Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Reduce” by Analysts

Shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) have been given a consensus rating of “Reduce” by the thirteen analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $139.15.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com cut Choice Hotels International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 15th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $131.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic upgraded Choice Hotels International from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $132.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, March 24th.

Insider Transactions at Choice Hotels International

In other news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total transaction of $519,050.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 68,913 shares in the company, valued at $10,219,797.90. This represents a 4.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,622,821.60. The trade was a 5.27 % 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.

Institutional Trading of Choice Hotels International

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CHH. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA lifted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 3,562 shares of the company’s stock valued at $506,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its stake in Choice Hotels International by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 12,944 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,838,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 30.3% in the fourth quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 370 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,069 shares of the company’s stock valued at $294,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP lifted its position in Choice Hotels International by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP now owns 3,062 shares of the company’s stock valued at $435,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 65.57% of the company’s stock.

Choice Hotels International Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE:CHH opened at $123.96 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.08. Choice Hotels International has a 52 week low of $109.22 and a 52 week high of $157.86. The company has a fifty day moving average of $135.15 and a 200 day moving average of $140.28.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 analyst estimates of $374.24 million. As a group, analysts anticipate that Choice Hotels International will post 7.07 EPS for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st were issued a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.