PICTET BANK & TRUST Ltd Invests $1.42 Million in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

PICTET BANK & TRUST Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 6,696 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,422,000. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises about 1.4% of PICTET BANK & TRUST Ltd's holdings, making the stock its 24th largest holding.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $37,178,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,522 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,173,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 6.0% in the 4th quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 25,321 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $5,378,000 after purchasing an additional 1,424 shares during the period. Vicus Capital increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 101.2% during the 4th quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 3,040 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $646,000 after purchasing an additional 1,529 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Banque Pictet & Cie SA bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,253,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 0.4 %

MMC traded up $0.99 on Wednesday, hitting $231.13. 2,042,519 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,162,435. 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 12 month low of $196.17 and a 12 month high of $235.50. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $217.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $222.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.51 billion, a PE ratio of 28.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.96.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th were given a $0.815 dividend. This represents a $3.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 30th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is presently 39.80%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and boosted their price target for the company from $242.00 to $250.00 in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 price objective (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised 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. Evercore ISI reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $242.00 price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $236.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $230.44.

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.