Stockchase Opinions

Colin StewartMarkel Corporation.MKLHOLDApr 13, 2015

A very well-run insurance company. A management team similar to Berkshire Hathaway. Known for not only their sound underwriting, but for being very astute investors. Over a very long period of time, they have compounded their BV at an above average rate of growth. Alternatively, you could consider Fairfax Financial (FFH-T) or Brookshire Hathaway (BRK.A-N) or (BRK.B-N).

$787.42

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$1777.63

As of Jun 03, 2026. Market Open.

insurance
It's the ideal tool to help you make quicker, more informed decisions for managing and tracking your investments.

You might be interested:

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Nov 19/19, Down 10%) Similar to Berkshire Hathaway. Would rather invest in a pure play that's easier to understand, so he sold. Good management. Good entry point here.

TOP PICK
A baby BRK-N. This is an insurance company and a terrific investor that allocates the capital. They buy private businesses. Now they are getting into insurance investment vehicles. There is so much money around the world and nowhere to put the it. (Analysts’ price target is $1121.40)
BUY

The effect of climate change on insurance. A casualty insurer. They ain't dumb, but smart. They pay attention to climate change and hiking premiums or reject insurance applications based on the various risks linked to global warming. They're a baby Berkshire-Hathway; they're good investors as well as underwriters.

BUY

It's like Berkshire-Hathaway in its structure. Bottom line is they made a mistake with a purchase last year which hurt earnings, but they've since fixed that. Last year there were many catastrophes (i.e. US floods) due to extreme weather. But managers continue to make smart acquisitions, and they have a strong track records.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Apr 23/18, Down 16%) They're trying to be Berskshire Hathaway which invests its cash in stocks instead of bonds, and like BAM, MKL is getting into managing wealth through insurance linked securities which turned into a mess. And the CEO was having an affair with an employee. A distaster. That said, he still owns it because it has a brilliant record of allocating capital and investing those proceeds. This is now an amazing buying opportunity.
COMMENT
A mini-Berkshire Hathaway. It's done well picking stocks. But when the stock market declines, so does MKL. Look at their book and asset value. Buty this around 1.3-1.5x PB. He will look at this at year's end. Smart management.
BUY
It's like Berkshire Hathaway, an insurer that invests in stocks--with a good track record. He's done very well with MKL. A smart company.
TOP PICK

They've emulated the Berkshire Hathaway business model. It's an insurance company that's really a growth company. They've had only three negative years in 15, and invest in stocks that outperform the S&P 500. They're starting to buy private companies and build them up. No dividend, but he expects major growth going forward. Get in now. (Analysts' price target $1,115.75)

COMMENT

Prefers Manulife (MFC-T) which gives you better numbers. You get a better dividend and a better free cash flow yield.

TOP PICK
A high quality company that is cheap. Insurance stocks have become incredibly compressed because of the fear of higher interest rates and it has been overdone.
BUY
This and RLI are unique specialty players with long track record of profits.