Van ECK Associates Corp Has $19.34 Million Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Van ECK Associates Corp reduced its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 116,011 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 2,925 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $19,336,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MRSH. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $6,583,806,000. State Street Corp acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth $4,057,682,000. Capital International Investors acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at $3,482,557,000. Capital World Investors acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth about $3,140,284,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $2,967,927,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

MRSH stock opened at $192.90 on Monday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $156.60 and a 52 week high of $207.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $182.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $92.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.58, a PEG ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.59.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.24% and a return on equity of 32.67%. The firm had revenue of $7.28 billion for the quarter. The business’s revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.44 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.99 per share. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s dividend payout ratio is 48.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total transaction of $2,107,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 12,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,107,975.65. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total value of $1,348,929.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 16,632 shares in the company, valued at $3,159,913.68. The trade was a 29.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 36,469 shares of company stock valued at $6,291,345 over the last 90 days. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on MRSH shares. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Citigroup downgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $200.00 price target for the company. in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $203.50.

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.