Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. Makes New $2.20 Million Investment in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Meiji Yasuda Asset Management bought 13,211 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter, valued at approximately $2.2 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Marsh & McLennan reported quarterly EPS of $2.96, exceeding the $2.89 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend from $0.90 to $0.99 per share, implying an annualized payout of $3.96 and a 2.0% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $203.50.

Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 13,211 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,202,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter valued at about $7,130,000. Haverford Trust Co purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter valued at about $1,159,000. First Nebraska Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $218,000. Bank of Nova Scotia purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $20,681,000. Finally, Hudson Portfolio Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $276,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 1.4%

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $194.61 on Tuesday. The stock's 50-day moving average is $180.45. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $156.60 and a 52 week high of $211.28. The stock has a market cap of $92.87 billion, a PE ratio of 23.79, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.89 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $7.28 billion for the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.24% and a return on equity of 32.67%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were paid a $0.99 dividend. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 23rd. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $182.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $203.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total value of $2,107,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 12,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,107,975.65. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total value of $1,348,929.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 16,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,159,913.68. The trade was a 29.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 36,469 shares of company stock valued at $6,291,345. Insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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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