In today’s marketplace, there are many gauges shareholders can use to monitor publicly traded companies. A pair of the most under-the-radar are hedge fund and insider trading sentiment. At Insider Monkey, our research analyses have shown that, historically, those who follow the top picks of the elite money managers can outclass the S&P 500 by a solid margin (see just how much).
Just as useful, bullish insider trading sentiment is another way to look at the stock market universe. Obviously, there are lots of reasons for an insider to sell shares of his or her company, but only one, very simple reason why they would buy. Several academic studies have demonstrated the impressive potential of this tactic if “monkeys” know where to look (learn more here).
What’s more, it’s important to examine the latest info about Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR).
How have hedgies been trading Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR)?
Heading into Q3, a total of 32 of the hedge funds we track held long positions in this stock, a change of 45% from the previous quarter. With hedgies’ sentiment swirling, there exists an “upper tier” of noteworthy hedge fund managers who were increasing their stakes significantly.
When using filings from the hedgies we track, Harris Associates, managed by Natixis Global Asset Management, holds the most valuable position in Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR). Harris Associates has a $125.2 million position in the stock, comprising 0.3% of its 13F portfolio. Coming in second is Citadel Investment Group, managed by Ken Griffin, which held a $69.5 million position; the fund has 0.1% of its 13F portfolio invested in the stock. Remaining hedge funds that are bullish include Tom Gayner’s Markel Gayner Asset Management, Peter Rathjens, Bruce Clarke and John Campbell’s Arrowstreet Capital and D. E. Shaw’s D E Shaw.
Consequently, certain money managers have been driving this bullishness. Citadel Investment Group, managed by Ken Griffin, created the most valuable position in Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR). Citadel Investment Group had 69.5 million invested in the company at the end of the quarter. Tom Gayner’s Markel Gayner Asset Management also made a $55 million investment in the stock during the quarter. The other funds with new positions in the stock are Peter Rathjens, Bruce Clarke and John Campbell’s Arrowstreet Capital, D. E. Shaw’s D E Shaw, and Phill Gross and Robert Atchinson’s Adage Capital Management.
How are insiders trading Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR)?
Insider buying made by high-level executives is particularly usable when the primary stock in question has seen transactions within the past 180 days. Over the last six-month time frame, Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR) has seen zero unique insiders buying, and zero insider sales (see the details of insider trades here).
We’ll also take a look at the relationship between both of these indicators in other stocks similar to Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR). These stocks are Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H), Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE), InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (ADR) (NYSE:IHG), Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN), and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE:HOT). This group of stocks are in the lodging industry and their market caps match MAR’s market cap.
| Company Name | # of Hedge Funds | # of Insiders Buying | # of Insiders Selling |
| Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) | 43 | 0 | 0 |
| InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (ADR) (NYSE:IHG) | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN) | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE:HOT) | 39 | 0 | 0 |
Using the returns explained by our strategies, regular investors should always track hedge fund and insider trading activity, and Marriott International Inc (NYSE:MAR) is an important part of this process.
