New England Research & Management Inc. Raises Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

New England Research & Management Inc. boosted its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 18.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,770 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 595 shares during the period. New England Research & Management Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $898,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of MAR. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 2.5% in 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. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in shares of Marriott International by 11.8% during the fourth 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. Certuity LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $274,000. Avestar Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Marriott International by 11.7% during the fourth quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 1,471 shares of the company’s stock valued at $410,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Asset Management One Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Marriott International by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 90,790 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,753,000 after purchasing an additional 1,707 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Trading Down 3.1%

NASDAQ:MAR opened at $254.99 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $204.55 and a 12 month high of $307.52. The company has a market cap of $69.84 billion, a PE ratio of 30.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $249.62 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $264.85.

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

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This is a boost from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.52%.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $273.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 30th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $245.00 price target (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Marriott International from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Thirteen 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $275.15.

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.