Wells Fargo & Company Upgrades Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) to “Strong-Buy”

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) was upgraded by equities researchers at Wells Fargo & Company to a “strong-buy” rating in a report issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on MAR. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Marriott International from $302.00 to $296.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Marriott International from $287.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Barclays upped their price target on Marriott International from $262.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on Marriott International from $273.00 to $278.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $289.87.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $284.20 on Monday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $270.04 and its 200-day moving average is $268.10. The stock has a market cap of $76.27 billion, a PE ratio of 30.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.36. Marriott International has a 1 year low of $205.40 and a 1 year high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.38 by $0.09. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 89.29% and a net margin of 10.07%.The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.46 billion. Marriott International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.540-2.620 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 9.980-10.060 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Marriott International will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, August 7th that authorizes the company to buyback 25,000,000 shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,650 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.10, for a total value of $472,065.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,225 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,214,172.50. This represents a 8.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Deborah Marriott Harrison sold 70,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $291.63, for a total value of $20,414,100.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 175,210 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $51,096,492.30. The trade was a 28.55% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 85,799 shares of company stock worth $24,911,376. Corporate insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marriott International

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Marriott International by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,350 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,914,000 after purchasing an additional 558 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in Marriott International in the third quarter valued at $29,270,000. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. raised its holdings in Marriott International by 8.2% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 897 shares of the company’s stock worth $234,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Morningstar Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at about $5,062,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in Marriott International by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 34,011 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,858,000 after acquiring an additional 2,659 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

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.