Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH Holdings Boosted by International Assets Investment Management LLC

Key Points

• International Assets Investment Management increased its Marsh & McLennan stake by 1,575.6% in the third quarter, bringing its holdings to 25,000 shares worth approximately $4.27 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with MarketBeat reporting an average “Hold” rating and a $204.42 price target. Recent target changes ranged from $179 to $224.
• Marsh & McLennan beat quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $2.03 versus the $1.96 consensus, while revenue rose 8.1% year over year to $6.86 billion. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.99 per share, representing a 2.0% annualized yield.

International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) by 1,575.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,000 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 23,508 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $4,268,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Asset Dedication LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. EFG International AG bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,215 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $243,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 2,705 shares in the company, valued at $541,000. This represents a 30.99% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, CEO Dean Klisura sold 4,194 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $838,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 20,935 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,187,000. The trade was a 16.69% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on MRSH shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $183.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 16th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $179.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 1st. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $180.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Evercore dropped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $234.00 to $224.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $204.42.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.0%

NYSE:MRSH opened at $200.52 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $95.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.99, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.53. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $156.60 and a twelve month high of $202.70. The business's 50 day moving average price is $182.37. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.96 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.20% and a return on equity of 33.32%. The company's revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 1st will be given a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 1st. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.37%.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Profile

Marsh & McLennan Companies is a global professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in risk, strategy and people. The company serves businesses, governments and institutions through a portfolio of specialized businesses focused on insurance brokerage, reinsurance, consulting and talent management.

Its principal businesses include Marsh, an insurance brokerage and risk advisory firm; Guy Carpenter, a provider of reinsurance brokerage and related risk-management services; Mercer, which offers consulting in investment, retirement, health and workforce strategy; and Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm serving clients across industries and regions.

Founded in 1905, Marsh & McLennan serves clients in countries and markets around the world.

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