Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) Price Target Lowered to $226.00 at Jefferies Financial Group

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) had its price target cut by Jefferies Financial Group from $295.00 to $226.00 in a research note released on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a hold rating on the stock.

Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. Argus raised their target price on Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Marriott International from $308.00 to $300.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $282.60.

Marriott International Stock Performance

NASDAQ MAR traded down $7.91 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $225.48. 1,684,820 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,559,583. The firm has a market capitalization of $62.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.42. The business’s 50 day moving average is $260.45 and its 200-day moving average is $269.67. Marriott International has a 12-month low of $204.55 and a 12-month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.46% and a negative return on equity of 116.67%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Marriott International will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 27th were paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.12%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total value of $4,031,458.86. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,971,395.74. The trade was a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,551 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This trade represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 in the last three months. 12.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marriott International

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MAR. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Marriott International by 8.5% during the first quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,288 shares of the company’s stock valued at $783,000 after buying an additional 258 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 29.4% during the 1st quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 17,873 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,257,000 after buying an additional 4,056 shares during the period. Clarus Wealth Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 21.5% during the 1st quarter. Clarus Wealth Advisors now owns 4,197 shares of the company’s stock valued at $980,000 after acquiring an additional 743 shares in the last quarter. Unigestion Holding SA purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter worth $1,527,000. Finally, Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International in the first quarter valued at about $395,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.