Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky Cuts Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky decreased its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 57,371 shares of the company's stock after selling 4,667 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky's holdings in Marriott International were worth $14,262,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Hantz Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Silvant Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Unique Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of Marriott International stock traded down $1.74 on Thursday, reaching $289.99. 1,167,744 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,449,264. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $273.30 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $248.05. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $204.55 and a 1-year high of $295.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.59 billion, a PE ratio of 30.52, a PEG ratio of 5.76 and a beta of 1.58.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.11 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.87%. Marriott International's payout ratio is currently 26.36%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of a number of research reports. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $263.70.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CAO Felitia Lee sold 916 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.48, for a total value of $253,255.68. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,609 shares in the company, valued at $1,550,776.32. This represents a 14.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total transaction of $137,245.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,286 shares in the company, valued at $3,372,384.14. This represents a 3.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739. 12.32% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.