Vista Investment Partners II LLC Makes New Investment in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Vista Investment Partners II LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 5,877 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,639,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Independent Advisor Alliance raised its stake in Marriott International by 16.0% during the 4th quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 7,792 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,174,000 after acquiring an additional 1,075 shares in the last quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. grew its stake in Marriott International by 9.4% during the 4th quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 2,737 shares of the company’s stock worth $763,000 after buying an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its stake in Marriott International by 5.2% in the fourth quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 49,710 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,866,000 after buying an additional 2,472 shares during the last quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 70.5% during the fourth quarter. Moran Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,369 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,219,000 after acquiring an additional 1,807 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in Marriott International by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 47,884 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,357,000 after purchasing an additional 1,699 shares during the period. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Stock Up 0.0 %

MAR stock opened at $262.75 on Monday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $281.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $269.27. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.55 and a 52 week high of $307.52. The company has a market cap of $72.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.58, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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, analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.96%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MAR has been the topic of a number of research reports. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Marriott International from $251.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Barclays dropped their target price on Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Evercore ISI upgraded Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $286.45.

Insider Transactions at Marriott International

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total transaction of $292,463.92. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,551 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Rena Hozore Reiss sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $286.65, for a total transaction of $1,003,275.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 24,733 shares in the company, valued at $7,089,714.45. This trade represents a 12.40 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 31,694 shares of company stock valued at $8,938,132. Insiders own 12.32% 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.