Equitable Holdings Inc. Acquires Shares of 14,723 Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Equitable Holdings acquired 14,723 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter, valued at approximately $2.45 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $203.50. Shares opened at $192.90, within a 52-week range of $156.60 to $207.82.
• Marsh & McLennan exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $2.96 in EPS and $7.28 billion in revenue, up 6.2% year over year. The company also increased its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share, implying a 2.1% yield.

Equitable Holdings Inc. bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 14,723 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,454,000.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were 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 owned 16,632 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,159,913.68. The trade was a 29.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total transaction of $141,174.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 16,376 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,242,448. This trade represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 36,469 shares of company stock valued at $6,291,345. 0.38% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on MRSH. Citigroup cut Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. One research 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 issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $203.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE MRSH opened at $192.90 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $182.75. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $156.60 and a 52-week high of $207.82. The company has a market capitalization of $92.05 billion, a PE ratio of 23.58, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.59.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share 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 company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Profile

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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