LPL Financial LLC Grows Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

LPL Financial LLC grew its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 6.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 176,805 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 10,456 shares during the quarter. LPL Financial LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Marriott International worth $49,318,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $23,281,000. AXQ Capital LP purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth $304,000. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 26,592 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,418,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 44.3% in the fourth quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 21,861 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,098,000 after purchasing an additional 6,709 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Millstone Evans Group LLC bought a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $134,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Susquehanna upped their target price on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Truist Financial cut their price objective on Marriott International from $308.00 to $300.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a 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, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $286.05.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly 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. Insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 over the last ninety days. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.9 %

Shares of MAR stock opened at $244.45 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $67.39 billion, a PE ratio of 29.38, a PEG 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. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $273.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $270.25.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released 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 negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.03%. 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.