Columbia Asset Management Makes New Investment in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

Columbia Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 825 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $225,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Morse Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in Marriott International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 46.7% in the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 157 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. grew its position in shares of Marriott International by 468.6% in the 1st quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 199 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $52,000. Finally, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $57,000. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Price Performance

NASDAQ:MAR opened at $261.66 on Thursday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $205.40 and a 12-month high of $307.52. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $265.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $257.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.35.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting 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 analyst estimates of $6.66 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.50 EPS. The firm’s quarterly 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. Research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, August 7th that allows the company to buyback 25,000,000 shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 21st were given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 21st. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 30.21%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on MAR. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Marriott International from $273.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price 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. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective 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, 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 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $281.26.

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.