Markel Group Inc. - MKL STOCK NEWS

Markel Canada, a division of Markel International and subsidiary of Markel Group (NYSE: MKL), has launched Markel Play, a comprehensive insurance product tailored for the sports, fitness, and recreation sectors. This new offering includes general liability, abuse liability, property, business interruption, instructor’s errors and omissions, and participant accident insurance. Partnering with Sport Law and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, Markel Play provides additional support such as Safe Sport policy implementation, waiver reviews, risk management support, and training courses. Markel’s acquisition of Allsport Insurance Marketing in 2017 enhanced its expertise and services in the sports insurance market.

Markel has appointed Jennifer Gebran as the Head of Casualty for the MENA region, effective immediately. Gebran, who has over 13 years of underwriting experience, will develop the region's casualty underwriting strategy, focusing on enhancing capabilities and delivering profitable growth. She joins from Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, where she was Assistant Vice President in Dubai. Gebran's role includes building relationships with brokers, partners, and clients to establish Markel as a market leader in casualty underwriting in the MENA region. Reporting to Max Robbie, Senior Executive Officer at Markel Dubai, her appointment follows the formation of a new International Casualty team led by Graeme Ivory.

Markel has appointed Phil Schmidt as the new Chief Strategy Officer, effective June 26, 2024. Schmidt, who joined Markel as a Managing Director in October 2023, will now lead the company's Global Strategy team. Based in Bermuda, he will oversee strategic initiatives and corporate development across Markel's divisions, including State National and Nephila. Schmidt brings expertise from his previous roles at Burg, Babbel AG, and Pearson PLC. Markel President Jeremy Noble highlighted Schmidt's alignment with the company's people-driven culture and his strong strategic credentials as key assets for the role.

Markel Group (NYSE: MKL) and Valor Environmental have announced a definitive agreement for Markel to acquire a majority interest in Valor and its related operating companies. The transaction, expected to close in Q2 2024, will see Markel expand its portfolio to include 20 businesses under Markel Ventures. Valor, an environmental services company specializing in erosion control, has grown significantly since its founding in 2003 and now employs over 700 people serving more than 2,000 customers across the U.S. Markel CEO Tom Gayner highlighted the strategic value of this acquisition, emphasizing Valor's role in reducing environmental impact and project delays for its customers.

Markel has announced the appointment of Kyle McGrath as the new Head of Fine Art for North America, effective immediately. Based in New York, McGrath will lead Markel's Fine Art division and drive its strategic growth. Reporting to Dan McCarthy, Director of Marine at Markel in London, McGrath brings over 12 years of experience in the insurance industry. Her previous roles include VP – Head of Fine Art and Collections at Private Client Select and various senior positions at AXA XL. This move aims to capitalize on the expanding fine art insurance market in North America, driven by rising art valuations and a growing collector base.

Markel, a division of Markel Group, has appointed Jamie Carsey as Chief Claims Officer for its Specialty division, overseeing US and Bermuda claims operations. Carsey, who joined Markel in 2017, previously held the role of Senior Managing Director, Claims – Legal and Head of Litigation. Her extensive experience in managing complex litigation and her leadership roles in diversity and talent advisory committees are expected to enhance Markel's claims operations, risk management, compliance, technology, and data efforts. Carsey's appointment aims to bolster Markel's reputation for superior claims service and improve service to partners and customers.

AM Best has assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating (Long-Term IR) of “bbb+” to Markel Group's (NYSE: MKL) $600 million senior unsecured notes due 2054, with a stable outlook. The new debt will rank equally with Markel's existing senior unsecured notes. The proceeds are intended for general corporate purposes, potentially including the redemption of Markel's $600 million Series A 6.00% preferred shares callable in June 2025.

Markel’s financial leverage was in the low-to-mid 20% range at the end of 2023 and is expected to remain in the mid-20% range post-issuance. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) coverage of interest expenses and preferred dividends averaged 6.4 times over the past three years but decreased to 6.0 times in 2023.

This rating reflects the profile of Markel’s principal insurance subsidiaries, the parent company’s financial leverage, coverage, overall debt servicing profile, and the structural subordination of the holding company's senior unsecured debt.

Markel Group Inc. reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2024, showing growth in operating revenues and income fueled by the Investments engine. The Insurance engine saw revenue growth due to new business and favorable rates, while Markel Ventures reported a strong quarter. The company aims for long-term profitability and steady growth across its financial engines.