Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Makes New $118.75 Million Investment in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 559,056 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $118,749,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned about 0.11% of Marsh & McLennan Companies as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $1,906,000. Yoffe Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth $319,000. Capital A Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $81,000. Integrated Advisors Network LLC increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 4,844 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,029,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on MMC shares. Raymond James reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 target price (up from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 21st. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $241.93.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total transaction of $1,673,221.37. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 20,935 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,919,096.95. This represents a 25.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,317 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total value of $309,455.49. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,923 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $686,817.31. This represents a 31.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 69,634 shares of company stock worth $16,244,986 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of NYSE MMC traded up $1.78 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $231.30. The company's stock had a trading volume of 994,131 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,917,932. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $228.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $225.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $201.77 and a 1 year high of $248.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $113.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $6.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.08 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 32.60%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.89 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd were given a $0.815 dividend. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.41%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 39.95%.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Profile

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc is a professional services firm, which engages in offering clients advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and people. It operates through the Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting segments. The Risk and Insurance Services segment is involved in risk management activities, as well as insurance and reinsurance broking and services.