Franklin Resources Inc. Invests $288.37 Million in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. $MRSH

Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MRSH) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 1,554,402 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $288,373,000. Franklin Resources Inc. owned about 0.32% of Marsh & McLennan Companies at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Capital International Investors bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $3,482,557,000. Capital World Investors bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $3,140,284,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $1,555,869,000. Capital Research Global Investors bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $1,481,896,000. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $941,815,000. Institutional investors own 87.99% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Marsh & McLennan Companies

In other news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 16,656 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.71, for a total value of $2,693,441.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 116,811 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,889,506.81. This trade represents a 12.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the company’s stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance

Shares of MRSH opened at $165.52 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $79.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.69, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $156.60 and a twelve month high of $222.57.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MRSH) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 16th. The financial services provider reported $3.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $7.30 billion during the quarter. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 10.38 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Monday, May 11th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $181.00 to $174.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 14th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $203.00 to $178.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $199.00 to $193.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $230.00 to $203.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $200.19.

Marsh & McLennan Companies 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.