Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Shares Acquired by Sciencast Management LP

Sciencast Management LP grew its stake in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) by 82.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,678 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,014 shares during the quarter. Sciencast Management LP's holdings in Choice Hotels International were worth $948,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 12,944 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,838,000 after buying an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC increased its holdings 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 valued at $300,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 55.8% during the 4th quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the company's stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Norden Group LLC raised its position 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 valued at $639,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Xponance Inc. lifted its stake in Choice Hotels International by 4.9% during the fourth quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 4,961 shares of the company's stock worth $704,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.57% of the company's stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on CHH. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Choice Hotels International from $136.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target 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. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Choice Hotels International from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, March 15th. Five investment 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 company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $140.62.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the firm'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 completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 32,014 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,622,821.60. This trade represents a 5.27 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $10,219,797.90. This represents a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 24.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Choice Hotels International Stock Up 0.3 %

CHH stock traded up $0.34 during trading on Thursday, reaching $133.50. 308,350 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 406,315. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $109.22 and a 1-year high of $157.86. The firm has a market cap of $6.24 billion, a PE ratio of 21.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. The company's fifty day moving average price is $143.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $140.65.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $374.24 million. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 18.91% and a negative return on equity of 472.31%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect 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. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.86%. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio 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.