SlateStone Wealth LLC Buys 185 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

SlateStone Wealth LLC grew its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 13.6% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 1,543 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 185 shares during the period. SlateStone Wealth LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $430,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Marriott International by 112.2% during the fourth quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in shares of Marriott International by 494.4% during the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on MAR. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target 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. Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted 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. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Marriott International currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $286.45.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 12,642 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $285.63, for a total transaction of $3,610,934.46. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 30,919 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,831,393.97. This represents a 29.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total transaction of $1,003,275.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at $7,089,714.45. This trade represents a 12.40 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Marriott International Trading Up 2.5 %

Shares of MAR opened at $243.11 on Monday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $278.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $269.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $67.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.22, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced 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 net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. As a group, research analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.04%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 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.