114,305 Shares in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) Acquired by ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V.

Key Points

• ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. acquired 114,305 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) valued at approximately $27.9 million during the first quarter.
• Marsh & McLennan reported $2.72 EPS for the last quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations, with revenues of $6.97 billion up 12.1% year-over-year.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.90 per share, with a dividend yield of 1.8%, marking a rise from the previous quarterly payment of $0.82.

ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 114,305 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $27,894,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. City Holding Co. acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

MMC opened at $200.45 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The firm has a market cap of $98.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.03, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.77. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $215.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $224.12. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $196.27 and a 12-month high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.66 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.92 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.90% and a net margin of 16.00%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.41 EPS. 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 Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be given a dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 24th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is presently 43.17%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MMC. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Barclays decreased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. UBS Group dropped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $239.79.

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.

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