World Equity Group Inc. Increases Stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

World Equity Group Inc. boosted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 94.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,770 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,346 shares during the period. World Equity Group Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $773,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of MAR. PointState Capital LP purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $98,249,000. Canoe Financial LP purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $77,331,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 15,148.3% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 302,527 shares of the company’s stock worth $75,208,000 after buying an additional 300,543 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 341.6% in the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 381,226 shares of the company’s stock worth $106,339,000 after buying an additional 294,898 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mizuho Securities USA LLC grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 629.7% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 134,973 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,554,000 after buying an additional 116,477 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on MAR. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Macquarie reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 price objective on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. TD Cowen cut their price objective on Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $284.05.

Marriott International Trading Down 3.4 %

Marriott International stock opened at $277.47 on Monday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $283.73 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $265.45. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The company has a market capitalization of $76.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.29%.

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.