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

StockNews.com cut shares of Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday morning.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on CHH. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $131.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Choice Hotels International from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Bank of America upped their target price on Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Choice Hotels International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Susquehanna upped their target price on Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Choice Hotels International has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $140.67.

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Choice Hotels International Stock Down 1.3 %

Choice Hotels International stock traded down $1.75 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $130.63. The company's stock had a trading volume of 263,310 shares, compared to its average volume of 410,953. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $144.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $140.48. Choice Hotels International has a 12 month low of $109.22 and a 12 month high of $157.86. The company has a market capitalization of $6.10 billion, a PE ratio of 20.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last posted 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 firm had revenue of $389.77 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $374.24 million. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 472.31% and a net margin of 18.91%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Choice Hotels International will post 7.07 EPS for the current 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 given 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 0.88%. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio is 18.46%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total value of $257,032.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 32,014 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,622,821.60. This represents a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 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 value of $519,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 24.02% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth $1,109,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 10.5% during 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 in the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 36.0% during 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 in the last quarter. Sophron Capital Management L.P. acquired a new position in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth $7,736,000. Finally, Redwood Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth $5,123,000. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Choice Hotels International Company Profile

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.