Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 5,250 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,115,000.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MMC. Louisbourg Investments Inc. lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 67.2% during the fourth quarter. Louisbourg Investments Inc. now owns 8,211 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,744,000 after purchasing an additional 3,300 shares during the period. Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 6.3% in the fourth quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 106,485 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $22,618,000 after acquiring an additional 6,310 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 9.4% during the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 191,512 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $40,679,000 after purchasing an additional 16,464 shares during the period. Brentview Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,635,000. Finally, Occidental Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Occidental Asset Management LLC now owns 19,359 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $4,112,000 after purchasing an additional 1,555 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies
In related news, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,317 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total value of $309,455.49. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 2,923 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $686,817.31. This trade represents a 31.06 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Nicholas Mark Studer sold 49,390 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.16, for a total transaction of $11,367,602.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 28,329 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,520,202.64. This trade represents a 63.55 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 69,634 shares of company stock worth $16,244,986. Insiders own 0.30% of the company's stock.
Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance
Shares of NYSE:MMC traded down $11.17 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $220.15. The stock had a trading volume of 4,377,608 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,867,606. 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 has a 50 day moving average price of $233.11 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $224.79. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $196.72 and a 1 year high of $248.00. The company has a market capitalization of $108.51 billion, a PE ratio of 26.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85.
Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $6.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.08 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.89 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be issued a $0.815 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.48%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.80%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price target for the company. Barclays boosted their price objective on 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 raised their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $239.53.
Read Our Latest Research Report on MMC
About Marsh & McLennan Companies
(
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.
Further Reading
Before you consider Marsh & McLennan Companies, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Marsh & McLennan Companies wasn't on the list.
While Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
