Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. Sells 5,000 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Key Points

• Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. reduced its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 47.6%, selling 5,000 shares and now holding 5,500 shares valued at approximately $1.34 million.
• The company reported a quarterly EPS of $2.72, exceeding the consensus estimate, with a revenue of $6.97 billion, representing a 12.1% increase year-over-year.
• Marsh & McLennan has declared an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.82 to $0.90, which translates to an annualized payout of $3.60 and a yield of 1.7%.

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. cut its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 47.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,500 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 5,000 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd.'s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $1,342,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. City Holding Co. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Garde Capital Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MMC opened at $209.38 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $102.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.11, a PEG ratio of 2.55 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. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $212.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of $223.54. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $196.27 and a one year high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $2.72 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.66 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.92 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.00% and a return on equity of 31.90%. The firm's revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.41 EPS. Research analysts predict 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be given a $0.90 dividend. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 24th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 43.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target 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. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Wednesday. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Barclays decreased 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 note on Monday, July 7th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $239.94.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company 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.

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