Amundi Has $480.74 Million Stock Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Amundi increased its Marsh & McLennan stake by 25.5% in the second quarter, acquiring 585,543 shares and bringing its position to 2.88 million shares valued at approximately $480.7 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Marsh & McLennan exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $2.96 in EPS versus the $2.89 consensus and $7.28 billion in revenue, up 6.2% year over year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share, or $3.96 annually, producing a 2.1% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $203.50.

Amundi grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) by 25.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,884,376 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 585,543 shares during the period. Amundi owned 0.60% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $480,739,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,153,000. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 9.5% in the 4th quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 134,542 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $24,960,000 after buying an additional 11,648 shares in the last quarter. Daiichi Life Insurance Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,880,000. Korea Investment CORP purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter worth $46,856,000. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter worth $20,681,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MRSH opened at $185.80 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $185.49. 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 company has a market cap of $88.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.58. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $156.60 and a one year high of $207.82.

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.99 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.41%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MRSH has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on 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 raised their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $182.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $203.50.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total value of $1,348,929.00. Following 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Lloyd Yates sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total transaction of $2,107,800.00. Following the sale, the director owned 12,001 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,107,975.65. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 19,813 shares of company stock valued at $3,597,903 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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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