Natixis Buys 163,267 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Natixis lifted its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 578.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 191,487 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 163,267 shares during the quarter. Natixis owned 0.07% of Marriott International worth $53,413,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Straightline Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $495,000. NewEdge Wealth LLC lifted its stake in Marriott International by 34.4% during the 4th quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 4,345 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,212,000 after acquiring an additional 1,112 shares in the last quarter. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth $2,721,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $2,990,000. Finally, Markel Group Inc. grew its position in Marriott International by 30.6% in the 4th quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 47,000 shares of the company's stock worth $13,110,000 after purchasing an additional 11,000 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total transaction of $3,610,934.46. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 30,919 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,831,393.97. This represents a 29.02 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Marriott International Price Performance

NASDAQ MAR traded up $5.49 during trading on Thursday, reaching $235.28. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,383,450 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,573,010. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $307.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $64.93 billion, a PE ratio of 28.27, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $246.15 and a 200 day moving average of $267.64.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last posted 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%. Research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th were given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.07%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on MAR shares. Mizuho increased their price target on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $273.10.

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.