Brown Advisory Inc. Purchases 3,669 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Brown Advisory Inc. increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 5.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 69,131 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 3,669 shares during the quarter. Brown Advisory Inc.'s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $14,684,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $38,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 0.1 %

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $226.90 on Wednesday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $201.34 and a twelve month high of $248.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The company has a 50 day moving average of $230.75 and a 200-day moving average of $224.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $111.80 billion, a PE ratio of 27.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share 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 analysts' expectations of $7.08 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.89 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be given a $0.815 dividend. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 39.95%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MMC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price 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. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $246.00 to $249.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 target price for the company. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $241.93.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Nicholas Mark Studer sold 49,390 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.16, for a total value of $11,367,602.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 28,329 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,520,202.64. This represents a 63.55 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,317 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total value of $309,455.49. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,923 shares in the company, valued at approximately $686,817.31. This trade represents a 31.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 69,634 shares of company stock worth $16,244,986. Insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies 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.

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