Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC is New Vernon Investment Management LLC's 5th Largest Position

Key Points

• New Vernon Investment Management LLC significantly increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 135.5% during the first quarter, making it the firm's 5th largest position, valued at approximately $4.2 million.
• Marsh & McLennan recently increased its quarterly dividend from $0.82 to $0.90, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 1.8%.
• The company reported earnings per share of $2.72 for its last quarter, surpassing analyst estimates and showing a 12.1% year-over-year revenue growth, totaling $6.97 billion.

New Vernon Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 135.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 17,221 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 9,908 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises approximately 5.6% of New Vernon Investment Management LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. New Vernon Investment Management LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $4,202,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at $25,000. Knuff & Co LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at $28,000. Activest Wealth Management lifted its position in 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 purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. City Holding Co. acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Capital Analysts LLC lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 61.0% during the first quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 169 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on MMC shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 18th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of 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. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Barclays decreased 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 research report on Monday, July 7th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $238.76.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of MMC stock traded down $0.42 on Wednesday, reaching $205.02. 1,241,065 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,252,355. The company has a market cap of $100.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.58, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.81. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $208.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $221.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $196.27 and a 1 year high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.06. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.00% and a return on equity of 31.90%. The company had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.92 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.41 EPS. Marsh & McLennan Companies's revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 24th were paid a dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 24th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 43.17%.

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.