Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. Increases Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. raised its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 0.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 460,996 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 541 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises about 1.0% of Johnson Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $97,920,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MMC. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.4 %

MMC opened at $235.40 on Monday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $196.17 and a one year high of $241.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $115.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.95. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $222.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $223.35.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.12. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.60% and a net margin of 16.60%. Analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th were paid a dividend of $0.815 per share. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.38%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 30th. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Raymond James reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $250.00 price objective (up previously from $240.00) on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Royal Bank of Canada raised Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and increased their price target for the company from $242.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Evercore ISI reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $242.00 price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $236.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $230.44.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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.