Hantz Financial Services Inc. Increases Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC

Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 107.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 28,394 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 14,684 shares during the quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc.’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $5,722,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MMC. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 363.3% in the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 139 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, TruNorth Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have weighed in on MMC. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They set a “sector perform” rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped 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 report on Tuesday, January 13th. TD Cowen lowered their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $213.00 to $200.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $191.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $218.82.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 1.7%

Shares of NYSE:MMC opened at $182.39 on Thursday. 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. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $184.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $192.36. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $174.18 and a 52-week high of $248.00.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

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