Caprock Group LLC Grows Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Caprock Group LLC raised its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 2.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,361 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $2,054,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd grew its holdings in Marriott International by 126.0% during the 4th quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 19,296 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,396,000 after purchasing an additional 10,758 shares during the last quarter. Westhampton Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Highland Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 1,948.4% during the 4th quarter. Highland Capital Management LLC now owns 17,063 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,760,000 after acquiring an additional 16,230 shares during the last quarter. New England Research & Management Inc. purchased a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $886,000. Finally, Hanson & Doremus Investment Management grew its position in Marriott International by 1,935.5% in the 4th quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 631 shares of the company’s stock valued at $176,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total transaction of $673,567.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 39,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,338,197.66. This trade represents a 5.61 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, 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 value of $2,370,370.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 108,361 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,827,620.89. This represents a 7.14 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739 over the last 90 days. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $283.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $272.15.

Marriott International Price Performance

NASDAQ MAR opened at $290.59 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $283.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $258.99. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year high of $295.45. The company has a market cap of $80.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.40, a PEG ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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). Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.11 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.36%.

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.