Proficio Capital Partners LLC Takes $1.90 Million Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 13,346 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,895,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CHH. Creative Planning raised its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 28.1% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 2,443 shares of the company's stock worth $318,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR purchased a new position in Choice Hotels International during the third quarter worth $233,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its position in Choice Hotels International by 41.0% during the third quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 57,394 shares of the company's stock worth $7,478,000 after buying an additional 16,694 shares in the last quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC increased its position in Choice Hotels International by 8.0% during the third quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC now owns 2,034 shares of the company's stock worth $265,000 after buying an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Markel Group Inc. increased its position in Choice Hotels International by 4.5% during the third quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 115,500 shares of the company's stock worth $15,050,000 after buying an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

Choice Hotels International stock traded up $2.81 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $145.04. The stock had a trading volume of 541,766 shares, compared to its average volume of 425,043. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $109.22 and a twelve month high of $157.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.78 billion, a PE ratio of 23.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $145.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $140.20.

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Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $389.77 million for 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%. Equities analysts predict that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.2875 per share. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio is presently 18.46%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CHH has been the subject of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target 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. Susquehanna raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $140.67.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total value of $257,032.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 32,014 shares in the company, valued at approximately $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 SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total value of $519,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 68,913 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,219,797.90. This trade represents a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 24.02% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.