Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Bought by Cerity Partners LLC

Cerity Partners LLC increased its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 86.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,957 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 20,890 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC's holdings in Marriott International were worth $10,138,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at $25,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Keener Financial Planning LLC bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock traded down $2.65 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $248.41. The stock had a trading volume of 1,433,265 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,427,834. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $162.77 and a 12-month high of $260.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.62. The firm's 50-day moving average is $248.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $224.60.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $3.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.12 by $1.45. The firm had revenue of $6.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.20 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 848.49% and a net margin of 13.00%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.96 EPS. Analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.46 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 22nd were given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 21st. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is currently 20.41%.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 2,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was 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 of the company's stock, valued at $349,452.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 2,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was 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 of the company's stock, valued at $349,452.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,563 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.39, for a total value of $856,509.57. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,778 shares in the company, valued at $8,841,063.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 125,003 shares of company stock valued at $30,435,493 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 10.07% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on MAR. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price 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 started coverage on Marriott International in a research report on Tuesday, March 26th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $263.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Marriott International from $205.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Finally, Argus lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $236.81.

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