ProShare Advisors LLC Purchases 50,486 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

ProShare Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) by 16.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 349,503 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 50,486 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC owned about 0.13% of Marriott International worth $97,490,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,510 shares of the company's stock worth $1,537,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 25.2% in the 4th quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 3,522 shares of the company's stock worth $982,000 after acquiring an additional 708 shares during the period. Apella Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 131.8% in the 4th quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 2,100 shares of the company's stock worth $586,000 after acquiring an additional 1,194 shares during the period. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Marriott International by 82.3% during the 4th quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 906 shares of the company's stock valued at $253,000 after buying an additional 409 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Marriott International by 52.4% during the 4th quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 13,817 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,854,000 after buying an additional 4,752 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Melius Research raised Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Evercore ISI raised Marriott International from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $276.50.

Marriott International Stock Down 1.2%

NASDAQ:MAR traded down $3.24 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $264.10. The company had a trading volume of 410,242 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,601,819. The firm has a market cap of $72.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.73, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $240.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $266.89. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.19 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. The business's revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is a positive change from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.52%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total value of $270,210.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,262,811.48. The trade was a 18.80% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 32,694 shares of company stock valued at $9,208,342. Company insiders own 10.68% 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, City Express by Marriott, and St.