Focus Partners Wealth Cuts Holdings in Markel Group Inc. $MKL

Key Points

• Focus Partners Wealth has reduced its stake in Markel Group Inc. by 2.5%, selling 203 shares during the first quarter, leaving it with approximately 7,880 shares valued at $14.73 million.
• Other institutional investors also adjusted their positions, with notable increases from Cary Street Partners and ST Germain D J Co. Inc., reflecting a growing interest in Markel Group stock.
• Markel Group received an upgrade to a "buy" rating from Argus, contrasting with a consensus rating of "hold" and a target price of $1,820.33.

Focus Partners Wealth lowered its holdings in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) by 2.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,880 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 203 shares during the quarter. Focus Partners Wealth owned about 0.06% of Markel Group worth $14,732,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in Markel Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of Markel Group by 183.3% during the first quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 17 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. grew its holdings in Markel Group by 300.0% during the first quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 20 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its stake in Markel Group by 866.7% during the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 29 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 26 shares in the last quarter. 77.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Markel Group Price Performance

NYSE:MKL traded up $18.95 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $1,946.79. The stock had a trading volume of 8,593 shares, compared to its average volume of 54,824. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $1,963.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1,906.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.68 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.59. Markel Group Inc. has a one year low of $1,521.25 and a one year high of $2,075.92.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The insurance provider reported $25.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $24.74 by $0.72. The firm had revenue of $4.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.96 billion. Markel Group had a net margin of 13.39% and a return on equity of 7.18%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 24.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $18.62 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Argus upgraded shares of Markel Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $1,820.33.

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.