Handelsbanken Fonder AB Acquires 1,330 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its holdings in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 69,883 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,330 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $19,493,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MAR. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in Marriott International by 494.4% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the period. Wingate Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Silvant Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Trading Down 3.4 %

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $277.47 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $283.73 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $264.75. Marriott International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $204.55 and a 1-year high of $307.52. The firm has a market cap of $76.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.57.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 negative return on equity of 116.67% and a net margin of 9.46%. Analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 27th will be issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. Marriott International’s payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on MAR. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on Marriott International from $262.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Macquarie reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $245.00 price objective on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Evercore ISI raised Marriott International from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $330.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Marriott International from $294.00 to $301.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. Finally, Argus increased their price objective on Marriott International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $284.05.

Marriott International Company 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.