Clearbridge Investments LLC Invests $941.82 Million in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Clearbridge Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 5,076,693 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $941,815,000. Marsh & McLennan Companies makes up about 0.8% of Clearbridge Investments LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest position. Clearbridge Investments LLC owned 1.04% of Marsh & McLennan Companies at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MRSH. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. City Holding Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Elyxium Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 2.5%

NYSE:MRSH opened at $165.37 on Friday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $156.60 and a one year high of $231.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.62.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last posted its quarterly 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. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.26% and a return on equity of 31.87%. The company had revenue of $7.30 billion for the quarter. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $18,889,506.81. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $226.00 to $206.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, April 17th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $195.00 to $190.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of 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. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $200.00 price target on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $203.56.

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.