We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Marsh & McLennan Announces New Share Repurchase Plan
Read MoreHide Full Article
The Board of Directors of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC - Free Report) recently authorized an increase in the company’s share repurchase program. Management can now repurchase up to $2.5 billion of the company’s common stock.
The company focuses on retaining investor confidence on the stock. Hence, enhancing shareholders’ value through effective capital deployment is an important strategy of Marsh & McLennan.
The company deployed $3.2 billion in 2015 for share buybacks, dividend payments and acquisitions. This is 39% higher than $2.3 billion spent in 2014 and 92% higher than $1.2 billion deployed in 2013. The company has been reducing its outstanding share count over the last ten consecutive quarters in order to boost the bottom line.
During the first nine months of 2016, Marsh & McLennan spent a total of $625 million to buy back 10 million of its common stocks. The third quarter of 2016 was the 18th consecutive quarter of share repurchases by the company.
We note that dividend payment is another major capital deployment strategy of Marsh & McLennan. The company started paying dividends since 2006 and has been raising its dividend by a comfortable percentage every year. In fact, the latest 9.7% hike in dividends marks 2016 as the 10th consecutive year of dividend increases by the company.
By the end of 2016, Marsh & McLennan expects to deploy nearly $2.3 billion of capital through dividends, share repurchases and acquisitions. It also plans to deliver on its annual capital return commitment to reduce share count and increase dividend per share by double digits.
Investors can also look at better-ranked stocks from the insurance space like Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. , Lincoln National Corp. (LNC - Free Report) and Universal American Corp . While Health Insurance Innovations sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), the other two carry Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Health Insurance Innovations delivered positive earnings surprise over last four quarters with an average substantial beta of 270.84%
On the other hand, Universal American delivered negative surprise in two of the last four quarters with an average miss of 231.25%.
Similar to Universal American, Lincoln National also delivered negative surprise in two of the last four quarters with an average miss of 0.81%.
The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search
Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >>
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
Marsh & McLennan Announces New Share Repurchase Plan
The Board of Directors of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC - Free Report) recently authorized an increase in the company’s share repurchase program. Management can now repurchase up to $2.5 billion of the company’s common stock.
The company focuses on retaining investor confidence on the stock. Hence, enhancing shareholders’ value through effective capital deployment is an important strategy of Marsh & McLennan.
The company deployed $3.2 billion in 2015 for share buybacks, dividend payments and acquisitions. This is 39% higher than $2.3 billion spent in 2014 and 92% higher than $1.2 billion deployed in 2013. The company has been reducing its outstanding share count over the last ten consecutive quarters in order to boost the bottom line.
During the first nine months of 2016, Marsh & McLennan spent a total of $625 million to buy back 10 million of its common stocks. The third quarter of 2016 was the 18th consecutive quarter of share repurchases by the company.
We note that dividend payment is another major capital deployment strategy of Marsh & McLennan. The company started paying dividends since 2006 and has been raising its dividend by a comfortable percentage every year. In fact, the latest 9.7% hike in dividends marks 2016 as the 10th consecutive year of dividend increases by the company.
By the end of 2016, Marsh & McLennan expects to deploy nearly $2.3 billion of capital through dividends, share repurchases and acquisitions. It also plans to deliver on its annual capital return commitment to reduce share count and increase dividend per share by double digits.
MARSH &MCLENNAN Price
MARSH &MCLENNAN Price | MARSH &MCLENNAN Quote
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
Marsh & McLennan presently carries Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors can also look at better-ranked stocks from the insurance space like Health Insurance Innovations, Inc. , Lincoln National Corp. (LNC - Free Report) and Universal American Corp . While Health Insurance Innovations sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), the other two carry Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Health Insurance Innovations delivered positive earnings surprise over last four quarters with an average substantial beta of 270.84%
On the other hand, Universal American delivered negative surprise in two of the last four quarters with an average miss of 231.25%.
Similar to Universal American, Lincoln National also delivered negative surprise in two of the last four quarters with an average miss of 0.81%.
The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search
Today, you are invited to download the full list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >>