Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) Reaches New 12-Month Low - Should You Sell?

Shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $1,770.37 and last traded at $1,814.50, with a volume of 66090 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $1,819.93.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on MKL. StockNews.com downgraded 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 company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $1,702.20.

Markel Group Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $23.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.43 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $1,823.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,769.46.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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, analysts forecast that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Markel Group

In related news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner purchased 100 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 7th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $2,008.01 per share, for a total transaction of $200,801.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 48,945 shares of the company's stock, valued at $98,282,049.45. The trade was a 0.20 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Steven A. Markel sold 88 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,860.03, for a total value of $163,682.64. Following the sale, the director now owns 63,436 shares of the company's stock, valued at $117,992,863.08. This trade represents a 0.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 2,034 shares of company stock valued at $3,778,952. 1.66% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Markel Group

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MKL. Tributary Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Markel Group by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC now owns 842 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,574,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Burns Matteson Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Markel Group during the first quarter worth $451,000. Allen Capital Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. Allen Capital Group LLC now owns 192 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $359,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its stake in Markel Group by 104.8% during the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 43 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $80,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Finally, West Family Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in Markel Group in the first quarter worth about $208,000. 77.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.