Insider Selling: Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) Director Sells $2,107,800.00 in Stock

Key Points

• Director Lloyd Yates sold 12,000 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies for approximately $2.11 million, reducing his position by 50% to 12,001 shares.
• The company reported quarterly earnings of $2.96 per share, exceeding estimates of $2.89, while revenue rose 6.2% year over year to $7.28 billion. It also increased its quarterly dividend to $0.99 per share.
• The stock rose 3.3% to $189.42, but analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $201.94; institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of shares.

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) Director Lloyd Yates sold 12,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total value of $2,107,800.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 12,001 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,107,975.65. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 3.3%

MRSH traded up $6.11 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $189.42. The stock had a trading volume of 576,820 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,912,260. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $156.60 and a one year high of $213.80. The stock has a market cap of $90.39 billion, a PE ratio of 23.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.61.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.67% and a net margin of 14.24%.The company had revenue of $7.28 billion during the quarter. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $175.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 6th. UBS Group raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings downgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Citigroup cut shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $200.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $201.94.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marsh & McLennan Companies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.