Scientech Research LLC Takes Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Scientech Research LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 4,220 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,177,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Sig Brokerage LP acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,765,000. Raiffeisen Bank International AG acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $6,550,000. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its position in Marriott International by 16.9% in the fourth quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 349,503 shares of the company's stock worth $97,490,000 after purchasing an additional 50,486 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 32.5% in the fourth quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 39,076 shares of the company's stock valued at $10,900,000 after buying an additional 9,578 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mufg Securities Americas Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at $950,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on MAR shares. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Barclays dropped their price target on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. 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. Melius Research raised shares of Marriott International to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $276.60.

Marriott International Stock Down 2.1%

MAR stock traded down $5.85 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $267.34. 1,500,394 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,606,436. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $307.52. The business has a 50-day moving average of $239.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of $266.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.22 billion, a PE ratio of 32.13, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results 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. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.00%. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is 30.52%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. This trade represents a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. The trade was a 50.38% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 32,694 shares of company stock valued at $9,208,342. 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.