NS Partners Ltd Buys 6,751 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

NS Partners Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 4.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 157,783 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 6,751 shares during the period. Marriott International makes up 1.8% of NS Partners Ltd’s portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. NS Partners Ltd owned approximately 0.06% of Marriott International worth $44,012,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MAR. Jensen Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $793,000. NewEdge Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Marriott International by 34.4% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 4,345 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,212,000 after purchasing an additional 1,112 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its stake in Marriott International by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 566,548 shares of the company’s stock valued at $140,844,000 after purchasing an additional 2,723 shares during the period. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 3rd quarter valued at $2,721,000. Finally, Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA bought a new stake in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at $2,990,000. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $262.75 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $204.55 and a 12-month high of $307.52. The company has a market capitalization of $72.44 billion, a PE ratio of 31.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.58. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $281.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $268.64.

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

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 1,054 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.48, for a total value of $292,463.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 4,551 shares in the company, valued at $1,262,811.48. This represents a 18.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 14,498 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.07, for a total transaction of $4,031,458.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,282 shares in the company, valued at $3,971,395.74. This trade represents a 50.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MAR. Barclays cut their target price on Marriott International from $287.00 to $283.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. UBS Group upped their target price on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Marriott International from $285.00 to $277.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on Marriott International from $246.00 to $293.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $286.45.

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.