Marriott Q4 Earnings Come In Ahead Of Views

Marriott International Inc. said Wednesday that fourth-quarter net income was $197 million, or 68 cents a share, compared with $151 million, or 49 cents a share, for the same period a year ago. Sales for the Bethesda, Md.-based hotel operator were $3.56 billion compared with $3.22 billion for the year-ago period. Analysts polled by FactSet had predicted adjusted earnings of 65 cents a share, on sales of $3.47 billion. For the first quarter, Marriott predicts earnings of 68 cents to 72 cents a share, ahead of the FactSet forecast of 65 cents. For the 2015 fiscal year, Marriott predicts earnings of $3 to $3.12, in line with the FactSet estimate of $3.03 a share. Marriott shares finished the regular session slightly higher, but climbed 4% to $84.70 in after-hours action.