NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC Takes Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 1,049 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $293,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. PKO Investment Management Joint Stock Co bought a new position in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $3,710,000. Old North State Trust LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 33.7% in the 4th quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 1,436 shares of the company's stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares in the last quarter. GHE LLC grew its position in Marriott International by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. GHE LLC now owns 6,913 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,928,000 after purchasing an additional 364 shares during the period. Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $124,000. Finally, Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $254,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of Marriott International stock traded down $1.51 on Wednesday, reaching $262.89. 304,254 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,602,669. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.00 billion, a PE ratio of 31.60, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a 50 day moving average of $243.91 and a 200 day moving average of $265.85. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its 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. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.13 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Dbs Bank upgraded Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $226.00 to $303.00 in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $275.15.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 124,067 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,741,281.30. This trade represents a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate 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.