Finance Halo
Company Overview
Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) is a leading global hospitality company operating and franchising a wide range of hotel brands, from luxury to economy. Its core business segments include North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific. Marriott is one of the world's largest hotel chains, known for its extensive loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy. The company has a significant market capitalization and a strong geographic presence, continually focusing on brand development and strategic acquisitions.
Price Action Analysis
Daily Chart (3-month): The daily chart shows a strong uptrend leading into a period of consolidation. Recently, MAR has experienced a significant upward price movement, breaking out of this consolidation pattern. Volume appears to be increasing on up days, supporting the breakout. Candlestick structures indicate strong buying pressure, with several large green candles. The price has moved above the $340 level, testing new highs.
Weekly Chart (2-year): The weekly chart reveals a longer-term uptrend that experienced a pullback in early 2023 before resuming its ascent. The current breakout on the daily chart is occurring after a period of sideways movement on the weekly chart, suggesting a potential resumption of the longer-term upward trajectory. Volume on the weekly chart shows variability, but the recent surge in daily volume is a positive sign for sustained upward momentum. Key resistance levels that were established over the past two years appear to be under significant pressure.
News & Catalysts
Marriott International (MAR) - News and Analyst Updates
- Q4 2025 Earnings Report (Source: Marriott International Investor Relations, February 2026): Marriott reported fourth-quarter revenue of $6.69 billion, slightly exceeding analyst expectations. Adjusted diluted EPS for the quarter was $2.58, a slight miss compared to the consensus estimate. Worldwide RevPAR increased by 1.9% in Q4, with strong growth in international markets offsetting a slight decline in the U.S. & Canada. The company provided a positive outlook for 2026, projecting RevPAR growth and continued net room expansion. The news was generally positive, with the stock showing pre-market gains, indicating investor confidence in the company's growth prospects despite minor misses.
- Analyst Commentary on International Strength (Source: Various Financial News Outlets, February 2026): Following the earnings release, analysts highlighted the robust performance of Marriott's international segments and its luxury brands. The significant growth in the development pipeline and the strong engagement with the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program were also cited as key drivers. While the U.S. market showed some weakness, the overall positive international trend and development pipeline suggest a favorable environment for continued growth. This sentiment likely contributed to the positive price action and increased volume as investors digested the global growth story.
Fundamental Analysis
Key Financial Metrics and Ratios
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Current Price | $359.35 | As of the latest quote. |
| Market Cap | $97.55B | Large-cap |
| Forward P/E | 27.96 | Based on estimated future earnings. |
| Profit Margins | 37.98% | Strong profitability. |
| Return on Assets | 9.64% | Healthy asset utilization. |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | Modest dividend payout. |
| Beta | 1.10 | Slightly more volatile than the market. |
| Total Debt | $16.89B | Significant but manageable leverage. |
| Net Debt | $14.05B | Debt less cash and equivalents. |
Financial Performance (Annual)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $25.10B | $23.71B | $20.77B | $13.86B |
| Gross Profit | $5.10B | $5.12B | $4.56B | $2.80B |
| Operating Income | $3.85B | $3.94B | $3.52B | $1.60B |
| Net Income | $2.38B | $3.08B | $2.36B | $1.10B |
| Diluted EPS | $8.33 | $10.18 | $7.24 | $3.34 |
| Free Cash Flow | $2.00B | $2.72B | $2.03B | $0.99B |
Earnings and Estimates
- Earnings Summary: Recent quarterly earnings per share (EPS) have shown a positive trend, with Q4 2025 expected to be around $2.52. Full-year 2025 EPS is projected to be approximately $11.41.
- Revenue Estimates: Full-year 2025 revenue is estimated at $27.63 billion, with continued growth anticipated for 2026.
- EPS Trend: The EPS trend has been consistently upward over the past few quarters and years, indicating strong earnings growth.
- EPS Revisions: There have been a notable number of upward revisions for both quarterly and annual EPS estimates, suggesting positive sentiment from analysts regarding future earnings.
- Analyst Recommendations: The consensus recommendation is a mix of 'Buy' and 'Hold', with 1 'Strong Buy', 11 'Buy', and 13 'Hold' ratings.
- Price Targets: The average analyst price target is $327.28, with a high of $395.00 and a low of $215.00. This suggests that while the average target is below the current price, there is a range of opinions, with some analysts seeing significant upside potential.
Market & Sentiment Context
Market Context: The broader hospitality sector is influenced by global economic conditions, travel trends, and consumer spending. Currently, the sector is showing resilience, driven by a recovery in leisure and business travel post-pandemic. Inflationary pressures and interest rate changes can impact discretionary spending, but Marriott's strong brand portfolio and loyalty program provide a degree of insulation.
Catalysts:
- Strong International Performance: Continued growth in international markets is a significant tailwind.
- Development Pipeline: A record development pipeline indicates future expansion and revenue growth opportunities.
- Loyalty Program Engagement: The Marriott Bonvoy program continues to drive repeat business and customer loyalty.
- Positive 2026 Outlook: The company's guidance for 2026 suggests continued robust growth in revenue and EBITDA.
Investor Sentiment: The recent price action, characterized by a breakout on increasing volume, suggests positive investor sentiment and potential accumulation. The upward revisions in EPS estimates and the generally favorable analyst recommendations further support this view. The market appears to be rewarding Marriott's consistent execution and growth strategy.
Investment Outlook
Marriott International presents a compelling investment case, particularly with its recent breakout from consolidation. The combination of strong fundamental performance, a robust development pipeline, and positive international trends provides a solid foundation for future growth. While the average analyst price target is currently below the stock's trading level, the high end of the target range and the ongoing upward trend in price action suggest potential for further appreciation. The company's ability to navigate economic uncertainties, supported by its strong brand loyalty and global presence, positions it favorably within the hospitality sector.
Key Buy/Sell Levels
The current price for Marriott International (MAR) is $359.35.
Support Levels:
- $340 - $345: This range acted as significant resistance during the prior consolidation. The recent breakout has pushed the price above this level. It is now expected to act as a support zone. This level has not been touched since the breakout.
- Distance from current price: -$14.35 to -$19.35
- Percentage distance: -4.00% to -5.39%
- $320 - $325: This is a more significant historical support level, coinciding with the average analyst price target. This area would represent a deeper retracement. This level has not been touched since the breakout.
- Distance from current price: -$34.35 to -$39.35
- Percentage distance: -9.56% to -10.95%
Resistance Levels:
- $363.54: Today's intraday high represents immediate resistance.
- $370 - $375: This next logical resistance zone would be based on extending the current trendline.
The breakout above the $340-$345 range is a positive technical signal. Increased volume accompanying this move suggests the breakout is well-supported.
I've drawn horizontal lines to indicate these key levels:
- A red line at $342.50, representing the former resistance now acting as potential support.
- A blue line at $322.50, indicating a deeper support level.
Summary & Takeaways
Marriott International (MAR) is exhibiting strong upward momentum, marked by a significant breakout from a multi-month consolidation pattern on increasing volume. Fundamentally, the company is well-positioned with consistent revenue and earnings growth, a strong international presence, and a promising development pipeline. While the average analyst price target is below the current market price, the positive trend, recent breakout, and upward earnings revisions suggest potential for further upside. Key support levels are identified at $342.50 (former resistance) and $322.50, while immediate resistance is at today's high of $363.54. Investors should monitor the $342.50 level for its ability to hold as support following the breakout.