Vista Investment Partners II LLC Raises Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Vista Investment Partners II LLC raised its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 22.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,199 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 1,322 shares during the period. Vista Investment Partners II LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,715,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% during the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.28, for a total transaction of $670,700.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 5,706 shares in the company, valued at $1,530,805.68. This represents a 30.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total transaction of $3,166,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 124,067 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,741,281.30. The trade was a 8.82% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 15,500 shares of company stock worth $4,107,710 over the last 90 days. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Marriott International Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded up $3.85 on Friday, reaching $273.47. 4,507,287 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,615,487. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $257.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $263.13. The company has a market cap of $74.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 1.42.

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, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 last year, the firm earned $2.13 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is an increase 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.52%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on MAR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $284.00 price target for the company. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Truist Financial cut their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $273.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 30th. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price target (down from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Monday, April 14th. 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $275.90.

About Marriott International

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.