Moment Partners LLC Invests $307,000 in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Moment Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $307,000.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 7.7% during the fourth quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 388,037 shares of the company’s stock worth $106,819,000 after buying an additional 27,854 shares during the last quarter. Korea Investment CORP grew its stake in shares of Marriott International by 51.1% in the 4th quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 137,952 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,480,000 after purchasing an additional 46,652 shares during the last quarter. Graney & King LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $82,000. Parametrica Management Ltd purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $337,000. Finally, Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. raised its position in Marriott International by 521.4% during the 4th quarter. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,740 shares of the company’s stock worth $488,000 after buying an additional 1,460 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,971,395.74. This represents a 50.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132. Insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MAR. Mizuho increased their target price on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Argus increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $286.05.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $246.72 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $273.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $270.43. The company has a market cap of $68.02 billion, a PE ratio of 29.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52.

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

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

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, City Express by Marriott, and St.