Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Wells Fargo & Company Analyst Says

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its target price raised by research analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $262.00 to $285.00 in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “equal weight” rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s price target indicates a potential downside of 2.53% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on MAR. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. 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 report on Friday, December 13th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Bank of America raised their price target on Marriott International from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $252.00 to $283.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $276.35.

Marriott International Stock Performance

NASDAQ MAR opened at $292.39 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $283.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $259.75. The company has a market cap of $81.25 billion, a PE ratio of 30.58, a P/E/G ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International has a 52-week low of $204.55 and a 52-week high of $295.45.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 177.91% and a net margin of 11.18%. The company had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.27 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.11 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Marriott International will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total value of $673,567.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 39,726 shares in the company, valued at $11,338,197.66. The trade was a 5.61 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 8,332 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.49, for a total value of $2,370,370.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 108,361 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,827,620.89. The trade was a 7.14 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 12,399 shares of company stock worth $3,529,238. 10.07% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Marriott International

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MAR. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 494.4% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Silvant Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International during the third quarter worth about $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.70% 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, City Express by Marriott, and St.