Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Short Interest Down 17.2% in January

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

Marriott International Trading Down 1.6 %

NASDAQ:MAR opened at $283.52 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $284.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $262.73. The company has a market cap of $78.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.66, a P/E/G ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 expect that Marriott International will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be paid a $0.63 dividend. 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 is currently 30.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MAR. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Marriott International has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $284.45.

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 on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total value 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pennington Partners & CO. LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $1,806,000. South Plains Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $884,000. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its stake in Marriott International by 9.7% during the fourth quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 51,195 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,611,000 after purchasing an additional 4,514 shares during the period. Navigoe LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $44,000. Finally, Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.