Stifel Nicolaus Issues Positive Forecast for Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock Price

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its target price hoisted by research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $252.00 to $283.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “hold” rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price objective suggests a potential downside of 0.91% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on MAR. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $268.00 to $250.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $222.00 to $216.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $260.20.

Marriott International Stock Down 0.9 %

MAR opened at $285.60 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $79.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 1.58. Marriott International has a fifty-two week low of $200.94 and a fifty-two week high of $289.80. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $264.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $244.43.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.27 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. Marriott International’s revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.11 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Marriott International will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total transaction of $137,245.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,286 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,372,384.14. This trade represents a 3.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,560,791.10. This represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739. Corporate insiders own 10.07% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its position in Marriott International by 86.8% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 16,375 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,071,000 after buying an additional 7,607 shares in the last quarter. Optimist Retirement Group LLC lifted its position in Marriott International by 7.7% in the 3rd quarter. Optimist Retirement Group LLC now owns 894 shares of the company’s stock worth $222,000 after buying an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,260,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC lifted its position in Marriott International by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 36,251 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,012,000 after buying an additional 1,974 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Diamant Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $373,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

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.