Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) CEO John Doyle Sells 16,655 Shares

Key Points

• CEO John Doyle sold 16,655 shares on March 4 at an average price of $183.30, generating about $3.05 million and reducing his stake by 12.48% to 116,811 shares valued at roughly $21.41 million.
• Marsh & McLennan beat quarterly expectations with EPS of $2.12 versus $1.97 expected and revenue of $6.60 billion (up 8.7% year‑over‑year), reporting a net margin of 15.42% and a return on equity of 31.6%.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.90 per share (annualized $3.60) for a 1.9% yield, with an ex‑dividend date of April 9 and a payout ratio of 42.7%.

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) CEO John Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,411,456.30. This trade represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 0.0%

MRSH traded up $0.07 on Thursday, hitting $184.91. The company had a trading volume of 1,989,759 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,050,292. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $170.37 and a 1 year high of $248.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The firm has a market cap of $89.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.74.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.52 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.87 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be given a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. Marsh & McLennan Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.70%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MRSH has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $208.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Weiss Ratings initiated coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. They set a "hold (c)" rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $200.00 price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $201.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $216.18.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marsh & McLennan Companies

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Storen Legacy Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $1,577,000. Bayban acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. EJMK Ventures LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $311,000. Finally, Reflection Asset Management acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $89,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company's stock.

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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