Markel Corporation MKL reported first-quarter 2018 income of $11.39 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.71 by 30.8%. The bottom line also skyrocketed 303.9% year over year.
The company witnessed higher revenues and improved premiums at the Insurance segment. However, increase in expenses was a dampener.
Operational Update
Total operating revenues of $1.7 billion exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.6%. Also, the top line improved 22.1% year over year on higher premiums, investment income and other revenues.
Total operating expenses of Markel increased nearly 14.5% year over year to $1.5 billion.
Markel’s combined ratio improved 1000 basis points (bps) year over year to 90% in the reported quarter.
Segment Update
Starting from first-quarter 2018, Markel has revised its reportable segments keeping in mind its sustained growth and diversification. Effective Jan 1, 2018, Markel reported through two segments, namely Insurance and Reinsurance.
Insurance: Net written premiums were up 18.5% year over year to $912.9 million in the quarter under review.
Operating income was $102.5 million, up nearly 63% year over year.
Combined ratio improved 300 bps year over year to 89% in the quarter.
Reinsurance: Net written premiums decreased about 14% year over year to $421.1 million.
Operating income was $7.2 million against a loss of $70.6 million in the prior-year period.
Combined ratio improved 3400 bps year over year to 97% in the quarter.
Other: Net written premiums were 0.8 million, which skyrocketed 559.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Operating loss of $13.4 million was narrower than the year-ago loss of $14.9 million.
Financial Update
Markel exited the first quarter with investments, cash and cash equivalents plus restricted cash and cash equivalents of $20.3 billion, down 1.4% from year-end 2017.
Debt balance decreased 1.6% to $3 billion as of Mar 31, 2018 from $3.1 billion at 2017 end.
Book value per share declined 1.8% from year-end 2017 to $671.05 as of Mar 31, 2018.
Net cash from operating activities was $57.7 million as of Mar 31, 2018, skyrocketing 382.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Zacks Rank
Markel 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 having already reported first-quarter earnings, the bottom line of The Progressive Corporation PGR, MGIC Investment Corporation MTG and RLI Corp. RLI surpassed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.
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