Handelsbanken Fonder AB Sells 5,277 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Handelsbanken Fonder AB decreased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 2.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 186,235 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 5,277 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $45,447,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. City Holding Co. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total transaction of $550,302.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 13,522 shares in the company, valued at $3,326,412. This trade represents a 14.20% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 9,569 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $245.00, for a total transaction of $2,344,405.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 20,935 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,129,075. The trade was a 31.37% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of MMC stock traded down $0.82 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $217.30. 2,938,286 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,934,557. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $207.21 and a 12-month high of $248.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The company's 50-day moving average price is $226.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $225.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $107.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.83.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.04. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 32.60%. The firm had revenue of $6.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.08 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.89 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MMC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price objective on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $246.00 to $249.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $241.93.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Profile

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc is a professional services firm, which engages in offering clients advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and people. It operates through the Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting segments. The Risk and Insurance Services segment is involved in risk management activities, as well as insurance and reinsurance broking and services.