Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH Shares Purchased by Avity Investment Management Inc.

Avity Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 205,459 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 4,158 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for approximately 2.9% of Avity Investment Management Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Avity Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $41,406,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 51.2% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,738 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,856,000 after buying an additional 2,960 shares during the period. Bison Wealth LLC boosted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 39.6% during the 4th quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 3,064 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $651,000 after purchasing an additional 869 shares during the period. Meridian Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 29.8% in the second quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,172 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $256,000 after purchasing an additional 269 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 4.0% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 108,347 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $23,689,000 after buying an additional 4,159 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.5% in the second quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 29,723 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $6,499,000 after acquiring an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.30, for a total value of $3,052,861.50. Following the sale, 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. They issued a “hold (c)” rating for the company. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $201.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $205.00 to $206.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Barclays lowered their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $209.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $242.00 to $226.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $216.12.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

NYSE MRSH opened at $171.96 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $83.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.74. The company’s fifty day moving average is $179.06. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $170.37 and a 12 month high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.87 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

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

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.