Sapient Capital LLC Acquires New Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Sapient Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 47,102 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,622,000.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Round Rock Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 143.0% during the 4th quarter. Round Rock Advisors LLC now owns 2,549 shares of the company's stock valued at $575,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 86.8% during the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 44,957 shares of the company's stock valued at $10,138,000 after buying an additional 20,890 shares in the last quarter. Kendall Capital Management grew its position in Marriott International by 22.5% during the fourth quarter. Kendall Capital Management now owns 3,478 shares of the company's stock valued at $784,000 after acquiring an additional 638 shares during the last quarter. Jmac Enterprises LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $216,000. Finally, Argus Investors Counsel Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Argus Investors Counsel Inc. now owns 7,737 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,745,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In other news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $248.48, for a total transaction of $4,969,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 93,323 shares in the company, valued at $23,188,899.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Marriott International news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 1,400 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.19, for a total transaction of $351,666.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 72 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,085.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 20,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.48, for a total value of $4,969,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 93,323 shares in the company, valued at $23,188,899.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 125,003 shares of company stock valued at $30,435,493 in the last ninety days. 10.07% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR traded up $4.20 on Thursday, reaching $258.55. The stock had a trading volume of 1,539,345 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,420,556. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $161.01 and a 12-month high of $260.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.62. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $248.47 and a 200-day simple moving average of $223.17.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $3.57 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.12 by $1.45. The business had revenue of $6.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.20 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 848.49% and a net margin of 13.00%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.96 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.80%. Marriott International's payout ratio is 20.41%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on MAR shares. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $263.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Mizuho initiated coverage on Marriott International in a research report on Tuesday, March 26th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $263.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $234.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, March 18th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $236.81.

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, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.