Oak Thistle LLC Reduces Stock Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Oak Thistle LLC lowered its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 22.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,511 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 2,222 shares during the period. Oak Thistle LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $1,833,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. City Holding Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $42,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, First Pacific Financial grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 133.8% in the 1st 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of MMC stock traded up $2.07 on Friday, hitting $210.39. 2,290,058 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,449,143. The firm has a market cap of $103.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.23, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.80. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $207.21 and a 52 week high of $248.00. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $219.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $224.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced 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 firm had revenue of $6.97 billion for 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.41 EPS. As a group, equities 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 business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be issued 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 1.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 24th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is currently 43.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MMC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $214.00 to $210.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Jefferies Financial Group upped 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 report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $261.00 to $258.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $239.79.

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.