Nebula Research & Development LLC Acquires 4,732 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Nebula Research & Development LLC boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC - Free Report) by 139.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,115 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 4,732 shares during the period. Nebula Research & Development LLC's holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $1,724,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $75,000. Virtu Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.3% during the third quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 12,756 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,846,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.6% during the third quarter. Te Ahumairangi Investment Management Ltd now owns 10,499 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $2,329,000 after purchasing an additional 360 shares in the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 487.5% during the third quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 517 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $115,000 after purchasing an additional 429 shares in the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 29.9% in the third quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 17,223 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $3,842,000 after acquiring an additional 3,962 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 21st. Raymond James reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $250.00 target price (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Tuesday, March 25th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $281.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $241.93.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Nicholas Mark Studer sold 49,390 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.16, for a total value of $11,367,602.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 28,329 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,520,202.64. This trade represents a 63.55 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 7,121 shares of the firm's 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 $1,673,221.37. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,935 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,919,096.95. The trade was a 25.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 69,634 shares of company stock valued at $16,244,986 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.35% of the company's stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

NYSE MMC traded up $3.69 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $225.69. 1,930,534 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,882,844. The company has a market capitalization of $111.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $231.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $224.57. 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 12-month low of $196.72 and a 12-month high of $248.00.

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd will be paid a $0.815 dividend. This represents a $3.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 3rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies's payout ratio is 39.95%.

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.