Susquehanna Issues Positive Forecast for Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock Price

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its target price hoisted by investment analysts at Susquehanna from $255.00 to $285.00 in a report released on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “neutral” rating on the stock. Susquehanna’s price target would indicate a potential downside of 0.60% from the stock’s previous close.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Mizuho upped their price objective on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Marriott International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $280.05.

Marriott International Price Performance

NASDAQ MAR traded down $1.29 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $286.71. 266,754 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,464,373. The firm has a market cap of $79.67 billion, a PE ratio of 29.99, a PEG ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $284.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $261.87. Marriott International has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Marriott International will post 9.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at $6,560,791.10. This trade represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 10.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MAR. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its position in Marriott International by 126.0% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 972 shares of the company’s stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 542 shares in the last quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. grew its holdings in Marriott International by 276.3% in the third quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 18,643 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,635,000 after purchasing an additional 13,689 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 97,322 shares of the company’s stock valued at $24,194,000 after purchasing an additional 3,840 shares during the last quarter. Occidental Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth $201,000. Finally, Swedbank AB increased its position in Marriott International by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 63,386 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,758,000 after buying an additional 3,635 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.