Franklin Resources Inc. Has $312.37 Million Stock Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in Marsh & McLennan (NYSE:MRSH) by 1.9% to 1,549,969 shares, a position valued at $312.37 million (about 0.32% of the company).
• Marsh & McLennan beat expectations with Q EPS of $2.12 versus $1.97 and revenue of $6.60 billion (up 8.7% y/y); analysts show an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target of $216.12.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share (annualized $3.60, ~2.1% yield), with an ex-dividend date of April 9 and payment on May 15.

Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,549,969 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 28,536 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned 0.32% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $312,365,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MRSH. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 31.3% in the third quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 214 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 4,514 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $910,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Co. increased its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Co. now owns 949 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $207,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC lifted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC now owns 3,663 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $736,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Procyon Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.0% during the third quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 2,223 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $448,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MRSH has been the subject of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. They issued a "hold (c)" rating for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $199.00 to $203.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $205.00 to $206.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $242.00 to $226.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $216.12.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:MRSH opened at $170.98 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $82.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.74. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $170.37 and a 12-month high of $248.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.10.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.15. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.60% and a net margin of 15.42%.The firm had revenue of $6.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.52 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.87 EPS. The business's revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be given a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 9th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 42.70%.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.30, for a total value of $3,052,861.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,411,456.30. The trade was a 12.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

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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