Analysts Set Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) PT at $1,450.00

Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) has received an average rating of "Reduce" from the five ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a hold rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $1,450.00.

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and issued a $1,475.00 price objective on shares of Markel Group in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Janney Montgomery Scott restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $1,600.00 price objective on shares of Markel Group in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and cut their target price for the company from $1,680.00 to $1,500.00 in a report on Monday, February 5th.

Markel Group Stock Performance

NYSE:MKL traded down $17.12 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $1,491.20. 41,292 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 49,572. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.62 and a quick ratio of 0.62. Markel Group has a 52-week low of $1,272.43 and a 52-week high of $1,560.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.15 and a beta of 0.70. The company's 50 day moving average price is $1,481.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,447.31.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The insurance provider reported $56.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $23.58 by $32.90. Markel Group had a net margin of 12.63% and a return on equity of 11.22%. The firm had revenue of $3.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.75 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that Markel Group will post 82.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Markel Group news, Director A. Lynne Puckett bought 72 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $1,409.28 per share, for a total transaction of $101,468.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 960 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,352,908.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director A. Lynne Puckett acquired 72 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $1,409.28 per share, for a total transaction of $101,468.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 960 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,352,908.80. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner bought 100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $1,414.74 per share, for a total transaction of $141,474.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 45,039 shares of the company's stock, valued at $63,718,474.86. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.75% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Markel Group

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MKL. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp grew its stake in Markel Group by 30.1% during the 1st quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 679 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,033,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 90.0% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 38 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of Markel Group by 36.3% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 214 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $326,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Markel Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $60,937,000. Finally, HighPoint Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in Markel Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $233,000. 77.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.