Nordea Investment Management AB Decreases Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Nordea Investment Management AB lessened its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 11.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 69,674 shares of the company’s stock after selling 9,325 shares during the quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $19,511,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Jensen Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Marriott International in the third quarter worth approximately $793,000. BayBridge Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,254,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. lifted its position in Marriott International by 0.5% in the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 566,548 shares of the company’s stock valued at $140,844,000 after buying an additional 2,723 shares during the last quarter. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas purchased a new position in Marriott International during the third quarter worth about $2,721,000. Finally, Kinsale Capital Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $3,769,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 1.4 %

MAR opened at $273.53 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $76.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $295.45. The business’s 50 day moving average is $281.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $254.43.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued 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). Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.27 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.11 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders 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 dividend yield of 0.92%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.36%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on MAR shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Marriott International from $238.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $269.65.

Insider Activity

In other news, 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 value of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,560,791.10. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total value of $673,567.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 39,726 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,338,197.66. The trade was a 5.61 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,739. Company insiders own 12.32% 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.