Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Sold by Sandy Spring Bank

Sandy Spring Bank cut its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 0.4% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 41,631 shares of the company’s stock after selling 174 shares during the period. Sandy Spring Bank’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $11,613,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 26.0% during the fourth quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 16,355 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,562,000 after buying an additional 3,375 shares in the last quarter. Vinva Investment Management Ltd lifted its stake in Marriott International by 8.1% during the fourth quarter. Vinva Investment Management Ltd now owns 5,676 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,591,000 after purchasing an additional 426 shares during the last quarter. Trillium Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Marriott International by 10.5% during the fourth quarter. Trillium Asset Management LLC now owns 75,637 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,099,000 after purchasing an additional 7,158 shares during the last quarter. Enhancing Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $558,000. Finally, Generali Asset Management SPA SGR purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $2,781,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Barclays decreased their target price on Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $277.00 to $308.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $286.45.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total value of $1,003,275.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at $7,089,714.45. This trade represents a 12.40 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. This 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 over the last 90 days. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $247.62 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $276.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $269.96. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $204.55 and a 1-year high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.27 billion, a PE ratio of 29.76, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58.

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

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.29%.

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.