Guggenheim Capital LLC Decreases Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Key Points

• Guggenheim Capital LLC has reduced its stake in Marriott International by 23.7%, selling 17,252 shares, leaving it with 55,401 shares valued at approximately $13.2 million.
• CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares at an average price of $263.90, resulting in an 8.82% decrease in his ownership of the company.
• Marriott International's Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan authorizing the repurchase of up to 25 million shares, indicating confidence in the company's valuation.

Guggenheim Capital LLC lowered its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 23.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 55,401 shares of the company's stock after selling 17,252 shares during the quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $13,197,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Morse Asset Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.28, for a total value of $670,700.00. Following 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 10.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded down $2.39 during trading on Monday, hitting $267.86. 858,948 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,293,741. The company has a market cap of $72.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.20, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.38. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $205.40 and a 1 year high of $307.52. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $270.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $258.63.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $2.65. The company had revenue of $6.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.66 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.60% and a negative return on equity of 93.44%. The business's revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.50 EPS. 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, research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, August 7th that allows the company to repurchase 25,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Marriott International's payout ratio is currently 30.21%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $280.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday, June 23rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $284.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $302.00 to $299.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Dbs Bank raised shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $281.00.

Marriott International 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.