Fayez Sarofim & Co Has $296.46 Million Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Fayez Sarofim & Co raised its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 2.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,047,156 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 25,469 shares during the period. Fayez Sarofim & Co owned approximately 0.38% of Marriott International worth $296,455,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its stake 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 purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its position 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 worth $30,000 after acquiring 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 approximately $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MAR has been the subject of several recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. 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, Argus increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Marriott International currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $273.10.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the 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 owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at $7,089,714.45. This represents a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, 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 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 $3,971,395.74. This represents a 50.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132. Corporate insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

MAR traded up $9.21 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $229.80. The company had a trading volume of 3,492,506 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,573,372. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $204.55 and a 12-month high of $307.52. The company has a market cap of $63.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.62, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $246.15 and its 200 day simple moving average is $267.64.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

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