Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. Grows Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Key Points

• Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. increased its stake in Marriott International by 29.9% during the second quarter, owning approximately 186,984 shares valued at around $51 million.
• Marriott reported a net revenue of $6.74 billion for the last quarter, exceeding analysts' estimates, with earnings per share meeting expectations at $2.65.
• The company approved a share repurchase plan allowing for the buyback of 25 million shares, signaling confidence in its stock value.

Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 29.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 186,984 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 42,995 shares during the period. Marriott International makes up approximately 1.2% of Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S.'s holdings, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. owned approximately 0.07% of Marriott International worth $51,085,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Morse Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter worth $52,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter worth $57,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 32.9% during the first quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 295 shares of the company's stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Assetmark Inc. lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 30.2% during the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 293 shares of the company's stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $269.70 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $205.40 and a 1-year high of $307.52. The stock's 50-day moving average is $265.74 and its 200 day moving average is $261.01. The company has a market cap of $73.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.41, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.35.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.66 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.50 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International announced that its board has approved a share repurchase plan on Thursday, August 7th that allows the company to repurchase 25,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 21st were paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.21%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. 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 research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Marriott International from $273.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Barclays dropped their price target on Marriott International from $276.00 to $262.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Marriott International from $287.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Two equities 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.com, Marriott International has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $283.17.

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.

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