Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC Shares Sold by Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ

Key Points

• Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB has decreased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.3%, leaving it with 159,791 shares valued at approximately $38.99 million.
• Several other institutional investors, including Harbour Investments Inc. and Defined Wealth Management LLC, have increased their holdings in the company, indicating ongoing interest with institutional ownership now at 87.99%.
• The company recently announced an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.82 to $0.90 per share, reflecting a commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ lowered its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 3.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 159,791 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 5,375 shares during the period. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $38,994,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Parisi Gray Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter worth about $947,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 101.7% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 103,551 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $25,270,000 after buying an additional 52,218 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 9.9% during the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 324,035 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $78,662,000 after buying an additional 29,247 shares during the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 101.4% during the first quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 7,136 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,741,000 after buying an additional 3,593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, US Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 23.1% during the first quarter. US Asset Management LLC now owns 6,847 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,671,000 after buying an additional 1,284 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of MMC stock traded down $0.73 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $205.71. 2,404,938 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,103,727. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $196.27 and a 1-year high of $248.00. The firm has a market cap of $101.13 billion, a PE ratio of 24.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.81. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $209.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $222.18.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 firm 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 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MMC shares. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 price objective on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 21st. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lowered 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. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price objective on the stock. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price 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.