Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Short Interest Update

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,330,000 shares, a drop of 17.2% from the January 15th total of 5,230,000 shares. Currently, 1.8% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,340,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.2 days.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total value of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 23,077 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,560,791.10. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 10.07% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in Marriott International by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,554 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,549,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. TFG Advisers LLC increased its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 8,698 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,162,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management boosted its stake 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 worth $918,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR traded down $0.73 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $287.69. The stock had a trading volume of 389,144 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,534,698. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.59, a PEG ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 1.57. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $284.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $263.97. Marriott International has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. As a group, analysts predict that Marriott International will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.88%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have weighed in on MAR. Evercore ISI raised Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Marriott International from $277.00 to $308.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price target on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $284.05.

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.