Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analysts rate MRSH a "Hold" — 18 analysts cover the stock (1 sell, 11 hold, 5 buy, 1 strong buy) with a 12‑month average target of $211.38.
• CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares at about $183.30 on March 4, reducing his stake by 12.48%; company insiders own 0.35% of the stock.
• Recent quarter beat expectations (EPS $2.12 vs $1.97 est, revenue $6.60B vs $6.52B) and the firm announced a quarterly dividend of $0.90 (annualized $3.60, yield ~2.1%, ex‑dividend Apr 9, payable May 15).

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Hold" from the eighteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $211.3750.

A number of brokerages have commented on MRSH. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $208.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $209.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $200.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Evercore cut their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $236.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Friday, January 30th.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.30, for a total value of $3,052,861.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,411,456.30. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marsh & McLennan Companies

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. SHP Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of MRSH stock opened at $172.54 on Wednesday. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a 12 month low of $164.89 and a 12 month high of $239.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.10. The firm has a market cap of $83.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.75. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $174.75.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.15. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 15.42% and a return on equity of 31.60%. The firm had revenue of $6.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.52 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.87 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is 42.70%.

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.

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