Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) VP Stacy Mills Sells 1,215 Shares of Stock

Key Points

• VP Stacy Mills sold 1,215 Marsh & McLennan shares at an average price of $200, totaling $243,000. The Rule 10b5-1 transaction was intended to cover tax withholding on vested equity awards, leaving Mills with 2,705 shares.
• MRSH shares recently traded at $194.65, near their 52-week high of $200.32. The company reported quarterly EPS of $2.03, beating estimates, while revenue rose 8.1% year over year to $6.86 billion.
• Marsh & McLennan declared a quarterly dividend of $0.99 per share, equivalent to a 2.0% yield. Analysts have a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $204.42.

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) VP Stacy Mills sold 1,215 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $243,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 2,705 shares in the company, valued at $541,000. This trade represents a 30.99% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

MRSH traded down $2.83 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $194.65. 1,867,681 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,800,981. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27. The business's fifty day moving average price is $181.60. The firm has a market cap of $92.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.59. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $156.60 and a fifty-two week high of $200.32.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $6.86 billion for the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 33.32% and a net margin of 14.20%. The company's revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.99 per share. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 1st. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.37%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, October 16th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $179.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $183.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $180.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $191.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $204.42.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marsh & McLennan Companies

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the first quarter valued at $28,000. Canton Hathaway LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at about $28,000. EFG International AG acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

Marsh & McLennan Companies is a global professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in risk, strategy and people. The company serves businesses, governments and institutions through a portfolio of specialized businesses focused on insurance brokerage, reinsurance, consulting and talent management.

Its principal businesses include Marsh, an insurance brokerage and risk advisory firm; Guy Carpenter, a provider of reinsurance brokerage and related risk-management services; Mercer, which offers consulting in investment, retirement, health and workforce strategy; and Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm serving clients across industries and regions.

Founded in 1905, Marsh & McLennan serves clients in countries and markets around the world.

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