China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. Grows Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 50.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,809 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,287 shares during the quarter. 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 (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC raised its holdings in Marriott International by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,554 shares of the company's stock worth $1,549,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. 4J Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Marriott International by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. 4J Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,224 shares of the company's stock valued at $292,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC boosted its stake in Marriott International by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC now owns 2,019 shares of the company's stock worth $587,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its holdings in Marriott International by 46.7% in the first quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 157 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 3.4% during the first quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,529 shares of the company's stock valued at $364,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR traded up $3.01 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $282.20. The stock had a trading volume of 884,980 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,591,032. The firm has a market cap of $77.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.13, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 1.41. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The business has a fifty day moving average of $265.07 and a 200 day moving average of $262.69.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 100.64% and a net margin of 9.75%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.13 EPS. Marriott International's revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

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

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. This represents a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owned 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. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,107,710. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on MAR. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price target (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday, April 14th. Barclays reduced their target price on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Marriott International in a report on Monday, June 23rd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $284.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Dbs Bank raised shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price 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.