Mizuho Securities USA LLC grew its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 46.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 46,547 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 14,659 shares during the period. Mizuho Securities USA LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $9,887,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Amundi raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 81.1% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 4,072,976 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $860,824,000 after buying an additional 1,823,807 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 7,320.9% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,108,758 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $235,511,000 after acquiring an additional 1,093,817 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $207,278,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 29,648.6% in the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 688,978 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $146,346,000 after purchasing an additional 686,662 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC raised its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 21,445,110 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $4,784,190,000 after buying an additional 518,185 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 0.9 %
Shares of MMC traded up $2.10 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $238.72. 1,873,660 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,638,166. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $117.24 billion, a PE ratio of 29.15, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.95. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $228.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $223.84. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $196.17 and a 52 week high of $241.84.
Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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, analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend
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 1.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is 39.80%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several equities analysts recently weighed in on MMC shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 target price (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $233.41.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MMC
Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies
In related news, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total value of $1,673,221.37. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,935 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,919,096.95. The trade was a 25.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Nicholas Mark Studer sold 49,390 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.16, for a total transaction of $11,367,602.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 28,329 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,520,202.64. The trade was a 63.55 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 57,828 shares of company stock valued at $13,350,279. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the company's stock.
About Marsh & McLennan Companies
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Free Report)
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.
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