California State Teachers Retirement System Decreases Stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

California State Teachers Retirement System lowered its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 15.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 283,697 shares of the company's stock after selling 50,330 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System owned about 0.10% of Marriott International worth $79,134,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its position in Marriott International by 112.2% in the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company's stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at $3,971,395.74. The trade was a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 over the last ninety days. 10.68% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Argus lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Melius Research raised Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $273.10.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock traded up $5.52 on Friday, hitting $249.47. 1,301,990 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,585,945. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The company has a 50 day moving average of $240.76 and a 200 day moving average of $266.77. The stock has a market cap of $68.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. Sell-side analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.01%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is 30.29%.

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.