VMS Asset Management Limited Makes New $2.93 Million Investment in Marriott International, Inc. $MAR

VMS Asset Management Limited bought a new stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 8,230 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,927,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Marriott International during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. IMG Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in Marriott International by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 82 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC grew its stake in Marriott International by 127.0% in the 1st quarter. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC now owns 84 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the period. Scarborough Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Marriott International by 57.6% in the 1st quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 104 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marriott International Price Performance

Shares of MAR stock opened at $371.82 on Thursday. Marriott International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $256.76 and a 12 month high of $410.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $96.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.53, a P/E/G ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 1.17. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $350.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $361.72.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 3rd. The company reported $3.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.08 by $0.11. Marriott International had a net margin of 9.62% and a negative return on equity of 75.81%. The firm had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.19 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.65 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Marriott International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.640-11.810 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.740-2.820 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 11.69 EPS for the current year.

Marriott International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 20th were issued a dividend of $0.73 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Marriott International’s dividend payout ratio is 30.26%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have issued reports on MAR shares. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on Marriott International from $405.00 to $400.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $449.00 to $425.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Marriott International in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. They set a “hold” rating on the stock. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Marriott International from $412.00 to $395.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Marriott International from $356.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $381.22.

Key Headlines Impacting Marriott International

Here are the key news stories impacting Marriott International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Freedom Broker initiated coverage of Marriott International with a “buy” rating and a $408 price target, implying approximately 9.7% upside from the referenced price. Freedom Broker initiates Marriott coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts are also assigning buy ratings to Marriott and Hilton as the lodging industry enters a “new era,” supporting a broader positive view of hotel demand and sector fundamentals. Marriott and Hilton receive buy ratings
• Positive Sentiment: Erste Group Bank raised its FY2026 earnings forecast for Marriott to $11.75 per share from $11.73 and maintained a “buy” rating. The revised estimate is above the roughly $11.69 consensus forecast.
• Positive Sentiment: Marriott continues expanding its global footprint, opening its first City Express property in South Asia in Udaipur, India, and its first Marriott Hotels property in Jakarta, Indonesia. These openings strengthen the company’s long-term room-growth pipeline. City Express by Marriott opens in India
• Neutral Sentiment: Marriott’s Beijing Marriott Marquis hosted a China Open delegation during its opening period, providing visibility for the new property but limited direct financial impact in the near term. Beijing Marriott Marquis hosts China Open delegation
• Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $384 from $380, a modestly positive valuation revision that nevertheless suggests limited upside relative to the newer $408 target. Morgan Stanley raises Marriott price target

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider David Marriott sold 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $352.09, for a total transaction of $1,232,315.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 282,383 shares in the company, valued at $99,424,230.47. This represents a 1.22% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Deborah Harrison sold 3,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $352.09, for a total transaction of $1,232,315.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 282,383 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $99,424,230.47. This represents a 1.22% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 11.43% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global hospitality company that operates, franchises, licenses and manages hotels, resorts, residences and other lodging properties. Its portfolio serves business and leisure travelers across a range of price points, from luxury and premium accommodations to select-service and extended-stay properties.

The company’s brands include The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, EDITION, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Renaissance, Courtyard, Residence Inn, Fairfield by Marriott, SpringHill Suites, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy and Element.