185,571 Shares in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH Bought by Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 185,571 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $30,929,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MRSH. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. SHP Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 713 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $198.00, for a total transaction of $141,174.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 16,376 shares in the company, valued at $3,242,448. This trade represents a 4.17% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Martin South sold 7,100 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $189.99, for a total transaction of $1,348,929.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 16,632 shares in the company, valued at $3,159,913.68. This trade represents a 29.92% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 36,469 shares of company stock worth $6,291,345 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 1.5%

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $192.90 on Friday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $156.60 and a 52 week high of $207.82. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $182.75. The company has a market cap of $92.05 billion, a PE ratio of 23.58, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 EPS 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 for the quarter was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.44 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.99 per share. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 23rd. This is a positive change from Marsh & McLennan Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.41%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MRSH shares. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Weiss Ratings raised Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. One 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 company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $203.50.

Marsh & McLennan Companies 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.