Temasek Holdings Private Ltd Buys 31,950 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Temasek Holdings increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan by 22.3%, buying 31,950 shares to hold 175,306 shares worth about $35.33 million per its latest 13F filing.
• CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares at an average price of $183.30 for roughly $3.05 million, reducing his ownership by 12.48% to 116,811 shares.
• Marsh & McLennan reported quarterly EPS of $2.12 (beating estimates) with revenue up 8.7% year-over-year, and announced a $0.90 quarterly dividend ($3.60 annual) payable May 15 with an ex-dividend date of April 9.

Temasek Holdings Private Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) by 22.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 175,306 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 31,950 shares during the period. Temasek Holdings Private Ltd's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $35,329,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MRSH. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 51.2% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,738 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,856,000 after acquiring an additional 2,960 shares during the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 39.6% during the 4th quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 3,064 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $651,000 after purchasing an additional 869 shares during the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 12.7% in the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,959 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $866,000 after purchasing an additional 446 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 21.7% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 4,653 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,017,000 after purchasing an additional 831 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clearstead Trust LLC grew its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 65.6% during the second quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 795 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $174,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $21,411,456.30. This trade represents a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on MRSH shares. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Weiss Ratings initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Thursday, January 29th. They set a "hold (c)" rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and set a $200.00 price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Friday, January 30th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $201.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $205.00 to $206.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $216.12.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE MRSH opened at $172.18 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $83.36 billion, a PE ratio of 20.42, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $170.37 and a 1-year high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.15. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.60% and a net margin of 15.42%.The business had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.52 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.87 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be given a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 9th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is presently 42.70%.

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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