AlphaQuest LLC Purchases New Shares in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

AlphaQuest LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 3,766 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $535,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter valued at $2,258,000. Callan Family Office LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International in the fourth quarter valued at $229,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International in the fourth quarter valued at $48,201,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International in the fourth quarter valued at $1,895,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 279,149 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,634,000 after acquiring an additional 2,725 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.57% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on CHH shares. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Susquehanna upped their price target 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. Morgan Stanley upped their price target 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. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $140.67.

Choice Hotels International Price Performance

Shares of Choice Hotels International stock opened at $130.07 on Thursday. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $109.22 and a 1 year high of $157.86. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $145.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $140.31. The stock has a market cap of $6.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.88, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $389.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $374.24 million. On average, equities analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.46%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total value of $519,050.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 32,014 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $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. Company insiders own 24.02% of the company’s stock.

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.