Morse Asset Management Inc Takes $315,000 Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 1,250 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $315,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Roble Belko & Company Inc grew its stake in Marriott International by 845.5% in the 1st quarter. Roble Belko & Company Inc now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. ORG Partners LLC grew its stake in Marriott International by 72.6% in the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 126 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Keener Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR traded up $2.85 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $236.60. 929,373 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,537,140. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $180.75 and a fifty-two week high of $260.57. The business has a 50-day moving average of $238.90 and a 200-day moving average of $241.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $67.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.45 and a beta of 1.60.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $2.13 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.95 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 376.88% and a net margin of 12.00%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.09 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 24th were issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.07%. This is a boost from Marriott International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 23rd. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.01%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAR has been the topic of a number of research reports. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Marriott International from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $250.00 to $248.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $248.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $235.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $240.00 to $251.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $243.59.

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, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.