Handelsbanken Fonder AB Lowers Stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Handelsbanken Fonder AB reduced its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 9.7% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 51,559 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,566 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $11,627,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CWM LLC lifted its stake in Marriott International by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,124 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,381,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 5,883 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,327,000 after buying an additional 437 shares during the last quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 16.9% during the 4th quarter. Nicholas Hoffman & Company LLC. now owns 1,203 shares of the company’s stock worth $271,000 after buying an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Marriott International by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,947 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,341,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Finally, abrdn plc increased its holdings in Marriott International by 64.3% in the 4th quarter. abrdn plc now owns 102,617 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,141,000 after purchasing an additional 40,142 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $239.69 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $69.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.62. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $162.77 and a 1-year high of $260.57. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $248.18 and a two-hundred day moving average of $226.48.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $3.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.12 by $1.45. Marriott International had a net margin of 13.00% and a negative return on equity of 848.49%. The company had revenue of $6.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.20 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.96 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.46 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 22nd were given a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.87%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 20.41%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MAR has been the subject of several research reports. Argus boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $205.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $239.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, April 19th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $236.69.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 1,400 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.19, for a total transaction of $351,666.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 72 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,085.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 20,000 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $248.48, for a total value of $4,969,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 93,323 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $23,188,899.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Eric Hippeau sold 1,400 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.19, for a total transaction of $351,666.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 72 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $18,085.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 125,003 shares of company stock worth $30,435,493 in the last ninety days. 10.07% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.