Foyston Gordon & Payne Inc Makes New $12.12 Million Investment in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Foyston Gordon & Payne purchased 72,278 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies valued at approximately $12.12 million, making the stock 2.6% of its portfolio. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $203.50, while recent targets range from $182 to $218. The company also exceeded quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $2.96 versus the $2.89 consensus, with revenue rising 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion.
• Marsh & McLennan raised its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share, equivalent to an annualized $3.96 and a 2.1% yield. Insiders sold 36,469 shares worth approximately $6.29 million over the past three months.

Foyston Gordon & Payne Inc bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 72,278 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $12,121,000. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for 2.6% of Foyston Gordon & Payne Inc's portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MRSH. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total value of $1,348,929.00. Following the sale, the insider directly 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 document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total value of $2,693,441.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. The trade was a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 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 corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MRSH shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings raised Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $182.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $203.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MRSH opened at $192.17 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $156.60 and a 1 year high of $212.65. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $179.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $91.71 billion, a PE ratio of 23.49, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.59.

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, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.67% and a net margin of 14.24%.The business had revenue of $7.28 billion during the quarter. The company'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 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were paid a $0.99 dividend. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This is a positive change from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend 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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