Bank of Montreal Can Decreases Stock Position in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Bank of Montreal Can reduced its holdings in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) by 76.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 888 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 2,809 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can's holdings in Markel Group were worth $1,533,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MKL. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Markel Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $254,795,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Markel Group during the 4th quarter valued at $169,852,000. Davis Selected Advisers boosted its position in Markel Group by 27.9% during the 4th quarter. Davis Selected Advisers now owns 370,522 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $639,606,000 after buying an additional 80,922 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Markel Group in the 4th quarter worth $98,743,000. Finally, Boston Partners increased its position in shares of Markel Group by 17.6% in the fourth quarter. Boston Partners now owns 281,820 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $486,580,000 after acquiring an additional 42,178 shares during the period. 77.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Markel Group Trading Up 1.7 %

Shares of MKL traded up $29.83 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $1,815.03. 11,762 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 65,313. Markel Group Inc. has a 12 month low of $1,433.06 and a 12 month high of $2,063.68. The company has a market capitalization of $23.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.12 and a beta of 0.70. The company's fifty day moving average price is $1,829.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1,754.99. 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 (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 earnings per share 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%. Equities research analysts predict that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on MKL. StockNews.com cut Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Royal Bank of Canada increased 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $1,702.20.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Markel Group news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner acquired 100 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 7th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $2,008.01 per share, for a total transaction of $200,801.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now 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 acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Steven A. Markel sold 800 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,856.80, for a total transaction of $1,485,440.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 64,868 shares of the company's stock, valued at $120,446,902.40. The trade was a 1.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 2,034 shares of company stock valued at $3,778,952 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.66% of the company's stock.

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.