Nikulski Financial Inc. Makes New $1.72 Million Investment in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)

Nikulski Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm purchased 6,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,719,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Catalyst Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marriott International during the third quarter valued at $204,000. Financial Advocates Investment Management lifted its position in Marriott International by 23.8% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management now owns 2,485 shares of the company’s stock valued at $618,000 after purchasing an additional 478 shares during the period. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Marriott International by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. now owns 59,117 shares of the company’s stock valued at $14,696,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Solidarity Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International in the third quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Finally, First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. grew its holdings in Marriott International by 29.8% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 8,040 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,999,000 after acquiring an additional 1,847 shares during the period. 70.70% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Marriott International Stock Performance

Shares of MAR stock traded up $0.82 during trading on Thursday, hitting $265.08. The company had a trading volume of 28,548 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,460,386. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.36 and a beta of 1.59. Marriott International, Inc. has a one year low of $180.75 and a one year high of $266.58. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $245.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $238.94.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.49 by $0.01. Marriott International had a net margin of 12.01% and a negative return on equity of 239.60%. The company had revenue of $6.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.26 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Marriott International, Inc. will post 9.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marriott International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th were paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Marriott International’s payout ratio is 25.20%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MAR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Marriott International from $268.00 to $250.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Robert W. Baird set a $258.00 price objective on Marriott International in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Marriott International in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $267.00 target price on the stock. Macquarie reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $245.00 price target on shares of Marriott International in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Marriott International from $263.00 to $254.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $256.39.

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.