Dark Forest Capital Management LP Invests $863,000 in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 500 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $863,000.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of MKL. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Markel Group during the 4th quarter worth about $254,795,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Markel Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $169,852,000. Davis Selected Advisers raised its holdings in Markel Group by 27.9% in the fourth quarter. Davis Selected Advisers now owns 370,522 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $639,606,000 after acquiring an additional 80,922 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Markel Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $98,743,000. Finally, Boston Partners grew its holdings in Markel Group by 17.6% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 281,820 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $486,580,000 after acquiring an additional 42,178 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.12% of the company's stock.

Markel Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MKL traded down $2.56 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $1,810.72. The stock had a trading volume of 6,993 shares, compared to its average volume of 49,161. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1,825.14 and a 200-day moving average of $1,763.40. The firm has a market cap of $23.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.08 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Markel Group Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $1,436.00 and a fifty-two week high of $2,063.68.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $20.66 by ($0.15). Markel Group had a return on equity of 7.55% and a net margin of 16.34%. Equities research analysts predict that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Markel Group

In other news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner purchased 100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 48,945 shares in the company, valued at $98,282,049.45. The trade was a 0.20 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Steven A. Markel sold 800 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,856.80, for a total transaction of $1,485,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 64,868 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $120,446,902.40. The trade was a 1.22 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 2,034 shares of company stock worth $3,778,952 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.66% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MKL has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com cut Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Markel Group currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $1,702.20.

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.