Windward Capital Management Co. CA Has $26.12 Million Position in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Key Points

• Windward Capital Management Co. CA reduced its stake in Marriott International by 1.2%, now holding 109,661 shares, valued at approximately $26.1 million.
• Multiple analysts have recently upgraded their ratings on Marriott International, with Jefferies Financial Group raising the stock's price objective from $226 to $303.
• Marriott International announced a quarterly dividend of $0.67 per share and approved a $25 million stock buyback plan, indicating confidence in the stock's value.

Windward Capital Management Co. CA cut its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 1.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 109,661 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,319 shares during the quarter. Marriott International makes up 2.3% of Windward Capital Management Co. CA's portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Windward Capital Management Co. CA's holdings in Marriott International were worth $26,121,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MAR. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in Marriott International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its position in 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.28, for a total transaction of $670,700.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,706 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,530,805.68. The trade was a 30.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the 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 sale, the chief executive officer owned 124,067 shares of the company's stock, valued at $32,741,281.30. This trade represents a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of Marriott International stock traded down $3.25 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $263.53. 1,089,935 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,698,737. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $205.40 and a twelve month high of $307.52. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $268.99 and a 200-day moving average price of $260.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.44.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65. The firm had revenue of $6.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.66 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 93.44% and a net margin of 9.60%.The company's revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $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. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, August 7th that authorizes the company to buyback 25,000,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared 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 of this dividend is Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Marriott International's payout ratio is 30.21%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $273.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 30th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Marriott International from $285.00 to $280.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on Marriott International from $302.00 to $299.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $281.00.

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.