Pictet Asset Management Holding SA Lowers Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Pictet Asset Management Holding SA trimmed its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 4.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 810,050 shares of the company's stock after selling 38,885 shares during the period. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA owned 0.29% of Marriott International worth $225,955,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its stake in Marriott International by 112.2% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its stake in Marriott International by 494.4% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Barclays reduced their price objective on 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. Evercore ISI raised Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Argus lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $286.05.

Marriott International Stock Down 0.3 %

Marriott International stock traded down $0.70 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $237.50. 544,721 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,712,831. The company has a fifty day moving average of $271.54 and a 200-day moving average of $270.98. The company has a market cap of $65.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.54, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. Equities research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.06%. Marriott International's payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other news, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total transaction of $1,003,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 30,919 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,831,393.97. This represents a 29.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company's stock.

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.