Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Sells 218,285 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lessened its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,590,815 shares of the company’s stock after selling 218,285 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,254,257,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MAR. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Marriott International in the second quarter valued at approximately $613,000. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV boosted its position in Marriott International by 9.5% during the 1st quarter. Nissay Asset Management Corp Japan ADV now owns 62,995 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,005,000 after buying an additional 5,482 shares during the period. Permanens Capital L.P. increased its holdings in Marriott International by 15.6% in the first quarter. Permanens Capital L.P. now owns 15,396 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,667,000 after purchasing an additional 2,076 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 3.8% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 219,939 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,389,000 after acquiring an additional 8,149 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Swedbank AB increased its position in shares of Marriott International by 1.3% during the first quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 68,429 shares of the company’s stock worth $16,300,000 after buying an additional 881 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on MAR. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Marriott International from $302.00 to $296.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $273.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $262.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $286.40.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Peggy Roe sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $292.12, for a total value of $584,240.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 17,466 shares in the company, valued at $5,102,167.92. This trade represents a 10.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 5,483 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $287.11, for a total transaction of $1,574,224.13. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 39,360 shares in the company, valued at $11,300,649.60. This trade represents a 12.23% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders sold 85,799 shares of company stock worth $24,911,376. Insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $285.72 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $268.93 and its 200 day moving average is $267.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $76.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.36. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $205.40 and a 1 year high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.38 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.46 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 10.07% and a negative return on equity of 89.29%. Marriott International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.540-2.620 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 9.980-10.060 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, November 20th will be issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 20th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.30%.

Marriott International announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, August 7th that permits the company to buyback 25,000,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

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.