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

Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) have received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-two ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $275.90.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Marriott International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $226.00 to $303.00 in a research report on Monday, May 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 target price (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marriott International news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total value of $3,166,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 124,067 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,741,281.30. This trade represents a 8.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.28, for a total transaction of $670,700.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 5,706 shares in the company, valued at $1,530,805.68. This represents a 30.47% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,107,710. 10.68% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Marriott International

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc increased its holdings in Marriott International by 112.2% during the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda bought a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter worth $30,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of Marriott International stock opened at $269.62 on Friday. Marriott International has a 12-month low of $204.55 and a 12-month high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.85 billion, a PE ratio of 30.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 1.42. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $256.55 and its 200-day moving average is $263.22.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.25 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.75% and a negative return on equity of 100.64%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Marriott International will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm 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 $0.67 dividend. This is an increase from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International’s payout ratio is currently 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.