Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Wells Fargo & Company Analyst Says

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its price objective raised by equities researchers at Wells Fargo & Company from $262.00 to $285.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “equal weight” rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s target price would suggest a potential downside of 1.88% from the company’s previous close.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on MAR. Mizuho increased their target price on Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America raised their target price on Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Argus increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $276.35.

Marriott International Stock Performance

MAR stock opened at $290.46 on Tuesday. Marriott International has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $295.45. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $283.06 and a 200-day moving average of $259.10. The company has a market capitalization of $80.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.38, a PEG ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 1.57.

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

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 8,332 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.49, for a total transaction of $2,370,370.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 108,361 shares in the company, valued at $30,827,620.89. This represents a 7.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total transaction of $137,245.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,286 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,372,384.14. This trade represents a 3.91 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739. Insiders own 10.07% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marriott International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 494.4% in the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the period. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Silvant Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.