Virtu Financial LLC Takes Position in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 404 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $697,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of MKL. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Markel Group in the third quarter valued at about $31,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new stake in Markel Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $37,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Markel Group during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Larson Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Markel Group during the third quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Markel Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 77.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Markel Group Trading Up 1.8 %

Shares of MKL opened at $1,870.21 on Tuesday. 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 Inc. has a 12-month low of $1,417.65 and a 12-month high of $2,063.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.88 billion, a PE ratio of 9.40 and a beta of 0.82. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $1,856.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1,721.35.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 earnings per share (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%. As a group, research analysts predict that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Markel Group

In other Markel Group news, Director Steven A. Markel sold 800 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,856.80, for a total transaction of $1,485,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 64,868 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $120,446,902.40. This trade represents a 1.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner purchased 100 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $2,008.01 per share, with a total value of $200,801.00. Following the completion of the purchase, 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 2,034 shares of company stock worth $3,778,952. Insiders own 1.71% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MKL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. TD Cowen downgraded Markel Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $1,986.00 to $1,836.00 in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Markel Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Markel Group presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $1,702.20.

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.