Marriott International Inc. (MAR) posted first-quarter 2013 earnings of 43 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents by 4.9% and the year-ago level by 43.3%. Marriott’s strong top-line, margin expansion, effective pricing strategy and share buyback activities pushed up the earnings for the quarter. Total revenue in the first quarter was $3.1 billion, up 23% year over year and also better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.9 billion by 6.9%. Marriott’s growing North American business and solid development pipeline helped drive the revenues during the quarter. Additionally, Marriott has also gained from the rise in the fee revenues at Marriott’s owned, licensed and franchised properties. Inside the Headline Numbers In the first quarter, base management and franchise fees increased 23.4% year over year to $153
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