Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock Holdings Lifted by ABC Arbitrage SA

Key Points

• ABC Arbitrage SA significantly increased its holdings in Marriott International by 757.6% during the first quarter, owning 9,013 shares valued at approximately $2.15 million.
• Insider trading activities include CEO Anthony Capuano selling 12,000 shares for over $3.16 million, reducing his ownership by 8.82%.
• Marriott International has experienced positive analyst reports, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy", and various price targets ranging up to $299.00.

ABC Arbitrage SA boosted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 757.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 9,013 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 7,962 shares during the quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA's holdings in Marriott International were worth $2,147,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Straightline Group LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at about $495,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 11.9% during the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 13,441 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,202,000 after buying an additional 1,432 shares during the period. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,244,000. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 1st quarter worth $974,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings 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 worth $967,662,000 after purchasing an additional 512,963 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR stock traded up $2.99 on Wednesday, hitting $262.71. The stock had a trading volume of 1,635,328 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,495,162. The stock's 50 day moving average is $268.95 and its 200-day moving average is $261.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.62, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.44. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $205.40 and a 52-week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.65. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 94.29% and a net margin of 9.60%. The company had revenue of $6.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.66 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.50 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd were paid a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International's payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Dbs Bank upgraded Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $280.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Melius Research raised shares of Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $302.00 to $299.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $280.89.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marriott International news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total transaction of $3,166,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 124,067 shares of the company's stock, valued at $32,741,281.30. This trade represents a 8.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,599,832.04. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders 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.