Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd., which holds approximately 10% ownership of W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB), has significantly increased its equity stake by acquiring common shares worth nearly $46.9 million in three separate transactions conducted over January 22 and 23, 2026.
Specific details reveal that on January 22, Mitsui Sumitomo purchased 330,000 shares at an average price of $67.4505 per share. The next day, January 23, two additional purchase blocks were executed, consisting of 201,081 shares at $66.7699 per share and 166,919 shares at $67.1803 per share, respectively. This series of acquisitions raises Mitsui Sumitomo’s direct holding in W.R. Berkley to a total of 54,589,504 shares.
These transactions were conducted under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, adopted on October 3, 2025, which allows insiders to buy or sell shares according to predetermined criteria independent of any material nonpublic information.
Concurrently, W.R. Berkley has extended its commitment to returning capital to shareholders by boosting its share repurchase authorization limit to 25 million shares. This move aims to support book value growth and enhance overall shareholder value.
Despite these internal investment movements, external perspectives on W.R. Berkley’s stock have dimmed recently. Two notable analyst firms have reduced their ratings: TD Cowen downgraded the company’s stock from Hold to Sell, attributing this to valuation concerns and setting a new price target at $55.00. Evercore ISI followed suit by lowering its rating to Underperform, citing concerns over profit margins and adjusting the price target to $69.00.
The company is also undergoing leadership changes that reflect broader strategic adjustments. Lee Iannarone has been elevated to the role of executive vice president, while Stephen Kennedy has taken on the position of senior vice president and general counsel. Furthermore, Erin Rotz has been appointed president of Berkley Fire & Marine, bringing with her over two decades of experience in insurance.
These developments collectively indicate active internal and external evaluation of W.R. Berkley’s strategic direction amid fluctuating market sentiments and corporate repositioning.