Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Reduce” from Analysts

Shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) have received an average rating of “Reduce” from the five brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and four have issued a hold recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $1,702.20.

A number of research firms have commented on MKL. TD Cowen lowered shares of Markel Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $1,986.00 to $1,836.00 in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Markel Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th.

Markel Group Stock Up 1.8 %

NYSE MKL opened at $1,870.21 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $23.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.40 and a beta of 0.82. Markel Group has a 12 month low of $1,417.65 and a 12 month high of $2,063.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $1,856.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1,721.35.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $20.66 by ($0.15). Markel Group had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 7.55%. Equities research analysts expect that Markel Group will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Markel Group

In related news, Director Steven A. Markel sold 88 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,860.03, for a total value of $163,682.64. Following the transaction, the director now owns 63,436 shares in the company, valued at approximately $117,992,863.08. This represents a 0.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner acquired 100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $2,008.01 per share, for a total transaction of $200,801.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 48,945 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $98,282,049.45. This represents a 0.20 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 2,034 shares of company stock valued at $3,778,952. Corporate insiders own 1.71% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MKL. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Markel Group in the third quarter worth $31,000. Larson Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Markel Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Markel Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new position in shares of Markel Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Markel Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.12% of the company’s stock.

About Markel Group

Markel Group Inc, a diverse holding company, engages in marketing and underwriting specialty insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The company offers general and professional liability, personal lines, marine and energy, specialty programs, and workers' compensation insurance products; and property coverages that include fire, allied lines, and other specialized property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property risks, such as earthquake and wind.