Franklin Resources Inc. Sells 4,438 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Franklin Resources Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 16.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 22,830 shares of the company's stock after selling 4,438 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in Marriott International were worth $6,368,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% during the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted 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 worth $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, ORG Partners LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 158.5% during the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped 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 note on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. 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 company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $279.15.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,262,811.48. The trade was a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 24,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. This represents a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Insiders own 12.32% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.0 %

Marriott International stock traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $223.46. The stock had a trading volume of 386,245 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,563,380. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $256.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $269.28. The company has a market capitalization of $61.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.88, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52.

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 negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th were given a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.13%. Marriott International's payout ratio is 30.29%.

About Marriott International

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.