Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio Invests $30.93 Million in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 185,571 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $30,929,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. SHP Wealth Management bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.99% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Up 1.5%

NYSE MRSH opened at $192.90 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $92.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 0.59. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $156.60 and a twelve month high of $207.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $182.75.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.89 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $7.28 billion during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.67% and a net margin of 14.24%.The company’s revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.99 per share. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 23rd. This is a positive change from Marsh & McLennan Companies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s payout ratio is presently 48.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, Director Lloyd M. Yates sold 12,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.65, for a total transaction of $2,107,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 12,001 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,107,975.65. This trade represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total transaction of $2,693,441.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 36,469 shares of company stock valued at $6,291,345. Insiders own 0.38% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $216.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $190.00 to $182.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $203.50.

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.