GMT Capital Acquires Stake in Marriott Vacations Worldwide
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 20 2026
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Source: Fool
- New Investment Highlight: According to a May 15, 2026 SEC filing, GMT Capital Corp established a new position by acquiring 1,023,450 shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with an estimated trade size of $63.41 million, indicating bullish sentiment towards the stock.
- Position Value Growth: By quarter-end, the value of this position reached $66.65 million, reflecting an increase in stock price post-acquisition, which suggests growing market confidence in Marriott Vacations.
- Strong Financial Performance: Marriott reported first-quarter revenue of $1.3 billion, an 8.33% increase from the previous year, and forecasts 2026 free cash flow to rise significantly to between $375 million and $425 million, showcasing robust profitability.
- Investor Attention: GMT Capital's acquisition positions Marriott as its eleventh largest holding, and despite a current P/E ratio of 13, down from a peak of 16 in 2025, it remains attractive to long-term income investors.
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Analyst Views on VAC
Wall Street analysts forecast VAC stock price to fall
9 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
3 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 79.770
Low
37.00
Averages
57.24
High
70.00
Current: 79.770
Low
37.00
Averages
57.24
High
70.00
About VAC
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation is a global vacation company that offers vacation ownership, exchange, rental and resort and property management, along with related businesses, products, and services. Its segments include Vacation Ownership, and Exchange & Third-Party Management. Vacation Ownership segment includes a portfolio of resorts. It is a worldwide developer, marketer, seller and manager of vacation ownership and related products under the Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, Sheraton Vacation Club, Westin Vacation Club, and Hyatt Vacation Club brands. It is a worldwide developer, marketer and seller of vacation ownership and related products under The Ritz-Carlton Club brand. Exchange & Third-Party Management segment includes an exchange network and membership programs, as well as the provision of management services to other resorts and lodging properties. These services are provided through its Interval International and Aqua-Aston businesses.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Strong Financial Performance: In the first half of the 2025/2026 fiscal year, Pierre & Vacances reported economic revenue of €816.8 million, reflecting a 1.8% increase year-over-year, with a notable 6% growth across all tourism brands, demonstrating the company's resilience in a competitive market.
- Rising Customer Satisfaction: Customer satisfaction has improved across all brands, indicating the company's commitment to delivering high-quality customer experiences, which is expected to further drive customer loyalty and market share growth.
- Strategic Partnership Expansion: The partnership with Swisspeak Resorts to launch a new alpine hospitality project signifies the company's strategic positioning in the premium market, while the acquisition of maeva&co's campsite franchises strengthens its leadership in the outdoor hospitality sector.
- Tax Challenges Impact: The VAT rate increase in the Netherlands and Belgium is projected to negatively impact the 2026 fiscal year by €21 million; nevertheless, the company has reaffirmed its adjusted EBITDA target of €185 million, showcasing its resilience in the face of adversity.
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- New Investment Highlight: According to a May 15, 2026 SEC filing, GMT Capital Corp established a new position by acquiring 1,023,450 shares of Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with an estimated trade size of $63.41 million, indicating bullish sentiment towards the stock.
- Position Value Growth: By quarter-end, the value of this position reached $66.65 million, reflecting an increase in stock price post-acquisition, which suggests growing market confidence in Marriott Vacations.
- Strong Financial Performance: Marriott reported first-quarter revenue of $1.3 billion, an 8.33% increase from the previous year, and forecasts 2026 free cash flow to rise significantly to between $375 million and $425 million, showcasing robust profitability.
- Investor Attention: GMT Capital's acquisition positions Marriott as its eleventh largest holding, and despite a current P/E ratio of 13, down from a peak of 16 in 2025, it remains attractive to long-term income investors.
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- Executive Participation: Marriott Vacations Worldwide's President and COO Mike Flaskey, along with CFO Jason Marino, will participate in the Morgan Stanley 4th Annual Travel & Leisure Conference on June 2, 2026, highlighting the company's leadership in the industry.
- Live Webcast Available: The event will take place from 8:45 to 9:20 a.m. E.T., allowing investors to watch the live webcast on the company's Investor Relations section, enhancing engagement with stakeholders.
- Audio Replay Service: An audio replay of the conference will be available for 30 days on the company's website, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can access crucial information, thereby increasing transparency.
- Company Background Overview: Marriott Vacations Worldwide operates 120 vacation ownership resorts and serves approximately 700,000 owner families, showcasing its leadership and innovation in the vacation industry while solidifying long-term partnerships with Marriott International and Hyatt Hotels.
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- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: Marriott Vacations has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy, which is expected to bolster investor confidence.
- Yield Performance: The forward yield of 4.44% reflects the company's attractiveness in the current market environment, potentially drawing in more investors seeking stable income.
- Shareholder Record Dates: The dividend will be payable on June 10, with a record date of May 27 and an ex-dividend date also set for May 27, ensuring compliance and providing shareholders with a clear timeline.
- 2026 Sales Growth Outlook: Marriott Vacations projects contract sales growth of 3% to 7% for 2026 while reaffirming its adjusted EBITDA guidance, demonstrating the company's confidence in future performance.
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- Sales Growth Expectations Raised: Marriott Vacations has increased its full-year contract sales expectations to a range of 3% to 7%, with CEO Avril noting an 8% year-over-year sales increase in April, indicating that changes in sales and marketing are beginning to take effect, although EBITDA guidance remains unchanged due to transition costs.
- Financial Performance Overview: The first quarter adjusted EBITDA declined 16% year-over-year to $161 million, with EBITDA margin dropping 370 basis points to 19%, primarily attributed to lower contract sales and rising product costs, as CFO Marino emphasized ongoing capital allocation priorities to reduce leverage over time.
- Asset Sale Progress: The company plans to generate over $125 million from the sale of non-core assets in 2026 and expects to achieve $200 million to $250 million in asset sales by the end of 2027, demonstrating a strategic commitment to optimizing its asset portfolio.
- Liquidity Management Actions: Marriott executed a $460 million securitization in April at a blended interest rate of 4.86%, with quarter-end net corporate debt at $3.3 billion and a leverage ratio of approximately 4.2x, reflecting the company's efforts to maintain liquidity and financial stability.
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- Earnings Announcement: Marriott Vacations (VAC) is set to announce its Q1 2023 earnings on May 5 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $1.71, reflecting a 3.0% year-over-year growth, indicating stable profitability.
- Performance Expectations: Although the revenue estimate stands at $1.2 billion, flat year-over-year, VAC has historically beaten EPS estimates 88% of the time over the last two years, showcasing its reliability in earnings performance.
- Estimate Revision Trends: Over the past three months, EPS estimates have seen five upward revisions and three downward adjustments, while revenue estimates experienced one upward revision and five downward adjustments, reflecting market uncertainty regarding the company's future performance.
- Market Sentiment: Under the leadership of the new CEO, Marriott Vacations has restored its sales force, leading to positive market reactions, with analysts from Mizuho and Jefferies upgrading their ratings, indicating growing confidence in the company's growth prospects.
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