Advisory Alpha LLC Boosts Stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Advisory Alpha LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 30.9% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 2,239 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 529 shares during the quarter. Advisory Alpha LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $565,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Roble Belko & Company Inc increased its position in Marriott International by 845.5% during the first quarter. Roble Belko & Company Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 72.6% during the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 126 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter valued at about $29,000. Keener Financial Planning LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of Marriott International stock traded up $2.34 on Friday, hitting $242.12. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 132,805 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,443,186. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $180.75 and a 52-week high of $260.57. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $237.62 and a 200-day moving average price of $240.27. The company has a market capitalization of $69.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.57 and a beta of 1.60.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.17 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.95 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 376.88% and a net margin of 12.00%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.09 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 24th were given a $0.63 dividend. This is an increase from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.04%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $239.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, April 19th. Argus lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $235.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $248.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $242.19.

Marriott International Company 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, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.