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Markel's (MKL) Q3 Loss Wider than Expected, Revenues Beat
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Markel Corporation (MKL - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2017 loss of $18.82 per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $18.03.
The company’s third-quarter results were affected by underwriting losses, owing to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and Mexican earthquakes.
Operational Update
Total operating revenues of $1.5 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.2%. Moreover, the top line improved 10.1% year over year on higher premiums, investment income and other revenues.
Total operating expenses of Markel increased 43.5% year over year to $1.8 billion.
Markel’s combined ratio deteriorated 3600 basis points (bps) year over year to 134% in the reported quarter.
Segment Update
U.S. Insurance: Net written premiums were up 16.3% year over year to $653.9 million in the reported quarter.
Underwriting loss was $70.3 million compared with a loss of $0.06 million year over year.
Combined ratio deteriorated by 1100 bps year over year to 112% in the quarter.
International Insurance: Net written premiums increased 21.3% year over year to $254.3 million.
Underwriting loss was $87.6 million in the quarter against an underwriting profit of $19 million in the year-ago quarter.
Combined ratio deteriorated 4500 bps year over year to 136% in the quarter.
Reinsurance Segment: Net written premiums increased about 20.8% year over year to $189.6 million.
Underwriting loss was $214.8 million against underwriting profit of $12.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Combined ratio deteriorated 8900 bps year over year to 183% in the quarter.
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) Segment: Net written premiums were ($178) million compared with $469 million in the prior-year quarter.
Underwriting profit of $1.3 million rebounded from the year-ago loss of $2.7 million.
Financial Update
Markel exited the third-quarter with total cash, cash equivalents and investments of $2.1 billion compared with $1.7 billion at year-end 2016.
Debt balance declined 4% from year-end 2016 to $2.5 billion as of Sep 30, 2017.
Book value per share rose 5.8% from year-end 2016 to $641.20 as of Sep 30, 2017.
Net cash from operating activities was $598.7 million in the first nine months of 2017, up 54.6% from the year-ago period.
Among other players from the insurance industry that have reported third-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line at The Progressive Corp. (PGR - Free Report) , The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) and RLI Corp. (RLI - Free Report) beat their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.
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Markel's (MKL) Q3 Loss Wider than Expected, Revenues Beat
Markel Corporation (MKL - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2017 loss of $18.82 per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $18.03.
The company’s third-quarter results were affected by underwriting losses, owing to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and Mexican earthquakes.
Operational Update
Total operating revenues of $1.5 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.2%. Moreover, the top line improved 10.1% year over year on higher premiums, investment income and other revenues.
Total operating expenses of Markel increased 43.5% year over year to $1.8 billion.
Markel’s combined ratio deteriorated 3600 basis points (bps) year over year to 134% in the reported quarter.
Segment Update
U.S. Insurance: Net written premiums were up 16.3% year over year to $653.9 million in the reported quarter.
Underwriting loss was $70.3 million compared with a loss of $0.06 million year over year.
Combined ratio deteriorated by 1100 bps year over year to 112% in the quarter.
International Insurance: Net written premiums increased 21.3% year over year to $254.3 million.
Underwriting loss was $87.6 million in the quarter against an underwriting profit of $19 million in the year-ago quarter.
Combined ratio deteriorated 4500 bps year over year to 136% in the quarter.
Reinsurance Segment: Net written premiums increased about 20.8% year over year to $189.6 million.
Underwriting loss was $214.8 million against underwriting profit of $12.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
Combined ratio deteriorated 8900 bps year over year to 183% in the quarter.
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) Segment: Net written premiums were ($178) million compared with $469 million in the prior-year quarter.
Underwriting profit of $1.3 million rebounded from the year-ago loss of $2.7 million.
Financial Update
Markel exited the third-quarter with total cash, cash equivalents and investments of $2.1 billion compared with $1.7 billion at year-end 2016.
Debt balance declined 4% from year-end 2016 to $2.5 billion as of Sep 30, 2017.
Book value per share rose 5.8% from year-end 2016 to $641.20 as of Sep 30, 2017.
Net cash from operating activities was $598.7 million in the first nine months of 2017, up 54.6% from the year-ago period.
Zacks Rank
Markel Corporation carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Insurers
Among other players from the insurance industry that have reported third-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line at The Progressive Corp. (PGR - Free Report) , The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) and RLI Corp. (RLI - Free Report) beat their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Wall Street’s Next Amazon
Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.
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