Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE:VAC) Rating Increased to Strong-Buy at Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research upgraded Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC) from "hold" to Strong Buy, a move that may attract momentum flows and increased investor interest.
• Q1 results were mixed: revenue of $1.26B beat expectations and rose ~4.8% year‑over‑year, but EPS missed at $1.24 versus ~$1.67, and management reaffirmed FY2026 guidance of $7.05–$7.80.
• Analyst coverage is varied — the consensus rating is "Hold" with a $76.90 target — while institutional ownership is high (89.52%) and insider Michael Flaskey disclosed a ~$1.0M share purchase.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE:VAC - Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $92.00 price objective on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide from $46.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, February 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $52.00 to $105.00 in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, Citizens Jmp lowered shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marriott Vacations Worldwide currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $76.90.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Stock Performance

Shares of VAC stock opened at $73.78 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.96, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.20. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $68.47 and a 200 day moving average of $61.54. Marriott Vacations Worldwide has a 52 week low of $44.58 and a 52 week high of $86.33. The company has a quick ratio of 2.94, a current ratio of 3.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.85.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE:VAC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.67 by ($0.43). Marriott Vacations Worldwide had a negative net margin of 6.12% and a positive return on equity of 11.77%. The company had revenue of $1.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.20 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.66 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Marriott Vacations Worldwide has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.050-7.800 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Marriott Vacations Worldwide will post 7.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott Vacations Worldwide

In related news, insider Michael Flaskey purchased 14,862 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 10th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $67.26 per share, with a total value of $999,618.12. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 14,862 shares in the company, valued at $999,618.12. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 13.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital World Investors purchased a new position in Marriott Vacations Worldwide in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $226,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 7.4% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,392,787 shares of the company's stock valued at $195,730,000 after buying an additional 234,105 shares during the last quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide in the fourth quarter worth approximately $12,633,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 157.8% during the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 351,552 shares of the company's stock valued at $20,281,000 after purchasing an additional 215,202 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 41.4% during the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 399,668 shares of the company's stock valued at $23,057,000 after purchasing an additional 117,030 shares during the period. 89.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Here are the key news stories impacting Marriott Vacations Worldwide this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Revenue beat and top‑line growth — Q1 revenue came in at $1.26B (up ~4.8% year‑over‑year) vs. ~$1.20B expected, showing demand resilience in vacation ownership sales. Marriott Vacations Worldwide Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgrade to Strong Buy — Zacks moved VAC to a Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which can attract momentum flows and retail/institutional interest. All You Need to Know About Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC) Rating Upgrade to Strong Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Company reaffirmed FY2026 outlook — management reiterated FY26 EPS guidance of $7.05–$7.80, signaling confidence in the full‑year plan despite the weaker quarter. That supports the buy thesis but leaves room for debate on upside. Marriott Vacations Reaffirms Outlook Despite Weaker First Quarter
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcript available — read management's commentary for color on demand trends, cost drivers and timing of discretionary sales (useful for modeling). Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (VAC) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: EPS missed expectations — Q1 EPS $1.24 vs. consensus ~$1.67, a sizable shortfall that highlights margin pressure and weaker near‑term profitability. Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC) Q1 Earnings Miss Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Guidance vs. Street — FY26 guide midpoint sits slightly below consensus (company: $7.05–$7.80 vs. consensus ~$7.52), which limits upside to estimates and may cap multiple expansion. All You Need to Know About Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC) Rating Upgrade to Strong Buy

About Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, specializes in the development, marketing and management of vacation ownership resorts and related products. Originally launched as a division of Marriott International in 1984, the company became a separate publicly traded entity in 2011. Since then, it has expanded its offerings through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, establishing itself as a leading provider in the global timeshare industry.

The company's core business activities include selling vacation ownership interests, managing a growing portfolio of branded resorts and operating a loyalty program that allows members to exchange or use points at affiliated properties.

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