Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Receives Average Rating of “Hold” from Analysts

Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) have received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the twenty analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $272.15.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $254.00 to $277.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Argus lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $249.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th.

Marriott International Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $288.05 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $282.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $257.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $295.45.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.27 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. Marriott International’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.11 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Marriott International will post 9.25 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Felitia Lee sold 916 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.48, for a total transaction of $253,255.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,609 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $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 accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total value of $137,245.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,286 shares in the company, valued at $3,372,384.14. This trade represents a 3.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 13,815 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,739. Insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the third quarter valued at $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. ORG Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 158.5% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.