J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. Boosts Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 59.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,256 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,585 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,187,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the period. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Silvant Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total value of $485,300.10. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at $6,560,791.10. The trade was a 6.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Trading Up 1.7 %

MAR opened at $288.42 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $284.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $263.44. The company has a market capitalization of $80.15 billion, a PE ratio of 30.17, a PEG ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $204.55 and a 1-year 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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. Equities analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders 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 yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.36%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MAR has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $277.00 to $308.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $284.05.

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.