Vise Technologies Inc. Invests $3.21 Million in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Key Points

• Vise Technologies initiated a roughly $3.21 million position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by purchasing 19,268 shares during the second quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 87.99% of the company.
• Insiders sold 36,469 shares worth approximately $6.29 million over the past 90 days, including sales by CEO John Q. Doyle and insider Martin South. Analysts remain mixed, with the stock carrying a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $203.50.
• Marsh & McLennan exceeded quarterly earnings expectations with EPS of $2.96 versus the $2.89 consensus, while revenue rose 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion. The company also increased its quarterly dividend to $0.99, equivalent to a 2.1% annualized yield.

Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm bought 19,268 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $3,211,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of MRSH. EP Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,337 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,823,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. MMA Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. MMA Asset Management LLC now owns 4,083 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $757,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. Continuum Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 1,452 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $252,000 after buying an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC boosted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 12.6% in 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. Finally, GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. GRIMES & Co WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC now owns 8,883 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,648,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total transaction of $2,693,441.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 116,811 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. The trade was a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total transaction of $1,348,929.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 16,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,159,913.68. This trade represents a 29.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345. Insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on MRSH. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $182.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research 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 report on Thursday, July 9th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $203.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MRSH opened at $192.17 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $179.88. The company has a market cap of $91.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $156.60 and a one year high of $212.65.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $7.28 billion for the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.67% and a net margin of 14.24%.The company's revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were issued a $0.99 dividend. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 23rd. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is 48.41%.

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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