Canal Capital Management LLC Makes New Investment in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Canal Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 155 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $268,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Markel Group in the fourth quarter worth $36,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new stake in Markel Group in the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Markel Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $41,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group in the third quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA boosted its stake in shares of Markel Group by 23.1% in the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 32 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 6 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.12% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on MKL. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. StockNews.com cut shares of Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $1,702.20.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner purchased 100 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 48,945 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $98,282,049.45. This trade represents a 0.20 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Steven A. Markel sold 88 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,860.03, for a total transaction of $163,682.64. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 63,436 shares in the company, valued at $117,992,863.08. This trade represents a 0.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 2,034 shares of company stock valued at $3,778,952. 1.66% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Markel Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MKL traded down $3.91 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $1,804.50. 73,564 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 49,227. Markel Group Inc. has a one year low of $1,433.06 and a one year high of $2,063.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.94 billion, a PE ratio of 9.07 and a beta of 0.70. The company's 50 day moving average is $1,827.36 and its 200 day moving average is $1,757.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 0.60 and a quick ratio of 0.60.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 research analysts anticipate that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Markel Group 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.