ryerson Inc., a metals distributor that agreed to be acquired by Platinum Equity Holdings LLC, said second-quarter profit jumped 72 percent on higher prices and a gain related to reduced inventories. Net income rose to $38.1 million, or $1.20 a share, from $22.2 million, or 76 cents, a year earlier.

Buying on credit profits MasterCard

NEW YORK -- MasterCard Inc., the world's No. 2 credit card franchise, said Wednesday a rise in cardholder spending, especially abroad, helped it post a second-quarter profit that beat Wall Street predictions. Revenue rose nearly 18 percent to a record $997 million. The company said profit in the April to June period, excluding items, was $195 million, or $1.43 a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted earnings of $1.33 per share on revenue of $974.6 million.

SEATTLE -- Starbucks Corp. said Wednesday its fiscal third-quarter profit climbed 9 percent as the world's largest specialty coffee retailer opened 668 new stores and announced plans to continue expanding at an equally blistering pace next year. Earnings for the three months ended July 1 rose to $158.3 million, or 21 cents per share, from $145.5 million, or 18 cents per share, during the same period last year.