Strs Ohio Reduces Holdings in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Strs Ohio decreased its position in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) by 93.2% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,822 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 24,962 shares during the quarter. Strs Ohio’s holdings in Markel Group were worth $2,587,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MKL. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group during the first quarter worth about $148,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Markel Group by 11.9% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 628 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $926,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Markel Group during the first quarter worth about $549,000. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in shares of Markel Group by 2.7% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 11,913 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $17,575,000 after buying an additional 308 shares during the period. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Markel Group by 4.7% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 332 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $490,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.12% of the company’s stock.

Markel Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MKL opened at $1,455.25 on Friday. 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 $18.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.90 and a beta of 0.70. Markel Group Inc. has a 52 week low of $1,272.43 and a 52 week high of $1,560.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $1,483.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $1,444.79.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The insurance provider reported $56.48 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $23.58 by $32.90. The firm had revenue of $3.71 billion during 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 predict that Markel Group Inc. will post 80.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner purchased 100 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was bought at an average cost 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 in the company, valued at $63,718,474.86. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner purchased 100 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The stock was bought at an average cost 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 in the company, valued at $63,718,474.86. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director A. Lynne Puckett purchased 72 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $1,409.28 per share, with a total value of $101,468.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 960 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,352,908.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 1.71% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MKL has been the subject of several recent research reports. Janney Montgomery Scott reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $1,600.00 target price on shares of Markel Group in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of 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 note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $1,475.00 target price on shares of Markel Group in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Markel Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target 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.