Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Increases Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. increased its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) by 18.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 25,604 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,906 shares during the period. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $5,159,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the third quarter worth $32,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $173.70 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $179.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $170.37 and a fifty-two week high of $248.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $84.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.74.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $6.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.52 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.60% and a net margin of 15.42%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.87 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be given a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s payout ratio is 42.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MRSH shares. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Weiss Ratings began coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. They set a “hold (c)” rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $242.00 to $226.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $205.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Mizuho reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $199.00 price target (down from $213.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Friday, February 27th. One investment 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 given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $216.12.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.30, for a total transaction of $3,052,861.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $21,411,456.30. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Profile

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.