Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Shares Bought by Highland Capital Management LLC

Highland Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1,948.4% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 17,063 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 16,230 shares during the period. Highland Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $4,760,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Silvant Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. ORG Partners LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 158.5% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kathleen S. Wright Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on MAR. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $249.00 to $286.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $272.15.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total transaction of $673,567.60. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 39,726 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,338,197.66. This trade represents a 5.61 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $274.49, for a total transaction of $137,245.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,286 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,372,384.14. The trade was a 3.91 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 13,815 shares of company stock valued at $3,919,739. Insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.4 %

NASDAQ:MAR opened at $289.66 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $80.49 billion, a PE ratio of 30.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $295.45. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $282.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $258.23.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.11 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed 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 was Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.87%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.36%.

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.