Stifel Nicolaus Lowers Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Price Target to $240.00

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its price objective dropped by equities research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $295.00 to $240.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “hold” rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price target indicates a potential upside of 7.83% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on MAR. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $308.00 to $300.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marriott International currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $277.00.

Marriott International Stock Down 0.4 %

NASDAQ:MAR opened at $222.58 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. Marriott International has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $254.81 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $268.96.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Marriott International will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total transaction of $1,003,275.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. This trade represents a 12.40 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock worth $8,938,132. Insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Marriott International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 5.1% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 99,593 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,723,000 after buying an additional 4,833 shares during the period. Simon Quick Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 14.1% during the 1st quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 1,086 shares of the company’s stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. now owns 2,031 shares of the company’s stock valued at $484,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the period. InTrack Investment Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 188.1% during the first quarter. InTrack Investment Management Inc now owns 3,244 shares of the company’s stock valued at $773,000 after purchasing an additional 2,118 shares during the period. Finally, Sarasin & Partners LLP increased its position in Marriott International by 23.1% in the 1st quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 15,069 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,589,000 after buying an additional 2,825 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

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.