Madison Asset Management LLC Has $76.86 Million Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Madison Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 15.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 314,949 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 42,220 shares during the quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $76,857,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 14.2% during the first quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. now owns 1,343 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $328,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. United Bank boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.1% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 6,993 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,707,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at about $506,000. PFG Advisors boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 52.7% during the first quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 11,599 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,831,000 after purchasing an additional 4,004 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ignite Planners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 8.1% during the first quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 1,391 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 1.0%

MMC stock traded up $2.07 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $210.39. The company's stock had a trading volume of 2,290,058 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,449,143. The company has a market cap of $103.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.80. The business's 50 day moving average price is $219.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $224.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $207.21 and a 12 month high of $248.00.

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.71%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 24th. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.17%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on MMC. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Barclays cut their price target 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. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on 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 objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price 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.