Trillium Asset Management LLC Sells 5,293 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Trillium Asset Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 7.0% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 70,344 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,293 shares during the quarter. Trillium Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $16,756,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 12,824 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,055,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the period. 4J Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. 4J Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,224 shares of the company’s stock worth $292,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Obsidian Personal Planning Solutions LLC now owns 2,019 shares of the company’s stock worth $587,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 758 shares of the company’s stock worth $180,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 46.7% during the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 157 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Marriott International from $295.00 to $240.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Marriott International from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $226.00 to $303.00 in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Marriott International from $275.00 to $267.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Mizuho dropped their price target on Marriott International from $293.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Marriott International in a research note on Monday, June 23rd. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $284.00 price target on the stock. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marriott International currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $280.89.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, insider Rajeev Menon sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.28, for a total value of $670,700.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 5,706 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,530,805.68. This represents a 30.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Anthony Capuano sold 12,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.90, for a total value of $3,166,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 124,067 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,741,281.30. The trade was a 8.82% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR opened at $257.97 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.44. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $268.72 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $261.13. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $205.40 and a 52 week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $2.65. The company had revenue of $6.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.66 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 93.44% and a net margin of 9.60%. Marriott International’s quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.50 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 21st will be paid a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 21st. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.21%.

Marriott International announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, August 7th that authorizes the company to buyback 25,000,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About Marriott International

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.