Blue Trust Inc. Increases Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 45.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,628 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,131 shares during the quarter. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $915,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Roble Belko & Company Inc grew its stake 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 acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Bangor Savings Bank increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 131.1% in the second quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the first quarter worth about $29,000. ORG Partners LLC boosted its stake 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 last quarter. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $235.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $240.00 to $251.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Susquehanna initiated coverage on Marriott International in a research report on Friday, June 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $255.00 price target for the company. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Marriott International from $263.00 to $254.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, UBS Group cut their target price on Marriott International from $267.00 to $244.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $242.39.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock traded down $0.71 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $220.56. The stock had a trading volume of 1,005,775 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,505,953. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.24 and a beta of 1.60. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $180.75 and a 12-month high of $260.57. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $235.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $240.45.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.01. Marriott International had a net margin of 12.01% and a negative return on equity of 239.60%. The company had revenue of $6.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.47 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.26 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.29 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.14%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 26.01%.

About Marriott International

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.