Markel Group Inc. Boosts Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Markel Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 755,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 6,250 shares during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises 1.2% of Markel Group Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Markel Group Inc.’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $152,155,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 51.2% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,738 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,856,000 after purchasing an additional 2,960 shares during the period. Bison Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 39.6% in the 4th quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 3,064 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $651,000 after buying an additional 869 shares during the period. Patton Fund Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter worth about $220,000. Smith Salley Wealth Management boosted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 26.0% during the second quarter. Smith Salley Wealth Management now owns 3,337 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $730,000 after acquiring an additional 688 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Independence Bank of Kentucky grew its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 17.9% in the second quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 731 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $160,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 1.7%

Shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $182.39 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $174.18 and a twelve month high of $248.00. The company has a market cap of $89.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.76. The company’s 50 day moving average is $183.72 and its 200 day moving average is $193.68.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 29th will be issued 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 payout ratio is presently 43.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently issued reports on MMC. UBS Group lowered their target price 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. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $199.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Mizuho started coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $212.00 price target for the company. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their target price 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. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus 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 dated 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 transaction, the chief executive officer owned 87,681 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,977,231.82. This represents a 19.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

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.