108,145 Shares in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Bought by Norges Bank

Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 108,145 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $15,354,000. Norges Bank owned 0.23% of Choice Hotels International at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective 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. 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 note on Tuesday, March 4th. Barclays raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Susquehanna upped their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Five research 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 data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $139.15.

Insider Buying and Selling at Choice Hotels International

In related news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total transaction of $257,032.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 32,014 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,622,821.60. The trade was a 5.27 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 68,913 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $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 currently owned by corporate insiders.

Choice Hotels International Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of CHH stock traded up $1.93 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $124.92. 370,544 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 409,199. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $109.22 and a 1 year high of $157.86. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $137.95 and a 200 day moving average of $140.56. The firm has a market cap of $5.84 billion, a PE ratio of 20.05, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.08.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.10. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 18.91% and a negative return on equity of 472.31%. The company had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $374.24 million. Analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a $0.2875 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.92%. 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.