Aberdeen Group plc Raises Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Key Points

• Aberdeen Group plc increased its stake in Marriott International by 4.9%, owning 181,843 shares valued at approximately $49.68 million at the end of the last quarter.
• Marriott reported $6.74 billion in revenue for the last quarter, surpassing estimates, with earnings per share matching expectations at $2.65.
• The company initiated a share buyback plan authorizing the repurchase of 25 million shares, indicating management's belief that the stock is undervalued.

Aberdeen Group plc boosted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 181,843 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 8,454 shares during the period. Aberdeen Group plc owned approximately 0.07% of Marriott International worth $49,681,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Morse Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Marriott International by 46.7% in the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 157 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. Center for Financial Planning Inc. grew its position in Marriott International by 468.6% in the 1st quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 199 shares of the company's stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new position in Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at about $52,000. Finally, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at about $57,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of Marriott International stock opened at $260.20 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $205.40 and a one year high of $307.52. The company has a market cap of $70.63 billion, a PE ratio of 29.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.35. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $265.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $259.11.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65. The business had revenue of $6.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.66 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 93.44% and a net margin of 9.60%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.50 earnings per share. Marriott International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.850-10.080 EPS. Q3 2025 guidance at 2.310-2.390 EPS. On average, sell-side 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 21st were issued a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 21st. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is 30.21%.

Marriott International declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, August 7th that allows the company to repurchase 25,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on MAR shares. Barclays dropped their target price on Marriott International from $276.00 to $262.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Marriott International from $273.00 to $278.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Marriott International from $285.00 to $280.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Marriott International in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $284.00 price objective for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $282.63.

Marriott International Company 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.

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