Aviva PLC Trims Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Aviva PLC cut its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 48.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 144,087 shares of the company's stock after selling 134,750 shares during the quarter. Aviva PLC owned about 0.05% of Marriott International worth $40,192,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, ORG Partners LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 158.5% in the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded up $1.20 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $224.12. The company's stock had a trading volume of 647,609 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,562,983. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $259.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $269.50. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.85 billion, a PE ratio of 26.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42.

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Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. Analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.12%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International's payout ratio is presently 30.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the company'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 sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. This represents a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 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 completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 in the last quarter. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial cut their target price on shares of Marriott International from $308.00 to $300.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Mizuho increased their price objective on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $282.60.

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.