Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC) reported fourth-quarter 2017 operating earnings per share of $1.05, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.5%. Earnings improved 18% year over year on higher revenues.
For 2017, adjusted earnings came in at $3.92 per share. The figure not only surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.82 by 3% but also rose 15% from 2016.
For the quarter, Marsh & McLennan’s consolidated revenues were $3.7 million, up 10% (4% on an underlying basis) year over year. Revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3%.
For 2017, the company reported consolidated revenues of $14 billion that rose 6% (3% on an underlying basis) from 2016.
Total operating expenses of $3 billion were up 10% year over year.
The effective tax rate in the fourth quarter was 95.5% compared with 24.9% in the prior-year quarter.
Quarterly Segment Results
Risk and Insurance Services
Revenues at the Risk and Insurance Services segment were $2 billion, up 9% (3% on an underlying basis) year over year. Adjusted operating income also grew 12% to $473 million from the prior-year quarter.
A unit within this segment, Marsh, reported revenues of $1.7 million, up 9% (3% on an underlying basis) year over year. In U.S./Canada, underlying revenues rose 4%. Underlying revenue growth from international operations was 1%, reflecting underlying growth of 5% in Asia Pacific, and 9% in Latin America. This was partially offset by a decline of 3% in EMEA.
Another unit under this segment — Guy Carpenter — displayed revenue growth of 7% year over year on an underlying basis to $239 million.
Consulting
The Consulting segment's revenues increased 10% (6% on an underlying basis) year over year to $1.7 billion. Additionally, adjusted operating income increased 10% year over year to $330 million.
A unit within this segment — Mercer — reported revenues of $1.2 billion, up 9% (4% on an underlying basis) year over year.
Another unit, Oliver Wyman Group, reported revenues of $546 million, up 9% year over year on an underlying basis.
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Financial Update
Marsh & McLennan exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.2 billion, up 17% from 2016 end.
As of Dec 31, 2017, Marsh & McLennan’s total assets were $20.4 billion, up 12.1% from year-end 2016.
Total equity was $7.4 billion, up 18.6% from year-end 2016.
Capital Deployment
The company repurchased 3.6 million shares of its common stock for $300 million in the fourth quarter.
For 2017, the company bought back 11.5 million shares for $900 million.
Zacks Rank
Marsh & McLennan carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Companies in the Finance Sector
Among other players from the insurance industry that have reported fourth-quarter earnings till now, the bottom line of Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO) , MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE:MTG) and The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.
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Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO): Free Stock Analysis Report
MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG): Free Stock Analysis Report
Progressive Corporation (The) (PGR): Free Stock Analysis Report
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