WASHINGTON, D.C. Marriott International executives at the company s Security Analyst Meeting here on May 7 expressed cautious optimism about the balance of 2001 and beyond. Bill Shaw, Marriott s president/COO, noted that Marriott s “cash flow is strong” and added that analysts should expect $2.12 in earnings per share for this year.
Though that figure is “achievable and still significantly above last year s earnings per share,” Shaw cautioned analysts against expecting more in this soft economy. “That number could change for any number of circumstances,” he said.
Shaw further noted that Marriott International “expects to open more than 35,000 rooms this year and another 35,000 in 2002.” He also noted that that “2002 and 2003 could be great years for Marriott.” (5/7/01) Barbara Capella Loehr