Marriott International, Inc. $MAR Stock: Heritage Investors Management Corp Cuts Position

Heritage Investors Management Corp lessened its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 214,704 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,981 shares during the quarter. Marriott International accounts for 2.2% of Heritage Investors Management Corp’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Heritage Investors Management Corp’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $76,364,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Valley National Advisers Inc. increased its position in Marriott International by 4,398.1% during the 3rd quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 7,017 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,496,000 after buying an additional 6,861 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 62.5% in the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 34,640 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,837,000 after acquiring an additional 13,322 shares in the last quarter. VMS Asset Management Limited acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the third quarter worth about $2,927,000. Dai ichi Life Insurance Company Ltd grew its stake in shares of Marriott International by 37.7% during the first quarter. Dai ichi Life Insurance Company Ltd now owns 12,686 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,149,000 after acquiring an additional 3,476 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter worth about $1,249,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Price Performance

Marriott International stock opened at $399.30 on Monday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $256.76 and a 52 week high of $410.98. The company has a market capitalization of $104.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 1.15. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $360.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $355.73.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its earnings results on Monday, August 3rd. The company reported $3.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.08 by $0.11. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 75.81% and a net margin of 9.62%. The firm had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.65 earnings per share. Marriott International’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 11.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 20th were paid a dividend of $0.73 per share. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 20th. Marriott International’s payout ratio is presently 30.26%.

More Marriott International News

Here are the key news stories impacting Marriott International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Marriott’s upcoming earnings remain a potential catalyst. Analysts are focused on revenue per available room (RevPAR), fee income and cost controls, with expectations for higher earnings and revenue. MAR Gears Up for Q3 Earnings: RevPAR and Fee Growth in Focus
• Positive Sentiment: Marriott continues to expand its global hotel pipeline. Planned developments include a 282-room JW Marriott resort in Fiji, a Courtyard by Marriott in Takayama, Japan, and the company’s first EDITION hotel in Africa, in Cape Town. These projects could support long-term fee growth and brand visibility. JW Marriott brand to debut in Fiji Courtyard by Marriott in Takayama Marriott opens first African EDITION
• Neutral Sentiment: Marriott confirmed corporate job cuts. The move could improve operating efficiency and support margins, although it also signals efforts to manage costs amid an uncertain economic environment. Marriott Confirms Corporate Job Cuts
• Negative Sentiment: Evercore ISI lowered its price target for MAR to $400 from $420, reducing a valuation-related support for the shares. Evercore ISI Adjusts Price Target on Marriott
• Negative Sentiment: Exchange-traded funds were reported as net sellers of Marriott stock on October 27, creating near-term technical selling pressure. ETFs Are Net Sellers of Marriott
• Negative Sentiment: Investors are also assessing the potential effect of the Iran war and broader economic uncertainty on travel demand, costs and Marriott’s growth outlook ahead of earnings. Marriott shares in focus ahead of Q3 earnings

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In related news, insider Deborah Harrison sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $352.09, for a total transaction of $1,232,315.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 282,383 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $99,424,230.47. This trade represents a 1.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider David S. Marriott sold 3,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $352.09, for a total transaction of $1,232,315.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 282,383 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $99,424,230.47. This represents a 1.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 11.43% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MAR has been the subject of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $405.00 to $400.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. They set a “hold” rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $388.00 to $406.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $384.00 to $374.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Freedom Broker initiated coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Wednesday, October 14th. They set a “buy” rating and a $408.00 price objective for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $383.52.

Marriott International Profile

Marriott International, Inc is a global hospitality company that develops, franchises, licenses and manages hotels, resorts, residences and other lodging properties. Its portfolio includes brands such as Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield by Marriott, Residence Inn and Element. The company also operates Marriott Bonvoy, a travel loyalty program that provides members with benefits and rewards across participating properties and travel experiences.

Marriott traces its origins to 1927, when J.