Head to Head Comparison: Kushco (OTCMKTS:KSHB) versus Markel Group (NYSE:MKL)
by Michael Walen · The Markets DailyKushco (OTCMKTS:KSHB – Get Free Report) and Markel Group (NYSE:MKL – Get Free Report) are both multi-sector conglomerates companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings and dividends.
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, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of recent ratings for Kushco and Markel Group, as provided 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 price target of $2,100.00, indicating a potential upside of 9.18%. Given Markel Group’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Markel Group is more favorable 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% |
Earnings & Valuation
This table compares Kushco and Markel Group”s revenue, earnings per share 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 | 1.56 | $2.11 billion | $169.75 | 11.33 |
Markel Group has higher revenue and earnings than Kushco.
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.