Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Increases Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Key Points

• Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 36.2%, owning 141,029 shares valued at approximately $30.33 million.
• Several institutional investors, including Wellington Management Group and Vanguard Group, significantly boosted their stakes in Marsh & McLennan, with overall institutional ownership now at 87.99%.
• Marsh & McLennan reported a quarterly EPS of $2.72, beating analysts' estimates, while also declaring a $0.90 dividend per share to be paid in November.

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 36.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 141,029 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 37,478 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $30,333,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MMC. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 184,188 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $40,271,000 after buying an additional 3,600 shares during the last quarter. Swedbank AB lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 37.6% during the 2nd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 896,659 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $196,046,000 after buying an additional 244,829 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 111,001 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $24,269,000 after buying an additional 2,321 shares during the last quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $122,291,000. Finally, Stokes Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 6.5% during the second quarter. Stokes Capital Advisors LLC now owns 41,749 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $9,128,000 after acquiring an additional 2,555 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of MMC traded up $0.56 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $197.34. The stock had a trading volume of 1,186,369 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,251,576. The company has a market capitalization of $97.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.81. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $205.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $218.83. 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 $195.01 and a 12 month high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted 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 company had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.92 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.00% and a return on equity of 31.90%. The firm's revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.41 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 2nd. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is 43.17%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.65, for a total transaction of $4,334,896.35. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 87,681 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,031,597.65. This trade represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on MMC shares. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price target for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Barclays lowered 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. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $238.76.

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.