Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) Price Target Raised to $144.00 at Truist Financial

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) had its price objective hoisted by Truist Financial from $136.00 to $144.00 in a report released on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. Truist Financial currently has a hold rating on the stock.

Several other analysts have also commented on CHH. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of 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, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Choice Hotels International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 15th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $141.33.

Choice Hotels International Price Performance

Choice Hotels International stock opened at $129.65 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $143.92 and a 200-day simple moving average of $140.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.06 billion, a PE ratio of 20.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. Choice Hotels International has a 12-month low of $109.22 and a 12-month 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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $374.24 million. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 18.91% and a negative return on equity of 472.31%. On average, analysts forecast that Choice Hotels International will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be paid 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 0.89%. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.46%.

Insider Activity at Choice Hotels International

In related news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total value of $519,050.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 68,913 shares in the company, valued at $10,219,797.90. This trade represents a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was 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 owns 32,014 shares in the company, 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 company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in Choice Hotels International in the 3rd quarter worth $358,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. grew its position in Choice Hotels International by 14.5% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 2,937 shares of the company’s stock worth $383,000 after purchasing an additional 371 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in Choice Hotels International by 256.3% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 27,719 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,612,000 after purchasing an additional 19,939 shares during the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC grew its position in Choice Hotels International by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 17,388 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,266,000 after purchasing an additional 1,457 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capstone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Choice Hotels International in the 3rd quarter worth $237,000. Institutional investors own 65.57% 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.