Brokerages Set Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) Price Target at $1,626.83

Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) has earned an average rating of “Reduce” from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and five have given a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $1,626.83.

A number of equities analysts have commented on MKL shares. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Markel Group from $1,590.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Markel Group from $1,700.00 to $1,675.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 1st. StockNews.com raised shares of Markel Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 30th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered Markel Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $1,986.00 to $1,836.00 in a report on Monday, December 2nd.

Markel Group Stock Performance

NYSE MKL opened at $1,661.93 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Markel Group has a 12-month low of $1,342.66 and a 12-month high of $1,809.11. The firm has a market cap of $21.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.67 and a beta of 0.78. The company’s 50 day moving average is $1,715.15 and its 200-day moving average is $1,618.45.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The insurance provider reported $17.34 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $21.97 by ($4.63). Markel Group had a return on equity of 10.86% and a net margin of 17.03%. The company had revenue of $3.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.74 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Markel Group will post 86.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Markel Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MKL. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in shares of Markel Group during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp grew its holdings in Markel Group by 1,000.0% during the 3rd quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 22 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Markel Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of Markel Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in shares of Markel Group by 833.3% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 28 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. 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.