Markel Group Inc. Buys 8,000 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Markel Group Inc. grew its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 1.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 743,500 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 8,000 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for approximately 1.6% of Markel Group Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Markel Group Inc. owned approximately 0.15% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $181,436,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 51.2% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,738 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,856,000 after purchasing an additional 2,960 shares during the period. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $37,178,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 40.1% during the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,244 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $689,000 after buying an additional 928 shares during the period. Vinva Investment Management Ltd increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 39.7% in the fourth quarter. Vinva Investment Management Ltd now owns 24,621 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $5,219,000 after purchasing an additional 6,997 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal London Asset Management Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 214,090 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $45,475,000 after buying an additional 3,743 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on MMC shares. Barclays dropped 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 report on Monday, July 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $215.00 to $214.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. 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's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $240.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of MMC stock opened at $210.94 on Friday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $207.21 and a 52-week high of $248.00. The stock has a market cap of $103.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.85, a PEG ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.80. The firm's 50-day moving average is $221.45 and its 200-day moving average is $224.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.66 by $0.06. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.19% and a net margin of 16.13%. The company had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.92 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.41 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict 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 paid a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend 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 currently 39.95%.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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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