Aspen Investment Management Inc Boosts Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Aspen Investment Management Inc raised its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 40.0% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 2,490 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 712 shares during the quarter. Aspen Investment Management Inc’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $695,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Silvant Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.1 %

Marriott International stock opened at $287.20 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $204.55 and a 12-month high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.52, a P/E/G ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 1.57. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $283.92 and a 200 day moving average of $264.29.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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, analysts predict 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. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be paid a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MAR has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Macquarie reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 target price on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group increased 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. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $284.05.

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, City Express by Marriott, and St.