Ieq Capital LLC Purchases Shares of 83,429 Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Ieq Capital acquired 83,429 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter, valued at approximately $13.9 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company’s stock.
• Marsh & McLennan reported quarterly earnings of $2.96 per share, beating estimates by $0.07, while revenue rose 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion. The company also increased its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share, representing a 2.1% yield.
• Insiders sold 36,469 shares worth about $6.29 million in the latest quarter, including sales by the CEO and a senior vice president. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $203.50.

Ieq Capital LLC 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 & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 83,429 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $13,905,000.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.8% in the second quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,337 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,823,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. MMA Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. MMA Asset Management LLC now owns 4,083 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $757,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 5.3% in the first quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 1,452 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. Clearstead Trust LLC raised its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 12.6% during the 1st quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 668 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $116,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC boosted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC now owns 8,883 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,648,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total transaction of $141,174.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 16,376 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,242,448. This trade represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total transaction of $2,693,441.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. This trade represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

MRSH stock 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 business has a 50-day moving average of $179.88. The company has a market capitalization of $91.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.59.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Citigroup downgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. UBS Group upped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a 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 issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $203.50.

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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