Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Raised to Buy at Jefferies Financial Group

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a $303.00 price objective on the stock, up from their previous price objective of $226.00. Jefferies Financial Group's price target points to a potential upside of 17.46% from the stock's current price.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on MAR. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Marriott International from $308.00 to $300.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $276.60.

Marriott International Stock Down 0.5%

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR opened at $257.97 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $70.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.01, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. Marriott International has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $307.52. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $237.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $266.44.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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. 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 the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.13 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Marriott International will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80% 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 firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. This represents a 12.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132 over the last quarter. 10.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted 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 acquiring an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its stake 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 worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 1st quarter worth $30,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.

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