Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) Reaches New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

Shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $1,698.50 and last traded at $1,698.50, with a volume of 3111 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $1,655.36.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on MKL. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Markel Group from $1,700.00 to $1,675.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 1st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Markel Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Markel Group from $1,435.00 to $1,450.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Markel Group from $1,590.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $1,651.83.

Markel Group Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $21.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.64 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $1,572.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1,577.37.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The insurance provider reported $17.34 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $21.97 by ($4.63). Markel Group had a return on equity of 10.86% and a net margin of 17.03%. The firm had revenue of $3.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.74 billion. On average, equities research analysts predict that Markel Group Inc. will post 89.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Markel Group

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in shares of Markel Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp increased its position in Markel Group by 1,000.0% during the third quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 22 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Markel Group during the third quarter worth approximately $36,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group in the 2nd quarter worth $45,000. 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.