Plato Investment Management Ltd Acquires New Shares in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Plato Investment Management acquired 17,248 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, valued at approximately $2.86 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Marsh & McLennan exceeded quarterly earnings expectations, reporting $2.96 in EPS versus the $2.89 consensus and $7.28 billion in revenue, up 6.2% year over year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.99, implying an annualized payout of $3.96 and a 2.1% yield. Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $201.94.

Plato Investment Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 17,248 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,858,000.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. PFG Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 1,758 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $326,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.8% during the second quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,337 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,823,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. MMA Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. MMA Asset Management LLC now owns 4,083 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $757,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the period. Continuum Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 5.3% in the first quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 1,452 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clearstead Trust LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 12.6% during the 1st quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 668 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $116,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.0%

MRSH stock opened at $187.75 on Monday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $156.60 and a twelve 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 firm has a market capitalization of $89.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.95, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.59. The business's 50-day moving average price is $177.66.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $7.28 billion during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.67% and a net margin of 14.24%.The company's quarterly revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were paid a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. 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%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

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 transaction of $2,107,800.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 12,001 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,107,975.65. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were 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 owned 16,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,159,913.68. This represents a 29.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 36,469 shares of company stock valued at $6,291,345 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on MRSH. Citigroup downgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $201.94.

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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