Markel Group Inc.’s MKL insurance operations, Markel International, agreed to acquire The MECO Group Limited, pending regulatory conditions. The transaction should enable MKL to boost its marine insurance business and fortify its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The to-be-acquired company, founded in 1974, has its presence in London, Dubai and Shanghai. MECO, being an independent specialist marine managing general agent (MGA), provides marine insurance products and services to a diverse range of global marine clients, including charterers and traders, shipowners and entities engaged in maritime operations and global supply chains. It wrote $63 million in gross written premium in 2024.

MECO serves coverage through its three core insurance brands, namely The Charterers P&I Club, Transmarine and Aurora P&I. It offers complementary legal services through its law firm True North. Its insurance business provides detailed knowledge of underwriting several specialist marine classes that are integral to Markel's existing marine business, including charterers P&I, freight, defence and demurrage, trade disruption, loss of hire, strikes delay, small vessels owners' P&I, contractual extension liabilities, as well as ancillary marine insurance products.

The transaction is a testimony to Markel Group’s effort to ramp up its growth profile. This move will help the acquirer to reinforce its marine footprint and capabilities with new products, complementary services, as well as client relationships in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific economies and Europe.

This apparent collaboration between Markel and MECO is projected to provide a more comprehensive and competitive offering for clients of both companies. Following its acquisition, MECO will integrate into Markel but will continue to operate utilizing its existing core insurance brands, leveraging MKL's capabilities to build on existing successful relationships in its core regions. 

Acquisitions have helped Markel Group enhance its surety capabilities, ramp up Markel Ventures’ revenues and expand its reinsurance product offerings. Contributions from the acquisitions made by MKL drive the operating revenues of Markel Ventures. Through its Markel Ventures, the company will be investing in the ownership of the best asset management firms. Markel Group has been pursuing acquisitions to achieve profitable growth in insurance operations and to create additional value on a diversified basis in Markel Ventures operations. In June 2024, MKL acquired 98% of Valor Environmental. In September 2024, it acquired a 68% ownership interest in Educational Partners International.

Moreover, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) player boasts a solid solvency level. This helps Markel Group invest in organic growth initiatives for its insurance business.

Stock Price Performance

Shares of Markel have gained 22.8% in a year, outperforming the industry's growth of 4.2%. Its niche focus, improved pricing, effective management of insurance risk, and focus on developing and maintaining underwriting as well as pricing guidelines should drive growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks from the finance sector are Griffon Corporation GFF, Hitachi Ltd. HTHIY and Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. HRTG, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Griffon has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average being 14.66%. In the past year, shares of GFF have surged 4.8%. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GFF’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 11.52% and 20.9%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years. 

Hitachi has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average being 366.14%. In the past year, shares of HTHIY have soared 28.9%. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HTHIY’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 4.5% and 36.5%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years. 

Heritage Insurance has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average being 328.63%. In the past year, shares of HRTG have surged 87.6%. 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HRTG’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 20.9% and 28.6%, respectively, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding years. 

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Markel Group Inc. (MKL) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Hitachi Ltd. (HTHIY) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HRTG) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Griffon Corporation (GFF) : Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research