Danske Bank A S Acquires New Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Danske Bank A/S acquired 278,772 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter, valued at approximately $46.5 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Marsh & McLennan reported quarterly EPS of $2.96, exceeding the $2.89 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend from $0.90 to $0.99 per share, equating to a $3.96 annualized payout and a 2.1% yield. Analysts maintain an average “Hold” rating with a consensus price target of $203.50, while insiders sold $6.29 million of stock over the past 90 days.

Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 278,772 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $46,463,000. Danske Bank A S owned about 0.06% of Marsh & McLennan Companies at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. SHP Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total value of $141,174.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 16,376 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,242,448. This represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total transaction of $1,348,929.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 16,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,159,913.68. This represents a 29.92% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 36,469 shares of company stock valued at $6,291,345 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

NYSE MRSH opened at $189.55 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $90.45 billion, a PE ratio of 23.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $178.97. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $156.60 and a 1 year high of $213.80.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $7.28 billion for the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.67% and a net margin of 14.24%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.99 per share. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MRSH shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Citigroup lowered Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $203.50.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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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