Flputnam Investment Management Co. Makes New Investment in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Flputnam Investment Management acquired 28,972 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies valued at approximately $4.83 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company’s stock.
• Analysts maintain a generally cautious outlook, with the stock carrying an average “Hold” rating and a consensus price target of $201.94. Recent quarterly results beat estimates, with EPS of $2.96 versus the $2.89 consensus and revenue up 6.2% year over year.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share, or $3.96 annually, representing a 2.1% yield. Insiders sold 36,469 shares worth approximately $6.29 million over the past three months.

Flputnam Investment Management Co. acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 28,972 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,829,000.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 46,589,633 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $8,643,309,000 after acquiring an additional 387,100 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $4,057,682,000. Capital International Investors purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $3,482,557,000. Capital World Investors bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,140,284,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $2,967,927,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. 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. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $201.94.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total value of $141,174.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 16,376 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,242,448. The trade was a 4.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total transaction of $2,107,800.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 12,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,107,975.65. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

NYSE MRSH opened at $187.75 on Monday. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $89.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.95, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a fifty day moving average of $177.66. 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 quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.89 by $0.07. The firm 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 was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 23rd were issued a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is currently 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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