Mediolanum International Funds Ltd Lowers Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Mediolanum International Funds Ltd cut its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 7.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,538 shares of the company’s stock after selling 728 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $2,157,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bangor Savings Bank grew its stake in Marriott International by 131.1% during the second quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the second quarter worth about $26,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Annapolis Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Unique Wealth Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International in the second quarter valued at $35,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of Marriott International stock opened at $262.12 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $180.75 and a one year high of $266.58. The company has a market capitalization of $74.87 billion, a PE ratio of 27.05, a P/E/G ratio of 6.36 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $243.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $238.86.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.01. Marriott International had a net margin of 12.01% and a negative return on equity of 239.60%. The company had revenue of $6.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.47 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.26 earnings per share. Marriott International’s revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th were given a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 16th. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.01%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently commented on MAR. Macquarie reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 price target on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Marriott International from $240.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $267.00 to $244.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $258.00 price objective on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $256.39.

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.