Bank OZK Grows Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Bank OZK grew its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 2.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,527 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 133 shares during the period. Bank OZK’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,246,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Valmark Advisers Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 2,017 shares of the company’s stock worth $455,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 38,600 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,705,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 3.7% in the fourth quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 8,088 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,824,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. Syon Capital LLC increased its holdings in Marriott International by 6.0% in the fourth quarter. Syon Capital LLC now owns 4,373 shares of the company’s stock valued at $986,000 after buying an additional 247 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GHE LLC increased its holdings in Marriott International by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. GHE LLC now owns 5,586 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,260,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR traded down $1.10 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $240.84. 1,065,547 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,409,872. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $248.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $227.03. The firm has a market cap of $69.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.63, a PEG ratio of 5.40 and a beta of 1.62. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $162.77 and a twelve month high of $260.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $3.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.12 by $1.45. The firm had revenue of $6.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.20 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 848.49% and a net margin of 13.00%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.96 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were given a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 21st. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.86%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 20.41%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 1,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.19, for a total value of $351,666.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 72 shares in the company, valued at $18,085.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Marriott International news, insider Deborah Marriott Harrison sold 37,300 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $241.46, for a total transaction of $9,006,458.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 9,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,197,286. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Eric Hippeau sold 1,400 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.19, for a total transaction of $351,666.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 72 shares in the company, valued at $18,085.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 125,003 shares of company stock worth $30,435,493 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MAR. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $233.00 to $263.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Mizuho decreased their target price on Marriott International from $263.00 to $260.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Marriott International from $234.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, March 18th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Marriott International from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $236.69.

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, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.