Nordea Investment Management AB Lowers Stock Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Nordea Investment Management AB decreased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) by 11.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 507,728 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 65,236 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB owned about 0.10% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $94,773,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Occidental Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 7.3% during the 4th quarter. Occidental Asset Management LLC now owns 23,178 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $4,300,000 after purchasing an additional 1,572 shares during the last quarter. Tounjian Advisory Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $1,684,000. Procyon Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 2,279 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $423,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Impact Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.6% in the fourth quarter. Impact Capital Partners LLC now owns 8,890 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,649,000 after acquiring an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Everpar Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 7.7% in the fourth quarter. Everpar Advisors LLC now owns 1,730 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $321,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

MRSH stock opened at $173.86 on Tuesday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $164.89 and a one year high of $248.00. The stock has a market cap of $84.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.62, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.74. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $177.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.15. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.60% and a net margin of 15.42%.The company had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.52 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.87 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

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

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.30, for a total value of $3,052,861.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 116,811 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $21,411,456.30. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MRSH has been the subject of several recent research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $208.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Mizuho reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $199.00 target price (down from $213.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Friday, February 27th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $209.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $225.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Friday, January 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $216.12.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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.