Avanza Fonder AB Sells 2,483 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Avanza Fonder AB lessened its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 6.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 36,099 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 2,483 shares during the quarter. Avanza Fonder AB's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $8,795,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Modera Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,885 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $400,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the period. Hemington Wealth Management grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 6.7% during the 4th quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 768 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $163,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. DF Dent & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. DF Dent & Co. Inc. now owns 5,762 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,224,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the period. New England Professional Planning Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 4.1% during the fourth quarter. New England Professional Planning Group Inc. now owns 1,261 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $268,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management grew its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 4.1% during the fourth quarter. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management now owns 1,260 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $268,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 9,569 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.00, for a total value of $2,344,405.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,935 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,129,075. This trade represents a 31.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total transaction of $550,302.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,522 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,326,412. The trade was a 14.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have issued reports on MMC. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of 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. Barclays boosted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $246.00 to $249.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $241.93.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MMC traded up $1.98 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $219.27. 1,981,724 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,935,082. The firm has a market capitalization of $108.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.83. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $207.21 and a one year high of $248.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The company's 50 day moving average is $226.56 and its 200 day moving average is $225.58.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $6.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.08 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 32.60%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.89 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

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.