Norges Bank Makes New Investment in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Norges Bank purchased a new position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 2,338,743 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $638,968,000. Norges Bank owned about 0.86% of Marriott International at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in Marriott International by 26.1% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 16,699 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,562,000 after purchasing an additional 3,458 shares during the period. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its position in Marriott International by 1.1% during the second quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 216,102 shares of the company’s stock valued at $59,041,000 after acquiring an additional 2,300 shares in the last quarter. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Marriott International by 9.9% in the 2nd quarter. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 86,307 shares of the company’s stock worth $23,580,000 after purchasing an additional 7,790 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 15,878 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,338,000 after purchasing an additional 311 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the second quarter worth $522,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $305.05 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $274.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $270.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $81.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 1.36. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $205.40 and a 52 week high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.38 by $0.09. Marriott International had a net margin of 10.07% and a negative return on equity of 89.29%. The company had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations 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. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback plan on Thursday, August 7th that allows the company to repurchase 25,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 20th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.30%.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, insider Deborah Marriott Harrison sold 70,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 175,210 shares in the company, valued at approximately $51,096,492.30. This represents a 28.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Peggy Roe sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $292.12, for a total value of $584,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 17,466 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,102,167.92. This trade represents a 10.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 86,672 shares of company stock valued at $25,174,655 in the last ninety days. 10.68% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on MAR shares. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $329.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Marriott International from $302.00 to $296.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $273.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $262.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $289.87.

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.