Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Has $39.63 Million Stock Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 279,149 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,725 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned approximately 0.60% of Choice Hotels International worth $39,634,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new position in Choice Hotels International during the third quarter worth about $19,545,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 111,903 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 31.4% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 143,783 shares of the company’s stock worth $18,735,000 after buying an additional 34,396 shares during the last quarter. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the 3rd quarter valued at $2,691,000. Finally, KBC Group NV boosted its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 3,087.2% during the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 21,195 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,009,000 after buying an additional 20,530 shares during the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Choice Hotels International Trading Up 1.7 %

CHH stock opened at $130.12 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $144.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $140.35. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $109.22 and a 12 month high of $157.86.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 the consensus estimate of $374.24 million. As a group, equities analysts predict that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be paid 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 of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.46%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Choice Hotels International from $131.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. 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 research report on Friday, December 13th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $140.67.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the business’s 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 68,913 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,219,797.90. The trade was a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total value of $257,032.00. Following the completion of 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. 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.