Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) Shares Sold by Auxier Asset Management

Auxier Asset Management lowered its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 4.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 33,983 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 1,535 shares during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for 1.1% of Auxier Asset Management's investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Auxier Asset Management's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $7,218,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of MMC. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $39,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total transaction of $1,673,221.37. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 20,935 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,919,096.95. This trade represents a 25.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,317 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total transaction of $309,455.49. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 2,923 shares of the company's stock, valued at $686,817.31. The trade was a 31.06% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 69,634 shares of company stock valued at $16,244,986 over the last 90 days. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 0.9%

NYSE MMC traded down $2.13 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $229.40. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,134,427 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,919,692. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $201.77 and a 52-week high of $248.00. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $228.98 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $225.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $113.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.04. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 32.60%. The company had revenue of $6.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.89 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd were given a $0.815 dividend. This represents a $3.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.42%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.95%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MMC. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Raymond James reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 price target (up from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price objective on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $241.93.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company 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.