Ancora Advisors LLC Sells 1,584 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Ancora Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 1.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 97,758 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,584 shares during the quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $27,269,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds 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 valued at $1,549,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. TFG Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 0.8% in the 4th 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 raised its stake in Marriott International by 1.2% during the 4th 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 buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Evermay Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,415 shares of the company's stock worth $953,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in 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 acquiring an additional 39 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the sale, the insider now owns 30,919 shares in the company, valued at $8,831,393.97. The trade was a 29.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. This trade represents a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

MAR traded down $2.20 during trading on Monday, reaching $247.27. 1,893,014 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,587,231. The stock has a market cap of $68.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $239.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $266.61. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th were issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International's payout ratio is presently 30.29%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on MAR shares. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price objective (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Monday, April 14th. UBS Group boosted 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. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $273.10.

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.