Harbor Investment Advisory LLC Sells 4,139 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Harbor Investment Advisory LLC reduced its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 0.7% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 557,761 shares of the company’s stock after selling 4,139 shares during the period. Marriott International comprises approximately 13.7% of Harbor Investment Advisory LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its largest holding. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $155,582,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. PointState Capital LP bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter worth about $98,249,000. Canoe Financial LP bought a new position in Marriott International during the third quarter valued at about $77,331,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Marriott International by 15,148.3% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 302,527 shares of the company’s stock worth $75,208,000 after purchasing an additional 300,543 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 341.6% in the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 381,226 shares of the company’s stock valued at $106,339,000 after buying an additional 294,898 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 36,856.7% during the second quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 241,327 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,346,000 after purchasing an additional 240,674 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $277.18 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $282.53 and a 200-day moving average of $256.13. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $295.45. The stock has a market cap of $77.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.99, a P/E/G ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.27 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.11 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, November 21st were issued a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.91%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 26.36%.

Insider Activity

In other Marriott International news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 8,332 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.49, for a total transaction of $2,370,370.68. Following 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,560,791.10. The trade was a 6.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 13,815 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,739 in the last ninety days. 10.07% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently commented on MAR. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Argus increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. TD Cowen decreased their price target on Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $272.15.

Marriott International Company 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.