Windward Capital Management Co. CA Sells 1,543 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Windward Capital Management Co. CA lowered its position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 110,980 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,543 shares during the quarter. Marriott International comprises about 2.4% of Windward Capital Management Co. CA’s portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Windward Capital Management Co. CA’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $30,957,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 494.4% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Silvant Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. ORG Partners LLC grew its position in Marriott International by 158.5% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $290.75 on Wednesday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $204.55 and a 1 year high of $295.45. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $283.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $259.42. The company has a market capitalization of $80.80 billion, a PE ratio of 30.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.27 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. Marriott International’s revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.11 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were paid a dividend of $0.63 per share. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 26.36%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MAR has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Argus lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $249.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $276.35.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Felitia Lee sold 916 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $276.48, for a total value of $253,255.68. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,609 shares in the company, valued at $1,550,776.32. This trade represents a 14.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total value of $485,300.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,560,791.10. This represents a 6.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 13,315 shares of company stock worth $3,782,494 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 10.07% of the company’s stock.

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.