Markel Corporation (MKL - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2020 loss of $100.60 per share against prior-year quarter’s earnings of $42.76 per share.
The company witnessed soft performance of Insurance and Reinsurance Segments as well as higher operating expenses.
Markel Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Operational Update
Total operating revenues of $2 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.2%. However, the top line rose 8.4% year over year on higher premiums, product and services plus other revenues.
Total operating expenses of Markel increased 27.6% year over year to $2.1 billion primarily due to higher losses and loss adjustment expenses, underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses as well as services and other expenses.
Markel’s combined ratio deteriorated 2300 basis points (bps) year over year to 118% in the reported quarter.
Segment Update
Insurance: Net written premiums were up 19.8% year over year to $1.2 billion in the quarter under review.
Underwriting loss came in at $206 million compared to underwriting profit of $52 million in the year-ago quarter.
Combined ratio deteriorated 2400 bps year over year to 119% in the quarter under discussion.
Reinsurance: Net written premiums declined 5.5% year over year to $452.7 million.
Underwriting loss was $33.9 million compared to underwriting profit of $3.4 million.
Combined ratio deteriorated 1600 bps year over year to 115% in the first quarter.
Markel Ventures: Profit of $41.8 million increased 39.6% year over year.
Financial Update
Markel exited the first quarter with investments, cash and cash equivalents of $3.8 billion, up 24.8% from the level at year-end 2019.
Debt balance increased 1.7% to $3.6 billion as of Mar 31, 2020 from 2019 end.
Book value per share decreased 12% from year-end 2019 to $705.68 as of Mar 31, 2020.
Net cash from operating activities was $65.7 million, up 250% year over year.
Zacks Rank
Markel currently 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 insurance industry players who have reported first-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line of The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) and The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while that of Globe Life Inc. (GL - Free Report) matched the same.
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Markel Corporation (MKL - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2020 loss of $100.60 per share against prior-year quarter’s earnings of $42.76 per share.
The company witnessed soft performance of Insurance and Reinsurance Segments as well as higher operating expenses.
Markel Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Operational Update
Total operating revenues of $2 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.2%. However, the top line rose 8.4% year over year on higher premiums, product and services plus other revenues.
Total operating expenses of Markel increased 27.6% year over year to $2.1 billion primarily due to higher losses and loss adjustment expenses, underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses as well as services and other expenses.
Markel’s combined ratio deteriorated 2300 basis points (bps) year over year to 118% in the reported quarter.
Segment Update
Insurance: Net written premiums were up 19.8% year over year to $1.2 billion in the quarter under review.
Underwriting loss came in at $206 million compared to underwriting profit of $52 million in the year-ago quarter.
Combined ratio deteriorated 2400 bps year over year to 119% in the quarter under discussion.
Reinsurance: Net written premiums declined 5.5% year over year to $452.7 million.
Underwriting loss was $33.9 million compared to underwriting profit of $3.4 million.
Combined ratio deteriorated 1600 bps year over year to 115% in the first quarter.
Markel Ventures: Profit of $41.8 million increased 39.6% year over year.
Financial Update
Markel exited the first quarter with investments, cash and cash equivalents of $3.8 billion, up 24.8% from the level at year-end 2019.
Debt balance increased 1.7% to $3.6 billion as of Mar 31, 2020 from 2019 end.
Book value per share decreased 12% from year-end 2019 to $705.68 as of Mar 31, 2020.
Net cash from operating activities was $65.7 million, up 250% year over year.
Zacks Rank
Markel currently 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 insurance industry players who have reported first-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line of The Progressive Corporation (PGR - Free Report) and The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while that of Globe Life Inc. (GL - Free Report) matched the same.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2020
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2020?
Last year's 2019 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio returned gains as high as +102.7%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2020 today >>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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