Wesleyan Assurance Society Sells 4,500 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Wesleyan Assurance Society lowered its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 5.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 81,926 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 4,500 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for approximately 1.3% of Wesleyan Assurance Society's holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Wesleyan Assurance Society's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $17,404,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $38,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

NYSE:MMC opened at $231.74 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $114.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.13. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $229.26 and a 200 day moving average of $224.96. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $201.77 and a 52-week high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 in the previous year, the business earned $2.89 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal 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 paid a $0.815 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.41%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.95%.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total value 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 approximately $4,919,096.95. The trade was a 25.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total value of $550,302.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,522 shares in the company, valued at $3,326,412. This trade represents a 14.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 69,634 shares of company stock valued at $16,244,986. Insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MMC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday, March 25th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $281.00 target price for the company. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $246.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $241.93.

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.

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