Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. Buys 4,752 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 52.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 13,817 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,752 shares during the quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in Marriott International were worth $3,854,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 82.3% in the 4th quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 906 shares of the company's stock valued at $253,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares during the last quarter. Apella Capital LLC lifted its stake in Marriott International by 131.8% during the fourth quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 2,100 shares of the company's stock valued at $586,000 after purchasing an additional 1,194 shares during the last quarter. Covea Finance boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 69.9% during the fourth quarter. Covea Finance now owns 60,540 shares of the company's stock worth $16,887,000 after buying an additional 24,900 shares in the last quarter. Clarus Wealth Advisors bought a new position in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at $940,000. Finally, Park Avenue Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 25.2% during the 4th quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 3,522 shares of the company's stock valued at $982,000 after acquiring an additional 708 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of Marriott International stock traded up $1.18 on Friday, reaching $277.18. The stock had a trading volume of 1,800,641 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,345,555. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $295.45. The business's 50-day moving average price is $282.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $255.65. The stock has a market cap of $77.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.27 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.11 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. Marriott International's payout ratio is 26.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Macquarie reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price objective on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marriott International has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $272.15.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total value of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,560,791.10. This represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total transaction of $137,245.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,286 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,372,384.14. This trade represents a 3.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,739. 10.07% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.