Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Stake Lessened by Hartford Investment Management Co.

Hartford Investment Management Co. decreased its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 3.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 14,258 shares of the company’s stock after selling 478 shares during the period. Hartford Investment Management Co.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $3,977,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its stake in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Silvant Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International in the third quarter valued at $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 23,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,560,791.10. The trade was a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 10.07% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of MAR opened at $290.45 on Thursday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The company’s fifty day moving average is $284.37 and its 200-day moving average is $261.87. The firm has a market cap of $80.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. As a group, research analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Marriott International from $262.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $284.45.

Marriott International 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.