International Assets Investment Management LLC Acquires Shares of 12,779 Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 12,779 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $18,145,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC owned about 0.10% of Markel Group as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MKL. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 17,656 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $25,070,000 after buying an additional 1,167 shares during the last quarter. Chicago Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Markel Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,313,000. Scharf Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Markel Group by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Scharf Investments LLC now owns 126,920 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $180,214,000 after purchasing an additional 4,933 shares during the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec bought a new stake in shares of Markel Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,313,000. Finally, First National Advisers LLC lifted its stake in Markel Group by 347.8% in the third quarter. First National Advisers LLC now owns 900 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,325,000 after purchasing an additional 699 shares during the last quarter. 77.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Markel Group Price Performance

MKL traded down $11.31 during trading on Friday, reaching $1,432.54. 60,484 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 49,919. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a market cap of $18.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.73 and a beta of 0.70. Markel Group Inc. has a 12-month low of $1,272.43 and a 12-month high of $1,560.00. The company's 50-day moving average is $1,481.74 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,447.33.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The insurance provider reported $56.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $23.58 by $32.90. The firm had revenue of $3.71 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.75 billion. Markel Group had a net margin of 12.63% and a return on equity of 11.22%. Research analysts forecast that Markel Group Inc. will post 80.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Markel Group news, Director A. Lynne Puckett acquired 72 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $1,409.28 per share, with a total value of $101,468.16. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 960 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,352,908.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director A. Lynne Puckett acquired 72 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $1,352,908.80. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner bought 100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $1,414.74 per share, with a total value of $141,474.00. Following the completion of 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. Corporate insiders own 1.75% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have issued reports on MKL shares. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $1,680.00 to $1,500.00 in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Janney Montgomery Scott restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $1,600.00 price objective on shares of Markel Group in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and set a $1,475.00 price objective on shares of Markel Group in a report on Friday, February 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $1,450.00.

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.