Vident Advisory LLC Lowers Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Vident Advisory LLC trimmed its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 13.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 47,672 shares of the company's stock after selling 7,374 shares during the quarter. Vident Advisory LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $13,298,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC grew its position in Marriott International by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,554 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,549,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. TFG Advisers LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,235,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 3,290 shares of the company's stock valued at $918,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,415 shares of the company's stock valued at $953,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Essex Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,004 shares of the company's stock valued at $838,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total transaction of $3,610,934.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 30,919 shares in the company, valued at $8,831,393.97. The trade was a 29.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total value of $1,003,275.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 24,733 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 32,694 shares of company stock valued at $9,208,342. Insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR traded down $6.65 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $260.69. 1,271,778 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,608,164. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $307.52. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $240.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $266.84. The company has a market cap of $71.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.33, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39.

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 the consensus estimate of $2.25 by $0.07. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.13 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. 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 1.03%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the company from $226.00 to $303.00 in a report on Monday, May 12th. Mizuho reduced their price objective on Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $276.50.

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.