Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Short Interest Update

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,330,000 shares, a decline of 17.2% from the January 15th total of 5,230,000 shares. Approximately 1.8% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,340,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.2 days.

Marriott International Stock Down 1.6 %

Shares of MAR opened at $283.52 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $284.12 and its 200 day moving average price is $262.57. The company has a market cap of $78.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.66, a PEG ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. Research analysts forecast that Marriott International will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.89%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.36%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,560,791.10. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 12.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Marriott International

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at about $580,922,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 50.8% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,661,101 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,300,168,000 after purchasing an additional 1,570,144 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at about $165,162,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its position in Marriott International by 17.4% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,469,070 shares of the company’s stock worth $967,662,000 after purchasing an additional 512,963 shares during the period. Finally, PointState Capital LP acquired a new position in Marriott International during the third quarter worth $98,249,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on MAR shares. Argus boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on Marriott International from $277.00 to $308.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday. Thirteen investment 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 company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $284.45.

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.