Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Lowers Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP decreased its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 16.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 865,208 shares of the company's stock after selling 176,212 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 0.29% of Marriott International worth $195,103,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. ORG Partners LLC raised its holdings in Marriott International by 72.6% during the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 126 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the period. Keener Financial Planning LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Marriott International Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of MAR stock traded up $2.96 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $238.96. The stock had a trading volume of 1,261,480 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,442,857. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $165.13 and a 1-year high of $260.57. The firm has a market cap of $68.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.53, a PEG ratio of 4.49 and a beta of 1.61. The business's fifty day moving average is $245.52 and its 200-day moving average is $231.28.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $2.13 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.04). Marriott International had a net margin of 12.00% and a negative return on equity of 376.88%. The business had revenue of $5.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.95 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.09 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.51 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 24th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 23rd. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Marriott International's payout ratio is 26.01%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on MAR shares. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Argus boosted their price target on Marriott International from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $248.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $241.33.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 1,400 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.19, for a total value of $351,666.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 72 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,085.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 1,400 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.19, for a total value of $351,666.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now 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 available through the SEC website. Also, insider Deborah Marriott Harrison sold 37,300 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $241.46, for a total value of $9,006,458.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 9,100 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,197,286. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 118,840 shares of company stock valued at $28,961,744 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 12.32% of the company's stock.

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.