Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd Buys 49 Shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) by 4.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,040 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd’s holdings in Markel Group were worth $1,477,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ritholtz Wealth Management bought a new position in Markel Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $343,000. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its position in Markel Group by 1,685.1% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 1,678 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $2,471,000 after purchasing an additional 1,584 shares during the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its position in Markel Group by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 2,368 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $3,486,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares during the last quarter. Goldstein Advisors LLC bought a new position in Markel Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $200,000. Finally, Oak Thistle LLC bought a new position in Markel Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,231,000. 77.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Markel Group Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:MKL opened at $1,463.11 on Thursday. Markel Group Inc. has a 52-week low of $1,272.43 and a 52-week high of $1,560.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.96 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $1,484.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $1,444.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.62.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) last posted 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 return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 12.63%. The company had revenue of $3.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.75 billion. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Markel Group Inc. will post 80.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Markel Group

In related news, Director A. Lynne Puckett acquired 72 shares of Markel Group 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 transaction, the director now directly 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 is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Markel Group news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner bought 100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $1,414.74 per share, for a total transaction of $141,474.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 45,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $63,718,474.86. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director A. Lynne Puckett bought 72 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $1,409.28 per share, for a total transaction of $101,468.16. Following the completion of the purchase, 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. 1.71% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on MKL shares. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and set a $1,475.00 price target on shares of Markel Group in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Janney Montgomery Scott reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $1,600.00 target price on shares of Markel Group in a research report on Friday, March 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered 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. One equities research 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, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $1,450.00.

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.