Optas LLC Sells 87 Shares of Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Optas LLC cut its position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 9.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 882 shares of the company’s stock after selling 87 shares during the quarter. Optas LLC’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $241,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter worth about $30,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 46.7% during the first quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 157 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 468.6% during the first quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 199 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter worth about $52,000. Finally, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter worth about $57,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MAR has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays reduced their price target on Marriott International from $276.00 to $262.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on Marriott International in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. They set a “neutral” rating and a $284.00 price target for the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Marriott International from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on Marriott International from $285.00 to $280.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $282.63.

Marriott International Stock Down 0.7%

MAR opened at $266.14 on Friday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $205.40 and a 12-month high of $307.52. The stock has a market cap of $72.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.00, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.35. The business has a 50 day moving average of $265.12 and a 200-day moving average of $258.93.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.65. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 93.44% and a net margin of 9.60%.The company had revenue of $6.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.66 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.50 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. 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, analysts expect that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

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

Marriott International announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Thursday, August 7th that permits the company to buyback 25,000,000 shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally an indication that the company’s management 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.