Critical Review: Jardine Matheson (OTCMKTS:JMHLY) vs. Markel Group (NYSE:MKL)

Jardine Matheson (OTCMKTS:JMHLY) and Markel Group (NYSE:MKL) are both large-cap multi-sector conglomerates companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, risk, dividends, institutional ownership and valuation.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

77.1% of Markel Group shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% 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.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Jardine Matheson and Markel Group”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Jardine Matheson	$34.22 billion	0.57	$1.11 billion	N/A	N/A
Markel Group	$15.88 billion	1.46	$2.11 billion	$138.77	13.40

Markel Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Jardine Matheson.

Risk & Volatility

Jardine Matheson has a beta of 0.17, suggesting that its share price is 83% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Markel Group has a beta of 0.67, suggesting that its share price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings for Jardine Matheson and Markel Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Jardine Matheson	0	0	1	1	3.50
Markel Group	0	5	0	0	2.00

Jardine Matheson presently has a consensus target price of $90.00, indicating a potential upside of 36.44%. Markel Group has a consensus target price of $2,025.00, indicating a potential upside of 8.93%. Given Jardine Matheson’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Jardine Matheson is more favorable than Markel Group.

Profitability

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

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Jardine Matheson	N/A	N/A	N/A
Markel Group	10.85%	7.90%	2.10%

Summary

Markel Group beats Jardine Matheson on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Jardine Matheson

Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates in motor vehicles and related operations, property investment and development, food retailing, health and beauty, home furnishings, engineering and construction, and transport businesses in China, Southeast Asia, and internationally. It also involved in the restaurants and hotels, financial services, heavy equipment, mining, and agribusinesses. The company offers automotive and transport services, as well as invests in, develops, and manages residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. It also operates 7-Eleven, IKEA, and other retailing business, as well as Pizza Hut and KFC franchise restaurants; and invests in and manages hotels, resorts, and residences, as well as engages in construction and energy, infrastructure and logistics, and information technology businesses. In addition, the company sells and services motor vehicles; invests in, owns, develops, and manages office and retail properties; operates outlets, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, health and beauty stores, and home furnishings stores. Further, it engages in the automotive dealerships business. Additionally, the company invests in digital business, such as Halodoc, a healthtech online ecosystem; Sayurbox, an e-commerce grocery platform; Paxel, a technology-based logistics business; and OLX, a used car platform. Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited was founded in 1832 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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.