Townsquare Capital LLC Reduces Stock Holdings in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Townsquare Capital LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) by 68.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 958 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 2,113 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC's holdings in Markel Group were worth $1,653,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Markel Group in the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Markel Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $41,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in shares of Markel Group by 23.1% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 32 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.12% of the company's stock.

Markel Group Stock Up 4.1 %

Shares of MKL traded up $70.44 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $1,789.04. The company had a trading volume of 61,578 shares, compared to its average volume of 49,074. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.99 and a beta of 0.70. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $1,829.95 and a 200-day moving average price of $1,754.99. Markel Group Inc. has a 52-week low of $1,433.06 and a 52-week high of $2,063.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.60.

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%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Markel Group

In related news, Director Steven A. Markel sold 800 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,856.80, for a total value of $1,485,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 64,868 shares in the company, valued at approximately $120,446,902.40. This trade represents a 1.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, 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, with a total value of $200,801.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 48,945 shares in the company, valued at $98,282,049.45. The trade was a 0.20 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 2,034 shares of company stock valued at $3,778,952. 1.66% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MKL has been the subject of several recent 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 lifted 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 research report on Friday, February 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Markel Group has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target 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.