KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Invests $1.12 Million in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 7,900 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,122,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in Choice Hotels International by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 12,944 shares of the company's stock worth $1,838,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 2,112 shares of the company's stock worth $300,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Tortoise Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Norden Group LLC increased its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Norden Group LLC now owns 4,500 shares of the company's stock valued at $639,000 after buying an additional 223 shares during the period. Finally, Xponance Inc. raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 4.9% in the fourth quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 4,961 shares of the company's stock worth $704,000 after buying an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Choice Hotels International

In other news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total transaction of $257,032.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 32,014 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,622,821.60. The trade was a 5.27 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total transaction of $519,050.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 68,913 shares in the company, valued at $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. Insiders own 24.02% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CHH has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group increased 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. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $131.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $140.62.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

Shares of CHH traded down $5.64 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $128.36. 568,180 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 411,930. The stock has a market cap of $6.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $109.22 and a 1-year high of $157.86. The company has a 50 day moving average of $141.98 and a 200-day moving average of $140.93.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations 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 anticipate that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a $0.2875 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.90%. Choice Hotels International's payout ratio is 18.46%.

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.