Blue Chip Partners LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Blue Chip Partners LLC lessened its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 24.5% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,336 shares of the company’s stock after selling 433 shares during the quarter. Blue Chip Partners LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $373,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in MAR. CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 83,893 shares of the company’s stock worth $23,401,000 after buying an additional 1,929 shares in the last quarter. Human Investing LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth $82,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,731 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,320,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. WBH Advisory Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $231,000. Finally, Monument Capital Management lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 5.2% in the fourth quarter. Monument Capital Management now owns 853 shares of the company’s stock worth $238,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Price Performance

MAR stock opened at $283.52 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $78.79 billion, a PE ratio of 29.66, a P/E/G ratio of 4.88 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 firm’s 50-day moving average is $284.12 and its 200 day moving average is $262.98.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be paid a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have issued reports on MAR. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Argus lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $284.45.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,560,791.10. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 12.32% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.