Sterling Capital Management LLC Decreases Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Sterling Capital Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 9.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 336,161 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 36,425 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for approximately 1.0% of Sterling Capital Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Sterling Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $71,404,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Louisbourg Investments Inc. raised its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 67.2% in the 4th quarter. Louisbourg Investments Inc. now owns 8,211 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,744,000 after acquiring an additional 3,300 shares in the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 85,424 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $19,461,000 after acquiring an additional 3,553 shares during the period. Czech National Bank lifted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 6.3% during the fourth quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 106,485 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $22,618,000 after purchasing an additional 6,310 shares during the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position 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 buying an additional 16,464 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brentview Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,635,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock traded down $0.87 on Wednesday, hitting $231.49. 1,102,124 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,201,167. The company has a market capitalization of $114.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a fifty day moving average of $233.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $224.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $196.23 and a one year high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share (EPS) 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%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.815 per share. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 39.80%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total value of $550,302.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,522 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,326,412. This represents a 14.20 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 9,569 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction on Monday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.00, for a total transaction of $2,344,405.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,935 shares in the company, valued at $5,129,075. This represents a 31.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 69,634 shares of company stock worth $16,244,986. Insiders own 0.30% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on MMC shares. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price target for the company. Barclays increased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $246.00 to $249.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Raymond James restated an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 price target (up from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target 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, nine have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $237.75.

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.