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525.4 (1y: +21%)
Market Cap 5.1 B P/E(ttm) 18.10
Enterprise Value 6.84 B P/B 1.30
MKL- NYSE (USA)
Markel Corporation
  • Currently 1/5
Business Predictability Rank: 1-Star
Back Testing Results:
Average gain of all 1-Star stocks: 1.1% per year.
% of Stocks that are in still loss if held for 10yrs: 45%.
Read more:
What is Predictability Rank?
Performances of real portfolio
Top Ranked Predictable Companies
$525.40
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GuruFocus Financial Strength Rank measures how strong a company’s financial situation is. It is based on these factors

1. The debt burden that the company has as measured by its Interest coverage (current year).
2. Debt to revenue ratio. The lower, the better
3. Altman Z-score.

A company ranks high with financial strength is likely to withstand any business slowdowns and recessions.

Financial Strength : 6/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Cash to Debt 0.652
MKL's Cash to Debt is ranked higher than
54% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.70 vs. MKL: 0.652 )
MKL' s 10-Year Cash to Debt Range
Min: 0.01   Max: 0.93
Current: 0.65
0.01
0.93
Equity to Asset 0.31
MKL's Equity to Asset is ranked higher than
75% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.24 vs. MKL: 0.31 )
MKL' s 10-Year Equity to Asset Range
Min: 0.14   Max: 0.31
Current: 0.31
0.14
0.31
Interest Coverage 3.4
MKL's Interest Coverage is ranked higher than
53% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 10.60 vs. MKL: 3.4 )
MKL' s 10-Year Interest Coverage Range
Min: 2   Max: 11
Current: 3.4
2
11
F-Score: 5
Z-Score: 0.87
GuruFocus Profitability Rank ranks how profitable a company is and how likely the company’s business will stay that way. It is based on these factors:

1. Operating Margin
2. Trend of the Operating Margin (5-year average). The company with an uptrend profit margin has a higher rank.
••3. Consistency of the profitability
4. Piotroski F-Score
5. Predictability Rank•

The maximum rank is 10. A rank of 7 or higher means a higher profitability and may stay that way. A rank of 3 or lower indicates that the company has had trouble to make a profit.

Profitability Rank is not directly related to the Financial Strength Rank. But if a company is consistently profitable, its financial strength will be stronger.

Profitability & Growth : 7/10

vs
industry		 vs
history
Operating margin (%) 10.40
MKL's Operating margin (%) is ranked higher than
74% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 9.10 vs. MKL: 10.40 )
MKL' s 10-Year Operating margin (%) Range
Min: -9.6   Max: 25.3
Current: 10.4
-9.6
25.3
Net-margin (%) 8.4
MKL's Net-margin (%) is ranked higher than
77% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 5.30 vs. MKL: 8.4 )
MKL' s 10-Year Net-margin (%) Range
Min: -9   Max: 16.3
Current: 8.4
-9
16.3
ROE (%) 6.5
MKL's ROE (%) is ranked higher than
67% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 6.20 vs. MKL: 6.5 )
MKL' s 10-Year ROE (%) Range
Min: -11.6   Max: 17.1
Current: 6.5
-11.6
17.1
ROA (%) 2
MKL's ROA (%) is ranked higher than
68% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.60 vs. MKL: 2 )
MKL' s 10-Year ROA (%) Range
Min: -2   Max: 4
Current: 2
-2
4
Revenue Growth (%) 10.2
MKL's Revenue Growth (%) is ranked higher than
79% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 3.10 vs. MKL: 10.2 )
MKL' s 10-Year Revenue Growth (%) Range
Min: -4.5   Max: 17.9
Current: 10.2
-4.5
17.9
EBITDA Growth (%) 9.4
MKL's EBITDA Growth (%) is ranked higher than
85% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.00 vs. MKL: 9.4 )
MKL' s 10-Year EBITDA Growth (%) Range
Min: -18.3   Max: 55.3
Current: 9.4
-18.3
55.3
EPS Growth (%) 6
MKL's EPS Growth (%) is ranked higher than
84% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.00 vs. MKL: 6 )
MKL' s 10-Year EPS Growth (%) Range
Min: -15   Max: 33.2
Current: 6
-15
33.2
» MKL's 10-Y Financials

Financials


Revenue & Net Income
Equity & Asset
Oprt. Cash Flow & Free Cash Flow

» Details

Guru Trades
Q2 2012

MKL Guru Trades in Q2 2012

Chuck Akre 199,973 sh (+47.47%)
Steven Cohen 1,499 sh (+21.18%)
John Rogers 18,090 sh (+8.96%)
Chuck Royce 67,900 sh (unchged)
Donald Yacktman 800 sh (unchged)
Tom Russo 20,134 sh (-0.54%)
Chris Davis 311,900 sh (-1.07%)
Murray Stahl 48,351 sh (-1.47%)
Mason Hawkins 241,791 sh (-56.86%)
Jim Simons 2,100 sh (-75.29%)
» More
Q3 2012

MKL Guru Trades in Q3 2012

Steven Cohen 2,320 sh (+54.77%)
Tom Russo 20,259 sh (+0.62%)
Chuck Royce 67,900 sh (unchged)
Donald Yacktman 800 sh (unchged)
Mason Hawkins Sold Out
Chuck Akre 199,858 sh (-0.06%)
John Rogers 18,053 sh (-0.2%)
Chris Davis 305,845 sh (-1.94%)
Murray Stahl 47,369 sh (-2.03%)
Jim Simons 900 sh (-57.14%)
» More
Q4 2012

MKL Guru Trades in Q4 2012

Paul Tudor Jones 600 sh (New)
Jim Simons 3,500 sh (+288.89%)
Chuck Akre 234,094 sh (+17.13%)
Chris Davis 318,437 sh (+4.12%)
Chuck Royce 67,900 sh (unchged)
Donald Yacktman 800 sh (unchged)
Steven Cohen Sold Out
Tom Russo 19,890 sh (-1.82%)
John Rogers 17,405 sh (-3.59%)
Murray Stahl 40,413 sh (-14.68%)
» More
Q1 2013

MKL Guru Trades in Q1 2013

Jim Simons 13,300 sh (+280%)
Chuck Akre 246,769 sh (+5.41%)
Tom Russo 19,956 sh (+0.33%)
Chuck Royce 67,900 sh (unchged)
Paul Tudor Jones Sold Out
Donald Yacktman Sold Out
Chris Davis 317,899 sh (-0.17%)
Murray Stahl 40,204 sh (-0.52%)
John Rogers 17,238 sh (-0.96%)
» More
» Details

Insider Trades

Latest Guru Trades with MKL

GuruDate Trades Impact to Portfolio Price Range * (?) Current Price Change from Average Current Shares
Chuck Akre 2013-03-31 Add 5.41%0.36%$433.42 - $508.85 $ 525.49%246769
Donald Yacktman 2013-03-31 Sold Out $433.42 - $508.85 $ 525.49%0
Chuck Akre 2012-12-31 Add 17.13%1.05%$428.3 - $500.68 $ 525.411%234094
Mason Hawkins 2012-09-30 Sold Out 0.45%$421.76 - $458.49 $ 525.421%0
Chuck Akre 2012-06-30 Add 47.47%2.32%$422.94 - $448.99 $ 525.420%199973
Mason Hawkins 2012-06-30 Reduce -56.86%0.63%$422.94 - $448.99 $ 525.420%241791
Chuck Akre 2011-12-31 Add 2.43%0.21%$347.36 - $415 $ 525.435%135285
Chuck Akre 2011-09-30 Add 18.3%1.34%$351.13 - $401.75 $ 525.436%132079
George Soros 2011-03-31 Sold Out $378.13 - $422.83 $ 525.430%0
Mason Hawkins 2010-12-31 Add 7.99%0.1%$335.02 - $383.6 $ 525.447%863349
George Soros 2010-09-30 Reduce -50.23%0.01%$321.32 - $351.94 $ 525.456%1715
Chuck Akre 2010-06-30 Add 7.31%0.76%$336.12 - $386.4 $ 525.446%115206
Mason Hawkins 2010-06-30 Add 10.87%0.13%$336.12 - $386.4 $ 525.446%788877
George Soros 2010-06-30 Reduce -21.49%0.01%$336.12 - $386.4 $ 525.446%3446
George Soros 2010-03-31 Add 33%$325.01 - $373.33 $ 525.451%4389
Premium More recent guru trades are included for Premium Members only!!
» Financial Charts

Peter Lynch Chart

Top Ranked Articles about Markel Corporation

Texan Super-Investor Yacktman’s Eleven Sells
May 25, 2013
Donald Yacktman - Texan Super-Investor Yacktman’s Eleven Sells
World-renowned value investor Donald Yacktman is president and co-chief investment officer of Yacktman Asset Management LP, in Austin, Texas. Yacktman’s recently updated portfolio shows 52 stocks, one of them new, with a total value of $19.5 billion and a quarter-over-quarter turnover of 6%. Read more...
Markel CIO Tom Gayner Buys Buys UnitedHealth, Liberty Media, Google, Moody's, MasterCard
May 10, 2013
Tom Gayner - Markel CIO Tom Gayner Buys Buys UnitedHealth, Liberty Media, Google, Moody's, MasterCard
Markel Corp (MKL) CIO Tom Gayner just reported first quarter portfolio. Usually he has a low turnover with his portfolio. But over the last quarter he bought a lot of new stocks in health care and technology. He buys UnitedHealth Group, Liberty Media, Google., WellPoint, etc, according to the most recent filings of his investment company, Markel Gayner Asset Management Corp. Read more...
Markel Manager Tom Gayner Interview with GuruFocus in Omaha
May 8, 2013
Tom Gayner - Markel Manager Tom Gayner Interview With GuruFocus In Omaha
GuruFocus interviewed Tom Gayner on Friday in Omaha. A former accountant, Gayner has been delivering market-beating returns managing $2 billion in float as the CIO of insurance company Markel Corp. (MKL), which he joined in 1990. Read more...
Tom Gayner's 4 Main Investment Principles
May 4, 2013
Tom Gayner - Tom Gayner's 4 Main Investment Principles
I've been doing some research this week on insurance as there are a number of stocks in this industry on my watch list. Yesterday I went through the Value Line list of life insurers, many of which are selling well below book value. I'll be taking a look at a few of these in more detail soon. Read more...
Tom Gayner – Slow to Sell, but Selling UBSH
February 20, 2013
Tom Gayner - Tom Gayner – Slow To Sell, But Selling UBSH
Tom Gayner, president and chief investment officer at Markel Corp. (MKL) and president of its subsidiary Markel Corp, continues to shed Union First Market Bankshares (UBSH) in his third reduction this month, according to GuruFocus Real Time Picks. On Feb. 15, the typical long-term holder Gayner reduced another 1.69% of Union First Market Bankshares Corp (UBSH) at the average price of $17.76 that day, as reported in the latest insider filings. Read more...
Markel’s Tom Gayner Buys Alliance Holdings, Moody's, Norfolk Southern, Sells Sysco, Vodafone
February 12, 2013
Tom Gayner - Markel’s Tom Gayner Buys Alliance Holdings, Moody's, Norfolk Southern, Sells Sysco, Vodafone
As the CIO of Markel Corp, Tom Gayner has the luxury that most money managers don’t have: he never has to face redemption pressure. He certainly takes this advantage to almost its extreme, as he rarely sells stocks. With this buy and hold strategy, he has built great track record at Markel. To understand more about Mr. Gayner, read his interview with GuruFocus. Read more...
Long-Term Holder Tom Gayner Reports 5 New Positions
February 11, 2013
Tom Gayner - Long-Term Holder Tom Gayner Reports 5 New Positions
Tom Gayner, president and chief investment manager of the float at Markel Corp. (MKL) and president of its subsidiary Markel Corp, bought five new stocks in the fourth quarter: Liberty Media Corp. (LMCB), Bunge Ltd. (BG), Arch Coal (ACI), Resolute Forest Products (RFP) and Quaterra Resources Inc. (QMM). Read more...
The Markel-Alterra Combo, and Remembering Gayner’s Lowdown on Evaluating Insurance Stocks
December 27, 2012
Tom Gayner - The Markel-Alterra Combo, And Remembering Gayner’s Lowdown On Evaluating Insurance Stocks
It has been about a week since the two insurance companies announced an acquisition agreement where Guru Tom Gayner’s Markel Corp. (MKL) will adopt Alterra Capital Holdings Ltd. (ALTE)’s majority stake. Read more...
Tom Gayner’s Top Sells for the Third Quarter: WU, VAC, MO
November 8, 2012
Tom Gayner - Tom Gayner’s Top Sells For The Third Quarter: WU, VAC, MO
Tom Gayner, chief investment officer of financial holding company, Markel Corp. (MKL), has updated his portfolio for the third quarter ending Sept. 30, introducing nine companies to his portfolio, adding to current shares of seven stocks, reducing one stock and completely selling all of his shares of 12 companies – a total of 29 transactions. Read more...

Ratios

vs
industry		 vs
history
P/E(ttm) 18.10
MKL's P/E(ttm) is ranked higher than
50% of the 135 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 13.80 vs. MKL: 18.10 )
MKL' s 10-Year P/E(ttm) Range
Min: 9.22   Max: 2350
Current: 18.1
9.22
2350
P/B 1.30
MKL's P/B is ranked higher than
51% of the 150 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.09 vs. MKL: 1.30 )
MKL' s 10-Year P/B Range
Min: 0.97   Max: 2.36
Current: 1.3
0.97
2.36
P/S 1.64
MKL's P/S is ranked lower than
58% of the 158 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.11 vs. MKL: 1.64 )
MKL' s 10-Year P/S Range
Min: 0.97   Max: 2.24
Current: 1.64
0.97
2.24
PFCF 10.90
MKL's PFCF is ranked lower than
55% of the 124 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 7.71 vs. MKL: 10.90 )
MKL' s 10-Year PFCF Range
Min: 3.85   Max: 42.49
Current: 10.9
3.85
42.49
EV-to-EBIT 19.2
MKL's EV-to-EBIT is ranked lower than
61% of the 119 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 11.19 vs. MKL: 19.2 )
MKL' s 10-Year EV-to-EBIT Range
Min: 6.9   Max: 3023.7
Current: 19.2
6.9
3023.7
Shiller P/E 24.4
MKL's Shiller P/E is ranked lower than
100% of the Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: vs. MKL: 24.4 )
MKL' s 10-Year Shiller P/E Range
Min: 10.93   Max: 86.52
Current: 24.4
10.93
86.52

Valuation & Return

vs
industry		 vs
history
Price/Tangible Book 1.8
MKL's Price/Tangible Book is ranked lower than
65% of the 145 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.10 vs. MKL: 1.8 )
MKL' s 10-Year Price/Tangible Book Range
Min: 1.5   Max: 3.6
Current: 1.8
1.5
3.6
Price/DCF (Projected) 0.8
MKL's Price/DCF (Projected) is ranked higher than
50% of the 82 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.60 vs. MKL: 0.8 )
MKL' s 10-Year Price/DCF (Projected) Range
Min: 0.4   Max: 0.7
Current: 0.8
0.4
0.7
Price/Median PS Value 1.1
MKL's Price/Median PS Value is ranked higher than
63% of the 145 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 1.10 vs. MKL: 1.1 )
MKL' s 10-Year Price/Median PS Value Range
Min: 0.7   Max: 1.3
Current: 1.1
0.7
1.3
Price/Graham Number 1.3
MKL's Price/Graham Number is ranked lower than
70% of the 124 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.80 vs. MKL: 1.3 )
MKL' s 10-Year Price/Graham Number Range
Min: 0.9   Max: 1.7
Current: 1.3
0.9
1.7
Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) 5.20
MKL's Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) is ranked higher than
60% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 6.70 vs. MKL: 5.20 )
MKL' s 10-Year Earnings Yield (Greenblatt) Range
Min: 0.1   Max: 14.6
Current: 5.2
0.1
14.6
Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) 4.51
MKL's Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) is ranked higher than
73% of the 165 Companies
in the Global Insurance - Property & Casualty industry.

( Industry Median: 0.00 vs. MKL: 4.51 )
MKL' s 10-Year Forward Rate of Return (Yacktman) Range
Min: 5.3   Max: 42.4
Current: 4.51
5.3
42.4

Business Description

Markel Corporation is domiciled in Virginia. The Company markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a number of niche markets and operates in three segments of the specialty insurance marketplace: the Excess and Surplus Lines, the Specialty Admitted and the London markets. It's Excess and Surplus Lines segment writes property and casualty insurance outside of the standard market for hard-to-place risks including catastrophe-exposed property, professional liability, products liability, general liability, commercial umbrella and other coverages tailored for unique exposures. Its Specialty Admitted segment writes risks that must remain with an admitted insurance company for marketing and regulatory reasons. In 2009, its Specialty Admitted segment was comprised of two underwriting units, the Markel Specialty and Markel American Specialty Personal and Commercial Lines units. The Company's London Insurance Market segment writes specialty property, casualty, professional liability, equine and marine insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis. By focusing on the distinctive risk characteristics of its insureds, the Company has been able to identify a number of niche markets where it could add value with its specialty product offerings. Examples of niche markets that it has targeted include wind and earthquake exposed commercial properties, liability coverage for highly specialized professionals, horse mortality and other horse-related risks, accident and medical coverage for students, yachts and other watercraft, high-value motorcycles and marine and energy related activities. In each of its niche markets, the Company assigns teams of experienced underwriters and claims specialists who provide a range of insurance services. It competes with numerous domestic and international insurance companies and reinsurers, Lloyd's syndicates, risk retention groups, insurance buying groups, risk securitization programs and alternative self-insurance mechanisms. In all of its markets, the Company competes by developing specialty products to satisfy well-defined market needs and by maintaining relationships with agents, brokers and insureds that rely on its expertise. The Company's insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation and supervision by the insurance regulatory authorities of the various jurisdictions in which they conduct business.
Company Website
SEC Reports
Industry: Insurance - Property & Casualty
Compare:RLI, TRV, MBI, QBIEY, TKOMY
» More Articles for MKL

Headlines

Articles On GuruFocus.com
Texan Super-Investor Yacktman’s Eleven Sells May 25 2013 
Markel (MKL) Is a Compounding Machine May 15 2013 
Notes from the Markel Breakfast Meeting Held During the Berkshire Hathaway AGM May 14 2013 
Markel CIO Tom Gayner Buys Buys UnitedHealth, Liberty Media, Google, Moody's, MasterCard May 10 2013 
Markel Manager Tom Gayner Interview with GuruFocus in Omaha May 08 2013 
Tom Gayner's 4 Main Investment Principles May 04 2013 
Tom Gayner, Markel Corp Comment on Investing Process and 20% Equity Return Apr 11 2013 
Tom Gayner – Slow to Sell, but Selling UBSH Feb 20 2013 
Markel’s Tom Gayner Buys Alliance Holdings, Moody's, Norfolk Southern, Sells Sysco, Vodafone Feb 12 2013 
Long-Term Holder Tom Gayner Reports 5 New Positions Feb 11 2013 

More From Our Partners
Markel Corp. Upgraded to Strong Buy - Analyst Blog Jun 17 2013 - ZACKS

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