Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) Cut to Hold at StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Friday morning.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Susquehanna raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Truist Financial raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $140.67.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

CHH opened at $145.04 on Friday. Choice Hotels International has a fifty-two week low of $109.22 and a fifty-two week high of $157.86. The company has a market capitalization of $6.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $145.78 and a 200-day moving average of $140.20.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.10. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 472.31% and a net margin of 18.91%. The company had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $374.24 million. On average, equities research analysts predict that Choice Hotels International will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.2875 per share. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.46%.

Insider Transactions at Choice Hotels International

In other news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total transaction of $257,032.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 32,014 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,622,821.60. The trade was a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total value of $519,050.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 68,913 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,219,797.90. This trade represents a 4.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 24.02% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Choice Hotels International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,109,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 10.5% in the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 99,625 shares of the company’s stock worth $14,145,000 after acquiring an additional 9,474 shares during the period. Voloridge Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 36.0% in the fourth quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 60,740 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,624,000 after acquiring an additional 16,067 shares during the period. Sophron Capital Management L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $7,736,000. Finally, Redwood Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the fourth quarter worth approximately $5,123,000. 65.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Choice Hotels International

Choice Hotels International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel franchisor in the United States and internationally. It operates through Hotel Franchising & Management and Corporate & Other segments. The company franchises lodging properties under the brand names of Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, Sleep Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Studios, WoodSpring Suites, Everhome Suites, Cambria Hotels, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson Collection.