Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC Has $51.08 Million Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 7.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 240,484 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 16,853 shares during the period. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $51,081,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total transaction of $1,673,221.37. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 20,935 shares in the company, valued at $4,919,096.95. This trade represents a 25.38 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,317 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total transaction of $309,455.49. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 2,923 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $686,817.31. The trade was a 31.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 69,634 shares of company stock valued at $16,244,986. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

NYSE:MMC traded up $0.41 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $219.37. The stock had a trading volume of 3,174,623 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,872,726. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $231.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $224.63. The stock has a market cap of $108.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.79, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.13. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $196.72 and a twelve month high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.04. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.60% and a net margin of 16.60%. The company had revenue of $6.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.08 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.89 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.815 per share. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is presently 39.95%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $246.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised 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. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $241.93.

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.