Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) Shares Sold by Levin Capital Strategies L.P.

Key Points

• Levin Capital Strategies L.P. reduced its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.6%, now holding 62,872 shares valued at approximately $15.34 million.
• Marsh & McLennan recently reported $2.72 earnings per share, beating analysts' expectations and showing a 12.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $6.97 billion.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share, an increase from the previous $0.82, representing an annualized yield of 1.8%.

Levin Capital Strategies L.P. lowered its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 3.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 62,872 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 2,356 shares during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for about 1.6% of Levin Capital Strategies L.P.'s portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Levin Capital Strategies L.P.'s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $15,343,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.6% in the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,253 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the period. Defined Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,198 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $780,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 7,479 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,825,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,517 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,102,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Opus Capital Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.6% in the first quarter. Opus Capital Group LLC now owns 1,926 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $470,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 0.4%

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock traded down $0.80 during trading on Thursday, reaching $203.10. 3,026,763 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,861,376. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $214.32 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $223.89. The company has a market capitalization of $99.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.35, a PEG ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $196.27 and a 52-week high of $248.00.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.92 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.41 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. This is a positive change from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 24th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is 43.17%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on MMC shares. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered 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. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target 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. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $239.79.

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.