Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) Shares Purchased by Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC

Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 0.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 430,488 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 377 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises about 5.0% of Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest holding. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $105,052,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Parisi Gray Wealth Management bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter worth about $947,000. Annex Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 63,300 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $15,447,000 after acquiring an additional 1,288 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 9.4% during the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 191,512 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $40,679,000 after acquiring an additional 16,464 shares during the period. Bell Asset Management Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 12.5% in the 4th quarter. Bell Asset Management Ltd now owns 32,465 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $6,896,000 after buying an additional 3,595 shares during the period. Finally, Mariner LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 448,546 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $95,275,000 after buying an additional 6,125 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total value of $550,302.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,522 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,326,412. This trade represents a 14.20% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 9,569 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.00, for a total transaction of $2,344,405.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,935 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,129,075. This represents a 31.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on MMC. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $281.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $246.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $241.93.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

NYSE MMC opened at $216.49 on Tuesday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $226.35 and its 200-day moving average is $225.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The firm has a market cap of $106.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.83. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $207.21 and a 12-month high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $6.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.08 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 32.60%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.89 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc is a professional services firm, which engages in offering clients advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and people. It operates through the Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting segments. The Risk and Insurance Services segment is involved in risk management activities, as well as insurance and reinsurance broking and services.