AIA Group Ltd Acquires 5,437 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Key Points

• AIA Group Ltd has increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 24.6% during the first quarter, owning 27,518 shares valued at approximately $6.7 million.
• Wall Street analysts have reduced their price targets for Marsh & McLennan Companies, with the average target now at $239.79 and a consensus rating of "Hold."
• Marsh & McLennan has announced a quarterly dividend increase from $0.82 to $0.90, representing an annualized dividend of $3.60 with a yield of 1.8%.

AIA Group Ltd lifted its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 24.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 27,518 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 5,437 shares during the period. AIA Group Ltd's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $6,715,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in MMC. Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $37,000. City Holding Co. bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter worth approximately $37,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Garde Capital Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter worth approximately $42,000. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MMC traded up $1.26 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $204.61. 2,468,833 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,916,015. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $212.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $223.64. The stock has a market cap of $100.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.53, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.77. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $196.27 and a one year high of $248.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19.

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of 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. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $239.79.

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.