Conning Inc. Has $4.45 Million Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Conning Inc. increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 1.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 20,947 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 369 shares during the quarter. Conning Inc.’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $4,449,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. boosted its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 85.7% during the 3rd quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 130 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Albion Financial Group UT acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 3rd quarter worth $41,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MMC has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $236.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $217.00 to $228.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $220.00 price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, October 18th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upgraded Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and raised their price objective for the company 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 assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $230.44.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

NYSE MMC opened at $227.45 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $111.71 billion, a PE ratio of 27.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.13. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $194.50 and a 52-week high of $235.50. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $216.93 and a 200 day simple moving average of $221.52.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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%. On average, research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.45 EPS for the current year.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a $0.815 dividend. This represents a $3.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. Marsh & McLennan Companies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 39.80%.

About Marsh & McLennan Companies

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.