Strategic Investment Advisors MI Lowers Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Strategic Investment Advisors MI decreased its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 10.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,537 shares of the company’s stock after selling 288 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Advisors MI’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $708,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. ORG Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 158.5% in the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kathleen S. Wright Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the third quarter worth approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price 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. Finally, 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. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marriott International has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $272.15.

Insider Activity

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total value of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at $6,560,791.10. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total transaction of $673,567.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 39,726 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,338,197.66. This trade represents a 5.61 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $284.11 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $78.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.72, a P/E/G ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 1.57. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $282.24 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $257.46. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $295.45.

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

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. 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 dividend payout ratio is presently 26.36%.

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.