Lafayette Investments Inc. Lowers Holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC)

Lafayette Investments Inc. reduced its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) by 0.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,788 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 135 shares during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies accounts for about 1.0% of Lafayette Investments Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Lafayette Investments Inc.’s holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $4,829,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of MMC. City Holding Co. bought a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $37,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, First Pacific Financial grew its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 133.8% in the 1st quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 187 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. 87.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, SVP Paul Beswick sold 2,237 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total value of $550,302.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 13,522 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,326,412. The trade was a 14.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Dean Michael Klisura sold 9,569 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $245.00, for a total value of $2,344,405.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,935 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,129,075. The trade was a 31.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

NYSE:MMC opened at $216.01 on Friday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $224.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $224.60. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $207.21 and a 52 week high of $248.00. The stock has a market cap of $106.44 billion, a PE ratio of 26.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.04. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 32.19% and a net margin of 16.13%. The company had revenue of $6.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.89 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MMC shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $237.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, April 11th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $259.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $281.00 price target on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $220.00 to $215.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $223.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $241.93.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

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.