Generali Asset Management SPA SGR Acquires New Stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Generali Asset Management SPA SGR purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 9,969 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,781,000.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 379 shares of the company's stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. TFG Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the company's stock worth $1,235,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the period. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management boosted its position in Marriott International by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 3,290 shares of the company's stock valued at $918,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,415 shares of the company's stock worth $953,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Essex Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,004 shares of the company's stock worth $838,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Remove Ads

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total value of $3,610,934.46. Following the sale, the insider now owns 30,919 shares in the company, valued at $8,831,393.97. This trade represents a 29.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, 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 position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Company insiders own 12.32% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

NASDAQ:MAR traded up $5.43 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $242.92. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,935,549 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,426,172. The business's fifty day moving average is $275.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $270.37. The stock has a market cap of $66.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.20, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year 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 EPS 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%. Analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.04%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Argus raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Susquehanna upped their price target on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI upgraded 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. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $286.05.

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.