Eagle Global Advisors LLC Acquires Shares of 5,600 Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Eagle Global Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 5,600 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,562,000.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MAR. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% in the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 494.4% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of 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 at the SEC website. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. 10.68% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR opened at $255.99 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $238.51 and a 200-day moving average of $266.43. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $307.52. The company has a market cap of $70.64 billion, a PE ratio of 30.77, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 previous year, the firm posted $2.13 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were issued a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on MAR shares. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Marriott International from $308.00 to $300.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $272.75.

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.