Zacks_Analysts' Blog : Marsh & McLennan Unit Eyes Censeo - Analyst Blog

On Monday, Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.’s (MMC) subsidiary Mercer announced a deal for the acquisition of Censeo Corporation. The purchase deal is expected to be culminated by the end of October 2011. The financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Censeo is a well-known human resource consultancy company, which provides a variety of web-based products and services for selection, assessment and development of human resource. Among the company’s main services is the 360 degree feedback, also known as multi-rater feedback, which provides performance feedback to employees from various sources such as supervisors, peers and customers.

The company also conducts employee surveys and knowledge testing, which help employers in understanding the knowledge and skills of existing and prospective employees as well as the efficiency of existing employees and their areas of improvement.

Additionally, Censeo has developed an online platform known as TalentSIM Leadership Simulation Assessment, which uses job simulation for assessing leadership, effectiveness and various other skills of employees. The company evaluates employees using the above-mentioned methods, which form the basis for providing consultancy services for hiring, developing and retaining talent.

Apart from the assortment of products and services, the company’s strength lies in the affordability and flexibility of its web-based platform. We believe the acquisition will enhance the services of Mercer and add to its competitive strength.

Mercer is one of the leading human resource service providers in the world. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MMC, which competes with companies such as Accenture Plc. (ACN) and Aon Corporation (AON).

Currently, MMC caries a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a Hold rating for the short term. On Tuesday, the shares of the company closed at $27.37, up 0.4%, on the New York Stock Exchange.