PDT Partners LLC Takes Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• PDT Partners acquired 9,000 Marsh & McLennan shares during the second quarter, valued at approximately $1.5 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Analysts have a mixed outlook, with the stock carrying an average “Hold” rating and a consensus price target of $203.50. Recent targets range from $182 to $218.
• Marsh & McLennan exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $2.96 in EPS on $7.28 billion in revenue, while raising its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share, or a 2.0% annualized yield.

PDT Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 9,000 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,500,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SHP Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MRSH has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Citigroup downgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 price target for the company. in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $182.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $203.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

NYSE:MRSH opened at $193.58 on Thursday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $156.60 and a 52 week high of $207.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $181.58. The company has a market cap of $92.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.59.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. The business 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%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 23rd were given a dividend of $0.99 per share. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This is a positive change from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 48.41%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total value of $2,107,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 12,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,107,975.65. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total value of $141,174.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 16,376 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,242,448. This trade represents a 4.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345. Company insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

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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