Optimize Financial Inc Invests $646,000 in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Optimize Financial Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,317 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $646,000.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,973,897 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,945,299,000 after buying an additional 56,978 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,026,529 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,398,321,000 after purchasing an additional 60,458 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Marriott International by 50.8% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,661,101 shares of the company's stock worth $1,300,168,000 after purchasing an additional 1,570,144 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Marriott International by 17.4% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,469,070 shares of the company's stock worth $967,662,000 after purchasing an additional 512,963 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $580,922,000. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

MAR traded down $0.91 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $222.58. 1,204,622 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,567,071. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.75, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $254.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $268.96. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $307.52.

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Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were given a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total transaction of $3,610,934.46. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 30,919 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,831,393.97. This trade represents a 29.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132 over the last ninety days. 12.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Barclays lowered 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 note on Wednesday, February 12th. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $279.15.

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.