Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Bought by Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund

Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 7.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 259,766 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 18,439 shares during the period. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund owned approximately 0.09% of Marriott International worth $64,578,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bangor Savings Bank lifted its stake in Marriott International by 131.1% during the second quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Silvant Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAR has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Marriott International from $268.00 to $250.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $267.00 price objective on the stock. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Macquarie reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 price objective on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $260.20.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of Marriott International stock opened at $288.18 on Wednesday. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $200.94 and a fifty-two week high of $289.80. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $264.04 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $244.14. The company has a market cap of $80.08 billion, a PE ratio of 30.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 1.58.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.27 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.11 earnings per share. Marriott International’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.36%.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total transaction of $673,567.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 39,726 shares in the company, valued at $11,338,197.66. This trade represents a 5.61 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the sale, the insider now owns 23,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,560,791.10. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 13,815 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,739. Company insiders own 10.07% of the company’s stock.

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, City Express by Marriott, and St.