SPC Financial Inc. Cuts Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

SPC Financial Inc. lessened its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 0.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 9,005 shares of the company’s stock after selling 57 shares during the quarter. SPC Financial Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $2,272,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. increased its holdings in Marriott International by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. now owns 119,154 shares of the company’s stock worth $23,421,000 after acquiring an additional 4,826 shares in the last quarter. Invst LLC increased its holdings in Marriott International by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Invst LLC now owns 8,889 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,747,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its holdings in Marriott International by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 26,836 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,275,000 after acquiring an additional 2,145 shares in the last quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc purchased a new stake in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth $7,874,000. Finally, Savoir Faire Capital Management L.P. acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth $2,129,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Trading Down 1.1 %

MAR traded down $2.74 on Thursday, hitting $239.78. The company had a trading volume of 1,765,431 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,453,113. The firm has a market cap of $68.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.79, a PEG ratio of 4.52 and a beta of 1.60. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $180.75 and a 1 year high of $260.57. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $237.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $240.28.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $5.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.95 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 12.00% and a negative return on equity of 376.88%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.09 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 24th were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 23rd. This is a positive change from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.05%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is 26.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Susquehanna assumed coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Friday, June 21st. They set a “neutral” rating and a $255.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $239.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, April 19th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $235.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, Argus boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $242.19.

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.