West Coast Financial LLC Makes New $221,000 Investment in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

West Coast Financial LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 792 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $221,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Marriott International by 10.8% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 379 shares of the company’s stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 0.4% during the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 8,698 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,162,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Haverford Trust Co raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 1.0% in the third quarter. Haverford Trust Co now owns 4,207 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,046,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Marriott International by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,010 shares of the company’s stock worth $500,000 after buying an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton increased its position in Marriott International by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,443 shares of the company’s stock valued at $359,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In related news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 8,332 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.49, for a total value of $2,370,370.68. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 108,361 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,827,620.89. This trade represents a 7.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the sale, the insider now owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,560,791.10. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,739. Corporate insiders own 10.07% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Marriott International stock opened at $276.05 on Thursday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $295.45. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $282.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $255.36. The firm has a market cap of $76.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.88, a PEG ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.27 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.11 earnings per share. Marriott International’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were given a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on MAR. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $269.65.

Marriott International 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.