Hey there! Are you ready to dive into the world of investing? It's exciting to consider owning a piece of a global brand like Marriott. Let's get you started with a comprehensive guide on how much a share is and what you need to know to buy it.
Step 1: Find the Current Stock Price
The very first thing you need to do is find the current price of a single share of Marriott. This is a crucial starting point because stock prices constantly fluctuate throughout the trading day.
The price of a single share of Marriott International, Inc. (ticker symbol: MAR) is currently $255.26 as of the market close on August 1, 2025.
Remember, this price will have changed by the time you read this. It's essential to check a live source. You can find up-to-the-minute stock prices on financial news websites, stock market apps, or through your brokerage account. The price you see is the last price at which a trade was made. It's the price you'd generally pay to buy one share, although there may be slight differences based on market conditions.
Step 2: Understand What Affects the Price
A stock's price isn't a fixed number; it's a dynamic reflection of a company's perceived value. Here are some key factors that influence Marriott's stock price:
Company Performance: This is the most significant factor. When Marriott reports strong earnings, high occupancy rates, and positive future outlooks, investors get excited, and the demand for the stock increases, driving the price up. Conversely, poor performance can cause the price to drop.
Economic Conditions: The hospitality industry is highly sensitive to the overall economy. During economic downturns, people travel less, which hurts hotel bookings and, in turn, can lower Marriott's stock price. A strong economy, however, often leads to more travel and higher stock prices.
Industry News: Events that affect the entire hotel industry, like changes in travel regulations, new competitors, or major global events (like a pandemic), can have a big impact on the stock.
Investor Sentiment: Sometimes, a stock's movement is simply driven by the mood of the market. If investors are feeling optimistic about a sector, they might buy stocks regardless of recent company news, and vice-versa.
Step 3: Choose Your Investment Path ♂️
Now that you understand the basics, you need to decide how you're going to buy a share. You can't just call up Marriott and say you want to buy a share; you have to go through a financial intermediary.
Sub-heading: Opening a Brokerage Account
To buy and sell stocks, you'll need a brokerage account. A brokerage is a company that facilitates the buying and selling of securities like stocks. There are many options, from traditional full-service firms to modern online brokers. Some popular choices include:
Charles Schwab
Fidelity
E*TRADE
Robinhood
Interactive Brokers
When choosing a brokerage, consider factors like commissions and fees, the tools and research they offer, and the minimum deposit required to open an account.
Sub-heading: Funding Your Account
Once your account is open, you'll need to transfer money into it. This is usually a straightforward process. You can link your bank account for an electronic transfer (ACH), use a wire transfer, or even mail a check. Keep in mind that some methods take longer than others to clear, and your funds won't be available for trading until they've settled.
Step 4: Placing the Trade
This is the fun part! You've done your research and set up your account; now it's time to actually buy the stock.
Sub-heading: Understanding Order Types
When you go to buy a stock, you'll be presented with a few different order types. The two most common are:
Market Order: This is the simplest type. You're telling your broker to buy the stock immediately at the best available price. This is great for stocks you want to acquire right away, but the final price might be slightly different from what you saw moments ago due to market fluctuations.
Limit Order: This gives you more control. You set a specific price you're willing to pay. The order will only be executed if the stock price drops to that level. This can be useful if you're trying to buy at a specific entry point, but there's no guarantee the order will be filled if the price doesn't reach your limit.
For a beginner, a market order is often the easiest way to make a purchase. Just be sure you're comfortable with the price you're seeing before you click the buy button.
10 FAQ Questions about Buying Marriott Stock
How to check the current price of a share of Marriott? You can check the live price on any financial news website (like Bloomberg or Yahoo Finance), through your brokerage's app, or by simply searching for "MAR stock price" on Google.
How to buy just a fraction of a Marriott share? Many brokerages now offer fractional shares, allowing you to invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $100) instead of buying a whole share. This is a great way to start if you don't want to buy a full share at once.
How to find Marriott's stock symbol? Marriott International's stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol MAR.
How to research Marriott before I invest? You can look at the company's investor relations website, read their annual reports (10-K filings), and follow financial news about the hospitality industry.
How to get started with a small amount of money? Look for a brokerage that offers commission-free trades and fractional shares, allowing you to invest with as little as a few dollars.
How to find out if Marriott pays dividends? Yes, Marriott pays a quarterly dividend to its shareholders. You can find the dividend history and payment dates on their investor relations website or a financial data provider.
How to know if a stock is a good buy? Evaluating a stock is complex. It involves looking at a company's financial health, growth prospects, and the overall market. Many investors use metrics like the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio and dividend yield to help make a decision.
How to sell a share of Marriott? Selling a share is just as easy as buying one. You log into your brokerage account, find MAR in your portfolio, and place a sell order.
How to find out about Marriott's past stock splits? Marriott has had several stock splits in its history. You can find detailed information on stock splits and other corporate actions on the company's investor relations website.
How to buy a Marriott share without a brokerage account? While it's not the most common method today, some companies offer a Direct Stock Purchase Plan (DSPP) or Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP), which allows you to buy stock directly from the company or its transfer agent, often for a fee.
