Northern Trust Corp Reduces Stock Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Key Points

• Northern Trust Corp has reduced its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.7%, owning approximately 5.89 million shares, which are valued at about $1.44 billion.
• Marsh & McLennan recently increased its quarterly dividend from $0.82 to $0.90, representing an annualized yield of 1.7%.
• Analysts have set a consensus price target of $239.94, with two sell ratings, eight hold ratings, and six buy ratings issued for the stock.

Northern Trust Corp lessened its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 0.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,893,411 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 40,929 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp owned approximately 1.20% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $1,438,169,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MMC. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Knuff & Co LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. City Holding Co. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $39,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MMC opened at $207.29 on Monday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $211.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $223.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.91 billion, a PE ratio of 24.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.77. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $196.27 and a fifty-two week 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 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 company's revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.41 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th were paid a $0.90 dividend. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 24th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.17%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Barclays reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 18th. UBS Group cut their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target 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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