Empirical Finance LLC Decreases Position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Empirical Finance LLC reduced its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 1.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,876 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 226 shares during the quarter. Empirical Finance LLC’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $3,585,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 85.7% in the 3rd quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 130 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Albion Financial Group UT bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

Shares of MMC stock opened at $227.45 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $111.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.77, a PEG ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $194.50 and a 12 month high of $235.50. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $216.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $221.58.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.87 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.12. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 16.60% and a return on equity of 32.60%. Sell-side analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a dividend of $0.815 per share. This represents a $3.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s payout ratio is 39.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Evercore ISI restated an “outperform” rating and set a $242.00 target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Roth Mkm lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. Barclays raised their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $236.00 to $246.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $242.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $230.44.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

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.