Empowered Funds LLC Increases Stock Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Empowered Funds increased its Marsh & McLennan position by 20.5% in the first quarter, bringing its holdings to 35,578 shares valued at $6.17 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Marsh & McLennan reported quarterly EPS of $2.96, beating estimates by $0.07, while revenue rose 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share, implying a 2.1% yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with a consensus “Hold” rating and a $201.94 price target. Recent insider activity was largely negative, with insiders selling 36,469 shares worth approximately $6.29 million over 90 days.

Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) by 20.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 35,578 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 6,052 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $6,171,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 51.2% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,738 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,856,000 after acquiring an additional 2,960 shares in the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 39.6% during the fourth quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 3,064 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $651,000 after acquiring an additional 869 shares in the last quarter. Glenview Trust co raised its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 10.8% in the 2nd quarter. Glenview Trust co now owns 3,897 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $852,000 after purchasing an additional 379 shares during the last quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 18,440.0% during the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 927 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $203,000 after purchasing an additional 922 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Diversify Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,307,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE MRSH opened at $187.75 on Monday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $156.60 and a 12-month high of $213.80. The company has a market capitalization of $89.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 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's 50 day simple moving average is $177.66.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.89 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.24% and a return on equity of 32.67%. The business had revenue of $7.28 billion for the quarter. The company's revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of the firm'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 transaction of $141,174.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 16,376 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,242,448. This trade represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total transaction of $2,107,800.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 12,001 shares in the company, valued at $2,107,975.65. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345. Company insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on MRSH shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Citigroup cut Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $201.94.

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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