LGT Capital Partners LTD. Sells 10,980 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Key Points

• LGT Capital Partners LTD. has reduced its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. by 6.6%, selling 10,980 shares and owning 154,200 shares worth approximately $37.6 million after the sale.
• Marsh & McLennan recently announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.90 per share, representing an annualized payout of $3.60 and a yield of 1.8%.
• Analyst ratings on MMC show mixed sentiment, with a current average rating of "Hold" and a price target of $239.79, indicating varied expectations on the stock’s future performance.

LGT Capital Partners LTD. decreased its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 6.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 154,200 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 10,980 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for approximately 1.7% of LGT Capital Partners LTD.'s portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. LGT Capital Partners LTD.'s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $37,629,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MMC. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. City Holding Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter worth $37,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $39,000. Garde Capital Inc. bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth $42,000. Finally, First Pacific Financial lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 133.8% during the 1st quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 187 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

NYSE:MMC traded down $0.91 on Thursday, reaching $202.99. The stock had a trading volume of 713,244 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,279,615. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The company has a market capitalization of $99.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.77. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $196.27 and a 1-year high of $248.00. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $214.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $223.98.

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be given a dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date is 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 (DPR) is currently 43.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Barclays cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $239.79.

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.