Alyeska Investment Group L.P. Takes $9.54 Million Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Alyeska Investment Group L.P. bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 57,212 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $9,536,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MRSH. Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $203.50.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total transaction of $141,174.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 16,376 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,242,448. This trade represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total transaction of $1,348,929.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 16,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,159,913.68. This trade represents a 29.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 19,813 shares of company stock worth $3,597,903. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

MRSH opened at $189.75 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $90.55 billion, a PE ratio of 23.20, a PEG ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.59. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $156.60 and a one year high of $207.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $183.34.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.89 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.67% and a net margin of 14.24%.The business had revenue of $7.28 billion for the quarter. The firm's revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were paid a $0.99 dividend. This is a positive change from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 23rd. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

Marsh & McLennan Companies NYSE: MMC is a global professional services firm headquartered in New York City that provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and people. Founded in 1905, the company has grown into a diversified group of businesses focused on insurance brokerage and risk management, reinsurance, human capital and investment consulting, and management consulting. Its long history and scale position it as a prominent adviser to corporations, governments and other institutions seeking to manage risk and optimize human and financial capital.

The firm operates through several well-known subsidiaries and business units that specialize in distinct services.

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