Article: Marsh in the market for another big buy? Analysts say $2B deal possible, differ on targets.(News)

Byline: SALLY ROBERTS

NEW YORK-While Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. may be shopping the brokerage marketplace with $2 billion to spend, analysts' opinions vary about what the New York-based firm may buy.

MMC said late last month that it planned to issue up to $500 million in stock to fund future acquisitions. That sum and the roughly $1.5 billion in cash on its balance sheet make a deal in the $2 billion range possible, analysts say.

While some analysts look favorably on a large deal-especially one that fills out MMC's soon-to-be-launched small-account agency initiative-others say smaller, more strategic deals make better sense.

"We have ...

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