Insider Buying: W.R. Berkley (NYSE:WRB) Major Shareholder Purchases 350,000 Shares of Stock

W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE:WRB) major shareholder Sumitomo Insurance Co Mitsui acquired 350,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 27th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $67.42 per share, with a total value of $23,597,000.00. Following the purchase, the insider owned 55,309,504 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,728,966,759.68. This trade represents a 0.64% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a company’s shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

W.R. Berkley Price Performance

WRB traded up $0.44 on Wednesday, hitting $67.67. 1,990,048 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,389,963. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $70.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $72.02. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. W.R. Berkley Corporation has a one year low of $58.07 and a one year high of $78.96. The firm has a market cap of $25.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.21, a P/E/G ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.39.

W.R. Berkley (NYSE:WRB) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, January 26th. The insurance provider reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.14 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $3.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.18 billion. W.R. Berkley had a net margin of 12.10% and a return on equity of 18.35%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.13 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that W.R. Berkley Corporation will post 4.33 EPS for the current year.

W.R. Berkley Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a $0.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. W.R. Berkley’s payout ratio is presently 8.09%.

W.R. Berkley News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting W.R. Berkley this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company reaffirmed a sub‑30% expense‑ratio target while signaling increased technology investments and returning $971M to shareholders (buybacks/dividends), supporting earnings power and capital allocation. W. R. Berkley signals increased technology investments and affirms sub‑30% expense ratio target while returning $971M to shareholders
• Positive Sentiment: Management highlighted solid full‑year growth and record investment income that offset a modest Q4 operational miss, providing some upside to underwriting results and investment‑driven EPS. W. R. Berkley Balances Record Earnings With Market Risks
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 call/transcript shows a very small EPS miss (reported $1.13 vs. $1.14 consensus, ~‑$0.01) and revenues roughly in line; that reduces immediate shock but leaves little positive surprise in the quarter. W R Berkley (WRB) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst write‑ups note “solid underwriting” and structural strength but flag slowing growth and valuation concerns — useful context for longer‑term investors but not an immediate operational change. W.R. Berkley: Solid Q4 But Structurally Expensive
• Negative Sentiment: Several sell‑side firms cut price targets and kept neutral/hold opinions (Jefferies, Wells Fargo, Mizuho, Bank of America), signaling limited near‑term upside and contributing downward pressure on the stock. W. R. Berkley: Solid Underwriting but Slowing Growth and Limited Upside Justify Neutral (Hold) Rating
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction is also reflecting a narrow EPS miss and flat revenue trend in the quarter — these keep valuation multiple under pressure (analysts trimmed targets to mid‑$60s). W.R. Berkley Q4 Earnings Miss Estimate, Revenues Up Y/Y

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WRB has been the topic of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on W.R. Berkley from $75.00 to $70.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of W.R. Berkley in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered their target price on W.R. Berkley from $78.00 to $76.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. BMO Capital Markets cut shares of W.R. Berkley from a “market perform” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $64.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI set a $69.00 price target on shares of W.R. Berkley and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $70.43.

Institutional Trading of W.R. Berkley

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Compass Financial Services Inc purchased a new position in W.R. Berkley during the third quarter worth $26,000. Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in shares of W.R. Berkley in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of W.R. Berkley during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Triumph Capital Management bought a new position in W.R. Berkley during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in W.R. Berkley in the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. 68.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

W.R. Berkley Company Profile

W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) is a publicly traded insurance holding company that underwrites and sells commercial property and casualty insurance, specialty insurance products, and reinsurance. Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, the company operates a portfolio of underwriting businesses that focus on niche and specialty commercial risks, offering coverage tailored to industries such as transportation, construction, professional services and other commercial lines.

The company’s product mix includes primary and excess casualty, property, professional liability, environmental and other specialty lines, together with treaty and facultative reinsurance solutions.