Brokerages Set Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Price Target at $139.15

Shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of "Reduce" by the thirteen ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $139.15.

CHH has been the topic of several analyst reports. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $154.00 to $133.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Choice Hotels International from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating and cut their target price for the company from $141.00 to $138.00 in a research note on Monday. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $131.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th.

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Choice Hotels International Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE CHH traded down $0.75 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $125.71. 436,702 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 408,705. The company has a market capitalization of $5.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.08. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $137.46 and a 200-day moving average price of $140.58. Choice Hotels International has a 52-week low of $109.22 and a 52-week high of $157.86.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly 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. The company had revenue of $389.77 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $374.24 million. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 472.31% and a net margin of 18.91%. On average, analysts forecast that Choice Hotels International will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be given a dividend of $0.2875 per share. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio is presently 18.46%.

Insider Activity at Choice Hotels International

In other Choice Hotels International news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the firm's 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 approximately $4,622,821.60. This trade represents a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total transaction of $519,050.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 68,913 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,219,797.90. The trade was a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 24.02% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Choice Hotels International

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 66.2% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 256 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC grew its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 30.3% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 370 shares of the company's stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $55,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 55.8% in the fourth quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the company's stock valued at $61,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the period. Finally, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ increased its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 836.2% during the fourth quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 440 shares of the company's stock worth $62,000 after acquiring an additional 393 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.57% 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.