Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) Hits New 1-Year Low - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• Marsh & McLennan Companies' share price hit a **52-week low** of $185.12, closing at **$187.83** with substantial trading volume of 1,835,414 shares.
• Analysts have mixed ratings on the stock, with **seven** rating it as a **Buy**, **nine** as a **Hold**, and **two** as a **Sell**, resulting in a consensus price target of **$237.13**.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of **$0.90**, reflecting a **1.9% yield**, with a payout ratio currently standing at **43.17%**.

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week low on Thursday . The company traded as low as $185.12 and last traded at $187.83, with a volume of 1835414 shares. The stock had previously closed at $203.85.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MMC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup initiated coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $226.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Marsh & McLennan Companies from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and reduced their target price for the company from $248.00 to $242.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $226.00 to $222.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $233.00 to $221.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $237.13.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 6.7%

The firm has a market cap of $93.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.70, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.81. The firm's fifty day moving average is $203.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $214.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.79 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $6.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.34 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.00% and a return on equity of 31.90%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.63 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 2nd will be given a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 2nd. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio is currently 43.17%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.65, for a total value of $4,334,896.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 87,681 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,031,597.65. This represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marsh & McLennan Companies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 101.7% in the 1st quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 103,551 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $25,270,000 after acquiring an additional 52,218 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 9.9% in the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 324,035 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $78,662,000 after acquiring an additional 29,247 shares during the period. Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 101.4% in the first quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 7,136 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,741,000 after acquiring an additional 3,593 shares during the period. US Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 23.1% during the 1st quarter. US Asset Management LLC now owns 6,847 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,671,000 after acquiring an additional 1,284 shares during the period. Finally, Geneva Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $4,673,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.

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