Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Stake Boosted by Fifth Third Bancorp

Fifth Third Bancorp grew its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 8.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 94,760 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 7,770 shares during the quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $26,432,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in Marriott International by 494.4% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,887 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,479,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Secure Asset Management LLC grew its position in Marriott International by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC now owns 2,451 shares of the company’s stock valued at $684,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in Marriott International by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 86,086 shares of the company’s stock worth $24,013,000 after buying an additional 5,984 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Alpha LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 6.3% during the 4th quarter. Advisory Alpha LLC now owns 2,884 shares of the company’s stock valued at $805,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total value of $485,300.10. Following the sale, the insider now owns 23,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,560,791.10. The trade was a 6.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total transaction of $137,245.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,286 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,372,384.14. This represents a 3.91 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of MAR stock opened at $284.11 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year high of $295.45. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $282.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $257.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.11 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, November 21st were paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.89%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.36%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on MAR shares. Barclays boosted their target price on Marriott International from $249.00 to $286.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $272.15.

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.