Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) Up 8.7% — Do I Take Advantage of This Setup?
Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) showed strong performance in the latest session, with the stock advancing 8.65% to close at $359.86, gaining $28.65 from the prior close of $331.21. This surge pushed shares decisively above their recent trading range and signaled bullish activity as the stock moved into fresh high ground. The current price now stands well above the previous 52-week high of $333.96 set on Feb. 6, 2026, putting Marriott more than $25 above that prior peak and underscoring the stock’s current upside momentum.
Trading activity was solid, with volume of 1,171,082 shares changing hands. While that is somewhat below the 90-day average volume of 1,549,702 shares, the sizable price move on this level of turnover still reflects firm buying interest and a market that is willing to reprice Marriott higher. The breakout to new 52-week highs places the stock among the stronger names in its space, as it is now trading considerably above the lower end of its 52-week range at $205.40 and extending its yearlong uptrend.
Within the broader travel, lodging, and consumer services universe, Marriott’s latest move stands out as particularly strong. While peers such as McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG), and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) have all seen periods of strength, Marriott’s ability to surge past its prior 52-week high and sustain gains near the session’s upper levels highlights a distinct bullish tone in the stock’s recent price action.
Why Marriott International, Inc. Price is Moving Higher
Marriott International, Inc. is climbing as investors focus on the strength behind its latest earnings report and 2026 outlook rather than the modest EPS miss. The company delivered Q4 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.58 versus expectations of $2.61–$2.64, but revenue of $6.69 billion edged past forecasts, helped by robust luxury performance with RevPAR up 6% and continued integration of citizenM, which added 8,800 rooms. The market is rewarding that underlying demand story: shares jumped more than 2% in pre-market trading on Feb. 10 and extended gains intraday as traders looked past near-term U.S. softness and bid the stock higher on accelerating international growth and solid profitability, including a profit margin near 38%.
Positive 2026 guidance is another key catalyst driving bullish sentiment. Management is projecting worldwide RevPAR growth of 1.5%–2.5%, net rooms growth of 4.5%–5%, adjusted EBITDA up 8%–10%, and more than $4.3 billion earmarked for shareholder returns through buybacks and dividends. That combination of steady top-line expansion, disciplined capital allocation and strong cash generation is fueling confidence that Marriott can continue to compound earnings even in a mixed macro environment. The stock’s outperformance versus the broader market year-to-date, coupled with a still-supportive “Moderate Buy” analyst consensus and recent price target increases from firms like JPMorgan, reinforces the sense that momentum is building as investors rotate toward globally scaled travel and hospitality platforms over more domestically focused consumer names.
What is the Marriott International, Inc. Rating - Should I Buy?
Weiss Ratings assigns MAR a B rating. Current recommendation is Buy. This places Marriott International, Inc. in the stronger tier of Consumer Discretionary stocks we track, indicating a favorable balance between opportunity and risk for investors who can tolerate normal market fluctuations. While the stock was downgraded on 8/6/2025, it still maintains a Buy recommendation, signaling that, on a risk-adjusted basis, it remains an attractive candidate within its sector.
Marriott stands out for operational quality, as shown by the Excellent Efficiency Index. A profit margin of 37.98% supports this view, indicating the company is converting a meaningful share of its revenue into bottom-line results. The Good Growth Index, supported by revenue growth of 5.56%, points to a business that is expanding at a healthy pace, though not aggressively. These strengths help justify the B rating despite a relatively elevated forward P/E of 34.98, which implies investors are willing to pay a premium for Marriott’s earnings stream.
On the risk side, the Fair Solvency Index and Fair Volatility Index indicate a moderate risk profile. These are not red flags, but they temper the otherwise strong story and help explain why the stock is rated B (Buy) rather than A (Buy). The Fair Total Return Index shows that, while performance has been positive, it has not consistently outpaced similar opportunities with lower risk.
Within the Consumer Discretionary peer group, Marriott’s B rating places it on competitive footing with McDonald's Corporation (MCD, B), Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG, B) and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT, B). This alignment with other well-regarded industry leaders reinforces the view that MAR offers investors a quality, large-cap hospitality name with solid fundamentals and a generally favorable risk/reward trade-off.
About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. is a global leader in the Consumer Discretionary sector, operating at scale across the Consumer Services industry. Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company has built one of the most extensive and recognizable lodging portfolios in the world. Marriott’s business model centers on the operation, franchising, and licensing of hotels, residences, timeshares, and other lodging properties worldwide, giving it a broad presence across luxury, premium, and select-service categories. This asset-light approach allows Marriott to partner with property owners while focusing on brand management, guest experience, and loyalty.
The company’s portfolio spans a wide range of brands tailored to distinct customer segments and travel needs. At the high end, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, EDITION, and Bvlgari serve luxury and ultra-luxury travelers. Core full-service brands such as Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien, and Delta Hotels by Marriott anchor its global footprint, while collections like Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Gaylord Hotels, Design Hotels, and MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy add lifestyle and destination-driven offerings. In the extended-stay and select-service space, Courtyard, Fairfield, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, Aloft, AC Hotels, Moxy, Element, Protea, City Express, and Four Points Flex target business, leisure, and value-conscious guests.
Beyond hotels, Marriott broadens its Consumer Services reach through Marriott Executive Apartments, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, branded residences, timeshares, and even yachts, strengthening customer engagement across more aspects of travel and living. This diversified, multi-brand strategy, supported by the global Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem, underpins the company’s strong competitive position in the lodging and hospitality market.
Investor Outlook
With a B (Buy) Weiss Rating, Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) appears favorably positioned for investors seeking potential for continued gains within Consumer Discretionary. Watching how the stock behaves around recent price levels, especially into upcoming macro and travel demand trends, may help gauge whether its current risk/reward profile can improve further. See full rankings of all B-rated Consumer Discretionary stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.
--