Oak Thistle LLC Makes New $687,000 Investment in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 2,722 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $687,000. Marriott International makes up approximately 0.6% of Oak Thistle LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Roble Belko & Company Inc boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 845.5% in the first quarter. Roble Belko & Company Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC boosted its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Keener Financial Planning LLC bought a new position in Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Annapolis Financial Services LLC bought a new position in Marriott International during the first quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on MAR shares. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Marriott International from $235.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Marriott International from $248.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a 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 report on Thursday, May 2nd. Barclays raised their target price on Marriott International from $239.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, April 19th. Finally, Susquehanna started coverage on Marriott International in a research report on Friday, June 21st. They set a “neutral” rating and a $255.00 price target on the stock. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $242.19.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Marriott International stock traded down $2.26 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $239.51. The stock had a trading volume of 1,474,983 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,465,906. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $237.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $239.33. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $178.24 and a 1-year high of $260.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 1.60.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.17 by ($0.04). Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 376.88% and a net margin of 12.00%. The company had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.95 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.09 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 24th were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.05%. This is a boost from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 26.01%.

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.