Alpha Cubed Investments LLC Takes Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Alpha Cubed Investments LLC bought a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 4,088 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $974,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. 4J Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 3.6% during the first quarter. 4J Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,224 shares of the company's stock valued at $292,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC now owns 2,019 shares of the company's stock valued at $587,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 46.7% during the first 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 last quarter. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 3.4% during the first quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,529 shares of the company's stock valued at $364,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded down $1.63 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $278.40. 1,258,154 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,593,186. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52. The firm has a market cap of $76.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.71, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 1.41. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $262.62 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $262.50.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.25 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.75% and a negative return on equity of 100.64%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd were paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 23rd. This is an increase from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.96%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.52%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on MAR. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $302.00 to $299.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Melius Research upgraded shares of Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $275.90.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the firm'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 approximately $5,599,832.04. This trade represents a 4.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total value of $3,166,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 124,067 shares of the company's stock, valued at $32,741,281.30. The trade was a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 15,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,107,710. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.