Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co Acquires 22,000 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Key Points

• Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co has increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 12.0%, acquiring an additional 22,000 shares worth approximately $50.2 million.
• The company reported a 12.1% increase in quarterly revenue year-over-year, totaling $6.97 billion, with earnings per share of $2.72 exceeding analysts' expectations.
• Marsh & McLennan Companies recently raised its quarterly dividend to $0.90 per share, marking an annualized dividend of $3.60 and a yield of 1.8%.

Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co raised its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 12.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 205,900 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 22,000 shares during the period. Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $50,246,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Knuff & Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Activest Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2,775.0% during the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 115 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth $37,000. Finally, City Holding Co. purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter worth $37,000. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MMC opened at $201.78 on Wednesday. The company's fifty day moving average is $207.50 and its 200 day moving average is $221.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $196.27 and a 52 week high of $248.00. The stock has a market cap of $99.20 billion, a PE ratio of 24.19, a PEG ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.81.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.92 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.90% and a net margin of 16.00%.Marsh & McLennan Companies's revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.41 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th were given a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 24th. This is a positive change from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is presently 43.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on MMC shares. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 price objective for the company. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 18th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price objective on the stock. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $238.76.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.65, for a total transaction of $4,334,896.35. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 87,681 shares in the company, valued at $18,031,597.65. The trade was a 19.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

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.

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