Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) Reaches New 1-Year High – Still a Buy?

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $153.95 and last traded at $152.89, with a volume of 18306 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $151.15.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on CHH shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $129.00 price target (down from $145.00) on shares of Choice Hotels International in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $136.33.

Choice Hotels International Trading Up 1.7 %

The company has a fifty day moving average price of $144.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $136.50. The firm has a market cap of $7.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.45, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.23.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.31. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 16.27% and a negative return on equity of 659.01%. The company had revenue of $428.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $432.62 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.82 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 6.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were given a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.75%. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 22.03%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Choice Hotels International

In related news, CEO Patrick Pacious sold 7,192 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction on Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.95, for a total value of $1,042,480.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 404,666 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $58,656,336.70. This trade represents a 1.75 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 24.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Choice Hotels International

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Choice Hotels International by 81.4% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 399 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International in the third quarter worth approximately $55,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the third quarter worth approximately $63,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 165.5% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 600 shares of the company’s stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 374 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 12.9% in the 3rd quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 843 shares of the company’s stock valued at $110,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.