GAMMA Investing LLC Acquires 637 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 26.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,047 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 637 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $850,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Silvant Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Cyrus J. Lawrence LLC bought a new stake in Marriott International in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Kathleen S. Wright Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the third quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Kimelman & Baird LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAR has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays raised their price objective on Marriott International from $249.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $269.65.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at $6,560,791.10. This represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Felitia Lee sold 916 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.48, for a total transaction of $253,255.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,609 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,550,776.32. The trade was a 14.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock worth $3,919,739 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR opened at $275.28 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $204.55 and a one year high of $295.45. The company has a market cap of $76.50 billion, a PE ratio of 28.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 1.58. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $281.01 and a 200-day moving average of $253.76.

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

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, November 21st were paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.92%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.36%.

Marriott International 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.