GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. Acquires Shares of 13,230 Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 13,230 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,690,000. Marriott International makes up 1.5% of GKV Capital Management Co. Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest holding.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in MAR. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at $580,922,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 50.8% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,661,101 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,300,168,000 after purchasing an additional 1,570,144 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $165,162,000. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in Marriott International by 17.4% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,469,070 shares of the company's stock worth $967,662,000 after buying an additional 512,963 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 36,564.5% during the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 360,779 shares of the company's stock valued at $100,636,000 after buying an additional 359,795 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on MAR shares. Argus increased their price objective on Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $245.00 price objective (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Susquehanna upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays lowered their target price on Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target 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. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $275.45.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at $3,971,395.74. The trade was a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International 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 of the company's stock, valued at $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. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Corporate insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

MAR traded up $4.91 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $220.60. 397,554 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,557,998. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The company's fifty day moving average price is $248.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $268.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.88 billion, a PE ratio of 26.53, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. Research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.14%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

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.