Argus Investors Counsel Inc. Trims Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Argus Investors Counsel Inc. lowered its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 41.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,355 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,684 shares during the quarter. Argus Investors Counsel Inc.'s holdings in Marriott International were worth $561,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its position in Marriott International by 112.2% during the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total value of $3,166,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 124,067 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,741,281.30. The trade was a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. This represents a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Down 3.1%

Shares of Marriott International stock traded down $8.24 during trading on Friday, hitting $254.99. 1,783,060 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,603,000. The stock has a market cap of $69.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.65, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $307.52. The firm's fifty day moving average is $249.62 and its 200-day moving average is $264.70.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.19 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.13 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.05%. This is a positive change from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on MAR. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price objective (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday, April 14th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Thirteen 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 an average price target of $275.15.

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.