Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC Acquires Shares of 800 Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC bought a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm bought 800 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $223,000.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Aspen Investment Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 40.0% during the fourth quarter. Aspen Investment Management Inc now owns 2,490 shares of the company’s stock valued at $695,000 after buying an additional 712 shares during the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB raised its position in Marriott International by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 69,883 shares of the company’s stock valued at $19,493,000 after buying an additional 1,330 shares during the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 18.2% during the 4th quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 17,044 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,754,000 after acquiring an additional 2,624 shares during the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at about $9,969,000. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $835,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MAR has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Susquehanna upped their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $284.05.

Marriott International Trading Down 3.4 %

Shares of Marriott International stock opened at $277.47 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.50 billion, a PE ratio of 33.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $283.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $264.75.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. As a group, analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.91%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 30.29%.

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.