Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock Holdings Lifted by Fundsmith Investment Services LTD.

Fundsmith Investment Services LTD. increased its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 5.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,504,980 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 78,770 shares during the quarter. Marriott International makes up about 5.5% of Fundsmith Investment Services LTD.'s holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Fundsmith Investment Services LTD. owned 0.54% of Marriott International worth $419,799,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc increased its position in 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 purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% in 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 during the period. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, 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 transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. The trade was a 50.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the business'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 sale, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 over the last three months. 10.68% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 target price (down from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday, April 14th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $308.00 to $300.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Argus raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 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, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $272.75.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded down $1.33 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $257.97. 1,489,028 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,602,182. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $307.52. The business's fifty day moving average price is $237.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $266.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $70.66 billion, a PE ratio of 31.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.19 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. Marriott International's quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.13 EPS. Analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were given 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 0.98%. Marriott International's payout ratio is 28.70%.

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.