Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Stake Reduced by Cottage Street Advisors LLC

Cottage Street Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 9,900 shares of the company’s stock after selling 100 shares during the quarter. Marriott International makes up about 1.4% of Cottage Street Advisors LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest holding. Cottage Street Advisors LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $2,762,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MAR. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its stake in Marriott International by 112.2% during the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its position in Marriott International by 494.4% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the period. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, ORG Partners LLC increased its position in Marriott International by 158.5% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on MAR shares. Mizuho increased their price objective on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $286.05.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. This represents a 50.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132. 12.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Marriott International Trading Up 1.5 %

NASDAQ MAR opened at $246.48 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $67.95 billion, a PE ratio of 29.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $274.34 and a 200 day simple moving average of $270.60. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.02%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 30.29%.

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, City Express by Marriott, and St.