Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan Makes New Investment in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 3,705 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,033,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MAR. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc increased its stake 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 last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. The trade was a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Trading Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ MAR traded up $1.62 on Friday, hitting $220.41. 1,523,436 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,562,542. The company has a market capitalization of $60.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $250.07 and a 200 day moving average of $268.51. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52.

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

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were issued a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.14%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on MAR shares. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Barclays cut their price objective on Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. UBS Group increased their target price on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $277.00.

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.