Sargent Investment Group LLC Decreases Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Sargent Investment Group LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 2.6% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 6,225 shares of the company’s stock after selling 165 shares during the quarter. Sargent Investment Group LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $1,404,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Caprock Group LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 255.1% in the 4th quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 11,781 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,657,000 after acquiring an additional 8,463 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 86.8% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 44,957 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,138,000 after acquiring an additional 20,890 shares during the last quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc raised its stake in Marriott International by 88.4% in the 4th quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 10,426 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,351,000 after acquiring an additional 4,892 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 1,487.6% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 345,246 shares of the company’s stock worth $77,856,000 after acquiring an additional 323,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. raised its stake in Marriott International by 14.7% in the 4th quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 79,403 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,906,000 after acquiring an additional 10,197 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

MAR stock traded down $1.10 during trading on Friday, hitting $240.84. The stock had a trading volume of 1,065,547 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,409,872. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $162.77 and a twelve month high of $260.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $69.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.63, a PEG ratio of 5.37 and a beta of 1.62. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $248.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $227.23.

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

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 21st. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 20.41%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have weighed in on MAR. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $205.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $210.00 to $259.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Argus lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective 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. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price objective on Marriott International from $263.00 to $260.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 23rd. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $236.69.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 2,600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $237.40, for a total value of $617,240.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,472 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $349,452.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Marriott International news, EVP Drew Pinto sold 1,404 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $242.87, for a total value of $340,989.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,996 shares in the company, valued at $1,456,248.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Eric Hippeau sold 2,600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $237.40, for a total transaction of $617,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,472 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $349,452.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 125,003 shares of company stock worth $30,435,493 in the last ninety days. 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, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.