Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. Has $106.82 Million Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 7.7% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 388,037 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 27,854 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $106,819,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in MAR. Korea Investment CORP grew its stake in shares of Marriott International by 51.1% in the fourth quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 137,952 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,480,000 after purchasing an additional 46,652 shares during the last quarter. Graney & King LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth about $82,000. Parametrica Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at about $337,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Marriott International by 521.4% during the fourth quarter. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,740 shares of the company’s stock worth $488,000 after acquiring an additional 1,460 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TIAA Trust National Association lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 47,952 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,376,000 after acquiring an additional 394 shares during the period. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at $3,971,395.74. This trade represents a 50.38 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total value of $1,003,275.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,089,714.45. The trade was a 12.40 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Down 0.9 %

MAR stock opened at $244.45 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $273.13 and its 200-day moving average is $270.25. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $307.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.39 billion, a PE ratio of 29.38, a P/E/G ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.03%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is presently 30.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on MAR. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Marriott International from $289.00 to $298.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their target price on Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. 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 data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $286.05.

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.