AQR Capital Management LLC Sells 2,846 Shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

AQR Capital Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) by 9.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 28,133 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 2,846 shares during the quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC owned about 0.22% of Markel Group worth $48,564,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MKL. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 14.1% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 94,383 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $162,927,000 after purchasing an additional 11,654 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its stake in shares of Markel Group by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 1,586 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $2,738,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Markel Group by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 2,105 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $3,634,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. Cheviot Value Management LLC lifted its position in Markel Group by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Cheviot Value Management LLC now owns 6,816 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $11,766,000 after purchasing an additional 387 shares during the period. Finally, Snyder Capital Management L P boosted its stake in Markel Group by 15.6% during the 4th quarter. Snyder Capital Management L P now owns 10,873 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $18,769,000 after purchasing an additional 1,470 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.12% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Steven A. Markel sold 800 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,856.80, for a total value of $1,485,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 64,868 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $120,446,902.40. This trade represents a 1.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner acquired 100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 7th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $2,008.01 per share, for a total transaction of $200,801.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 48,945 shares in the company, 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. Insiders sold a total of 2,034 shares of company stock worth $3,778,952 over the last ninety days. 1.66% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MKL has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com lowered Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of 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 research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $1,727.75.

Markel Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MKL traded up $7.50 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $1,881.93. The company had a trading volume of 14,515 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,921. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $1,822.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,773.33. The stock has a market cap of $23.87 billion, a PE ratio of 9.44 and a beta of 0.84. 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 1-year low of $1,491.03 and a 1-year high of $2,063.68.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last released 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 net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 7.55%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current year.

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.