Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC Takes $1.11 Million Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 7,809 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,109,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter worth $48,201,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 69.8% in the fourth quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 292,836 shares of the company's stock worth $41,577,000 after buying an additional 120,376 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth about $15,354,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership purchased a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter valued at about $10,779,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 85.5% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 134,188 shares of the company's stock valued at $19,052,000 after acquiring an additional 61,849 shares during the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the 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 sale, 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the firm'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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 68,913 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,219,797.90. This represents a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 24.02% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Choice Hotels International from $136.00 to $144.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, March 21st. Bank of America lifted their price target on Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 27th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $124.00 to $115.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $132.00 to $111.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $135.69.

Choice Hotels International Price Performance

NYSE CHH opened at $127.00 on Tuesday. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $130.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $139.84. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $109.22 and a 12 month high of $157.86. The company has a market capitalization of $5.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.00.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $389.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $374.24 million. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 472.31% and a net margin of 18.91%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st were issued a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International's payout ratio is currently 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.

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