We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Markel Group to Boost Marine Insurance Business With MECO
Read MoreHide Full Article
Markel Group Inc.’s (MKL - Free Report) insurance operations, Markel International, agreed to acquire The MECO Group Limited, pending regulatory conditions. The transaction should enable MKL to boost its marine insurance business and fortify its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
The to-be-acquired company, founded in 1974, has its presence in London, Dubai and Shanghai. MECO, being an independent specialist marine managing general agent (MGA), provides marine insurance products and services to a diverse range of global marine clients, including charterers and traders, shipowners and entities engaged in maritime operations and global supply chains. It wrote $63 million in gross written premium in 2024.
MECO serves coverage through its three core insurance brands, namely The Charterers P&I Club, Transmarine and Aurora P&I. It offers complementary legal services through its law firm True North. Its insurance business provides detailed knowledge of underwriting several specialist marine classes that are integral to Markel's existing marine business, including charterers P&I, freight, defence and demurrage, trade disruption, loss of hire, strikes delay, small vessels owners' P&I, contractual extension liabilities, as well as ancillary marine insurance products.
The transaction is a testimony to Markel Group’s effort to ramp up its growth profile. This move will help the acquirer to reinforce its marine footprint and capabilities with new products, complementary services, as well as client relationships in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific economies and Europe.
This apparent collaboration between Markel and MECO is projected to provide a more comprehensive and competitive offering for clients of both companies. Following its acquisition, MECO will integrate into Markel but will continue to operate utilizing its existing core insurance brands, leveraging MKL's capabilities to build on existing successful relationships in its core regions.
Acquisitions have helped Markel Group enhance its surety capabilities, ramp up Markel Ventures’ revenues and expand its reinsurance product offerings. Contributions from the acquisitions made by MKL drive the operating revenues of Markel Ventures. Through its Markel Ventures, the company will be investing in the ownership of the best asset management firms. Markel Group has been pursuing acquisitions to achieve profitable growth in insurance operations and to create additional value on a diversified basis in Markel Ventures operations. In June 2024, MKL acquired 98% of Valor Environmental. In September 2024, it acquired a 68% ownership interest in Educational Partners International.
Moreover, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) player boasts a solid solvency level. This helps Markel Group invest in organic growth initiatives for its insurance business.
Stock Price Performance
Shares of Markel have gained 22.8% in a year, outperforming the industry's growth of 4.2%. Its niche focus, improved pricing, effective management of insurance risk, and focus on developing and maintaining underwriting as well as pricing guidelines should drive growth.
Griffon has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average being 14.66%. In the past year, shares of GFF have surged 4.8%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GFF’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 11.52% and 20.9%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years.
Hitachi has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average being 366.14%. In the past year, shares of HTHIY have soared 28.9%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HTHIY’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 4.5% and 36.5%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years.
Heritage Insurance has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average being 328.63%. In the past year, shares of HRTG have surged 87.6%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HRTG’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 20.9% and 28.6%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
Image: Bigstock
Markel Group to Boost Marine Insurance Business With MECO
Markel Group Inc.’s (MKL - Free Report) insurance operations, Markel International, agreed to acquire The MECO Group Limited, pending regulatory conditions. The transaction should enable MKL to boost its marine insurance business and fortify its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
The to-be-acquired company, founded in 1974, has its presence in London, Dubai and Shanghai. MECO, being an independent specialist marine managing general agent (MGA), provides marine insurance products and services to a diverse range of global marine clients, including charterers and traders, shipowners and entities engaged in maritime operations and global supply chains. It wrote $63 million in gross written premium in 2024.
MECO serves coverage through its three core insurance brands, namely The Charterers P&I Club, Transmarine and Aurora P&I. It offers complementary legal services through its law firm True North. Its insurance business provides detailed knowledge of underwriting several specialist marine classes that are integral to Markel's existing marine business, including charterers P&I, freight, defence and demurrage, trade disruption, loss of hire, strikes delay, small vessels owners' P&I, contractual extension liabilities, as well as ancillary marine insurance products.
The transaction is a testimony to Markel Group’s effort to ramp up its growth profile. This move will help the acquirer to reinforce its marine footprint and capabilities with new products, complementary services, as well as client relationships in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific economies and Europe.
This apparent collaboration between Markel and MECO is projected to provide a more comprehensive and competitive offering for clients of both companies. Following its acquisition, MECO will integrate into Markel but will continue to operate utilizing its existing core insurance brands, leveraging MKL's capabilities to build on existing successful relationships in its core regions.
Acquisitions have helped Markel Group enhance its surety capabilities, ramp up Markel Ventures’ revenues and expand its reinsurance product offerings. Contributions from the acquisitions made by MKL drive the operating revenues of Markel Ventures. Through its Markel Ventures, the company will be investing in the ownership of the best asset management firms. Markel Group has been pursuing acquisitions to achieve profitable growth in insurance operations and to create additional value on a diversified basis in Markel Ventures operations. In June 2024, MKL acquired 98% of Valor Environmental. In September 2024, it acquired a 68% ownership interest in Educational Partners International.
Moreover, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) player boasts a solid solvency level. This helps Markel Group invest in organic growth initiatives for its insurance business.
Stock Price Performance
Shares of Markel have gained 22.8% in a year, outperforming the industry's growth of 4.2%. Its niche focus, improved pricing, effective management of insurance risk, and focus on developing and maintaining underwriting as well as pricing guidelines should drive growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks from the finance sector are Griffon Corporation (GFF - Free Report) , Hitachi Ltd. (HTHIY - Free Report) and Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HRTG - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Griffon has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average being 14.66%. In the past year, shares of GFF have surged 4.8%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GFF’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 11.52% and 20.9%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years.
Hitachi has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average being 366.14%. In the past year, shares of HTHIY have soared 28.9%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HTHIY’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 4.5% and 36.5%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years.
Heritage Insurance has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average being 328.63%. In the past year, shares of HRTG have surged 87.6%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HRTG’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 20.9% and 28.6%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years.