Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Makes New $5.68 Million Investment in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 34,062 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $5,677,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $6,583,806,000. State Street Corp bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $4,057,682,000. Capital International Investors purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $3,482,557,000. Capital World Investors bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,140,284,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $2,967,927,000. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total value of $2,107,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 12,001 shares in the company, valued at $2,107,975.65. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total value of $1,348,929.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 16,632 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,159,913.68. This trade represents a 29.92% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 36,469 shares of company stock valued at $6,291,345. 0.38% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

NYSE:MRSH opened at $192.17 on Monday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $156.60 and a one year high of $212.65. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $179.88. The company has a market capitalization of $91.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.67% and a net margin of 14.24%.The company had revenue of $7.28 billion during the quarter. The firm’s revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were paid a $0.99 dividend. This is a boost from Marsh & McLennan Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s payout ratio is currently 48.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on MRSH shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Citigroup cut Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $200.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $180.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $203.50.

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.