Bridgewater Advisors Inc. Purchases 2,052 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Bridgewater Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 4.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 52,012 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,052 shares during the period. Marriott International comprises 1.1% of Bridgewater Advisors Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Bridgewater Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $12,466,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 5,554 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,549,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. 4J Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. 4J Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,224 shares of the company’s stock valued at $292,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC now owns 2,019 shares of the company’s stock valued at $587,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 46.7% during the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 157 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,529 shares of the company’s stock valued at $364,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR opened at $282.82 on Tuesday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year high of $307.52. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $267.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $262.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $77.46 billion, a PE ratio of 32.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 1.41.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The company reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.07. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 100.64% and a net margin of 9.75%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.13 EPS. Marriott International’s revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd were given a dividend of $0.67 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. This is an increase from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.63. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.52%.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In other news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,000 shares of the company’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 directly owned 20,724 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,599,832.04. This represents a 4.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.28, for a total value of $670,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,706 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,530,805.68. The trade was a 30.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 15,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,107,710. Corporate insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAR has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Marriott International from $283.00 to $236.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 price target (down previously from $313.00) on shares of Marriott International in a report on Monday, April 14th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Thirteen investment 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $275.90.

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.