Empowered Funds LLC Boosts Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Empowered Funds LLC grew its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 11.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,174 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 440 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,164,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Marriott International by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,806 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,062,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 33.1% during the fourth quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,013 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,956,000 after buying an additional 1,743 shares in the last quarter. TFG Advisers LLC grew its position in Marriott International by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,235,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the period. BayBridge Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in Marriott International by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. BayBridge Capital Group LLC now owns 5,182 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,445,000 after buying an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cidel Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. now owns 87,114 shares of the company’s stock worth $24,300,000 after acquiring an additional 669 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In related news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the 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 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 document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Down 1.6 %

Shares of MAR opened at $283.52 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $284.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $262.73. The company has a market capitalization of $78.17 billion, a PE ratio of 29.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its earnings results 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 net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.89%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.29%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Macquarie reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 price target on shares of Marriott International in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. UBS Group upped their target price on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $262.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $284.45.

Marriott International 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.