Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Sold by Xponance Inc.

Xponance Inc. decreased its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 32,052 shares of the company’s stock after selling 206 shares during the period. Xponance Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $8,941,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MAR. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Marriott International by 12.5% during the third quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,122 shares of the company’s stock worth $528,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 4.8% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 3,734 shares of the company’s stock worth $928,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 3.5% during the third quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 208,994 shares of the company’s stock worth $51,956,000 after acquiring an additional 7,122 shares during the last quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc raised its position in Marriott International by 151.8% during the third quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 3,603 shares of the company’s stock worth $896,000 after acquiring an additional 2,172 shares during the last quarter. Finally, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG acquired a new position in Marriott International during the third quarter worth about $2,148,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on MAR shares. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Argus lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $286.45.

Marriott International Stock Down 3.1 %

Shares of MAR stock opened at $240.39 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $66.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $277.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $270.12.

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

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.05%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total transaction of $1,003,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at $7,089,714.45. This represents a 12.40 % 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. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

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.