Banco Santander S.A. Sells 80,243 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Key Points

• Banco Santander S.A. significantly reduced its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 92.6%, selling 80,243 shares, leaving it with only 6,379 shares valued at approximately $1.56 million.
• Marsh & McLennan Companies announced an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.82 to $0.90 per share, representing an annualized yield of 1.8%.
• UBS, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, and Wells Fargo have recently adjusted their price targets for Marsh & McLennan, reflecting varied outlooks on the stock with ratings ranging from "buy" to "underperform".

Banco Santander S.A. lowered its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 92.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 6,379 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 80,243 shares during the period. Banco Santander S.A.'s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $1,557,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.0% during the 4th 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 buying an additional 96,750 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 726,713 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 13.2% during the 4th 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 purchasing an additional 609,602 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC lifted its position in 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 valued at $973,214,000 after acquiring an additional 308,759 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 25.7% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 3,719,830 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $790,129,000 after acquiring an additional 759,573 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 0.4%

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock traded down $0.80 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $203.10. The stock had a trading volume of 2,984,104 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,290,006. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $214.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $223.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $99.85 billion, a PE ratio of 24.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.77. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $196.27 and a twelve month high of $248.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.92 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.41 EPS. Marsh & McLennan Companies's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 24th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is presently 43.17%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group dropped their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Barclays cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 21st. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $239.79.

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.