Janus Henderson Group PLC Cuts Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Janus Henderson Group PLC cut its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 4.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,065,496 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 105,641 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC owned about 0.42% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $438,749,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in MMC. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,236,186,000. Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 551.0% during the fourth quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 2,224,932 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $472,599,000 after buying an additional 1,883,146 shares during the last quarter. Amundi lifted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 81.1% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 4,072,976 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $860,824,000 after buying an additional 1,823,807 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 7,320.9% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,108,758 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $235,511,000 after acquiring an additional 1,093,817 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at $207,278,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.5%

MMC stock traded down $1.22 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $222.55. 2,335,883 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,908,503. The company has a market cap of $109.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $229.42 and its 200-day moving average price is $224.70. 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, 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 quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.04. The business 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 quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.89 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.815 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.46%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 39.95%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on MMC shares. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target 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. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $250.00 target price (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $281.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $241.93.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $4,919,096.95. This represents a 25.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of the company's 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 sale, the senior vice president now owns 13,522 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,326,412. The trade was a 14.20% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 69,634 shares of company stock worth $16,244,986. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.