Markel To Acquire VSC Fire & Security, Expand Product Suite

Markel Corporation (NYSE:MKL) recently agreed to buy VSC Fire & Security, Inc., which offers comprehensive fire protection, life safety, and low voltage solutions. Notably, it caters to retailers, commercial campuses, healthcare facilities, and government properties across southeast United States.

The acquisition is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019. However, the additional terms have been kept under wraps.

VSC is known in the insurance industry as a provider of solutions to minimize damage if any mishaps occur and is thus a strategic fit for Markel.

VSC’s customers depend on the company’s protection solutions to safeguard their lives and property. The buyout will provide Markel with high-quality, high-integrity management team comprising VSC CEO, Michael Meehan and his team.

This acquisition reflects Markel’s strong financial standing, which should continue to support the company’s inorganic efforts.

Markel Corporation undertakes strategic buyouts from time to time. A number of acquisitions over the years have enabled the company to enhance its surety capabilities, ramp up Markel Ventures’ revenues and expand its reinsurance product offerings.

Some of the company’s notable deals are the Nephila buyout in November 2018, which expanded the company’s Insurance-Linked securities. In September, this year, the company announced the acquisition of online freelancer and contractor business of commercial insurance brokers, Caunce O’Hara.

Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) insurance broker have gained 12.2%, outperforming the industry’s 9.9% growth quarter to date. The company’s policy of ramping up its growth profile and capital position should continue to drive share price higher.

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked insurance stocks are First American Financial (NYSE:FAF) , Donegal Group (NASDAQ:DGICA) and RLI Corporation (NYSE:RLI) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

First American Financial issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services. . The company came up with an average four-quarter positive surprise of 12.20%.

Donegal Group offers personal and commercial lines of property and casualty insurance to businesses and individuals in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England, and southern states. The company delivered an average four-quarter positive surprise of 248.34%.

RLI Corporation underwrites property and casualty insurance in the United States and internationally. The company delivered an average four-quarter positive surprise of 154.89%.

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