Wells Fargo & Company Issues Positive Forecast for Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) Stock Price

Key Points

• Wells Fargo raised its price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186 to $188 and kept an equal weight rating, implying about 6.78% upside from the current share price.
• Other analysts were mixed: recent target increases came from firms like Cantor Fitzgerald, UBS, and Mizuho, while Bank of America remained negative. Overall, MarketBeat shows an average rating of Hold with an average price target of $201.69.
• Marsh & McLennan shares were down 3.0% to $176.07 even after the company reported Q2 EPS of $2.96, beating estimates, on $7.28 billion in revenue. The stock also trades with a large institutional ownership base, while CEO John Q. Doyle recently sold shares under a pre-arranged trading plan.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $186.00 to $188.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an "equal weight" rating on the financial services provider's stock. Wells Fargo & Company's price objective would indicate a potential upside of 6.78% from the stock's current price.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on MRSH. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $181.00 to $174.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 14th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $212.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $201.69.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 3.0%

Shares of NYSE MRSH traded down $5.52 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $176.07. 1,238,822 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,932,466. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $85.06 billion, a PE ratio of 22.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.61. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a 1 year low of $156.60 and a 1 year high of $213.80.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $7.28 billion during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.87% and a net margin of 14.26%. On average, analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies will post 10.36 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total transaction of $2,693,441.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. This trade represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 0.38% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Marsh & McLennan Companies

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Solstein Capital LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Marsh & McLennan Companies News

Here are the key news stories impacting Marsh & McLennan Companies this week:

• Positive Sentiment: MRSH reported Q2 earnings of $2.96 per share, topping estimates, with revenue of $7.28 billion and growth driven by consulting plus Risk & Insurance Services. Marsh (MRSH) Q2 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: One analyst note argued the company remains a buy after Q2, suggesting the quarter supports the longer-term investment case. Marsh & McLennan: Maintaining My 'Buy' Recommendation Following Q2 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: William Blair kept a neutral stance, saying Q2 was solid and growth is stabilizing, but valuation still looks expensive. Marsh & McLennan: Solid Q2 and Stabilizing Growth, But Valuation Keeps Analyst Firm at Hold
• Neutral Sentiment: Citigroup downgraded MRSH from buy to neutral, but still raised the price target to $200, implying some upside from current levels. Benzinga
• Negative Sentiment: Investors appear focused on valuation and slower growth outlook in the earnings call commentary, which may be capping enthusiasm after the beat. Marsh & McLennan Earnings Call Highlights Growth, Challenges

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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