UBS Group Has Lowered Expectations for Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock Price

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its target price decreased by UBS Group from $302.00 to $299.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. UBS Group currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on MAR. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Marriott International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $226.00 to $303.00 in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Melius Research raised shares of Marriott International to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $276.50.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $260.69 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.33, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.39. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $240.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $266.84. Marriott International has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52.

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

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. This is a boost from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.03%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.52%.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 20,724 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. This trade represents a 4.60% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total value of $1,003,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 32,694 shares of company stock worth $9,208,342. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Marriott International

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Straightline Group LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $495,000. NewEdge Wealth LLC grew its stake in Marriott International by 34.4% during the 4th quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 4,345 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,212,000 after purchasing an additional 1,112 shares in the last quarter. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,990,000. Markel Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 30.6% in the 4th quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 47,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,110,000 after buying an additional 11,000 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Marriott International by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,477,619 shares of the company’s stock worth $412,167,000 after buying an additional 32,288 shares during the period. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.