Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) Hits New 1-Year High - Should You Buy?

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $134.60 and last traded at $134.55, with a volume of 24429 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $133.42.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Susquehanna began coverage on shares of Choice Hotels International in a research report on Friday, June 21st. They set a "neutral" rating and a $125.00 target price on the stock. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $114.00 to $112.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Choice Hotels International in a research note on Wednesday, September 18th. They issued a "sell" rating and a $105.00 target price on the stock. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $137.00 to $134.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of Choice Hotels International from a "neutral" rating to an "underweight" rating and set a $120.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $125.64.

Choice Hotels International Trading Up 0.3 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 177.75, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. The company has a market cap of $6.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.25. The company's fifty day moving average is $126.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $122.26.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 by ($0.02). Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 3,953.67% and a net margin of 15.42%. The firm had revenue of $435.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $438.29 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.75 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 6.38 EPS for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 1st will be given a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.86%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 1st. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.91%.

Insider Transactions at Choice Hotels International

In other news, CEO Patrick Pacious sold 10,025 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.37, for a total value of $1,206,709.25. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 404,666 shares of the company's stock, valued at $48,709,646.42. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Patrick Pacious sold 10,025 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.37, for a total transaction of $1,206,709.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 404,666 shares of the company's stock, valued at $48,709,646.42. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Simone Wu sold 7,840 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.08, for a total transaction of $1,019,827.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 45,669 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,940,623.52. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 24.02% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 144.4% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 198 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 307.4% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 220 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 163.2% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 229 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 129.4% during the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 250 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vima LLC bought a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. 65.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Choice Hotels International

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.