OneAscent Investment Solutions LLC Invests $300,000 in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Key Points

• OneAscent Investment Solutions LLC has invested $300,000 in Marsh & McLennan Companies, purchasing 1,230 shares of the financial services provider's stock.
• Marsh & McLennan Companies has recently increased its quarterly dividend from $0.82 to $0.90 per share, reflecting a positive annualized yield of 1.7%.
• Analyst ratings for Marsh & McLennan Companies are mixed, with two analysts giving a sell rating, while a consensus of six buy ratings and a target price of $239.94 are also reported.

OneAscent Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 1,230 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $300,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MMC. Accent Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. City Holding Co. purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MMC shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price 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. Barclays decreased 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 note on Monday, July 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Wednesday. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $256.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $239.94.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 2.4%

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $209.38 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $102.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.77. 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 company has a fifty day moving average of $212.03 and a 200 day moving average of $223.54. 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 earnings results 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 company 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%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's quarterly revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.41 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

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.

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