Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) Sets New 52-Week High After Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $157.86 and last traded at $155.45, with a volume of 42025 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $147.69.

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 negative return on equity of 659.01% and a net margin of 16.27%.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.2875 per share. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 2nd. Choice Hotels International’s payout ratio is currently 22.03%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CHH has been the topic of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Barclays increased their price target on Choice Hotels International from $123.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $136.33.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Choice Hotels International

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 81.4% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 399 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares during the period. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 30.3% in the fourth quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 370 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares during the period. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the third quarter worth about $55,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of 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. Finally, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ increased its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 836.2% in the fourth quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 440 shares of the company’s stock worth $62,000 after purchasing an additional 393 shares during the period. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Choice Hotels International Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $7.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $145.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $138.21.

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.