Jan 29 (Reuters) - Insurance broker Marsh MRSH.N reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by robust performance in its risk and insurance services business.

Individuals and businesses have kept spending on insurance policies in a tough macroeconomic environment to safeguard against risks, even though premiums have gone up.

Brokers' performance is closely related to the insurance industry's numbers, as their commissions are tied to the premiums insurers charge.

Shares of New York-based Marsh fell 12.7% in 2025, with analysts flagging rate softening, an uneven economy and macro uncertainty weighing on demand from large clients.

Earlier this week, rival brokerage Brown & Brown BRO.N also reported a higher profit, but shares fell as investors balked at declining organic growth. Peer Aon AON.N is set to report its quarterly earnings on Friday.

Shares of Aon and Brown & Brown also ended 2025 in the red.

Revenue in Marsh's risk and insurance services business came in at $4 billion for the three months ended December 31, up 9% from a year earlier. Its consulting arm reported a 8% revenue rise.

Net income attributable to Marsh came in at $821 million, or $1.68 per share, in the reported quarter, compared with $788 million, or $1.59 per share, in the year-ago period.

Total revenue grew 9% to $6.6 billion.

(Reporting by Ateev Bhandari in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

((Ateev.Bhandari@thomsonreuters.com;))