Russell Investments Group Ltd. Has $39.49 Million Position in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL - Free Report) by 48.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 22,878 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 7,507 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned about 0.18% of Markel Group worth $39,493,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Markel Group during the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new stake in Markel Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Markel Group during the fourth quarter worth $41,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in shares of Markel Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, Quarry LP raised its position in shares of Markel Group by 3,000.0% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 31 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.12% of the company's stock.

Markel Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MKL traded up $6.43 on Friday, hitting $1,769.56. The stock had a trading volume of 70,878 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,040. The company has a market capitalization of $22.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.89 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. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $1,855.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $1,746.69. Markel Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $1,417.65 and a twelve month high of $2,063.68.

Markel Group (NYSE:MKL - Get Free Report) last issued 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 return on equity of 7.55% and a net margin of 16.34%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Markel Group Inc. will post 96.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com downgraded Markel Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, February 14th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Markel Group from $1,750.00 to $2,025.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Markel Group presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $1,702.20.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Thomas Sinnickson Gayner acquired 100 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction on Friday, February 7th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $2,008.01 per share, with a total value of $200,801.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 48,945 shares in the company, valued at $98,282,049.45. This represents a 0.20 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Steven A. Markel sold 800 shares of Markel Group stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,856.80, for a total value of $1,485,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 64,868 shares of the company's stock, valued at $120,446,902.40. This trade represents a 1.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 2,034 shares of company stock valued at $3,778,952. 1.71% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.