Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. Has $78.41 Million Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. lowered its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 59.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 369,161 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 539,400 shares during the period. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. owned approximately 0.08% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $78,413,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.2 %

MMC stock traded down $0.39 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $220.07. The company's stock had a trading volume of 709,511 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,869,990. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $196.72 and a 52-week high of $248.00. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $231.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $224.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $108.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.88, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.04. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.60% and a net margin of 16.60%. The business had revenue of $6.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.08 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.89 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.815 per share. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.48%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is currently 39.95%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $246.00 to $249.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $241.93.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,317 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total value of $309,455.49. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 2,923 shares in the company, valued at $686,817.31. This represents a 31.06 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total transaction of $550,302.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 13,522 shares in the company, valued at $3,326,412. This trade represents a 14.20 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 69,634 shares of company stock valued at $16,244,986 over the last 90 days. 0.35% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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.