Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 184,800 shares, an increase of 19.4% from the January 15th total of 154,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 60,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.0 days. Approximately 1.5% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Markel Group Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE:MKL traded down $27.90 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $1,869.04. 66,854 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 74,189. The firm has a market cap of $24.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.39 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.60. Markel Group has a 52-week low of $1,417.65 and a 52-week high of $2,063.68. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $1,780.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1,662.06.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $20.66 by ($0.15). Markel Group had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 7.55%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Markel Group will post 97.92 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. TD Cowen downgraded Markel Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $1,986.00 to $1,836.00 in a report on Monday, December 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Markel Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $1,685.17.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner acquired 100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 7th. The shares were bought 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 directly owns 48,945 shares in the company, valued at $98,282,049.45. This trade represents a 0.20 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.71% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Markel Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Private Trust Co. NA increased its holdings in Markel Group by 23.1% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 32 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC increased its holdings in Markel Group by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC now owns 145 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $250,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares during the last quarter. Gold Investment Management Ltd. increased its holdings in Markel Group by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Gold Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,219 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,912,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. increased its holdings in Markel Group by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 428 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $739,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greenleaf Trust increased its holdings in Markel Group by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 213 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $368,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares during the last quarter. 77.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Markel Group Company 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.