Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH Shares Purchased by Monte Financial Group LLC

Key Points

• Monte Financial Group increased its Marsh & McLennan stake by 46.5% in the third quarter, adding 8,141 shares to reach 25,642 shares valued at about $4.38 million. Institutional investors collectively owned 87.99% of the company’s stock.
• Marsh & McLennan reported quarterly EPS of $2.03, beating the $1.96 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 8.1% year over year to $6.86 billion. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.99 per share.
• Analyst views were mixed, with an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $205.84; BMO Capital Markets upgraded the stock to “Outperform” and raised its target to $230.

Monte Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) by 46.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 25,642 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 8,141 shares during the period. Monte Financial Group LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $4,378,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Quest 10 Wealth Builders Inc. raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 95.0% in the third quarter. Quest 10 Wealth Builders Inc. now owns 156 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. EFG International AG purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

MRSH opened at $209.63 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $183.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27. The company has a market capitalization of $99.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.07, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.53. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $156.60 and a 1-year high of $214.00.

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.99 per share. 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 1.9%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.37%.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,215 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $243,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 2,705 shares in the company, valued at approximately $541,000. This trade represents a 30.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 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 stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $838,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 20,935 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,187,000. This represents a 16.69% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.38% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on MRSH. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $204.00 to $230.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $218.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Monday, October 19th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, October 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $205.84.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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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