Bragg Financial Advisors Inc Invests $561,000 in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Bragg Financial Advisors Inc bought a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,010 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $561,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its holdings in Marriott International by 112.2% during the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted 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 buying an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. This trade represents a 50.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 24,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132. Company insiders own 12.32% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MAR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price target (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday. Evercore ISI raised Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $277.00.

Marriott International Trading Up 0.7 %

MAR stock traded up $1.62 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $220.41. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,523,436 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,564,767. The company's 50 day moving average is $251.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $268.42. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The stock has a market cap of $60.82 billion, a PE ratio of 26.49, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42.

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, 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%. On average, analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend 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 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.