Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Acquired by Renaissance Technologies LLC

Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 368.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 42,716 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 33,600 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $11,915,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Invst LLC raised its holdings in Marriott International by 3.1% in the third quarter. Invst LLC now owns 8,258 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,053,000 after buying an additional 252 shares during the period. Diamant Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at $373,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,260,000. Optimist Retirement Group LLC increased its holdings in Marriott International by 7.7% in the 3rd quarter. Optimist Retirement Group LLC now owns 894 shares of the company's stock valued at $222,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 86.8% in the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 16,375 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,071,000 after purchasing an additional 7,607 shares during the period. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ MAR traded up $1.62 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $220.41. The company had a trading volume of 1,523,436 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,563,661. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The firm has a market cap of $60.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $251.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $268.42.

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 for the quarter, beating 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%. Equities analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were given 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 yield of 1.14%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.29%.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. This trade represents a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MAR shares. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price target (down from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $277.00.

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.