Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC Stock Position Raised by Findlay Park Partners LLP

Key Points

• Findlay Park Partners LLP increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 27.3%, owning 1,130,367 shares valued at approximately $275.84 million, making it the firm's 6th largest investment.
• Analysts have adjusted their price targets for Marsh & McLennan, with projections ranging between $220.00 and $258.00, and a consensus average target price of $238.76.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend increase from $0.82 to $0.90, representing an annualized dividend yield of 1.7% and a payout ratio of 43.17%.

Findlay Park Partners LLP lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 27.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,130,367 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 242,400 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for approximately 2.8% of Findlay Park Partners LLP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Findlay Park Partners LLP owned about 0.23% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $275,843,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 51.2% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,738 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,856,000 after acquiring an additional 2,960 shares during the period. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $37,178,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 4,942 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,050,000 after acquiring an additional 453 shares during the period. Johnson Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 15.1% during the 4th quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. now owns 464 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $101,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Finally, Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management now owns 1,260 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $268,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock traded down $0.73 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $205.71. 2,404,938 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,257,805. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $196.27 and a 1 year high of $248.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. The firm has a market cap of $101.13 billion, a PE ratio of 24.67, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.77. The stock's fifty day moving average is $209.59 and its 200 day moving average is $222.44.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 earnings per share 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.92 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.41 earnings per share. Marsh & McLennan Companies's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on MMC shares. Citigroup started coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 target price on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price 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 lowered their target price 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. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $225.00 to $220.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 18th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 7th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently 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.