Verdence Capital Advisors LLC Has $1.47 Million Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Verdence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 2.7% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 5,258 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,467,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MAR. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its stake in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% in the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Marriott International during the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. ORG Partners LLC increased its stake in Marriott International by 158.5% during the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the period. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. This trade represents a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.1 %

MAR stock opened at $271.10 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $282.47 and its 200-day moving average is $268.41. The company has a market cap of $74.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. Research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Marriott International from $277.00 to $308.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Finally, Susquehanna upped their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $286.45.

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.