LRI Investments LLC Takes Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm bought 509 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $128,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth $461,525,000. Jennison Associates LLC grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 34.8% during the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 4,547,098 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,025,416,000 after buying an additional 1,173,028 shares during the period. Capital International Investors grew its holdings in Marriott International by 42.2% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 3,147,501 shares of the company’s stock worth $709,793,000 after acquiring an additional 934,304 shares during the period. Global Assets Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at $153,697,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado boosted its position in shares of Marriott International by 557.2% in the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement Association of Colorado now owns 496,505 shares of the company’s stock worth $111,967,000 after purchasing an additional 420,962 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently issued reports on MAR. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Marriott International from $252.00 to $245.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Susquehanna initiated coverage on shares of Marriott International in a report on Friday, June 21st. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $255.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Marriott International from $235.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Mizuho boosted their price objective on Marriott International from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Marriott International from $235.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $241.42.

Marriott International Stock Down 2.3 %

NASDAQ:MAR opened at $213.67 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.24 and a beta of 1.60. Marriott International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $180.75 and a twelve month high of $260.57. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $237.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $241.79.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.49 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $6.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.47 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 12.01% and a negative return on equity of 239.60%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.26 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be paid a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.18%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is 26.01%.

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.