Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) has been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-two ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have issued a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $275.15.

A number of analysts have weighed in on MAR shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. UBS Group cut their target price on Marriott International from $302.00 to $299.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Barclays cut their target price on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Mizuho cut their target price on Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total value of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,599,832.04. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total transaction of $3,166,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 124,067 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $32,741,281.30. The trade was a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Marriott International

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Harold Davidson & Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Harold Davidson & Associates Inc. now owns 11,186 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,665,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the period. Modern Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 107.6% during the first quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,646 shares of the company’s stock worth $392,000 after purchasing an additional 853 shares during the period. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at $18,020,000. Jacobi Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Marriott International by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 3,798 shares of the company’s stock valued at $905,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, McAdam LLC raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 16.1% in the 1st quarter. McAdam LLC now owns 1,675 shares of the company’s stock worth $399,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the period. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Stock Up 2.2%

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $265.63 on Monday. Marriott International has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $307.52. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $245.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $265.35. The stock has a market cap of $72.75 billion, a PE ratio of 31.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.19 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.13 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Marriott International will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is an increase from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.52%.

Marriott International Company 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.