Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Stake Lifted by China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 50.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,809 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,287 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,622,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at about $974,000. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC boosted its position in Marriott International by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,504 shares of the company's stock valued at $835,000 after buying an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Marriott International by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,916 shares of the company's stock valued at $695,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. boosted its position in Marriott International by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 27,087 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,452,000 after buying an additional 1,301 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Marriott International by 11.9% in the 1st quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,486 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,783,000 after buying an additional 796 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.2%

MAR traded down $0.65 on Friday, hitting $281.65. 990,597 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,590,819. The firm has a market cap of $77.14 billion, a PE ratio of 32.08, a P/E/G ratio of 3.48 and a beta of 1.41. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $266.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $262.65.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 company had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.13 earnings per share. Marriott International's revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd were paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.95%. This is a positive change from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.52%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on MAR shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their target price for the company from $226.00 to $303.00 in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $275.90.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total value of $270,210.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 20,724 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. This trade represents a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of the firm's 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 completion of the sale, the insider owned 5,706 shares in the company, valued at $1,530,805.68. The trade was a 30.47% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock worth $4,107,710. 10.68% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.