UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC Grows Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Key Points

• UBS Asset Management raised its stake in Marriott International by 4.9%, owning 1,091,288 shares valued at approximately $259.9 million at the end of the last reporting period.
• Marriott International reported a quarterly revenue of $6.74 billion, exceeding analysts' expectations, and set its fiscal year 2025 guidance at $9.850 to $10.080 EPS.
• The company initiated a share buyback program allowing it to purchase 25 million outstanding shares, indicating a belief that its shares are undervalued.

UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 4.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,091,288 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 50,923 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC owned about 0.40% of Marriott International worth $259,945,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MAR. Optimize Financial Inc boosted its position in Marriott International by 13.0% during the first quarter. Optimize Financial Inc now owns 2,619 shares of the company's stock valued at $624,000 after acquiring an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP increased its holdings in Marriott International by 39.6% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 19,332 shares of the company's stock worth $4,605,000 after purchasing an additional 5,480 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in Marriott International by 39.1% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 5,805 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,383,000 after buying an additional 1,631 shares during the period. MBB Public Markets I LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter valued at about $306,000. Finally, Ascent Group LLC grew its stake in Marriott International by 25.4% in the first quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 2,505 shares of the company's stock valued at $597,000 after acquiring an additional 508 shares during the period. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was 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 of the company's stock, valued at $1,530,805.68. This trade represents a 30.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of Marriott International stock traded down $1.44 during trading on Friday, hitting $266.50. The stock had a trading volume of 1,051,626 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,103,541. The firm has a market cap of $72.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.05, a P/E/G ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.38. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $205.40 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The business's 50-day moving average is $268.98 and its 200 day moving average is $257.80.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.65. The business had revenue of $6.74 billion during 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%. Marriott International's revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.50 earnings per share. Marriott International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.850-10.080 EPS. Q3 2025 guidance at 2.310-2.390 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International announced that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, August 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase 25,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 21st will be issued 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.21%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on MAR shares. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $280.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. UBS Group dropped 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 report on Wednesday, May 21st. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $273.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Marriott International in a research note on Monday, June 23rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $284.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $281.26.

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.