Premarket Stock Highlights: iRobot, Las Vegas Sands, Tilray, and Others Making Significant Moves
Tilray and Dollar General Stocks: Tilray's stock rose 3% following news of potential federal reclassification of cannabis, while Dollar General shares increased 3% after an upgrade from JPMorgan, raising its price target significantly.
Hospitality Sector Gains: Las Vegas Sands and Marriott International saw stock increases of 2.9% and 1.5%, respectively, after receiving buy upgrades from Goldman Sachs, citing strong consumer demand.
Space-Linked Stocks Performance: Rocket Lab and EchoStar stocks gained 2% due to reports of SpaceX's plans to go public in 2026, alongside Rocket Lab's successful mission launch for Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Challenges for Chinese Firms and iRobot: Alibaba and Baidu stocks fell due to disappointing economic data from China, while iRobot's shares plummeted 83% after the company declared bankruptcy, with plans for acquisition by Picea.
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- Earnings Beat: Marriott International reported adjusted earnings of $2.58 per share for Q4, slightly below the $2.61 expected by analysts but up from $2.45 a year ago, indicating ongoing profitability improvements.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved $6.69 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter, surpassing estimates and rising over 4% year-over-year, reflecting strong performance and brand appeal in the global market.
- Outlook: Marriott expects Q1 2026 earnings between $2.50 and $2.55 per share, aligning with Wall Street expectations, while full-year adjusted EPS guidance ranges from $11.32 to $11.57, showcasing confidence in future growth.
- Shareholder Returns: The company plans to return over $4.3 billion to shareholders in 2026, coupled with ongoing room expansion and solid EBITDA growth, highlighting its proactive strategy in capital management and shareholder value creation.
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: Marriott International's board declared a cash dividend of 67 cents per share, payable on March 31, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2026, demonstrating the company's ongoing profitability and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Shareholder Return Strategy: This dividend reflects Marriott's robust performance in the global hotel industry, with over 9,800 properties across 145 countries, indicating sustained cash flow and profitability that further solidifies its market position.
- Brand Diversity: Marriott International encompasses a diverse portfolio of brands across luxury, premium, select, midscale, extended stay, and all-inclusive categories, showcasing its extensive reach and adaptability in the global lodging market to meet varying consumer needs.
- Investor Relations: Marriott encourages investors and media to engage with its investor relations website for the latest updates and company news, highlighting its emphasis on transparency and communication with investors to enhance market trust and attract further investment.
- Visitor Decline: In 2025, Canadian travelers to the U.S. dropped by 22%, totaling 4 million fewer visitors, contributing to a 5.4% decline in overall foreign travel, highlighting the significant impact of political factors on tourism.
- Changing Travel Preferences: Christine Fiorelli from Fairytale Dreams & Destinations noted a 30% shift in clients opting for Disneyland Paris instead of U.S. Disney parks, reflecting a boycott sentiment despite ongoing affection for Disney.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: While Canada was the top source of visitors to Orlando in 2024 with a record 1.2 million, Visit Orlando has not released 2025 figures, and the upcoming World Cup may influence future travel patterns, yet a 6% drop in foreign visitors is still anticipated.
- Tourism Industry Impact: Bookings for U.S. national parks have plummeted by 42%, with Canadian bookings down 93%, indicating a significant decline in international interest in the U.S., adversely affecting related travel businesses.
- Market Divergence: The highest-earning 10% of U.S. households now account for nearly 50% of consumer spending, a significant increase from just over one-third 30 years ago, highlighting a deepening K-shaped recovery that pressures lower-income households.
- Corporate Strategies: Airlines like Delta and United are shifting their profit focus towards high-end markets by leveraging corporate travel and loyalty programs, reflecting a reliance on affluent consumers for revenue generation.
- Price Adjustments: PepsiCo has cut prices on snacks by up to 15% in response to consumer backlash against previous price hikes, indicating a decline in purchasing power among lower-income consumers and forcing companies to adapt their strategies to maintain market share.
- Wage Growth Disparity: Bank of America reports that wage growth for lower- and middle-income households is lagging at 0.9% and 1.6%, respectively, compared to 3.7% for higher-income households, exacerbating the divergence in consumer spending capabilities.

- Limited Edition Launch: The Ritz-Carlton partners with luxury brand Kilometre Paris to unveil a limited edition collection inspired by four iconic coastal resorts, aiming to enhance brand image and attract high-end consumers with handcrafted travel accessories.
- Commitment to Social Responsibility: A portion of the proceeds from the collection will benefit Community Footprints, supporting local community initiatives at participating resorts, reflecting The Ritz-Carlton's four-decade commitment to community stewardship and enhancing brand social responsibility.
- Craftsmanship Heritage: Each piece is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans in Morocco, blending traditional techniques with modern design, showcasing respect for craftsmanship and a commitment to sustainability, which is expected to enhance consumer loyalty to the brand.
- Market Sales Channels: The collection will be available at several Ritz-Carlton resorts and online, aiming to expand market reach through a multi-channel sales strategy, further enhancing the brand's market influence.

- Limited Edition Launch: The Ritz-Carlton collaborates with luxury brand Kilometre Paris to unveil a limited edition collection inspired by four iconic coastal resorts, featuring beach totes, bucket bags, and bandanas designed to enhance the travel experience and attract high-end consumers.
- Social Responsibility Commitment: A portion of the proceeds from the collection will support The Ritz-Carlton's Community Footprints initiative, aimed at promoting social and environmental responsibility within the local communities of participating resorts, reflecting the brand's commitment to sustainability.
- Craftsmanship Heritage: Each piece is meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans in Morocco, utilizing local traditional techniques and materials, showcasing Kilometre's dedication to craftsmanship and human connection, thereby enhancing the uniqueness and value of the products.
- Market Sales Channels: The collection will be available for purchase at several Ritz-Carlton resorts and online, aiming to strengthen brand influence and attract more consumer attention through direct engagement in the high-end market.




