Windward Capital Management Co. CA Reduces Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Windward Capital Management Co. CA reduced its stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 1.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 110,980 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,543 shares during the period. Marriott International accounts for 2.4% of Windward Capital Management Co. CA’s portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Windward Capital Management Co. CA’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $30,957,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in Marriott International by 494.4% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the period. Silvant Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. ORG Partners LLC increased its position in Marriott International by 158.5% during the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 137 shares of the company’s stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Marriott International in the fourth quarter worth $38,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of Marriott International stock opened at $290.75 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $283.11 and a 200 day moving average of $259.42. The company has a market capitalization of $80.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.41, a P/E/G ratio of 4.68 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $204.55 and a fifty-two week high of $295.45.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.05). Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.27 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.11 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 21st were issued a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 21st. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.36%.

Insider Activity at Marriott International

In related news, CAO Felitia Lee sold 916 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $276.48, for a total transaction of $253,255.68. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,609 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,550,776.32. This represents a 14.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Kathleen K. Oberg sold 2,360 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.41, for a total transaction of $673,567.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 39,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,338,197.66. This trade represents a 5.61 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 13,315 shares of company stock valued at $3,782,494. Corporate insiders own 10.07% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MAR has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Mizuho lifted their price target on Marriott International from $233.00 to $246.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Marriott International from $262.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Marriott International from $251.00 to $269.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marriott International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $276.35.

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.