Swiss National Bank Sells 8,000 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Swiss National Bank decreased its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 720,538 shares of the company’s stock after selling 8,000 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $179,126,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital International Investors increased its holdings in Marriott International by 4.7% in the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 3,296,879 shares of the company’s stock worth $831,836,000 after purchasing an additional 149,378 shares in the last quarter. National Pension Service lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 11.6% during the 3rd quarter. National Pension Service now owns 719,613 shares of the company’s stock valued at $178,896,000 after acquiring an additional 74,832 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Marriott International by 5.1% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 679,757 shares of the company’s stock worth $164,355,000 after acquiring an additional 33,149 shares in the last quarter. First Pacific Advisors LP grew its holdings in Marriott International by 2.1% in the second quarter. First Pacific Advisors LP now owns 613,205 shares of the company’s stock worth $148,255,000 after purchasing an additional 12,499 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 0.5% during the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 566,548 shares of the company’s stock valued at $140,844,000 after purchasing an additional 2,723 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Trading Down 1.1 %

MAR opened at $278.78 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $256.59 and a 200 day moving average of $241.82. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $200.94 and a 12 month high of $289.04. The company has a market cap of $77.47 billion, a PE ratio of 29.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.48 and a beta of 1.58.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly 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). The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.27 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. Marriott International’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.11 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, November 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.90%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 26.36%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Marriott International from $268.00 to $250.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $240.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $259.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total transaction of $673,567.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 39,726 shares in the company, valued at $11,338,197.66. The trade was a 5.61 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total value of $137,245.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,286 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,372,384.14. This trade represents a 3.91 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 12,108 shares of company stock valued at $3,434,439. Company 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.