Waycross Partners LLC Buys 27,477 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Waycross Partners LLC increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) by 19.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 166,998 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 27,477 shares during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for 2.5% of Waycross Partners LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position. Waycross Partners LLC’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $30,981,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MRSH. Brighton Jones LLC increased its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 51.2% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,738 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,856,000 after purchasing an additional 2,960 shares during the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 39.6% in the fourth quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 3,064 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $651,000 after buying an additional 869 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,064,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 21,766.7% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,560 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,434,000 after buying an additional 6,530 shares during the last quarter. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. raised its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 36.9% in the second quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 2,365 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $517,000 after acquiring an additional 638 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were 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 owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $21,411,456.30. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MRSH shares. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $225.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Barclays reduced their price target on 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. Citigroup raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $201.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Evercore cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $236.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 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 given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $212.06.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 2.8%

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $169.25 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $81.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $176.34. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $164.89 and a 52 week high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.52 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.87 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The business 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 dividend of $0.90 per share. The ex-dividend date 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 (DPR) is presently 42.70%.

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.