Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Holdings Raised by Franklin Resources Inc.

Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) by 16.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 18,694 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 2,646 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in Choice Hotels International were worth $2,654,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CHH. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased 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 worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Choice Hotels International in the third quarter valued at about $55,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 55.8% during 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 in the last quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $62,000. Finally, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ grew its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 836.2% in the 4th 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. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CHH has been the topic of several research reports. Truist Financial upped their price target on Choice Hotels International from $136.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Choice Hotels International from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $132.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Barclays increased their price objective 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Choice Hotels International from $131.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $139.15.

Insider Activity at Choice Hotels International

In related news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of Choice Hotels International 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 transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 32,014 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,622,821.60. The trade was a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total transaction of $519,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly 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. Company insiders own 24.02% of the company's stock.

Choice Hotels International Trading Up 0.4 %

CHH traded up $0.44 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $123.96. The company's stock had a trading volume of 211,252 shares, compared to its average volume of 406,737. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $135.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $140.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.79 billion, a PE ratio of 19.90, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.08. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $109.22 and a fifty-two 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 EPS for the quarter, beating 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%. Research analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st were issued a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.46%.

Choice Hotels International 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.