Merit Financial Group LLC Raises Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 95.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 17,385 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 8,487 shares during the period. Merit Financial Group LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $3,693,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. boosted 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 acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. Bangor Savings Bank acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter worth approximately $46,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 18.8% in the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 285 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE MMC opened at $215.23 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $218.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $221.15. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $188.31 and a 52 week high of $235.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $105.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.96.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $5.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.71 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.65% and a net margin of 16.82%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.57 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 8.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a $0.815 dividend. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.51%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $236.00 to $246.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $219.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $211.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Roth Mkm upped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $214.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $228.60.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, Director Oscar Fanjul sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $221.55, for a total transaction of $553,875.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 48,549 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,756,030.95. This trade represents a 4.90 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.35% 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.