Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. Takes Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm purchased 147 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $33,000.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter worth $25,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, ORG Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 72.6% in the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 126 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,563 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.39, for a total transaction of $856,509.57. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,778 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,841,063.42. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Marriott International news, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,563 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.39, for a total transaction of $856,509.57. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 36,778 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,841,063.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Eric Hippeau sold 1,400 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.19, for a total transaction of $351,666.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 72 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,085.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 125,003 shares of company stock worth $30,435,493. Company insiders own 10.07% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR opened at $236.00 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.16, a PEG ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.62. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $162.77 and a 52 week high of $260.57. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $248.31 and a 200-day moving average of $225.87.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $3.57 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.12 by $1.45. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 848.49% and a net margin of 13.00%. The firm had revenue of $6.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.20 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.96 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.46 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. Marriott International’s payout ratio is currently 20.41%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Barclays raised their price objective on Marriott International from $239.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Marriott International from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $234.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, March 18th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Argus increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $236.88.

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, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.