Barclays PLC Reduces Position in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Barclays PLC decreased its holdings in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) by 38.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,496 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 7,299 shares during the quarter. Barclays PLC owned about 0.09% of Markel Group worth $19,844,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKL. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Markel Group in the 4th quarter worth $36,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $37,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Markel Group in the fourth quarter worth about $41,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Markel Group in the third quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in Markel Group by 23.1% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 32 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.12% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner bought 100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 7th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $2,008.01 per share, for a total transaction of $200,801.00. Following the purchase, 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 ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Steven A. Markel sold 1,146 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,858.49, for a total value of $2,129,829.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 63,722 shares in the company, valued at approximately $118,426,699.78. This trade represents a 1.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 2,034 shares of company stock worth $3,778,952 in the last three months. Insiders own 1.66% of the company's stock.

Markel Group Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:MKL traded down $7.79 on Friday, hitting $1,800.62. 20,379 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 64,884. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $1,827.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1,757.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a market cap of $22.89 billion, a PE ratio of 9.05 and a beta of 0.70. Markel Group Inc. has a 52 week low of $1,433.06 and a 52 week high of $2,063.68.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MKL has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com lowered Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $1,702.20.

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.