Arizona State Retirement System Cuts Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Arizona State Retirement System lessened its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 68,777 shares of the company’s stock after selling 815 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement System’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $19,185,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in MAR. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,621 shares of the company’s stock valued at $652,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its stake in Marriott International by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 37,809 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,399,000 after acquiring an additional 1,645 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Marriott International by 13.8% in the 3rd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 29,857 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,423,000 after acquiring an additional 3,623 shares during the last quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc grew its stake in Marriott International by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 31,614 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,859,000 after acquiring an additional 930 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Marriott International by 145.2% in the 3rd quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. now owns 50,472 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,319,000 after acquiring an additional 29,891 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Argus raised their price target 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. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $286.45.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the sale, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at $3,971,395.74. This represents a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Company insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

MAR opened at $271.10 on Thursday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year high of $307.52. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $282.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $268.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.74 billion, a PE ratio of 32.58, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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, sell-side analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.93%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 30.29%.

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.