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MKL Stock Trading at a Discount to Industry at 1.48X: Time to Hold?
ZACKS· 2026-01-13 15:46
Core Insights - Markel Group Inc. (MKL) shares are trading at a discount compared to the Zacks Insurance - Multi-line industry, with a price-to-book ratio of 1.48X, lower than the industry average of 2.71X, the Finance sector's 4.36X, and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's 8.67X [1] - MKL has a market capitalization of $26.81 billion and an average trading volume of 0.04 million shares over the last three months [1] Financial Performance - MKL's bottom line has surpassed earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 19.93% [2] - The stock has surged 27% over the past year, outperforming its industry and the Finance sector, which grew by 12% and 20.8% respectively [3] - MKL's earnings have grown 23.1% over the past five years, significantly higher than the industry average of 10.2% [8] Technical Analysis - MKL shares are trading above the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages of $2,084.72 and $1,958.45, indicating solid upward momentum [4] Growth Drivers - MKL benefits from rising premiums, strong retention, and expanded product offerings, with higher yields and gains from acquisitions contributing to revenue growth [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MKL's 2026 earnings per share indicates a 5.8% increase from 2025 estimates [8] - Recent acquisitions, including a 68% ownership interest in Educational Partners International, have enhanced MKL's capabilities and contributed $28 million in revenues in the most recent quarter [11] Analyst Sentiment - Two of the four analysts covering MKL have raised their 2026 earnings estimates in the past 30 days, leading to a 1.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings [9] Capital Management - MKL has a share repurchase program authorized for up to $2 billion, with $1.6 billion remaining available as of September 30, 2025 [15] - The company maintains a solid cash position of $4.1 billion, ensuring it can meet short-term obligations [15] Conclusion - Given MKL's strong stock performance, solid retention levels, improving rate environment, favorable growth estimates, and robust capital position, current shareholders may find it wise to hold onto MKL shares [16]