Verisail Partners LLC Takes $2.61 Million Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Verisail Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 9,359 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,611,000. Marriott International makes up about 1.2% of Verisail Partners LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC grew its holdings in Marriott International by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,554 shares of the company's stock worth $1,549,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. TFG Advisers LLC raised its stake in shares of Marriott International by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,235,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the period. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management boosted its position in Marriott International by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 3,290 shares of the company's stock worth $918,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. Evermay Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,415 shares of the company's stock worth $953,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Finally, Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,004 shares of the company's stock valued at $838,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other Marriott International news, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total value of $1,003,275.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,262,811.48. The trade was a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132 in the last quarter. 12.32% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Marriott International Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of MAR stock traded up $1.62 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $220.41. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,523,436 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,563,661. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.49, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $250.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $268.24. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, topping 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%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast 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. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were issued 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 dividend yield of 1.14%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.29%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. 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 report on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. 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. Argus boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Fourteen equities 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 stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $277.00.

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.