Walter Public Investments Inc. Has $22.83 Million Stock Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Walter Public Investments Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 8.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 113,299 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 8,593 shares during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises 3.8% of Walter Public Investments Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Walter Public Investments Inc.’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $22,833,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Conning Inc. raised its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 7.6% in the third quarter. Conning Inc. now owns 20,462 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $4,124,000 after purchasing an additional 1,438 shares during the period. Impact Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Impact Capital Partners LLC now owns 8,585 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,730,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 2,223 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $448,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 32.8% during the third quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 5,221 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,052,000 after acquiring an additional 1,289 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.8% during the third quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC now owns 3,663 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $736,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.22, for a total transaction of $3,841,015.38. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 87,681 shares in the company, valued at $15,977,231.82. This represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MMC opened at $182.39 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $89.35 billion, a PE ratio of 21.87, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.76. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $183.46 and a 200-day moving average of $195.61. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $174.18 and a 12 month high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 15.60% and a return on equity of 31.79%. The business had revenue of $6.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.63 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 29th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date 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%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on MMC shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $226.00 to $208.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $199.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $236.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $218.82.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company 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.