Independent Advisor Alliance Makes New Investment in Markel Group Inc. $MKL

Key Points

• Independent Advisor Alliance has acquired a new stake in Markel Group Inc., purchasing 153 shares worth approximately $287,000 during the first quarter.
• Markel Group reported a 24.3% increase in quarterly revenue compared to the previous year, with a net income of $25.46 EPS beating analyst expectations.
• Analysts have upgraded Markel Group's rating from hold to buy, with an average target price of $1,820.33.

Independent Advisor Alliance bought a new position in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 153 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $287,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in Markel Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in Markel Group by 183.3% during the 1st quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 17 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the period. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Markel Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its position in Markel Group by 300.0% during the 1st quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 20 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the period. Finally, McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its position in Markel Group by 866.7% during the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 29 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.12% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Markel Group

In related news, Director Greta J. Harris sold 90 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,861.44, for a total value of $167,529.60. Following the sale, the director owned 632 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,176,430.08. This represents a 12.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.66% of the company's stock.

Markel Group Price Performance

Shares of MKL traded up $31.6630 on Tuesday, reaching $1,954.0230. The stock had a trading volume of 42,127 shares, compared to its average volume of 57,201. Markel Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $1,494.00 and a twelve month high of $2,075.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1,972.96 and a 200 day moving average of $1,899.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.72 billion, a PE ratio of 11.72 and a beta of 0.82.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Markel Group 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.