Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. Increases Stock Position in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. increased its stake in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 24.2% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 25,708 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 5,003 shares during the period. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $5,797,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Parnassus Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $481,621,000. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in Marriott International by 16.1% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 8,634,610 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,697,219,000 after purchasing an additional 1,194,665 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC grew its stake in Marriott International by 34.8% during the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 4,547,098 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,025,416,000 after purchasing an additional 1,173,028 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its position in Marriott International by 1,487.6% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 345,246 shares of the company’s stock valued at $77,856,000 after purchasing an additional 323,500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 2,023.9% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 135,673 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,668,000 after buying an additional 129,285 shares during the period. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marriott International

In other news, Director Eric Hippeau sold 2,600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $237.40, for a total transaction of $617,240.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,472 shares in the company, valued at $349,452.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Marriott International news, EVP Drew Pinto sold 1,404 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.87, for a total transaction of $340,989.48. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,996 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,456,248.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Eric Hippeau sold 2,600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.40, for a total value of $617,240.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,472 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $349,452.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 125,003 shares of company stock worth $30,435,493. 10.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Marriott International Price Performance

MAR stock opened at $235.35 on Thursday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $165.13 and a 12 month high of $260.57. The company has a market cap of $67.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.44 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $246.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $229.50.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The company reported $2.13 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.17 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $5.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.95 billion. Marriott International had a net margin of 12.00% and a negative return on equity of 376.88%. Marriott International’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.09 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MAR. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $239.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, April 19th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Marriott International from $235.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Argus lifted their price target on Marriott International from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 19th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on Marriott International from $210.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $241.33.

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, and City Express by Marriott brand names, as well as operates residences, timeshares, and yachts.