Banque Transatlantique SA Invests $22.13 Million in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Key Points

• Banque Transatlantique SA purchased 98,133 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. for approximately $22.13 million during the first quarter, according to SEC filings.
• Marsh & McLennan's latest earnings report showed an EPS of $2.72, surpassing estimates and reflecting a 12.1% year-over-year revenue growth to $6.97 billion.
• Following a recent dividend increase, the company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share, up from $0.82, yielding an annualized rate of 1.8%.

Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 98,133 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $22,130,000.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,253 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $306,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,198 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $780,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 7,479 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,825,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,517 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,102,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Finally, E Fund Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,263 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $308,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.65, for a total transaction of $4,334,896.35. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 87,681 shares in the company, valued at $18,031,597.65. This trade represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:MMC traded down $2.57 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $203.54. 1,516,947 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,860,909. The firm has a market cap of $100.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.41, a PEG ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $196.27 and a 52-week high of $248.00. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $208.13 and its 200 day simple moving average is $221.38.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.06. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.90% and a net margin of 16.00%.The business had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.92 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.41 EPS. The company's revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MMC has been the topic of a number of research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 21st. Citigroup initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 18th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 price objective on the stock. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $238.76.

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.