Mackenzie Financial Corp Purchases 204,130 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 36.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 769,879 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 204,130 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp owned about 0.16% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $163,530,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MMC. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:MMC traded up $1.15 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $232.64. The company's stock had a trading volume of 721,970 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,915,213. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $228.86 and a 200-day moving average of $225.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $114.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.40, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $201.84 and a 12-month high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $6.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.08 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 32.60%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.89 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 3rd were paid a $0.815 dividend. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is 39.95%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total value of $1,673,221.37. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 20,935 shares in the company, valued at $4,919,096.95. This represents a 25.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total transaction of $550,302.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 13,522 shares in the company, valued at $3,326,412. This trade represents a 14.20% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 69,634 shares of company stock worth $16,244,986. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on MMC shares. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 target price (up from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 21st. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 target price for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $241.93.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company 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.