Ensign Peak Advisors Inc Increases Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Ensign Peak Advisors Inc increased its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 2.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 753,754 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 14,478 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc owned approximately 0.27% of Marriott International worth $210,252,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $580,922,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in shares of Marriott International by 50.8% during the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,661,101 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,300,168,000 after acquiring an additional 1,570,144 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $165,162,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Marriott International by 17.4% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,469,070 shares of the company's stock valued at $967,662,000 after acquiring an additional 512,963 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Marriott International by 36,564.5% during the fourth quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 360,779 shares of the company's stock valued at $100,636,000 after acquiring an additional 359,795 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total transaction of $3,610,934.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 30,919 shares in the company, valued at $8,831,393.97. This represents a 29.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. This trade represents a 50.38% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $245.00 price objective (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $226.00 to $303.00 in a report on Monday. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $276.60.

Marriott International Stock Performance

NASDAQ MAR traded up $13.99 on Monday, reaching $271.96. 2,551,048 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,605,977. The firm has a market cap of $74.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.69, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $237.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $266.44. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. The company's revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.99%. This is an increase from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is 28.70%.

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.