AdvisorShares Investments LLC Acquires 1,950 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

AdvisorShares Investments LLC raised its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 332.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,536 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,950 shares during the quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $707,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% in the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the 4th 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 shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on MAR shares. UBS Group boosted their price target 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. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price objective (down from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $273.10.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. The trade was a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the firm'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 transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Corporate insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Marriott International stock traded up $5.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $249.47. 1,301,990 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,585,945. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $240.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $266.77. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.98, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results 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 negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders 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 yield of 1.01%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

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.