Markel Group Inc. Purchases 6,250 Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Markel Group Inc. increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 0.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 755,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 6,250 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for approximately 1.2% of Markel Group Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Markel Group Inc. owned approximately 0.15% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $152,155,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,328,587,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 48,212.9% in the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,629,187 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $574,845,000 after purchasing an additional 2,623,745 shares in the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $560,820,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 212.6% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,285,194 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $499,635,000 after buying an additional 1,554,114 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 89.2% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 2,892,576 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $615,309,000 after buying an additional 1,363,706 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Citigroup reduced their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. UBS Group dropped their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America reiterated an “underperform” rating and set a $181.00 price target (down from $243.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $200.00 price objective for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $200.00 to $195.00 in a report on Monday, October 20th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with 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, Marsh & McLennan Companies has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $218.82.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.22, for a total value of $3,841,015.38. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 87,681 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,977,231.82. This trade represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 1.7%

NYSE:MMC opened at $182.39 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $89.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.76. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $174.18 and a 52 week high of $248.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The company has a fifty day moving average of $183.72 and a 200 day moving average of $193.68.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 29th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 29th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.17%.

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.