Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. Acquires 71,820 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. grew its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 9.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 823,645 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 71,820 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises about 2.6% of Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 18th largest position. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. owned approximately 0.17% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $194,812,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MMC. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $1,236,186,000. Stifel Financial Corp boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 551.0% during the 4th quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 2,224,932 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $472,599,000 after acquiring an additional 1,883,146 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 32,120.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,515,670 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $369,869,000 after acquiring an additional 1,510,966 shares in the last quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 153.6% during the 1st quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 2,370,678 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $578,517,000 after acquiring an additional 1,436,044 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 473.2% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 927,525 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $197,016,000 after purchasing an additional 765,696 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock traded up $1.43 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $212.47. 3,524,077 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,006,081. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market cap of $104.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.04, a PEG ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.80. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $207.21 and a 52 week high of $248.00. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $221.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $224.64.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.06. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.19% and a net margin of 16.13%. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.92 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.41 EPS. Marsh & McLennan Companies's revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. 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 firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.69%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 24th. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is presently 39.95%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Barclays decreased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 target price for the company. UBS Group raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $240.29.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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.