World Investment Advisors Raises Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

World Investment Advisors boosted its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 101.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,392 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,213 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors’ holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,783,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MAR. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its position in Marriott International by 4,324.2% during the 3rd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 5,486 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,364,000 after buying an additional 5,362 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at about $270,000. Quantinno Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 42.2% in the 3rd quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 29,498 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,333,000 after purchasing an additional 8,753 shares during the last quarter. Stevens Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $220,000. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $18,769,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Price Performance

Marriott International stock opened at $214.58 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $59.22 billion, a PE ratio of 25.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $267.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $270.38.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.17%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on MAR. Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Evercore ISI raised Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $286.05.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total value of $3,610,934.46. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 30,919 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,831,393.97. This represents a 29.02 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 over the last quarter. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Marriott International 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.