Forum Financial Management LP Acquires 1,238 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Forum Financial Management LP lifted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 12.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,139 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,238 shares during the period. Forum Financial Management LP's holdings in Marriott International were worth $3,107,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MAR. FMR LLC boosted its stake in Marriott International by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,973,897 shares of the company's stock worth $1,945,299,000 after acquiring an additional 56,978 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Marriott International by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,026,529 shares of the company's stock worth $1,398,321,000 after acquiring an additional 60,458 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in Marriott International by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 4,720,306 shares of the company's stock worth $1,316,682,000 after acquiring an additional 15,923 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Marriott International by 50.8% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,661,101 shares of the company's stock worth $1,300,168,000 after acquiring an additional 1,570,144 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Marriott International by 17.4% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,469,070 shares of the company's stock worth $967,662,000 after acquiring an additional 512,963 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Trading Up 3.3%

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR traded up $8.40 on Tuesday, hitting $266.10. The company had a trading volume of 1,338,876 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,608,328. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $204.55 and a 1-year high of $307.52. The stock has a market cap of $72.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.98, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $241.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $266.56.

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

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a $0.67 dividend. This is an increase from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International's payout ratio is currently 30.52%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total value of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on MAR. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Mizuho cut their price target 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. Susquehanna lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $245.00 price target (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Thirteen 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marriott International presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $276.50.

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.