Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Sold by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lowered its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 17.7% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 38,965 shares of the company’s stock after selling 8,391 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $8,780,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Valmark Advisers Inc. boosted its stake in Marriott International by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 2,017 shares of the company’s stock worth $455,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its stake in Marriott International by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 38,600 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,705,000 after buying an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 3.7% in the fourth quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 8,088 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,824,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. Syon Capital LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Syon Capital LLC now owns 4,373 shares of the company’s stock valued at $986,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares during the period. Finally, GHE LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. GHE LLC now owns 5,586 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,260,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $236.82 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $247.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $229.16. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $165.13 and a 1-year high of $260.57. The company has a market cap of $67.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.44 and a beta of 1.61.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.95 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 376.88% and a net margin of 12.00%. Marriott International’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.09 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were given a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.47%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on MAR. UBS Group lifted their target price on Marriott International from $210.00 to $259.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Barclays lifted their target price on Marriott International from $239.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, April 19th. Mizuho lifted their target price on Marriott International from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $235.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $241.33.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, insider Deborah Marriott Harrison sold 37,300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $241.46, for a total value of $9,006,458.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 9,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,197,286. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, insider Deborah Marriott Harrison sold 37,300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $241.46, for a total value of $9,006,458.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 9,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,197,286. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.48, for a total value of $4,969,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 93,323 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $23,188,899.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 125,003 shares of company stock valued at $30,435,493. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.