Caxton Associates LLP Takes $1.63 Million Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. $CHH

Key Points

• Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new stake in Choice Hotels International, purchasing 12,305 shares valued at approximately $1,634,000 in the 1st quarter.
• Multiple institutional investors have increased or acquired stakes in Choice Hotels, contributing to a total institutional ownership of 65.57%.
• Analysts have recently adjusted their price targets for Choice Hotels International, with an average price target now set at $133.38, reflecting a cautious view on the stock's performance.

Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 12,305 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,634,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,069 shares of the company's stock worth $294,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the period. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT grew its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 2.2% during the first quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 4,367 shares of the company's stock valued at $580,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP grew its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP now owns 3,062 shares of the company's stock valued at $435,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 1.6% during the first quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 6,300 shares of the company's stock valued at $837,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 66.2% during the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 256 shares of the company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.57% of the company's stock.

Choice Hotels International Stock Down 2.0%

CHH traded down $2.27 during trading on Friday, hitting $112.85. The company's stock had a trading volume of 359,968 shares, compared to its average volume of 389,045. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a one year low of $111.42 and a one year high of $157.86. The firm has a market cap of $5.22 billion, a PE ratio of 17.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.90. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $124.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $127.41.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.02. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 19.52% and a negative return on equity of 575.73%. The business had revenue of $426.44 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $430.13 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.84 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 16th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 1st will be given a $0.2875 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 1st. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.69%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Choice Hotels International news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.54, for a total value of $642,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 70,881 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,111,043.74. This trade represents a 6.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 12,500 shares of company stock valued at $1,647,400 in the last 90 days. 23.78% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently commented on CHH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Choice Hotels International in a report on Monday, June 23rd. They set an "underweight" rating and a $124.00 price target on the stock. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $121.00 to $117.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $144.00 to $136.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 22nd. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $149.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Susquehanna set a $140.00 price target on shares of Choice Hotels International and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average price target of $133.38.

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.