Yousif Capital Management LLC Lowers Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Yousif Capital Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 30,062 shares of the company’s stock after selling 456 shares during the period. Yousif Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $7,161,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in Marriott International by 2.5% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 8,887 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,479,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,806 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,062,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in Marriott International by 11.8% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 4,174 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,164,000 after purchasing an additional 440 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC raised its holdings in Marriott International by 2.3% during the fourth quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 6,462 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,803,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Marriott International in the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Marriott International stock opened at $266.06 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $72.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.98, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year high of $307.52. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $247.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $265.25.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.13 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is an increase from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Marriott International’s payout ratio is currently 30.52%.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In other news, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of Marriott International stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total transaction of $3,166,800.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 124,067 shares in the company, valued at $32,741,281.30. This trade represents a 8.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.21, for a total transaction of $270,210.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 20,724 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on MAR shares. Melius Research raised Marriott International to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Marriott International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the company from $226.00 to $303.00 in a report on Monday, May 12th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $275.15.

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.