Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH Stock Sold by Focused Investors LLC

Focused Investors LLC decreased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) by 17.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 335,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 69,300 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies makes up approximately 2.4% of Focused Investors LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Focused Investors LLC’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $57,195,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Eads & Heald Wealth Management boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 7.4% during the third quarter. Eads & Heald Wealth Management now owns 2,166 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $370,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at $246,000. Capital Management Corp VA increased its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Management Corp VA now owns 41,161 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $7,027,000 after acquiring an additional 815 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 3rd quarter worth $20,477,000. Finally, Profund Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 10.1% during the 3rd quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 4,445 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $759,000 after acquiring an additional 406 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $203.53 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $182.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $156.60 and a 1 year high of $206.49. The stock has a market cap of $96.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 0.53.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.96 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.20% and a return on equity of 33.32%. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 1st will be paid a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 1st. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s payout ratio is presently 47.37%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,215 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $243,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 2,705 shares in the company, valued at $541,000. This trade represents a 30.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, CEO Dean Klisura sold 4,194 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $838,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 20,935 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,187,000. This trade represents a 16.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 16th. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $179.00 to $178.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $215.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $193.00 to $188.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $205.84.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

Marsh & McLennan Companies is a global professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in risk, strategy and people. The company serves businesses, governments and institutions through a portfolio of specialized businesses focused on insurance brokerage, reinsurance, consulting and talent management.

Its principal businesses include Marsh, an insurance brokerage and risk advisory firm; Guy Carpenter, a provider of reinsurance brokerage and related risk-management services; Mercer, which offers consulting in investment, retirement, health and workforce strategy; and Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm serving clients across industries and regions.

Founded in 1905, Marsh & McLennan serves clients in countries and markets around the world.