OFI Invest Asset Management Invests $2.26 Million in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 16,467 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,258,000.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in CHH. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 2,267 shares of the company’s stock valued at $295,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 2,112 shares of the company’s stock worth $300,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Norden Group LLC grew its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Norden Group LLC now owns 4,500 shares of the company’s stock worth $639,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont grew its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 34.0% during the 4th quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 1,045 shares of the company’s stock worth $148,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT grew its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 6.8% during the 4th quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 4,275 shares of the company’s stock worth $607,000 after acquiring an additional 273 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.57% of the company’s stock.

Choice Hotels International Trading Up 2.0 %

Choice Hotels International stock opened at $145.04 on Monday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $145.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $140.20. The stock has a market cap of $6.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.28, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $109.22 and a 52 week high of $157.86.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $389.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $374.24 million. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 18.91% and a negative return on equity of 472.31%. Research analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CHH has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $140.67.

Insider Transactions at Choice Hotels International

In other news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total value of $257,032.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 32,014 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,622,821.60. This trade represents a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total transaction of $519,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly 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. Corporate insiders own 24.02% of the company’s stock.

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.