Alexis Investment Partners LLC Buys New Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Alexis Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 3,006 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $843,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 112.2% in the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Marriott International by 494.4% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Stock Up 4.0 %

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR traded up $8.89 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $229.48. The stock had a trading volume of 1,564,783 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,564,422. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $247.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $267.90. The stock has a market cap of $63.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.58, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were given a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.10%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MAR shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Susquehanna upped their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price target (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $273.10.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total transaction of $3,610,934.46. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 30,919 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,831,393.97. This represents a 29.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total transaction of $1,003,275.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. This trade represents a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

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.