Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Stake Trimmed by Ascent Group LLC

Ascent Group LLC lowered its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 4.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,974 shares of the company’s stock after selling 136 shares during the quarter. Ascent Group LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $750,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Roble Belko & Company Inc grew its stake in Marriott International by 845.5% during the 1st quarter. Roble Belko & Company Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC grew its stake in Marriott International by 72.6% during the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 126 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new position in Marriott International during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Keener Financial Planning LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of MAR stock traded up $2.19 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $240.64. 417,560 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,436,942. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $180.75 and a fifty-two week high of $260.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.85, a P/E/G ratio of 4.45 and a beta of 1.60. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $238.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $242.05.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $2.13 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.17 by ($0.04). Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 376.88% and a net margin of 12.00%. The business had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.95 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.09 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Investors of record on Friday, May 24th were paid a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.05%. This is a positive change from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 23rd. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 26.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Marriott International from $248.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Susquehanna initiated coverage on Marriott International in a research note on Friday, June 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $255.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Marriott International from $235.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Marriott International from $240.00 to $251.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $243.59.

Marriott International Profile

Marriott International, Inc engages in operating, franchising, and licensing hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties worldwide. It operates its properties under the JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, St. Regis, EDITION, Bvlgari, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Tribute Portfolio, Gaylord Hotels, Design Hotels, Marriott Executive Apartments, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Aloft Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Moxy Hotels, Element Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.