GWN Securities Inc. Takes Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

GWN Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 982 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $279,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Glenview Trust co acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $762,000. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its stake in Marriott International by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 8,606 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,401,000 after buying an additional 285 shares during the period. Choate Investment Advisors increased its stake in Marriott International by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Choate Investment Advisors now owns 3,575 shares of the company’s stock valued at $997,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC increased its stake in Marriott International by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 295,473 shares of the company’s stock valued at $82,419,000 after buying an additional 13,974 shares during the period. Finally, Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $1,012,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Trading Up 2.1 %

NASDAQ:MAR opened at $248.11 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $68.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. The company’s 50-day moving average is $277.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is $270.08. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $204.55 and a 12-month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its 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, equities research analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business 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 dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total transaction of $3,610,934.46. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 30,919 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,831,393.97. This trade represents a 29.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 in the last 90 days. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on MAR shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marriott International has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $286.45.

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.