Aptus Capital Advisors LLC Acquires 8,678 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Key Points

• Aptus Capital Advisors LLC increased its holding in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 11.0%, acquiring an additional 8,678 shares during the first quarter, bringing total shares owned to 87,296, valued at approximately $21.3 million.
• Marsh & McLennan Companies reported a 12.1% increase in revenue year-over-year, with earnings of $2.72 per share for the quarter, exceeding expectations.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.90 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend of $3.60 and a dividend yield of 1.7%.

Aptus Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 11.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 87,296 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 8,678 shares during the period. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $21,303,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of MMC. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.3% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,321,445 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $11,059,792,000 after buying an additional 581,930 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,151,020 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,156,179,000 after purchasing an additional 96,750 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 14.0% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,934,340 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,260,513,000 after buying an additional 726,713 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 13.2% during the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 5,218,488 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,108,459,000 after acquiring an additional 609,602 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 7.2% during the fourth quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 4,581,773 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $973,214,000 after acquiring an additional 308,759 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MMC opened at $207.29 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $196.27 and a one year high of $248.00. The company's fifty day moving average price is $211.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $223.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.85, a PEG ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.77.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released 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 net margin of 16.00% and a return on equity of 31.90%. The company had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.92 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.41 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 24th were issued a dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 24th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is 43.17%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on MMC shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 18th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 21st. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $239.94.

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.

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