Korea Investment CORP Boosts Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Korea Investment CORP lifted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 51.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 137,952 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 46,652 shares during the period. Korea Investment CORP's holdings in Marriott International were worth $38,480,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 10.8% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 379 shares of the company's stock valued at $94,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC lifted its stake in Marriott International by 22.3% in the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 7,393 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,838,000 after buying an additional 1,349 shares during the period. Freedom Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Marriott International by 10.6% in the 3rd quarter. Freedom Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,158 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,034,000 after acquiring an additional 397 shares during the last quarter. Blueshift Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth $206,000. Finally, CreativeOne Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter. CreativeOne Wealth LLC now owns 1,772 shares of the company's stock valued at $441,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $7,089,714.45. This represents a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 over the last ninety days. 12.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of Marriott International stock traded up $1.11 during trading on Monday, hitting $238.12. The company's stock had a trading volume of 741,973 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,712,125. The stock has a market cap of $65.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $307.52. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $272.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $270.93.

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

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.06%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price target 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. Evercore ISI raised shares of Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Argus increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $286.05.

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.