Zacks Investment Management Sells 14,924 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Zacks Investment Management trimmed its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 12.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 100,989 shares of the company's stock after selling 14,924 shares during the period. Zacks Investment Management's holdings in Marriott International were worth $28,170,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% during the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its stake in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% in the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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 shares were 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 owns 24,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the firm'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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 30,919 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,831,393.97. The trade was a 29.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 12.32% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.7 %

MAR stock traded up $1.62 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $220.41. 1,523,436 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,563,661. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $250.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $268.24.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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%. Equities research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. 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 report on Thursday, January 16th. Susquehanna upped their price target on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Mizuho lifted their target price on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $277.00.

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.