Comparing Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) & Kushco (OTCMKTS:KSHB)

Kushco (OTCMKTS:KSHB) and Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) are both multi-sector conglomerates companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability and earnings.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

77.1% of Markel Group shares are held by institutional investors. 17.3% of Kushco shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.7% of Markel Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Kushco and Markel Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Kushco	0	0	0	0	0.00
Markel Group	0	4	2	0	2.33

Markel Group has a consensus target price of $2,100.00, indicating a potential upside of 10.55%. Given Markel Group’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Markel Group is more favorable than Kushco.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Kushco and Markel Group”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Kushco	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Markel Group	$15.51 billion	1.54	$2.11 billion	$169.75	11.19

Markel Group has higher revenue and earnings than Kushco.

Profitability

This table compares Kushco and Markel Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Kushco	N/A	N/A	N/A
Markel Group	13.22%	8.21%	2.17%

Summary

Markel Group beats Kushco on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Kushco

KushCo Holdings, Inc. provides ancillary products and services to the legal cannabis and CBD industries. The firm through its subsidiaries and brands provides product quality, exceptional customer service, compliance knowledge and a local presence in serving diverse customer base. The company was founded by Dallas Imbimbo, John Kovacevich, Nicholas Kovacevich, and Jeffrey Meng on December 15, 2010 and is headquartered in Cypress, CA.

About Markel Group

Markel Group Inc., a diverse holding company, engages in marketing and underwriting specialty insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The company offers general and professional liability, personal lines, marine and energy, specialty programs, and workers' compensation insurance products; and property coverages that include fire, allied lines, and other specialized property coverages, including catastrophe-exposed property risks, such as earthquake and wind. It also offers credit and surety products, and collateral protection insurance products. In addition, the company offers transaction, directors and officers, and healthcare liability reinsurance; and specialty treaty reinsurance products comprising credit and surety, workers' compensation, marine and energy, public entity, mortgage default, aviation and space, agriculture, and discrete political violence and national terror pools. Further, it provides construction services, consumer and building products, transportation-related products, consulting services, and equipment manufacturing products, as well as healthcare, leasing, and investment services. Additionally, the company operates as an insurance and investment fund manager offering a range of investment products, including insurance-linked securities, catastrophe bonds, insurance swaps, traditional reinsurance contracts, industry loss warranties and other financial instruments; and program services. It also manages funds with third parties. The company was formerly known as Markel Corporation and changed its name to Markel Group Inc. in May 2023. Markel Group Inc. was founded in 1930 and is based in Glen Allen, Virginia.