Argus Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Argus from $300.00 to $330.00 in a research note released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. Argus currently has a buy rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Barclays raised their price objective on Marriott International from $249.00 to $286.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $272.15.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock traded up $1.18 on Thursday, reaching $277.18. 1,800,667 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,346,458. Marriott International has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $295.45. The company has a market cap of $77.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.99, a PEG ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a 50-day moving average of $282.60 and a 200-day moving average of $255.65.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 EPS 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 firm had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.27 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.11 EPS. The company's revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Marriott International will post 9.25 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total value of $137,245.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,286 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,372,384.14. This trade represents a 3.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the business's 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 sale, the insider now owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,560,791.10. The trade was a 6.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739 over the last quarter. 10.07% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 379 shares of the company's stock valued at $94,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Marriott International by 0.4% during the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 8,698 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,162,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Haverford Trust Co grew its position in Marriott International by 1.0% during the third quarter. Haverford Trust Co now owns 4,207 shares of the company's stock worth $1,046,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Marriott International by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,010 shares of the company's stock worth $500,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,443 shares of the company's stock valued at $359,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other 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.