Avestar Capital LLC Has $410,000 Stock Holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Avestar Capital LLC raised its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 11.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,471 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 154 shares during the quarter. Avestar Capital LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $410,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAR. PointState Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the third quarter worth $98,249,000. Canoe Financial LP acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the third quarter worth $77,331,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 15,148.3% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 302,527 shares of the company’s stock worth $75,208,000 after buying an additional 300,543 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 341.6% in the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 381,226 shares of the company’s stock worth $106,339,000 after buying an additional 294,898 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mizuho Securities USA LLC lifted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 629.7% in the third quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 134,973 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,554,000 after buying an additional 116,477 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Stock Down 1.6 %

Shares of NASDAQ MAR opened at $283.52 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $284.30 and its 200 day simple moving average is $262.26. The company has a market cap of $78.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.88 and a beta of 1.57. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $204.55 and a 12-month high of $307.52.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The company reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.37 by $0.08. Marriott International had a net margin of 11.18% and a negative return on equity of 177.91%. On average, equities analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 27th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.89%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other Marriott International news, insider William P. Brown sold 1,707 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $284.30, for a total transaction of $485,300.10. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,077 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,560,791.10. This represents a 6.89 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 12.32% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MAR has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $258.00 to $264.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $262.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $280.00 to $314.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $284.45.

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.