Check Capital Management Inc. CA Boosts Stock Holdings in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Check Capital Management Inc. CA raised its stake in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) by 5.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 76,064 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after buying an additional 3,683 shares during the period. Markel Group accounts for approximately 4.0% of Check Capital Management Inc. CA’s portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Check Capital Management Inc. CA owned 0.58% of Markel Group worth $108,003,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MKL. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Markel Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $18,145,000. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. grew its holdings in Markel Group by 7.1% during the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 17,656 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $25,070,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167 shares during the period. Chicago Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Markel Group during the 4th quarter worth $3,313,000. Scharf Investments LLC grew its holdings in Markel Group by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Scharf Investments LLC now owns 126,920 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $180,214,000 after acquiring an additional 4,933 shares during the period. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec acquired a new stake in Markel Group during the 3rd quarter worth $1,313,000. 77.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Markel Group Stock Up 1.3 %

NYSE MKL traded up $19.12 on Friday, reaching $1,455.25. The company had a trading volume of 42,653 shares, compared to its average volume of 49,148. The company’s fifty day moving average is $1,482.91 and its 200-day moving average is $1,444.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.62. Markel Group Inc. has a 1-year low of $1,272.43 and a 1-year high of $1,560.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.87 and a beta of 0.70.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The insurance provider reported $56.48 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $23.58 by $32.90. Markel Group had a net margin of 12.63% and a return on equity of 11.22%. The firm had revenue of $3.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.75 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that Markel Group Inc. will post 80.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MKL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Janney Montgomery Scott reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $1,600.00 target price on shares of Markel Group in a report on Friday, March 15th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Markel Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and decreased their price target for the company from $1,680.00 to $1,500.00 in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and issued a $1,475.00 price target on shares of Markel Group in a report on Friday, February 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Markel Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $1,450.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director A. Lynne Puckett bought 72 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $1,409.28 per share, with a total value of $101,468.16. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 960 shares in the company, valued at $1,352,908.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Markel Group news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner bought 100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $1,414.74 per share, for a total transaction of $141,474.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 45,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,718,474.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director A. Lynne Puckett purchased 72 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $1,409.28 per share, for a total transaction of $101,468.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,352,908.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 1.71% of the company’s stock.

Markel Group Company Profile

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.