Markel Group Inc. Buys 13,000 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Markel Group Inc. increased its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 21.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 73,250 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 13,000 shares during the quarter. Markel Group Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $19,077,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Marriott International by 1.5% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,543,195 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,612,606,000 after buying an additional 306,717 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,488,566 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,592,371,000 after buying an additional 114,973 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,223,539 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,420,308,000 after acquiring an additional 102,798 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in Marriott International by 7.2% in the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 4,921,767 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,281,825,000 after purchasing an additional 330,952 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Marriott International by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,330,656 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,183,178,000 after purchasing an additional 206,820 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, insider William P. Brown sold 6,666 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.04, for a total transaction of $1,866,746.64. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 11,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,080,440. This represents a 37.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,650 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.10, for a total transaction of $472,065.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,225 shares in the company, valued at $5,214,172.50. The trade was a 8.30% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 88,289 shares of company stock worth $25,669,425 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of Marriott International stock opened at $316.70 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $308.71 and a 200-day moving average price of $282.85. The firm has a market cap of $84.99 billion, a PE ratio of 33.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.16. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $205.40 and a 1 year high of $331.09.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.38 by $0.09. Marriott International had a net margin of 10.07% and a negative return on equity of 89.29%. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.46 billion. Marriott International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.540-2.620 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 9.980-10.060 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 20th were paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 20th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is presently 28.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the topic of several recent research reports. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Marriott International from $320.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Marriott International from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $288.00 to $345.00 in a report on Monday, December 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $329.00 to $369.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. BMO Capital Markets raised Marriott International from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $285.00 to $370.00 in a report on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their target price on Marriott International from $287.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $313.75.

About Marriott International

Marriott International is a global lodging company that develops, manages and franchises a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Its core activities include hotel and resort management, franchise operations, property development and the provision of centralized services such as reservations, marketing and loyalty program management. The company’s brand architecture spans market segments from luxury and premium to select-service and extended-stay, enabling it to serve a wide range of business and leisure travelers as well as corporate and group customers.

The company traces its roots to the hospitality business founded by J.