Sterling Capital Management LLC Decreases Stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Sterling Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) by 23.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 212,469 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 65,161 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $36,853,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of MRSH. Procyon Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 2,279 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $423,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 1,758 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $326,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Lindenwold Advisors INC grew its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Lindenwold Advisors INC now owns 14,994 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,022,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,673 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $306,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Heartland Consultants Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. now owns 1,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $202,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Trading Up 4.1%

NYSE MRSH opened at $168.83 on Friday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $156.60 and a fifty-two week high of $219.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market cap of $81.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.62.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 16th. The financial services provider reported $3.29 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.21 by $0.08. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.87% and a net margin of 14.26%.The firm had revenue of $7.30 billion for the quarter. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total transaction of $2,693,441.76. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 116,811 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. This trade represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 0.38% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MRSH has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, April 17th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $178.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Citigroup upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $200.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 6th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $199.00 to $193.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 13th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $230.00 to $203.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $200.19.

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.