EP Wealth Advisors LLC Has $1.72 Million Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

EP Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 13.1% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 6,165 shares of the company’s stock after selling 931 shares during the quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,720,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its stake in Marriott International by 112.2% in the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% in the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $257.97 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $307.52. The company has a market cap of $70.66 billion, a PE ratio of 31.01, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $237.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $266.34.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.25 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.13 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were paid a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 28.70%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on MAR shares. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $226.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Barclays decreased their target price on Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Argus lifted their price target on Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on 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 analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $272.75.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction 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 trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at $3,971,395.74. This trade represents a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 in the last 90 days. 10.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.