Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Sold by Townsend Asset Management Corp NC ADV

Townsend Asset Management Corp NC ADV lowered its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 10.8% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 23,432 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,839 shares during the quarter. Marriott International makes up approximately 2.4% of Townsend Asset Management Corp NC ADV’s holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest holding. Townsend Asset Management Corp NC ADV’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $6,536,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Marriott International by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,621 shares of the company’s stock worth $652,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its holdings in Marriott International by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 37,809 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,399,000 after acquiring an additional 1,645 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Marriott International by 13.8% during the 3rd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 29,857 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,423,000 after acquiring an additional 3,623 shares in the last quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc grew its holdings in Marriott International by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 31,614 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,859,000 after acquiring an additional 930 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 145.2% in the 3rd quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. now owns 50,472 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,319,000 after buying an additional 29,891 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total transaction of $1,003,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132. Insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Argus upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $286.45.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of MAR opened at $271.10 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $282.47 and a 200-day simple moving average of $268.41. The company has a market capitalization of $74.74 billion, a PE ratio of 32.58, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current 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 paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 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.