UBS Group Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its price target raised by investment analysts at UBS Group from $294.00 to $301.00 in a report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. UBS Group’s price target points to a potential upside of 4.43% from the company’s previous close.

MAR has been the topic of a number of other reports. Argus boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Barclays cut their price target on Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Susquehanna upped their price target on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $284.45.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.8 %

NASDAQ MAR opened at $288.24 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.10 billion, a PE ratio of 30.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $284.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $262.07. Marriott International has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. As a group, analysts forecast that Marriott International will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 23,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,560,791.10. This represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marriott International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Marriott International by 112.2% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the period. Finally, Silvant Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the third quarter worth about $31,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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, City Express by Marriott, and St.