Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) Shares Acquired by Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 7.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 64,564 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 4,277 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.'s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $13,714,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. FWG Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 32.5% during the fourth quarter. FWG Holdings LLC now owns 1,464 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $321,000 after purchasing an additional 359 shares in the last quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $2,469,000. Simplicity Wealth LLC raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 20.1% in the fourth quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 1,426 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $303,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the period. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $202,000. Finally, OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $531,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 1.4 %

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock traded down $3.23 on Wednesday, hitting $229.88. 856,321 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,634,273. The company has a market cap of $112.90 billion, a PE ratio of 28.05, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.95. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $196.17 and a 52 week high of $241.84. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $223.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $223.49.

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Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.75 by $0.12. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 32.60%. Equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th were given a dividend of $0.815 per share. This represents a $3.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 30th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 39.80%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MMC shares. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $242.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Raymond James reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 price objective (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Evercore ISI reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $242.00 price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Monday, November 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $230.44.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,317 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total value of $309,455.49. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,923 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $686,817.31. This trade represents a 31.06 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total transaction of $1,673,221.37. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,935 shares in the company, valued at $4,919,096.95. This trade represents a 25.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the company's stock.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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.