Congress Asset Management Co. Increases Stock Holdings in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Congress Asset Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) by 17.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 82,131 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 12,128 shares during the quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. owned 0.18% of Choice Hotels International worth $11,661,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 81.4% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 399 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the 3rd quarter worth about $55,000. Quarry LP purchased a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $63,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 12.9% in the 3rd quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 843 shares of the company's stock valued at $110,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the period. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International in the fourth quarter worth about $125,000. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CHH has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays lifted their price target on Choice Hotels International from $123.00 to $129.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $113.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $133.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $136.33.

Choice Hotels International Price Performance

Choice Hotels International stock traded up $4.15 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $151.84. The company had a trading volume of 910,201 shares, compared to its average volume of 352,964. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $108.91 and a 12-month high of $157.86. The company has a market capitalization of $7.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.23. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $144.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $138.11.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.10. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 659.01% and a net margin of 16.27%. On average, analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 6.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.76%. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.03%.

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.