American Century Companies Inc. Increases Stake in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) by 1.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 13,228 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 242 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc.’s holdings in Choice Hotels International were worth $1,878,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 12,944 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,838,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Bleakley Financial Group LLC grew its position in 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 increased its stake in Choice Hotels International by 55.8% in the fourth quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the company’s stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the period. Norden Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Norden Group LLC now owns 4,500 shares of the company’s stock worth $639,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Xponance Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 4.9% during the fourth quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 4,961 shares of the company’s stock valued at $704,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 65.57% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Choice Hotels International

In other news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,219,797.90. This represents a 4.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 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 sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 32,014 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,622,821.60. This trade represents a 5.27 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 24.02% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

CHH stock opened at $117.38 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $5.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.84, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.08. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $139.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $140.76. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a one year low of $109.22 and a one year high of $157.86.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 negative return on equity of 472.31% and a net margin of 18.91%. The firm had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $374.24 million. As a group, equities analysts predict that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.46%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on CHH shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Redburn Atlantic raised shares of Choice Hotels International from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $132.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, March 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Barclays raised their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Choice Hotels International has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $140.62.

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.