Guggenheim Capital LLC Trims Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Guggenheim Capital LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 11.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 72,653 shares of the company's stock after selling 9,838 shares during the period. Guggenheim Capital LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $20,266,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% during the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 494.4% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded up $1.62 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $220.41. 1,523,436 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,563,661. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.49, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $250.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $268.24.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. Equities analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MAR. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report 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 price objective on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Fourteen equities 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 has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $277.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. This trade represents a 50.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, 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 ownership of the stock. 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. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company's stock.

Marriott International 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.