Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Sells 2,340 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. lowered its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 10.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 20,823 shares of the company's stock after selling 2,340 shares during the period. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.'s holdings in Marriott International were worth $5,861,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc increased 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 during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the sale, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR traded up $2.74 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $239.67. The stock had a trading volume of 2,255,105 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,586,210. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $243.15 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $267.28. 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 $66.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.81, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42.

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 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%. On average, analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.05%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on MAR shares. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $245.00 price target (down from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. UBS Group increased their target price on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut 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 report on Wednesday, April 16th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $273.10.

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.