5,100 Shares in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR Acquired by Ethos Financial Group LLC

Key Points

• Ethos Financial Group LLC has acquired a new stake in Marriott International, Inc., purchasing 5,100 shares valued at approximately $1.2 million during the 1st quarter.
• Marriott recently reported $2.65 EPS for its quarterly earnings, meeting analysts' expectations with a revenue of $6.74 billion, reflecting a 4.7% year-over-year increase.
• The company's Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program for up to 25 million shares, indicating management's belief that its stock may be undervalued.

Ethos Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 5,100 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,215,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cresset Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 12.7% in the first quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 10,120 shares of the company's stock worth $2,411,000 after acquiring an additional 1,137 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 314.1% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 110,114 shares of the company's stock worth $26,229,000 after acquiring an additional 83,522 shares in the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 98.3% in the first quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 173,389 shares of the company's stock worth $40,810,000 after acquiring an additional 85,965 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 2.4% in the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 4,564 shares of the company's stock worth $1,087,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter worth about $486,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on MAR shares. Dbs Bank raised Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Mizuho decreased their target price on Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Barclays decreased their target price on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. UBS Group decreased their target price on Marriott International from $302.00 to $299.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Marriott International from $285.00 to $280.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $281.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.28, for a total value of $670,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 5,706 shares in the company, valued at $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 available through this link. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 124,067 shares of the company's stock, valued at $32,741,281.30. This trade represents a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 10.68% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Marriott International Price Performance

NASDAQ:MAR traded down $3.25 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $263.53. The company had a trading volume of 1,089,935 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,698,737. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $205.40 and a 1-year high of $307.52. The firm has a market cap of $71.54 billion, a PE ratio of 29.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.44. The business's 50 day moving average price is $268.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $260.36.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 93.44% 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 in the previous year, the company posted $2.50 earnings per share. Marriott International's revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. 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, analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 21st will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Marriott International's payout ratio is 30.21%.

Marriott International announced that its board has approved 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. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

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.