Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) Stock Has Average Price Target of $204.42

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Hold” from the twenty-one brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $204.42.

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $193.00 to $188.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 30th. Mizuho lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $179.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $218.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $197.00 to $191.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 1st.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, VP Stacy Mills sold 1,215 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $243,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 2,705 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $541,000. This represents a 30.99% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, CEO Dean Klisura sold 4,194 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $838,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 20,935 shares in the company, valued at $4,187,000. This trade represents a 16.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 0.38% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Marsh & McLennan Companies

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Canton Hathaway LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. EFG International AG purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $200.52 on Friday. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a 12 month low of $156.60 and a 12 month high of $202.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The business’s 50 day moving average is $182.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $95.35 billion, a PE ratio of 23.99, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.59.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.20% and a return on equity of 33.32%. The firm had revenue of $6.86 billion during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies will post 10.48 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 1st will be given a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 1st. This represents a $3.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 47.37%.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

Marsh & McLennan Companies is a global professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in risk, strategy and people. The company serves businesses, governments and institutions through a portfolio of specialized businesses focused on insurance brokerage, reinsurance, consulting and talent management.

Its principal businesses include Marsh, an insurance brokerage and risk advisory firm; Guy Carpenter, a provider of reinsurance brokerage and related risk-management services; Mercer, which offers consulting in investment, retirement, health and workforce strategy; and Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm serving clients across industries and regions.

Founded in 1905, Marsh & McLennan serves clients in countries and markets around the world.