Aquatic Capital Management LLC Acquires 135,882 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Aquatic Capital boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan by 506.2% in Q3, acquiring 135,882 shares to hold 162,725 shares worth about $32.79 million (0.6% of Aquatic’s portfolio).
• Marsh & McLennan beat quarterly expectations with EPS of $2.12 versus $1.97 expected and revenue of $6.60 billion (up 8.7% year-over-year), posting a 31.6% return on equity and a 15.42% net margin.
• The firm announced a quarterly dividend of $0.90 (annualized $3.60, ~2.1% yield; ex-dividend April 9), while analyst consensus is a "Hold" with a $216.12 target amid mixed ratings.

Aquatic Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) by 506.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 162,725 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 135,882 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for about 0.6% of Aquatic Capital Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Aquatic Capital Management LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $32,794,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. 44 Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 12.1% during the third quarter. 44 Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,082 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $621,000 after buying an additional 333 shares in the last quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 14.6% in the 3rd quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 54,443 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $10,972,000 after buying an additional 6,922 shares in the last quarter. L1 Capital International Pty Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. L1 Capital International Pty Ltd now owns 78,829 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $15,886,000 after acquiring an additional 1,482 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 6.6% in the third quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,763,189 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $556,866,000 after acquiring an additional 169,898 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 139.9% during the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,032,461 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $206,843,000 after purchasing an additional 602,056 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

NYSE MRSH opened at $172.18 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $83.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.42, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.74. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $170.37 and a twelve month high of $248.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.15. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.60% and a net margin of 15.42%.The business had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.52 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.87 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 9th will be issued a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.30, for a total transaction of $3,052,861.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares of the company's stock, valued at $21,411,456.30. The trade was a 12.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MRSH has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Friday, January 30th. Barclays lowered their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $209.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $242.00 to $226.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $208.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $216.12.

Marsh & McLennan Companies 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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