Public Sector Pension Investment Board Has $32.05 Million Stock Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Key Points

• The **Public Sector Pension Investment Board** reduced its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by **23.8%**, now owning **131,337 shares** worth approximately **$32 million**.
• Marsh & McLennan Companies announced a **quarterly dividend increase** from **$0.82 to $0.90** per share, reflecting a **1.8% dividend yield**.
• Analysts have varied opinions on the stock, with a consensus **"Hold" rating** and a target price averaging **$239.79**; recent adjustments include a target price reduction by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from **$214 to $210**.

Public Sector Pension Investment Board decreased its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 23.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 131,337 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 41,050 shares during the quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $32,050,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MMC. Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. City Holding Co. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MMC shares. Barclays reduced their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 7th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target 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, July 18th. Two equities research 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $239.79.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of MMC traded up $1.26 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $204.61. The stock had a trading volume of 2,468,833 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,916,015. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $196.27 and a 52 week high of $248.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $212.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $223.64. The company has a market capitalization of $100.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.53, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.77.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.92 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.41 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be given a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a boost 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 presently 43.17%.

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.