CCLA Investment Management Has $146.75 Million Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Key Points

• CCLA Investment Management increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 9.6%, owning approximately $146.75 million worth of the stock, which represents 2.6% of its portfolio.
• Marsh & McLennan Companies reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings with an EPS of $2.72, exceeding estimates by $0.06, and a revenue increase of 12.1% year-over-year.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend increase from $0.82 to $0.90, representing a yield of 1.8%, with the ex-dividend date set for July 24th.

CCLA Investment Management raised its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 9.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 601,373 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 52,827 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for approximately 2.6% of CCLA Investment Management's portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. CCLA Investment Management owned 0.12% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $146,747,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MMC. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. City Holding Co. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter worth approximately $37,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter worth $42,000. Finally, First Pacific Financial boosted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 133.8% during the 1st quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 187 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 107 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE MMC opened at $197.76 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $216.62 and a two-hundred day moving average of $224.34. 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, Inc. has a 52-week low of $196.27 and a 52-week high of $248.00. The stock has a market cap of $97.22 billion, a PE ratio of 23.71, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.77.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.92 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.00% and a return on equity of 31.90%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.41 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect 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 disclosed 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 an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a 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

MMC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays dropped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target 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. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Two 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's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $239.79.

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.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MMC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report).

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.