PFA Pension Forsikringsaktieselskab Purchases Shares of 388,354 Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• PFA Pension Forsikringsaktieselskab bought a new stake of 388,354 shares of Marsh & McLennan (NYSE:MRSH), valued at about $72.76 million and representing roughly 0.08% of the company.
• CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares on March 4 for about $3.05 million, reducing his ownership by 12.48%; insiders now hold just 0.38% of the stock while institutional investors own ~87.99%.
• Marsh & McLennan beat quarterly EPS estimates ($3.29 vs. $3.21) with revenue of $7.30 billion (up 7.6%), and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.90 ($3.60 annualized, ~2.2% yield) with an ex-dividend date of April 9.

PFA Pension Forsikringsaktieselskab acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 388,354 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $72,762,000. PFA Pension Forsikringsaktieselskab owned about 0.08% of Marsh & McLennan Companies at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MRSH. D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 4,514 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $910,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 2,279 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $423,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 1,758 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $326,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the period. Lindenwold Advisors INC raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.4% during the third quarter. Lindenwold Advisors INC now owns 14,994 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $3,022,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC lifted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.8% in the third quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC now owns 3,663 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $736,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.30, for a total transaction of $3,052,861.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 116,811 shares of the company's stock, valued at $21,411,456.30. This trade represents a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.8%

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $166.38 on Friday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $164.89 and a twelve month high of $235.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The stock has a market cap of $80.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.65. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $173.42.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 16th. The financial services provider reported $3.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.21 by $0.08. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.87% and a net margin of 14.26%.The business had revenue of $7.30 billion during the quarter. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.36 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 45.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on MRSH shares. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $181.00 to $174.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from an "outperform" rating to a "strong-buy" rating and set a $225.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Barclays decreased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $209.00 to $206.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Evercore dropped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $236.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $205.33.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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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