Man Group plc Buys New Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Man Group plc bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 253,869 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $42,312,000.

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

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

MRSH opened at $193.58 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $92.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $156.60 and a fifty-two week high of $207.82. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $181.58.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were given a $0.99 dividend. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. This is an increase from Marsh & McLennan Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 23rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total transaction of $1,348,929.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 16,632 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,159,913.68. The trade was a 29.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total value of $2,107,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345. 0.38% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on MRSH shares. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $182.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Citigroup cut Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $203.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company 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.