Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) Stake Lowered by West Coast Financial LLC

West Coast Financial LLC cut its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 2.0% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 66,483 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 1,332 shares during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises approximately 1.9% of West Coast Financial LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. West Coast Financial LLC’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $16,224,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies 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 transaction of $550,302.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 13,522 shares in the company, valued at $3,326,412. This trade represents a 14.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,317 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.97, for a total transaction of $309,455.49. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,923 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $686,817.31. This trade represents a 31.06% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 69,634 shares of company stock valued at $16,244,986. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Down 1.1%

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $232.35 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The company has a market capitalization of $114.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.37, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.85. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $206.25 and a one year high of $248.00. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $228.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $225.60.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $6.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.08 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.60% and a net margin of 16.60%. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.89 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 3rd were issued a $0.815 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 3rd. This represents a $3.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.40%. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.95%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. UBS Group increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Raymond James reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $250.00 price target (up from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $241.93.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

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.