Crawford Investment Counsel Inc. Makes New Investment in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Crawford Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 297,678 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $55,225,000. Crawford Investment Counsel Inc. owned about 0.06% of Marsh & McLennan Companies at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MRSH. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, City Holding Co. purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:MRSH opened at $166.67 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $80.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.83, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $156.60 and a one year high of $220.32.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 16th. The financial services provider reported $3.29 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.21 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $7.30 billion for the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.87% and a net margin of 14.26%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total transaction of $2,693,441.76. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. This trade represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 0.38% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MRSH has been the topic of a number of research reports. Raymond James Financial upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $225.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Barclays cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $209.00 to $206.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, April 17th. Mizuho cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $199.00 to $193.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $178.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $200.19.

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.