Flputnam Investment Management Co. Boosts Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Flputnam Investment Management Co. grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 1.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 217,418 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 3,649 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises approximately 0.8% of Flputnam Investment Management Co.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Flputnam Investment Management Co.'s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $46,182,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. AMF Tjanstepension AB raised its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 16.8% in the 3rd 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 during the period. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. increased its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 4.1% in the third quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 6,698 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,494,000 after buying an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management lifted its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management now owns 4,165 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $929,000 after buying an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC now owns 1,698 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $379,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the period. Finally, HM Payson & Co. increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 4,937 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,101,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 0.8 %

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock traded down $1.96 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $237.52. 1,143,935 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,620,402. 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 simple moving average is $221.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $222.97. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $196.17 and a fifty-two week high of $241.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $116.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.02, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.96.

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 EPS 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 anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th were given a dividend of $0.815 per share. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 30th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is 39.80%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently issued reports on MMC shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. 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. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on 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 reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $250.00 price target (up from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, 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 research note on Thursday, December 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average 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.