Focus Partners Wealth Raises Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 60.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 88,864 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 33,321 shares during the quarter. Focus Partners Wealth's holdings in Marriott International were worth $25,836,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR traded down $1.12 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $271.47. 1,483,533 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,604,760. The firm has a market cap of $74.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year high of $307.52. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $238.33 and its 200 day simple moving average is $266.61.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.99%. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. Marriott International's payout ratio is 30.52%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 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 sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $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 a total of 32,694 shares of company stock valued at $9,208,342 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on MAR. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 price objective (down from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Argus boosted their price target on Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. 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. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $276.60.

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.