IFM Investors Pty Ltd Raises Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

IFM Investors Pty Ltd raised its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 10.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 50,579 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,655 shares during the quarter. IFM Investors Pty Ltd's holdings in Marriott International were worth $12,574,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $580,922,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 50.8% during the fourth 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 period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 23,923.3% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 731,989 shares of the company's stock worth $174,360,000 after acquiring an additional 728,942 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $165,162,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 17.4% during the fourth 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 period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,599,832.04. This represents a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total transaction of $3,166,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 124,067 shares of the company's stock, valued at $32,741,281.30. This represents a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 15,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,107,710 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of MAR traded up $1.56 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $279.96. 1,506,635 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,595,055. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 1.41. The business's 50 day moving average is $264.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $262.58.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its 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. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.75% and a negative return on equity of 100.64%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.13 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on MAR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Monday, June 23rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $284.00 target price for the company. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $302.00 to $299.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Melius Research upgraded shares of Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $275.90.

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.