Mediolanum International Funds Ltd Acquires 27,492 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Mediolanum International Funds Ltd increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 143.7% in the first quarter, buying 27,492 additional shares and bringing its total holding to 46,622 shares worth about $8.15 million.
• The company recently raised its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share from $0.90, which works out to an annualized dividend of $3.96 and a yield of about 2.2%.
• Wall Street sentiment is mixed but generally constructive: the stock has a consensus Hold rating with a consensus price target of $200.81, while several firms recently lifted targets or upgraded the shares.

Mediolanum International Funds Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) by 143.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 46,622 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 27,492 shares during the quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $8,146,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter worth $29,000. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MRSH opened at $181.82 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market cap of $87.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.61. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $156.60 and a 1-year high of $213.80.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.99 per share. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 23rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is presently 45.00%.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total value of $2,693,441.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on MRSH shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Citigroup upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $200.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $200.81.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

Marsh & McLennan Companies NYSE: MMC is a global professional services firm headquartered in New York City that provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and people. Founded in 1905, the company has grown into a diversified group of businesses focused on insurance brokerage and risk management, reinsurance, human capital and investment consulting, and management consulting. Its long history and scale position it as a prominent adviser to corporations, governments and other institutions seeking to manage risk and optimize human and financial capital.

The firm operates through several well-known subsidiaries and business units that specialize in distinct services.

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