Raymond James Financial Inc. Sells 45,580 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Key Points

• Raymond James Financial Inc. reduced its stake in Marriott International by 7.7%, selling 45,580 shares, leaving it with around 546,525 shares valued at approximately $130.18 million.
• Marriott International recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.67 per share, reflecting a 1.0% yield, with the payment scheduled for September 30th.
• The company initiated a stock repurchase plan authorizing the buyback of 25 million shares, indicating the board's belief that the stock is undervalued.

Raymond James Financial Inc. trimmed its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 7.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 546,525 shares of the company's stock after selling 45,580 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned 0.20% of Marriott International worth $130,182,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MAR. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Morse Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its holdings in Marriott International by 46.7% during the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 157 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Up 4.4%

MAR stock traded up $11.55 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $273.82. 1,605,906 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,694,519. The stock has a market cap of $74.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.44. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $205.40 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $268.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $260.18.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65. The business had revenue of $6.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.50 EPS. 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, analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 21st will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.21%.

Marriott International announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, August 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase 25,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho decreased their price target on Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their target price for the company from $226.00 to $303.00 in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Marriott International from $300.00 to $273.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Marriott International from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Dbs Bank upgraded Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $281.00.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of Marriott International 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 transaction, the insider owned 5,706 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,530,805.68. This trade represents a 30.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 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 transaction of $3,166,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 124,067 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,741,281.30. This represents a 8.82% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 10.68% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.