Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV Purchases 2,711 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV increased its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 36,252 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,711 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $8,765,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Roble Belko & Company Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 845.5% in the first quarter. Roble Belko & Company Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Bangor Savings Bank lifted its stake in Marriott International by 131.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the first quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the second quarter worth about $28,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Marriott International Price Performance

Marriott International stock opened at $244.39 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $69.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.34 and a beta of 1.59. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $229.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $237.88. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $180.75 and a 1 year high of $260.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.01. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 239.60% and a net margin of 12.01%. The company had revenue of $6.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.26 earnings per share. Marriott International’s revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.01%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently issued reports on MAR shares. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Marriott International from $267.00 to $244.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded shares of Marriott International from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $247.00 to $262.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Macquarie restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 target price on shares of Marriott International in a report on Friday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $235.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Susquehanna started coverage on Marriott International in a research note on Friday, June 21st. They set a “neutral” rating and a $255.00 price objective on the stock. Thirteen 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, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $247.33.

About Marriott International

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.