Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Hold" by Analysts

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Hold" by the twenty research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $269.65.

MAR has been the subject of a number of research reports. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Mizuho increased their price objective on Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their target price on Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR traded up $0.83 on Friday, reaching $275.28. 1,772,889 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,492,444. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.50 billion, a PE ratio of 28.80, a P/E/G ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 1.58. The company's 50 day moving average is $280.75 and its 200-day moving average is $253.55. Marriott International has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $295.45.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.27 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.11 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Marriott International will post 9.26 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were given a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.92%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is 26.36%.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total transaction of $673,567.60. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 39,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,338,197.66. The trade was a 5.61 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was 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 $3,372,384.14. This represents a 3.91 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739 in the last ninety days. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 26.4% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,047 shares of the company's stock worth $850,000 after acquiring an additional 637 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 80.2% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 638 shares of the company's stock worth $178,000 after purchasing an additional 284 shares during the last quarter. Old Port Advisors bought a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at about $220,000. SK Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International in the third quarter valued at about $831,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Marriott International by 1.7% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 263,638 shares of the company's stock worth $65,540,000 after buying an additional 4,301 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

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.