HBK Sorce Advisory LLC Purchases New Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• HBK Sorce Advisory purchased 9,673 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies valued at approximately $1.85 million during the second quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Marsh & McLennan exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting EPS of $2.96 versus the $2.89 consensus, while revenue rose 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share, or $3.96 annually, producing a 2.1% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $201.94.

HBK Sorce Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 9,673 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,852,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. State Street Corp bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $4,057,682,000. Capital International Investors bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $3,482,557,000. Capital World Investors acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,140,284,000. Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $2,967,927,000. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $1,710,101,000. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 in the company, valued at approximately $3,159,913.68. This represents a 29.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total transaction of $2,107,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 12,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,107,975.65. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 0.0%

NYSE:MRSH opened at $187.75 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The company's 50 day moving average is $177.66. The company has a market capitalization of $89.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.95, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.59. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $156.60 and a 52 week high of $213.80.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies's revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.99 per share. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. This is a positive change from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 23rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Mizuho boosted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. One investment 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 given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $201.94.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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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