Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Receives $109.15 Average Target Price from Brokerages

Shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) have been given a consensus rating of “Reduce” by the fourteen ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $109.1538.

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on CHH shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $95.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Choice Hotels International from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings downgraded Choice Hotels International from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Choice Hotels International in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an “underweight” rating and a $84.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered Choice Hotels International from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

NYSE:CHH opened at $109.56 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.81. Choice Hotels International has a twelve month low of $84.04 and a twelve month high of $157.86. The company has a fifty day moving average of $98.85 and a 200-day moving average of $105.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.46, a P/E/G ratio of 5.58 and a beta of 0.76.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 14.13%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Choice Hotels International

In other news, SVP Simone Wu sold 8,080 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.56, for a total transaction of $820,604.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 48,803 shares in the company, valued at $4,956,432.68. This trade represents a 14.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 23.78% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Choice Hotels International

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bamco Inc. NY increased its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 7.4% during the 3rd quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 5,359,896 shares of the company’s stock worth $573,026,000 after purchasing an additional 369,244 shares in the last quarter. Rock Creek Group LP lifted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 52.3% in the second quarter. Rock Creek Group LP now owns 811,579 shares of the company’s stock valued at $102,973,000 after purchasing an additional 278,715 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 194.8% during the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 237,097 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,083,000 after buying an additional 156,666 shares during the last quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. grew its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 57.6% during the second quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 315,969 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,090,000 after buying an additional 115,472 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its position in Choice Hotels International by 77.3% in the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 262,343 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,047,000 after buying an additional 114,411 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.57% of the company’s stock.

About Choice Hotels International

Choice Hotels International, Inc is a hospitality franchisor specializing in the development and support of lodging brands across the economy, midscale and upscale segments. Through a network of franchisees, Choice Hotels supplies proprietary reservation and distribution systems, comprehensive marketing programs, and operational support services. The company’s core activities include brand management, franchise development, and technology-driven revenue optimization tools designed to enhance guest acquisition and retention for its partners.

Founded in 1939 as Quality Courts United, the company rebranded to Choice Hotels International in 1982 to reflect its expanding brand portfolio and global ambitions.