Beck Bode LLC Has $1.17 Million Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Key Points

• Beck Bode LLC reduced its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 55.3%, owning 4,797 shares valued at approximately $1.17 million after selling 5,941 shares in the first quarter.
• The company has announced an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.82 to $0.90 per share, reflecting a 1.7% dividend yield.
• Analysts have issued mixed ratings on Marsh & McLennan Companies, with the average rating at "Hold" and a price target of $238.76, highlighting a range of price targets from various firms.

Beck Bode LLC decreased its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 55.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,797 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 5,941 shares during the quarter. Beck Bode LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $1,171,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.6% in the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,253 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $306,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the period. Defined Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,198 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $780,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 7,479 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,825,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,517 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,102,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Finally, E Fund Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,263 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $308,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on 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. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 18th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $238.76.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.4%

NYSE:MMC traded down $0.82 on Tuesday, reaching $204.99. The stock had a trading volume of 995,338 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,249,930. The stock has a market cap of $100.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.81. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $196.27 and a 12-month high of $248.00. The company has a 50-day moving average of $209.11 and a 200 day moving average of $222.02. 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 (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.66 by $0.06. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.90% and a net margin of 16.00%.The company had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.92 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.41 earnings per share. Marsh & McLennan Companies's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

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.