Stock of the Day

August 23, 2019

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG)

$254.36
-$1.57 (-0.6%)
Market Cap: $65.75B

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations. The Risk Management segment provides contract claim settlement and administration services. The Corporate segment manages clean energy and other investments. The company was founded by Arthur J. Gallagher in 1927 and is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, IL.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Bull Case

Here are some ways that investors could benefit from investing in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.:

  • The company has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with a recent quarterly revenue increase of 29.0% compared to the same quarter last year, indicating robust business performance.
  • Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. reported a net margin of 10.76%, which suggests effective cost management and profitability, making it an attractive option for investors seeking stable returns.
  • The current stock price is around $206, which may present a favorable entry point for new investors looking to capitalize on potential future growth.
  • With a return on equity of 12.83%, the company is effectively generating profits from its shareholders' investments, which is a positive indicator for potential investors.
  • The firm has a consistent dividend payout, recently declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share, which translates to an annualized yield of 1.1%, appealing to income-focused investors.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Bear Case

Investors should be bearish about investing in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. for these reasons:

  • The company’s recent revenue of $4.71 billion fell slightly short of analyst estimates, which could raise concerns about its ability to meet future growth expectations.
  • Insider selling activity has been noted, with a chief accounting officer recently selling 3,000 shares, which may signal a lack of confidence in the stock's short-term performance.
  • Despite strong growth, the stock has a relatively low dividend yield of 1.1%, which may not be attractive enough for investors seeking higher income from their investments.
  • Institutional ownership is high at 85.53%, which could lead to volatility if large investors decide to sell their positions, impacting stock price stability.
  • The stock has a 1-year high of $316.89, indicating that it may be trading at a premium compared to its historical performance, which could deter value investors.

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