Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock Position Lowered by State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D

State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lessened its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 2.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 86,357 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,990 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $24,088,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. WBH Advisory Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth $231,000. Monument Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. Monument Capital Management now owns 853 shares of the company’s stock worth $238,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 59.3% in the 4th quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 4,256 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,187,000 after acquiring an additional 1,585 shares during the last quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,289 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,196,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 38.2% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,109 shares of the company’s stock worth $872,000 after acquiring an additional 859 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at $6,560,791.10. The trade was a 6.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 12.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR opened at $283.52 on Monday. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The business has a 50-day moving average of $284.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $262.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $78.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.66, a P/E/G ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. As a group, research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.89%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 26.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MAR. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Barclays lowered their price target on Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $284.45.

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.