Larson Financial Group LLC Boosts Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Larson Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 10.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 379 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 37 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $94,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BDF Gestion purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,013,000. Jensen Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $793,000. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 518.7% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 47,519 shares of the company’s stock worth $11,489,000 after acquiring an additional 39,839 shares in the last quarter. BayBridge Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,254,000. Finally, Kinsale Capital Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $3,769,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.9 %

Shares of MAR stock opened at $285.60 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $200.94 and a twelve month high of $289.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $79.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.87, a P/E/G ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 1.58. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $265.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $244.71.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.27 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.11 earnings per share. Marriott International’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 21st will be issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is 26.36%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CAO Felitia Lee sold 916 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.48, for a total transaction of $253,255.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,609 shares in the company, valued at $1,550,776.32. This represents a 14.04 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total value of $137,245.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,286 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,372,384.14. This trade represents a 3.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Barclays upped their price objective on Marriott International from $240.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Mizuho boosted their target price on Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, Macquarie reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $245.00 target price on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $260.20.

About Marriott International

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.