Jefferies Financial Group Lowers Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Price Target to $226.00

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its price target decreased by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $295.00 to $226.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “hold” rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group’s target price would indicate a potential upside of 1.38% from the company’s current price.

MAR has been the subject of several other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $308.00 to $300.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $282.60.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $222.92 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $259.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $269.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.52 billion, a PE ratio of 26.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. Marriott International has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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, sell-side analysts forecast that Marriott International will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total value of $3,610,934.46. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 30,919 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,831,393.97. This represents a 29.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Company insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MAR. NewEdge Wealth LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 34.4% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 4,345 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,212,000 after purchasing an additional 1,112 shares during the last quarter. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,721,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,990,000. Markel Group Inc. grew its stake in Marriott International by 30.6% in the 4th quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 47,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,110,000 after acquiring an additional 11,000 shares during the period. Finally, Covea Finance raised its holdings in Marriott International by 69.9% in the 4th quarter. Covea Finance now owns 60,540 shares of the company’s stock valued at $16,887,000 after acquiring an additional 24,900 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Marriott International

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.