Citigroup Downgrades Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) to Neutral

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) was downgraded by Citigroup from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report released on Wednesday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have a $200.00 target price on the financial services provider’s stock. Citigroup’s target price points to a potential upside of 10.28% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $178.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 9th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $212.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $210.00 to $218.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $209.00 to $206.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $200.81.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 0.4%

MRSH opened at $181.35 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $87.61 billion, a PE ratio of 22.67, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a twelve month low of $156.60 and a twelve month high of $213.80.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.96 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $7.28 billion for the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 14.26% and a return on equity of 31.87%. Equities analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies will post 10.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the company’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 transaction, the chief executive officer owned 116,811 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $18,889,506.81. This represents a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.38% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SHP Wealth Management bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. 87.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Marsh & McLennan Companies

Here are the key news stories impacting Marsh & McLennan Companies this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Marsh & McLennan reported Q2 earnings of $2.96 per share, beating estimates, while revenue of $7.28 billion also topped expectations. The company cited strength in its consulting unit and risk & insurance services, which suggests core demand remains healthy. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Management’s earnings call highlighted stabilizing growth trends and ongoing business resilience, which can reassure investors that performance is holding up despite a tougher operating environment. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: William Blair kept its Hold rating on MRSH, saying the quarter was solid and growth is stabilizing, but that the stock’s valuation limits further upside from here. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The main concern for investors is that higher operating expenses and valuation sensitivity could cap near-term gains, even with the earnings beat. Article Title

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.