Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) to Issue Quarterly Dividend of $0.90

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 29th will be given a dividend of 0.90 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, February 13th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 29th.

Marsh & McLennan Companies has raised its dividend by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 15 consecutive years. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a payout ratio of 34.7% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Marsh & McLennan Companies to earn $10.48 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.60 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 34.4%.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

MMC opened at $182.39 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $183.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $195.61. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a 1 year low of $174.18 and a 1 year high of $248.00. The stock has a market cap of $89.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.07. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 15.60% and a return on equity of 31.79%. The company had revenue of $6.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.34 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.63 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Marsh & McLennan Companies will post 9.61 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on MMC shares. UBS Group cut their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $212.00 to $199.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $206.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Friday, October 31st. 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $218.82.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

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.