Creative Planning Boosts Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Creative Planning raised its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 19.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 93,482 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 14,897 shares during the period. Creative Planning’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $22,601,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 1.8% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 10,616,899 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,678,750,000 after buying an additional 192,652 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 4.7% in the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 3,296,879 shares of the company’s stock valued at $831,836,000 after buying an additional 149,378 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 5.1% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 679,757 shares of the company’s stock valued at $164,355,000 after buying an additional 33,149 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in Marriott International by 11.9% during the first quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 635,202 shares of the company’s stock worth $160,268,000 after purchasing an additional 67,659 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Pacific Advisors LP increased its position in Marriott International by 2.1% during the second quarter. First Pacific Advisors LP now owns 613,205 shares of the company’s stock worth $148,255,000 after purchasing an additional 12,499 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Performance

NASDAQ MAR opened at $248.60 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $229.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $237.68. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $180.75 and a one year high of $260.57. The firm has a market cap of $71.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.66, a PEG ratio of 5.68 and a beta of 1.59.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.49 by $0.01. Marriott International had a net margin of 12.01% and a negative return on equity of 239.60%. The company had revenue of $6.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.26 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.01%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is currently 26.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on MAR shares. Macquarie restated a “neutral” rating and set a $245.00 price objective on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $222.00 to $216.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $235.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. They set a “buy” rating and a $267.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $248.00 to $238.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Marriott International currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $248.65.

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.