Essex Financial Services Inc. Purchases 3,098 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Essex Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 91.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 6,491 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 3,098 shares during the period. Essex Financial Services Inc.'s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $1,379,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MMC. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 85.7% in the 3rd quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 130 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Albion Financial Group UT bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MMC has been the subject of several research reports. 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and increased their price objective for the company from $242.00 to $250.00 in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Raymond James reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 price target (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $236.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Two 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's stock. According to MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $230.44.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock traded down $2.15 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $228.95. 1,691,925 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,370,855. The company's fifty day moving average is $216.79 and its 200-day moving average is $221.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.13. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $196.17 and a 52 week high of $235.50. The firm has a market cap of $112.44 billion, a PE ratio of 27.95, a PEG ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.96.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.54 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

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

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.