Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) Price Target Cut to $214.00 by Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) had its price target lowered by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $215.00 to $214.00 in a research report released on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an underperform rating on the financial services provider's stock.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on MMC. Wells Fargo & Company increased 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 report on Thursday, April 10th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target 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, Barclays lowered their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Two investment 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's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $240.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 1.4%

MMC stock traded down $3.09 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $211.62. 2,234,444 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,977,617. The firm's 50-day moving average is $222.70 and its 200-day moving average is $224.68. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a 12 month low of $207.21 and a 12 month high of $248.00. The company has a market cap of $104.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.93, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.04. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.19% and a net margin of 16.13%. The business had revenue of $6.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.08 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.89 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 24th will be given a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.70%. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies's previous quarterly dividend of $0.82. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 24th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is 39.95%.

Institutional Trading of Marsh & McLennan Companies

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.6% during the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,253 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $306,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Defined Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,198 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $780,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 7,479 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,825,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.1% during the first quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,517 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,102,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the period. Finally, E Fund Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.9% in the first quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. now owns 1,263 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $308,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company 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.