M&T Bank Corp Grows Stock Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

M&T Bank Corp raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 2.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 46,639 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 1,280 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $11,381,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in MMC. City Holding Co. purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter valued at $37,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter valued at $42,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, First Pacific Financial increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 133.8% in the first quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 187 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:MMC traded up $0.47 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $214.64. 2,234,049 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,974,220. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $207.21 and a 1 year high of $248.00. The firm has a market cap of $105.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.80. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $223.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $224.68.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.04. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.13% and a return on equity of 32.19%. The company had revenue of $6.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.89 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current 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 represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.68%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 24th. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.95%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on MMC shares. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price target on the stock. 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 note on Monday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $215.00 to $214.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of 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, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $228.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $240.50.

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.