KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Purchases Shares of 217,574 Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 217,574 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $46,215,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $45,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Nicholas Mark Studer sold 49,390 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.16, for a total value of $11,367,602.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 28,329 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,520,202.64. This represents a 63.55 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total transaction of $1,673,221.37. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 20,935 shares of the company's stock, 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. Insiders have sold a total of 57,828 shares of company stock valued at $13,350,279 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.30% of the company's stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MMC has been the topic of a number of research reports. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Tuesday. They issued a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price objective on the stock. Raymond James reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $250.00 price target (up from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $242.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased 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 research report on Monday, February 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $233.41.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 0.9 %

NYSE MMC traded up $2.10 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $238.72. 1,873,660 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,638,166. The firm has a market capitalization of $117.24 billion, a PE ratio of 29.15, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.95. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $196.17 and a fifty-two 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 company's fifty day simple moving average is $228.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $223.95.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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%. Sell-side analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be paid a $0.815 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.37%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.80%.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company 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.