Brokerages Set Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Target Price at $140.67

Shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) have received a consensus rating of “Reduce” from the twelve analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $140.67.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Choice Hotels International from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Barclays upped their price target on Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective 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.

Insider Transactions at Choice Hotels International

In other news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total value of $519,050.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 68,913 shares in the company, valued at $10,219,797.90. This trade represents a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of Choice Hotels International 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. This represents a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 24.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CHH. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth about $48,201,000. Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new position in Choice Hotels International during the third quarter worth about $19,545,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 69.8% during the fourth quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 292,836 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,577,000 after acquiring an additional 120,376 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 38.5% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 402,293 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,419,000 after buying an additional 111,903 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $15,354,000. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Choice Hotels International Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of CHH stock opened at $130.08 on Tuesday. Choice Hotels International has a 12-month low of $109.22 and a 12-month high of $157.86. The company has a market capitalization of $6.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $144.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $140.37.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 firm had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $374.24 million. As a group, research analysts expect that Choice Hotels International will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

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