Marriott International, Inc. $MAR Shares Purchased by First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.

First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. raised its holdings in Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) by 3.3% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 55,499 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,774 shares during the period. Marriott International makes up about 2.8% of First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc.’s holdings in Marriott International were worth $14,454,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. AlphaQuest LLC boosted its stake in Marriott International by 2,750.0% during the 2nd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 114 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marriott International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Marriott International in the second quarter worth about $37,000. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. acquired a new stake in Marriott International during the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Marriott International by 198.0% during the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 149 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.70% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marriott International news, CAO Felitia Lee sold 1,617 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $305.98, for a total transaction of $494,769.66. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 4,893 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,497,160.14. This trade represents a 24.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Benjamin T. Breland sold 1,650 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $286.10, for a total transaction of $472,065.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,225 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,214,172.50. This represents a 8.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 81,623 shares of company stock valued at $23,802,678. Company insiders own 10.68% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on MAR. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price target on Marriott International from $329.00 to $369.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Marriott International from $278.00 to $283.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Marriott International in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Marriott International from $320.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on Marriott International from $287.00 to $285.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $316.19.

Key Headlines Impacting Marriott International

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

• Positive Sentiment: Signed a multi‑property development and management agreement in Vietnam with Masterise, accelerating Marriott’s footprint and pipeline in a fast‑growing Southeast Asian market — supports room growth and long‑term fee income. Marriott expands in Vietnam with Masterise partnership Marriott International Signs Multi-Property Agreement with Masterise Group
• Positive Sentiment: Luxury Group by Marriott highlighted several “must‑watch” 2026 openings across Asia‑Pacific, signaling continued brand expansion in higher‑margin luxury and lifestyle segments that can boost RevPAR and fee revenue. Luxury Group by Marriott International reveals 2026 must-watch openings across Asia Pacific
• Positive Sentiment: CEO Anthony Capuano discussed strategic focus areas — luxury, all‑inclusives and “outdoor hospitality” — which point to diversified growth initiatives and product innovation that could support longer‑term pricing power. Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano on luxury, all-inclusives and ‘outdoor hospitality’
• Neutral Sentiment: J.P. Morgan raised its price target to $323 but kept a “neutral” rating — a vote of confidence on valuation relative to peers, but implies limited near‑term upside according to that shop. Benzinga note on JPMorgan price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Marriott is due to report earnings next week — an event that can drive volatility as investors re‑rate growth and margin trajectories. News flow around timing and guidance will matter. Marriott International (MAR) Expected to Announce Earnings on Tuesday
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts at Zacks argue Marriott lacks the setup for an earnings beat in the upcoming release, suggesting downside risk to sentiment if results or guidance disappoint. Marriott International (MAR) Earnings Expected to Grow: What to Know Ahead of Next Week’s Release
• Neutral Sentiment: For background, the Q4 2024 earnings call transcript is available for investors who want to review recent results and management commentary ahead of the report. Marriott Q4 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Marriott International Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of NASDAQ:MAR opened at $324.56 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $312.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $284.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $87.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.27, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.13. Marriott International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $205.40 and a 52 week high of $331.09.

Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.38 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.46 billion. Marriott International had a negative return on equity of 89.29% and a net margin of 10.07%. Analysts predict that Marriott International, Inc. will post 10.1 EPS for the current year.

About Marriott International

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.