Osmosis Investment Management UK Ltd bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 11,225 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,871,000.
Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter valued at about $12,617,000. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,551,000. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,202,000. Finally, Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $7,130,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total transaction of $141,174.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 16,376 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,242,448. This trade represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total transaction of $2,693,441.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders sold 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.
Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance
Shares of NYSE MRSH opened at $194.61 on Tuesday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $156.60 and a fifty-two week high of $211.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $92.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $180.45.
Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $7.28 billion during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.24% and a return on equity of 32.67%. The firm's revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 23rd were issued a $0.99 dividend. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.41%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $203.50.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Marsh & McLennan Companies
About Marsh & McLennan Companies
(
Free Report)
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.
Further Reading
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