v2.3.0.15

Investments | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2011
Investments |
Investments |
8. Investments The Company earns income on cash balances and investments, as well as on premium trust balances that Aon maintains for premiums collected from insureds but not yet remitted to insurance companies, and funds held under the terms of certain outsourcing agreements to pay certain obligations on behalf of clients. Premium trust balances and a corresponding liability are included in Fiduciary assets and Fiduciary liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The Company’s interest-bearing assets and other investments are included in the following categories in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (in millions):
|  | September 30, |  | December 31, |
|  | 2011 |  | 2010 |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 295 |  | $ | 346 |
Short-term investments |  | 607 |  | 785 |
Fiduciary assets |  | 4,109 |  | 3,489 |
Investments |  | 254 |  | 312 |
|  | $ | 5,265 |  | $ | 4,932 |
The Company’s investments are as follows (in millions):
|  | September 30, |  | December 31, |
|  | 2011 |  | 2010 |
Equity method investments |  | $ | 172 |  | $ | 174 |
Other investments, at cost (1) |  | 67 |  | 123 |
Fixed-maturity securities |  | 15 |  | 15 |
|  | $ | 254 |  | $ | 312 |
(1) The reduction in other investments is primarily due to sales and redemptions.

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- Definition This item represents the entire disclosure related to Investments in Certain Debt and Equity Securities (and certain other trading assets) which include all debt and equity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise that is in the form of a security. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities. + Details
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