IFC Advisors LLC Acquires New Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

IFC Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 2,518 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $614,000.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. City Holding Co. purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, First Pacific Financial increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 133.8% in the 1st quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 187 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 1.4%

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $211.62 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $222.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $224.68. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $207.21 and a 12 month high of $248.00. The company has a market capitalization of $104.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.80.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.04. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.19% and a net margin of 16.13%. The business had revenue of $6.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.08 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.89 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be issued a $0.90 dividend. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 24th. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.70%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 39.95%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on MMC. UBS Group lifted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $228.00 to $229.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday. Barclays reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $215.00 to $214.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 target price on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $240.50.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.