MetLife Investment Management LLC Has $14.15 Million Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Key Points

• MetLife Investment Management LLC reduced its stake in Marriott International by 2.7%, selling 1,636 shares during the first quarter, leaving them with shares worth approximately $14.15 million.
• Marriott announced a $0.67 quarterly dividend and authorized a stock buyback program for 25 million shares, indicating confidence in the company's valuation.
• The company's recent quarterly earnings met expectations with $2.65 per share in earnings and a revenue of $6.74 billion, showing a 4.7% increase compared to the previous year.

MetLife Investment Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 2.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 59,391 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,636 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $14,147,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Morse Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 46.7% in the first 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. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded up $0.58 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $270.25. 970,158 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,441,072. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $270.24 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $259.19. The company has a market capitalization of $73.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 1.44. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $205.40 and a 12 month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65. The company had revenue of $6.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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 quarterly revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm 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. Equities research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business 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. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 21st. Marriott International's payout ratio is currently 30.21%.

Marriott International announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, August 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase 25,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MAR has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Marriott International from $302.00 to $299.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price target for the company from $226.00 to $303.00 in a report on Monday, May 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday, June 23rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $284.00 price target for the company. Dbs Bank raised shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $281.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total value of $3,166,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 124,067 shares in the company, valued at $32,741,281.30. This trade represents a 8.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of Marriott International 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 completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 5,706 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,530,805.68. This represents a 30.47% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

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.