Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Sold by Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund

Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund lessened its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 17.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,586 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,370 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund's holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,569,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC raised 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 purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on MAR. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. UBS Group cut their price target 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. Melius Research upgraded shares of Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Truist Financial cut their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $273.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Finally, 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. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marriott International currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $275.90.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 now owns 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,599,832.04. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Marriott International Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of MAR traded up $3.92 on Monday, hitting $264.11. 1,728,465 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,600,753. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.08, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.42. The stock's 50 day moving average is $253.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $263.29. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year high of $307.52.

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, 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 firm had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.13 earnings per share. Marriott International's revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is a positive change from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is 30.52%.

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.