Occidental Asset Management LLC Invests $4.46 Million in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Occidental Asset Management bought 26,750 shares of Marsh & McLennan, valued at approximately $4.46 million. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company.
• Marsh & McLennan beat quarterly EPS estimates, reporting $2.96 versus the $2.89 consensus, while revenue rose 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion. The company also increased its quarterly dividend to $0.99, implying a 2.1% annual yield.
• Insiders sold 36,469 shares worth $6.29 million during the last quarter. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $201.94.

Occidental Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 26,750 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,458,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MRSH. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth $25,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total transaction of $141,174.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 16,376 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,242,448. This represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies 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 $3,159,913.68. This trade represents a 29.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345 in the last quarter. 0.38% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 1.8%

NYSE MRSH opened at $184.41 on Tuesday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $156.60 and a 12 month high of $213.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The stock has a market cap of $88.00 billion, a PE ratio of 22.54, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.59. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $178.11.

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were issued a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on MRSH shares. Citigroup cut Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 6th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $201.94.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

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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