Investors Purchase Large Volume of Marriott International Call Options (NASDAQ:MAR)

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) saw unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Investors acquired 24,751 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 850% compared to the typical daily volume of 2,604 call options.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Macquarie reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 target price on shares of Marriott International in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Argus lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $276.35.

Marriott International Stock Performance

NASDAQ MAR traded down $15.72 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $288.73. 1,541,485 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,456,038. Marriott International has a 1-year low of $204.55 and a 1-year high of $307.52. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $284.30 and its 200 day simple moving average is $261.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.23 billion, a PE ratio of 30.09, a PEG ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57.

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total value of $485,300.10. Following 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 12.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt raised its stake in shares of Marriott International by 297.6% in the 3rd quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 1,841 shares of the company’s stock valued at $458,000 after acquiring an additional 1,378 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 41.5% in the 3rd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,084 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,015,000 after purchasing an additional 1,198 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 126.0% in the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 972 shares of the company’s stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 542 shares during the period. Sapient Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Sapient Capital LLC now owns 64,705 shares of the company’s stock valued at $16,086,000 after buying an additional 713 shares during the period. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 1,247 shares of the company’s stock valued at $310,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

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.