Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) Stock Price

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) had its price objective reduced by research analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $206.00 to $200.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “market perform” rating on the financial services provider’s stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods’ price target would suggest a potential upside of 15.55% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $242.00 to $226.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $199.00 to $203.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $201.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their target price on Marsh & McLennan Companies from $208.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $211.38.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Down 1.0%

MRSH stock traded down $1.74 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $173.08. 692,958 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,097,428. The business has a 50-day moving average of $175.26. Marsh & McLennan Companies has a 1-year low of $164.89 and a 1-year high of $239.34. The stock has a market cap of $83.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.15. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 31.60% and a net margin of 15.42%.The firm had revenue of $6.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.52 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.87 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Marsh & McLennan Companies will post 9.61 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In related news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,655 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.30, for a total transaction of $3,052,861.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $21,411,456.30. The trade was a 12.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marsh & McLennan Companies

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. SHP Wealth Management bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. 87.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.