Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Sells 2,340 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. reduced its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 10.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,823 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,340 shares during the quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $5,861,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% in the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In related news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at $3,971,395.74. This represents a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $236.20 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $244.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $267.37. The firm has a market cap of $65.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.39, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th were paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.07%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.29%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the topic of several recent research reports. Susquehanna lifted their price target on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Melius Research upgraded shares of Marriott International to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $273.10.

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.