Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL) Shares Acquired by Synovus Financial Corp

Synovus Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) by 115.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 932 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the quarter. Synovus Financial Corp's holdings in Markel Group were worth $1,609,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in Markel Group by 23.1% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 32 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 6 shares during the period. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC increased its holdings in Markel Group by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC now owns 145 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $250,000 after buying an additional 6 shares during the period. Gilbert & Cook Inc. raised its stake in Markel Group by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 428 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $739,000 after buying an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust lifted its holdings in Markel Group by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 213 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $368,000 after buying an additional 7 shares during the period. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Markel Group by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 469 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $810,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. 77.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Markel Group Stock Up 0.2 %

NYSE:MKL traded up $4.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $1,767.46. 223,077 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 48,911. The company has a fifty day moving average of $1,835.67 and a 200 day moving average of $1,751.31. The company has a market capitalization of $22.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.88 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.60. Markel Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $1,433.06 and a twelve month high of $2,063.68.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The insurance provider reported $20.51 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $20.66 by ($0.15). Markel Group had a return on equity of 7.55% and a net margin of 16.34%. On average, analysts forecast that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. 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 target on shares of Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Markel Group presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $1,702.20.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Steven A. Markel sold 1,146 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,858.49, for a total value of $2,129,829.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 63,722 shares of the company's stock, valued at $118,426,699.78. The trade was a 1.77 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner purchased 100 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 7th. The shares were bought at an average price of $2,008.01 per share, with a total value of $200,801.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 48,945 shares of the company's stock, valued at $98,282,049.45. This represents a 0.20 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 2,034 shares of company stock valued at $3,778,952. Company insiders own 1.66% of the company's stock.

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.