Ellenbecker Investment Group Cuts Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Ellenbecker Investment Group lowered its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,977 shares of the company’s stock after selling 39 shares during the quarter. Ellenbecker Investment Group’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $552,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Jensen Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth about $793,000. BayBridge Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the third quarter worth about $1,254,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 566,548 shares of the company’s stock valued at $140,844,000 after purchasing an additional 2,723 shares in the last quarter. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas purchased a new position in Marriott International in the third quarter valued at $2,721,000. Finally, Kinsale Capital Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth about $3,769,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $272.29 on Tuesday. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $295.45. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $282.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $255.12. The firm has a market cap of $75.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.48, a P/E/G ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 1.57.

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

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were paid a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Mizuho increased their target price on Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $269.65.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, CAO Felitia Lee sold 916 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.48, for a total transaction of $253,255.68. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,609 shares in the company, valued at $1,550,776.32. This represents a 14.04 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 8,332 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.49, for a total value of $2,370,370.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 108,361 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $30,827,620.89. The trade was a 7.14 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

About Marriott International

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.