Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) Shares Purchased by Ieq Capital LLC

Ieq Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 17.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 38,520 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 5,756 shares during the quarter. Ieq Capital LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $8,182,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. AMF Tjanstepension AB increased its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 16.8% during the third quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 132,205 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $29,507,000 after purchasing an additional 19,024 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 147,708 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $32,952,000 after buying an additional 2,068 shares during the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 10.3% during the 3rd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,156 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $704,000 after buying an additional 296 shares in the last quarter. Eastern Bank acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the third quarter worth about $433,000. Finally, Lecap Asset Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter worth about $520,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

MMC stock traded down $0.52 during trading on Friday, hitting $230.05. 2,193,747 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,152,310. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $196.17 and a 1 year high of $235.50. The company has a market cap of $112.98 billion, a PE ratio of 28.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.96. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $217.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $222.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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%. On average, equities analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th were paid a dividend of $0.815 per share. 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 payout ratio is currently 39.80%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and raised their price target for the stock from $242.00 to $250.00 in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $250.00 target price (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $236.00 to $246.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus 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.