Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA Boosts Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA lifted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 28.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 90,908 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 20,120 shares during the quarter. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $19,310,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 85.7% in the third quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 130 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter worth approximately $41,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MMC traded up $1.21 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $230.04. The company had a trading volume of 1,394,261 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,166,305. The firm has a market capitalization of $112.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $217.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $221.99. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $196.17 and a fifty-two week high of $235.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.12. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.60% and a net margin of 16.60%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.54 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th were paid a $0.815 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.42%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on MMC shares. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $255.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Raymond James reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 price objective (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $230.44.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Profile

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc is a professional services firm, which engages in offering clients advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and people. It operates through the Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting segments. The Risk and Insurance Services segment is involved in risk management activities, as well as insurance and reinsurance broking and services.