Financial leverage has increased significantly, with total liabilities surging to $50.0 billion in 2026Q1 from $27.9 billion in 2023Q4, while equity growth has lagged at only $18.1 billion.
| Metric | TTM | Dec'25 | Dec'24 | Dec'23 | Dec'22 | Dec'21 | Dec'20 | Dec'19 | Dec'18 | Dec'17 | Dec'16 | Dec'15 | Dec'14 | Dec'13 | Dec'12 | Dec'11 | Dec'10 | Dec'09 | Dec'08 | Dec'07 | Dec'06 | Dec'05 | Dec'04 | Dec'03 | Dec'02 | Dec'01 | Dec'00 | Dec'99 | Dec'98 | Dec'97 | Dec'96 |
|---|
| Total Assets | 68.6B | 68.91B | 47.35B | 43.44B | 49.79B | 48.48B | 34.27B | 30.63B | 27.2B | 27.39B | 24.16B | 23.24B | 23.58B | 22.28B | 11.95B | 11.01B | 10.22B | 10.24B | 9.48B | 10.13B | 10.09B | 9.81B | 9.4B | 8.53B | 7.41B | 6.44B | 5.47B | 2.46B | 1.92B | 1.87B | 1.61B |
| Asset Growth % | 98.73% | 45.54% | 8.98% | -12.75% | 2.71% | 41.46% | 11.9% | 12.58% | -0.7% | 13.37% | 3.99% | -1.46% | 5.82% | 86.45% | 8.6% | 7.7% | -0.23% | 8.06% | -6.48% | 0.46% | 2.79% | 4.43% | 10.14% | 15.17% | 15.03% | 17.68% | 122.91% | 27.79% | 2.74% | 16.5% | 22.12% |
| Total Investment Assets | 4M | 32.84B | 30.92B | 27.13B | 22.2B | 23.41B | 19.71B | 18.76B | 16.84B | 18.07B | 16.97B | 15.11B | 16.16B | 14.85B | 8.36B | 7.95B | 7.48B | 7B | 6.27B | 7.31B | 6.98B | 0 | 243.43M | 4.98B | 3.87B | 3.29B | 2.89B | 1.62B | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Long-Term Investments | 114.02B | 25.77B | 30.92B | 27.13B | 7.67B | 9.02B | 19.71B | 18.76B | 16.84B | 18.07B | 16.97B | 15.11B | 16.16B | 14.85B | 8.36B | 7.95B | 7.48B | 7B | 6.27B | 7.31B | 6.98B | 0 | 121.71M | 4.98B | 3.87B | 3.29B | 2.89B | 1.62B | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Short-Term Investments | 7.18B | 7.07B | 0 | 0 | 14.53B | 14.39B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 121.71M | 82.01M | 67.82M | 64.79M | 80.71M | 141.75M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Current Assets | 33.64B | 33.32B | 7.06B | 6.96B | 33.22B | 30.77B | 7.15B | 4.93B | 3.72B | 3.82B | 3.15B | 4.08B | 3.51B | 3.82B | 1.31B | 1.06B | 1B | 2B | 1.91B | 1.83B | 2.12B | 2.96B | 2.84B | 905.44M | 920.6M | 2.17B | 1.66B | 664.11M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cash & Equivalents | 3.68B | 3.96B | 4.19B | 4.33B | 4.14B | 3.98B | 5.22B | 3.5B | 2.4B | 2.5B | 2.09B | 3.07B | 2.48B | 2.77B | 973.18M | 775.03M | 745.26M | 850.49M | 639.58M | 477.66M | 555.12M | 333.76M | 378.94M | 372.51M | 444.24M | 296.78M | 250.32M | 1.81M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Receivables | 46.41B | 18.58B | 2.87B | 2.63B | 11.41B | 9.71B | 1.93B | 1.42B | 1.33B | 1.32B | 1.06B | 1.01B | 1.03B | 1.06B | 332.57M | 283.25M | 257.03M | 1.15B | 1.27B | 1.36B | 1.57B | 0 | 0 | 450.92M | 408.54M | 1.81B | 1.33B | 520.55M | 287.63M | 0 | 0 |
| Other Current Assets | 500.82M | 638.6M | 0 | 0 | 1.08B | 902.46M | 9.6B | 6.88B | 5.59B | 6.58B | 6.46B | 6.31B | 5.97B | 6.25B | 2.66B | 1.97B | 1.59B | 2.64B | 2.6B | 2.09B | 2.5B | 2.96B | 2.84B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Goodwill & Intangibles | 19.3B | 5.27B | 4.2B | 4.21B | 5.31B | 5.52B | 4.39B | 4.05B | 3.96B | 3.13B | 1.86B | 1.96B | 1.75B | 1.53B | 1.05B | 867.56M | 645.9M | 502.83M | 344.03M | 344.91M | 339.72M | 339.72M | 339.72M | 357.32M | 361.44M | 372.13M | 403M | 92.31M | 35.3M | 37.3M | 39.3M |
| Goodwill | 2.84B | 2.82B | 2.74B | 2.62B | 2.64B | 2.9B | 2.6B | 2.31B | 2.24B | 1.78B | 1.14B | 1.17B | 1.05B | 967.72M | 674.93M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 339.72M | 339.72M | 339.72M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Intangible Assets | 2.36B | 2.45B | 1.46B | 1.59B | 2.67B | 2.62B | 1.78B | 1.74B | 1.73B | 1.36B | 722.54M | 792.37M | 702.75M | 565.08M | 374.3M | 867.56M | 645.9M | 502.83M | 344.03M | 344.91M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 357.32M | 361.44M | 372.13M | 403M | 92.31M | 35.3M | 37.3M | 39.3M |
| PP&E (Net) | 0 | 0 | 2.08B | 1.93B | 0 | 0 | 1.16B | 821.32M | 551.54M | 501.62M | 412.4M | 430.83M | 421.39M | 347.91M | 330.23M | 244.85M | 159.57M | 100.24M | 57.26M | 50.53M | 45.97M | 49.54M | 30.22M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.9M | 8M | 10.1M | 15.4M |
| Other Assets | 4.68B | 4.54B | 3.05B | 3.19B | 3.59B | 3.16B | 1.86B | 2.05B | 1.67B | 1.43B | 1.11B | 970.61M | 1.02B | 961.01M | 571.57M | 481.92M | 527.08M | 476.7M | 525.91M | 514.54M | 560.78M | -523.38M | 6.02B | -4.98B | -3.87B | -3.67B | -3.29B | -1.73B | -43.3M | -47.4M | -54.7M |
| Total Liabilities | 49.95B | 49.8B | 29.88B | 27.92B | 36.05B | 33.28B | 21.21B | 19.37B | 17.93B | 17.73B | 15.62B | 15.33B | 15.92B | 15.53B | 7.98B | 7.54B | 7.03B | 7.45B | 7.3B | 7.49B | 7.79B | 8.11B | 7.74B | 7.15B | 6.25B | 5.21B | 4.57B | 167.98M | 93.2M | 93.2M | 114.7M |
| Total Debt | 4.38B | 4.3B | 5.65B | 4.97B | 4.1B | 4.82B | 4.52B | 4.01B | 3.01B | 3.1B | 2.57B | 2.24B | 2.25B | 2.26B | 1.49B | 1.29B | 1.02B | 963.65M | 688.51M | 680.7M | 858.36M | 848.88M | 855.08M | 762.11M | 490.49M | 381.02M | 573.11M | 167.98M | 93.2M | 93.2M | 114.7M |
| Net Debt | 702.38M | 339.11M | 1.45B | 636.35M | -33.8M | 844.15M | -692.44M | 508.58M | 613.14M | 598.38M | 489.37M | -828.71M | -228.8M | -509.23M | 519.37M | 518.49M | 270.69M | 113.15M | 48.93M | 203.04M | 303.24M | 515.12M | 476.14M | 389.6M | 46.26M | 84.24M | 322.79M | 166.17M | 93.2M | 93.2M | 114.7M |
| Long-Term Debt | 4.38B | 4.3B | 4.88B | 4.24B | 3.85B | 4.82B | 3.92B | 3.68B | 2.72B | 3.01B | 2.39B | 2.21B | 2.23B | 2.23B | 1.25B | 1.05B | 769.86M | 962.91M | 688.51M | 587.65M | 678.95M | 749.99M | 855.08M | 762.11M | 640.49M | 381.02M | 573.11M | 167.98M | 93.2M | 93.2M | 114.7M |
| Short-Term Debt | 0 | 0 | 172.79M | 202M | 249.94M | 0 | 126.8M | 113.05M | 288.54M | 86.31M | 183.92M | 30.27M | 23.34M | 28.8M | 246.62M | 246.35M | 246.08M | 733K | 0 | 93.05M | 179.41M | 98.89M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 40.22B | 39.78B | 0 | 0 | 28.09B | 24.18B | 0 | 0 | 5.4B | 4.94B | 2.24B | 2.24B | 2.14B | 2.15B | 881.99M | 64.33M | 50.72M | 1.01B | 42.4M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.83B | 4B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Accounts Payable | 16.35B | 1.67B | 1.43B | 1.04B | 669.74M | 7.49B | 6.23B | 5.66B | 5.4B | 4.94B | 2.24B | 2.24B | 2.14B | 2.15B | 881.99M | 855.43M | 50.72M | 46.85M | 42.4M | 39.79M | 0 | 0 | 89.64M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deferred Revenue | 7.23B | 7.25B | 7.06B | 6.64B | 6.22B | 5.38B | 2.98B | 2.64B | 0 | 0 | 1.96B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.01B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Current Liabilities | 16.64B | 30.86B | -8.67B | -7.88B | 20.95B | 11.3B | -9.34B | -8.42B | -5.69B | -5.03B | -4.39B | -2.27B | -23.34M | -28.8M | -246.62M | -1.04B | -246.08M | -733K | 0 | -93.05M | -1.25B | 5.88B | 5.48B | -150.16M | -122.19M | 4.66B | 3.86B | -60.71M | -22.71M | 0 | 0 |
| Deferred Taxes | 0 | 0 | 1000K | 1000K | 0 | 0 | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Liabilities | 5.35B | 5.72B | 22.8B | 21.95B | 4.11B | 4.27B | 15.82B | 14.59B | 14.31B | 13.77B | 12.24B | 12.26B | 12.66B | 12.64B | 6.23B | 6.09B | 5.92B | 6.49B | 6.61B | 6.91B | 7.11B | -749.99M | 1.31B | -762.11M | -640.49M | -381.02M | -573.11M | -167.98M | -93.2M | -93.2M | -114.7M |
| Total Equity | 18.65B | 19.1B | 17.47B | 15.53B | 13.74B | 15.2B | 13.06B | 11.26B | 9.27B | 9.67B | 8.54B | 7.9B | 7.66B | 6.75B | 3.98B | 3.46B | 3.19B | 2.79B | 2.18B | 2.64B | 2.3B | 1.71B | 1.66B | 1.38B | 1.16B | 1.24B | 902.37M | 533.42M | 575.3M | 506.8M | 268.3M |
| Equity Growth % | 28.52% | 9.35% | 12.52% | 13.02% | -9.63% | 16.4% | 16.03% | 21.37% | -4.07% | 13.19% | 8.07% | 3.14% | 13.52% | 69.81% | 14.81% | 8.62% | 14.18% | 28.02% | -17.44% | 15.01% | 34.65% | 2.95% | 19.84% | 19.25% | -6.15% | 36.87% | 69.17% | -7.28% | 13.52% | 88.89% | 25.73% |
| Shareholders Equity | 18.13B | 18.6B | 16.92B | 14.98B | 13.15B | 14.72B | 12.8B | 11.07B | 9.08B | 9.5B | 8.46B | 7.83B | 7.59B | 6.67B | 3.89B | 3.39B | 3.17B | 2.77B | 2.18B | 2.64B | 2.3B | 1.71B | 1.66B | 1.38B | 1.16B | 1.09B | 752.37M | 383.42M | 425.3M | 356.8M | 268.3M |
| Minority Interest | 518.12M | 504.43M | 553.08M | 541.97M | 585.95M | 484.24M | 260.53M | 185.11M | 193.71M | 163.7M | 80.16M | 69.42M | 68.23M | 76.62M | 86.58M | 74.83M | 16.17M | 17.35M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150M | 150M | 150M | 150M | 150M | 0 |
| Retained Earnings | 14.66B | 15.03B | 13.38B | 11.35B | 9.83B | 10.45B | 8.2B | 7.46B | 5.78B | 3.78B | 3.53B | 3.14B | 2.58B | 2.29B | 2.07B | 1.84B | 1.74B | 1.51B | 1.3B | 1.42B | 1.02B | 669.06M | 537.07M | 375.04M | 251.57M | 176.25M | 302M | 342.43M | 303.9M | 246.9M | 200.2M |
| Common Stock | 3.71B | 3.67B | 3.56B | 3.52B | 3.49B | 3.44B | 3.43B | 3.4B | 3.39B | 3.38B | 3.37B | 3.34B | 3.31B | 3.29B | 908.98M | 891.51M | 884.46M | 872.88M | 869.74M | 866.36M | 854.56M | 743.5M | 742.29M | 737.36M | 736.25M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Accumulated OCI | -237.6M | -109.46M | -617.08M | -478.21M | -767.49M | 237.62M | 584.38M | 208.77M | -94.65M | 2.35B | 1.57B | 1.35B | 1.7B | 1.09B | 911.34M | 660.92M | 551.09M | 387.09M | 13.03M | 357.53M | 426.15M | 292.87M | 377.15M | 269.88M | 171.3M | 173.29M | 124.46M | 15.37M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Return on Equity (ROE) | 9.56% | 11.52% | 16.65% | 13.64% | -1.49% | 17.15% | 6.71% | 17.44% | -1.35% | 4.34% | 5.54% | 7.49% | 4.46% | 5.24% | 6.81% | 4.27% | 8.92% | 8.11% | -2.44% | 16.43% | 19.62% | 8.8% | 10.89% | 9.72% | 6.29% | -11.76% | -3.84% | 7.33% | 10.59% | 13% | 19.39% |
| Return on Assets (ROA) | 2.98% | 3.62% | 6.05% | 4.28% | -0.44% | 5.86% | 2.51% | 6.19% | -0.47% | 1.53% | 1.92% | 2.49% | 1.4% | 1.64% | 2.21% | 1.34% | 2.61% | 2.05% | -0.6% | 4.01% | 3.94% | 1.54% | 1.85% | 1.55% | 1.09% | -2.11% | -0.7% | 1.86% | 3.02% | 2.9% | 3.2% |
| Equity / Assets | 27.19% | 27.72% | 36.9% | 35.74% | 27.59% | 31.36% | 38.11% | 36.75% | 34.09% | 35.29% | 35.35% | 34.01% | 32.5% | 30.29% | 33.26% | 31.46% | 31.2% | 27.26% | 23.01% | 26.06% | 22.76% | 17.38% | 17.63% | 16.2% | 15.65% | 19.18% | 16.49% | 21.73% | 29.94% | 27.1% | 16.71% |
| Debt / Equity | 0.24x | 0.23x | 0.32x | 0.32x | 0.30x | 0.32x | 0.35x | 0.36x | 0.32x | 0.32x | 0.30x | 0.28x | 0.29x | 0.33x | 0.38x | 0.37x | 0.32x | 0.35x | 0.32x | 0.26x | 0.37x | 0.50x | 0.52x | 0.55x | 0.42x | 0.31x | 0.64x | 0.31x | 0.16x | 0.18x | 0.43x |
| Book Value per Share | 1660.37 | 1500.56 | 1339.54 | 1160.55 | 1011.56 | 1101.56 | 944.83 | 810.89 | 666.12 | 690.26 | 606.70 | 562.09 | 545.14 | 536.33 | 407.27 | 355.99 | 325.83 | 284.12 | 222.20 | 264.62 | 230.52 | 170.64 | 164.34 | 137.81 | 117.72 | 144.72 | 130.49 | 94.56 | 102.12 | 89.70 | 47.68 |
| Tangible BV per Share | 1198.12 | 1086.22 | 1017.83 | 845.60 | 620.42 | 701.87 | 627.43 | 519.34 | 381.40 | 466.56 | 474.24 | 422.68 | 420.52 | 414.54 | 299.78 | 266.79 | 259.81 | 232.94 | 187.15 | 230.06 | 196.41 | 136.65 | 130.63 | 102.18 | 81.01 | 101.11 | 72.21 | 78.20 | 95.85 | 83.09 | 40.70 |
Reserve adequacy and underwriting volatility
According to recent financial statements, Markel's total assets grew to $68.6 billion in 2026Q1 from $43.4 billion in 2023Q4, yet equity only increased to $18.1 billion from $15.0 billion, suggesting that the firm is utilizing significant leverage to support its expanding insurance and Ventures operations.
The widening gap between asset growth and equity accumulation indicates a reliance on liability-driven expansion, which may increase sensitivity to market volatility. Investors should monitor whether this leverage profile remains sustainable if underwriting margins continue to face the pressure observed in recent quarters.
As reported in quarterly filings, claims and loss reserves reached $1.2 billion in 2026Q1, following a period of significant fluctuation where reserves peaked at $2.2 billion in 2023Q4, highlighting the inherent volatility in the company's long-tail casualty exposures and the potential for future reserve strengthening.
The variability in loss reserves suggests that the company's underwriting engine is grappling with unpredictable claims environments. This volatility may necessitate higher capital buffers to maintain solvency, potentially limiting the firm's flexibility to pursue further acquisitions within the Markel Ventures segment.
Based on the provided balance sheet data, total liabilities have surged to $50.0 billion as of 2026Q1, up from $27.9 billion in 2023Q4, which indicates a substantial increase in financial leverage that warrants careful investigation regarding the firm's long-term capital adequacy and debt-servicing capacity.
The rapid accumulation of liabilities relative to equity suggests that the company's capital structure is becoming more aggressive. This shift may indicate that the firm is prioritizing growth in its insurance and Ventures segments at the expense of a more conservative, fortress-like balance sheet position.
As indicated by the divergence between operating losses and capital returns, Markel's reliance on the Markel Ventures model may mask underlying insurance weaknesses, with the 2026Q1 ROE of -1.1% suggesting that the current diversification strategy is failing to insulate the firm from core underwriting volatility.
The firm's attempt to balance insurance float with non-insurance operating businesses appears to be under stress, as evidenced by the recent negative return on equity. Investors should consider whether the complexity of this conglomerate structure creates hidden risks that are not fully reflected in traditional insurance valuation metrics.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying MKL stock.
As of 2025, Markel Corporation (MKL) had total assets of $68.91B including $33.32B in current assets.
Markel Corporation (MKL) carries total debt of $4.30B, offset by $11.03B in cash and short-term investments. Comparing total debt to cash helps evaluate the company's debt burden and net leverage.
Markel Corporation (MKL) has total shareholders' equity (book value) of $18.60B ($1500.56 book value per share). Book value represents the net worth of the company belonging to common stock holders.
Markel Corporation (MKL) reported a current ratio of 0.84x. A current ratio above 1.0x indicates that the company has more current assets than current liabilities, suggesting sufficient short-term liquidity.