Sig Brokerage LP Makes New $1.77 Million Investment in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Sig Brokerage LP bought a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 6,327 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,765,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC grew its position in Marriott International by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,554 shares of the company's stock worth $1,549,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. TFG Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,235,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 3,290 shares of the company's stock valued at $918,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,415 shares of the company's stock valued at $953,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Essex Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,004 shares of the company's stock valued at $838,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In other Marriott International news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,971,395.74. This represents a 50.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total transaction of $3,610,934.46. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 30,919 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,831,393.97. This represents a 29.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 32,694 shares of company stock valued at $9,208,342. 10.68% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on MAR. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $245.00 target price (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Marriott International from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marriott International has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $276.60.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of Marriott International stock traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $273.19. 1,099,134 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,604,249. The company has a 50 day moving average of $239.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of $266.80. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The stock has a market cap of $74.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.84, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.13 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.98%. This is a boost from Marriott International's previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

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.