EC vs MKL Comparison

Ecopetrol SA is engaged in commercial and industrial activities related to the exploration, exploitation, refining, transportation, storage, distribution, and marketing of hydrocarbons, their derivatives, and products, as well as the electric power transmission services, design, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of road and energy infrastructure projects and the provision of information technology and telecommunications services. The operations of the company are performed through four business segments: Exploration and Production, Transport and Logistics, Refining and Petrochemical, and Electric Power Transmission and Toll Roads Concessions. The majority of the company's revenue is generated from the Refining and Petrochemical segment.

Markel's primary business is property and casualty insurance. The company focuses primarily on specialty lines, ranging from areas such as executive liability to commercial equine insurance. The acquisition of Alterra in 2013 added substantial reinsurance operations, which now account for a little over 10% of premiums. The company uses capital generated by its insurance operations to buy noninsurance operations in diverse areas, such as bakery equipment manufacturing and residential homebuilding.