Louisiana State Employees Retirement System Takes $8.61 Million Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 38,200 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,614,000.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. FMR LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 16.1% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 8,634,610 shares of the company's stock worth $1,697,219,000 after acquiring an additional 1,194,665 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,969,166 shares of the company's stock worth $822,982,000 after acquiring an additional 74,821 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 52.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,811,245 shares of the company's stock worth $716,346,000 after acquiring an additional 1,659,637 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,734,680 shares of the company's stock worth $537,529,000 after acquiring an additional 48,872 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,461,649 shares of the company's stock worth $483,862,000 after acquiring an additional 12,901 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Stock Down 2.9 %

NASDAQ:MAR traded down $7.49 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $251.06. 1,931,880 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,368,356. The stock has a market capitalization of $72.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.64, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.62. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $161.71 and a 52 week high of $260.57. The firm's 50 day moving average is $248.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $224.04.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $3.57 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.12 by $1.45. The company had revenue of $6.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.20 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 13.00% and a negative return on equity of 848.49%. The firm's revenue was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.96 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.46 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were paid a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.83%. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 20.41%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 2,600 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.40, for a total value of $617,240.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,472 shares in the company, valued at approximately $349,452.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Marriott International news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 2,600 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.40, for a total value of $617,240.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,472 shares in the company, valued at approximately $349,452.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Satyajit Anand sold 2,749 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.93, for a total transaction of $692,555.57. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 24,478 shares in the company, valued at $6,166,742.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 125,003 shares of company stock worth $30,435,493 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $234.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, March 18th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $234.00 to $239.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $263.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $210.00 to $259.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Mizuho assumed coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Tuesday, March 26th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $263.00 target price on the stock. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $236.81.

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