Caxton Associates LP Takes Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Caxton Associates LP purchased a new position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 16,013 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,274,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter valued at about $48,201,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 69.8% during the fourth quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 292,836 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,577,000 after acquiring an additional 120,376 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 38.5% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 402,293 shares of the company's stock worth $52,419,000 after purchasing an additional 111,903 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter valued at $15,354,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter valued at $10,779,000. Institutional investors own 65.57% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were 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 of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,622,821.60. This represents a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 represents a 4.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 23.78% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CHH has been the topic of several recent research reports. Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $124.00 to $115.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $136.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Choice Hotels International from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their price target for the company from $141.00 to $138.00 in a report on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Susquehanna increased their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $135.69.

Choice Hotels International Price Performance

Shares of CHH stock traded up $2.31 during trading on Friday, reaching $123.57. The company had a trading volume of 499,877 shares, compared to its average volume of 392,459. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $128.48 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $139.50. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a one year low of $109.22 and a one year high of $157.86. The company has a market capitalization of $5.77 billion, a PE ratio of 19.83, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.00.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.38 by ($0.04). Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 18.91% and a negative return on equity of 472.31%. The firm had revenue of $332.86 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $348.52 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.28 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st were paid a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.93%. Choice Hotels International's payout ratio is 18.46%.

About Choice Hotels International

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.