Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Purchased by Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 2.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 41,446 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,041 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $11,561,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of MAR. Straightline Group LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $495,000. NewEdge Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 34.4% in the fourth quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 4,345 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,212,000 after acquiring an additional 1,112 shares during the period. Markel Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 30.6% in the 4th quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 47,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $13,110,000 after acquiring an additional 11,000 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Marriott International by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,477,619 shares of the company's stock valued at $412,167,000 after purchasing an additional 32,288 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth $463,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of Marriott International stock traded down $1.51 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $262.89. 304,254 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,602,648. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $243.91 and a 200 day moving average price of $265.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.60, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The shares were 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 now directly owns 124,067 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,741,281.30. The trade was a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total value of $270,210.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,599,832.04. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 10.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Melius Research upgraded Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 21st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $275.15.

Marriott International Company 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.