Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MMC is Nippon Life Insurance Co.’s 4th Largest Position

Nippon Life Insurance Co. decreased its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 50.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,311,350 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 1,311,350 shares during the period. Marsh & McLennan Companies comprises approximately 4.4% of Nippon Life Insurance Co.’s holdings, making the stock its 4th largest holding. Nippon Life Insurance Co. owned approximately 0.27% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $264,276,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $1,328,587,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 48,212.9% in the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,629,187 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $574,845,000 after purchasing an additional 2,623,745 shares in the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at $560,820,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 212.6% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,285,194 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $499,635,000 after buying an additional 1,554,114 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi grew its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 89.2% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 2,892,576 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $615,309,000 after buying an additional 1,363,706 shares in the last quarter. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $242.00 to $226.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Mizuho assumed coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $212.00 target price for the company. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald cut their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $226.00 to $208.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $218.82.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 1.7%

Marsh & McLennan Companies stock opened at $182.39 on Friday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $174.18 and a 52 week high of $248.00. The firm has a market cap of $89.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.76. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $183.96 and its 200 day moving average price is $193.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 29th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 29th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s dividend payout ratio is 43.17%.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

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.