CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co Has $31.86 Million Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 126,202 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,582 shares during the period. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $31,862,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Roble Belko & Company Inc raised its position in Marriott International by 845.5% during the first quarter. Roble Belko & Company Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. ORG Partners LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 72.6% during 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 during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International during the first quarter valued at $29,000. Keener Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded up $0.61 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $235.65. 735,491 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,444,051. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $180.75 and a 1-year high of $260.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $67.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.40, a PEG ratio of 4.56 and a beta of 1.60. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $239.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $241.75.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.09 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 24th were issued a $0.63 dividend. This is a boost from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.07%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is 26.01%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on MAR shares. Barclays boosted their target price on Marriott International from $240.00 to $251.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Mizuho boosted their target price on Marriott International from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Susquehanna started coverage on Marriott International in a research note on Friday, June 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $255.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Marriott International from $235.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marriott International currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $243.59.

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.