Analysts Set Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) Target Price at $316.19

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) has earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $316.1875.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MAR. Evercore upped their target price on shares of Marriott International from $320.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on Marriott International from $287.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Citigroup raised their price target on Marriott International from $285.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Marriott International from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price objective for the company from $288.00 to $345.00 in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Marriott International in a report on Thursday, January 22nd.

Marriott International Trading Down 0.6%

Shares of MAR opened at $331.21 on Friday. Marriott International has a 1-year low of $205.40 and a 1-year high of $333.96. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $313.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $286.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $88.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.97, a PEG ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 1.13.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marriott International news, CAO Felitia Lee sold 1,617 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $305.98, for a total value of $494,769.66. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 4,893 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,497,160.14. The trade was a 24.84% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Marriott International

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MAR. King Luther Capital Management Corp boosted its stake in Marriott International by 17.1% in the 4th quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 6,080 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,886,000 after purchasing an additional 890 shares during the period. Expressive Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Marriott International during the fourth quarter worth $249,000. GHE LLC purchased a new position in Marriott International during the fourth quarter valued at $1,862,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its holdings in Marriott International by 5.1% in the 4th quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 984 shares of the company’s stock valued at $305,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Marriott International by 8.3% during the 4th quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC now owns 9,894 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,069,000 after purchasing an additional 761 shares during the last quarter. 70.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marriott International Company Profile

Marriott International is a global lodging company that develops, manages and franchises a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Its core activities include hotel and resort management, franchise operations, property development and the provision of centralized services such as reservations, marketing and loyalty program management. The company’s brand architecture spans market segments from luxury and premium to select-service and extended-stay, enabling it to serve a wide range of business and leisure travelers as well as corporate and group customers.

The company traces its roots to the hospitality business founded by J.