Short Interest in Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC) Rises By 12,262.6%

Key Points

• Short interest in Marriott Vacations Worldwide surged by 12,262.6% in July, reaching a total of 2,250,000 shares from 18,200 shares in June, with 7.1% of the company's shares now short sold.
• Marriott's stock was reported at $73.53, down 1.3%, while analysts have mixed ratings, with a consensus price target of $92.25.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.79 per share, representing an annualized yield of 4.3% and a payout ratio of approximately 53.92%.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC - Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 2,250,000 shares, agrowthof12,262.6% from the June 30th total of 18,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 639,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days. Currently,7.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Currently,7.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 639,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VAC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Marriott Vacations Worldwide from $48.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Morgan Stanley restated an "underweight" rating on shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Marriott Vacations Worldwide from $97.00 to $88.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price objective on Marriott Vacations Worldwide from $112.00 to $105.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $92.25.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE:VAC traded down $0.94 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $73.53. 708,317 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 567,180. The stock has a market cap of $2.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a current ratio of 3.16, a quick ratio of 2.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. Marriott Vacations Worldwide has a 12-month low of $49.22 and a 12-month high of $100.32. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $73.84 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $71.78.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide (NYSE:VAC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.10. Marriott Vacations Worldwide had a return on equity of 10.43% and a net margin of 4.57%. The business had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.21 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.80 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up .4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Marriott Vacations Worldwide will post 6.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.79 per share. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. Marriott Vacations Worldwide's payout ratio is presently 53.92%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Christian Asmar acquired 412,449 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 17th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $67.61 per share, for a total transaction of $27,885,676.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 3,708,433 shares of the company's stock, valued at $250,727,155.13. The trade was a 12.51% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Marriott Vacations Worldwide

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in VAC. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 32.2% in the 1st quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,822,687 shares of the company's stock worth $117,089,000 after acquiring an additional 444,126 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in Marriott Vacations Worldwide in the 4th quarter worth about $37,974,000. Norges Bank bought a new position in Marriott Vacations Worldwide in the 4th quarter worth about $31,677,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Marriott Vacations Worldwide by 47.2% in the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 765,480 shares of the company's stock worth $68,510,000 after acquiring an additional 245,427 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ananym Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide in the 4th quarter worth about $21,987,000. 89.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, a vacation company, develops, markets, sells, and manages vacation ownership and related businesses, products, and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Vacation Ownership and Exchange & Third-Party Management.

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