Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-two brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $282.6316.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Marriott International in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. They set a “neutral” rating and a $284.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Marriott International in a report on Wednesday. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $273.00 to $278.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Marriott International from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Marriott International from $285.00 to $280.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 6th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. AlphaQuest LLC grew its stake in Marriott International by 2,750.0% in the second quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 114 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Morse Asset Management Inc purchased a new position in Marriott International in the first quarter valued at about $30,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. purchased a new position in Marriott International in the second quarter valued at about $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.7%

NASDAQ:MAR opened at $266.14 on Friday. Marriott International has a twelve month low of $205.40 and a twelve month high of $307.52. The company has a market cap of $72.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.35. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $265.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $258.93.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $2.65. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 93.44% and a net margin of 9.60%.The business had revenue of $6.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.66 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.50 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Marriott International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.850-10.080 EPS. Q3 2025 guidance at 2.310-2.390 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Marriott International will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 21st were issued a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 21st. Marriott International’s payout ratio is presently 30.21%.

Marriott International announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, August 7th that permits the company to repurchase 25,000,000 shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

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, City Express by Marriott, and St.