Kessler Investment Group LLC Purchases New Stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Kessler Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 1,164 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $277,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. FMR LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,973,897 shares of the company's stock worth $1,945,299,000 after acquiring an additional 56,978 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,026,529 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,398,321,000 after purchasing an additional 60,458 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its stake in Marriott International by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 4,720,306 shares of the company's stock worth $1,316,682,000 after purchasing an additional 15,923 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in Marriott International by 50.8% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,661,101 shares of the company's stock worth $1,300,168,000 after buying an additional 1,570,144 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 17.4% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,469,070 shares of the company's stock valued at $967,662,000 after buying an additional 512,963 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on MAR shares. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Melius Research raised Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Barclays dropped their target price on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price target (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $275.90.

Marriott International Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of MAR stock traded up $3.85 on Friday, reaching $273.47. The stock had a trading volume of 4,507,287 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,615,487. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 1.42. The firm's 50-day moving average is $257.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $263.13.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.25 by $0.07. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 100.64% and a net margin of 9.75%. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.52%.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.28, for a total value of $670,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 5,706 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,530,805.68. The trade was a 30.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total value of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. This trade represents a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock worth $4,107,710. Insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

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.