Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. Takes Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 8,400 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,115,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CHH. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,423,373 shares of the company's stock valued at $344,070,000 after purchasing an additional 8,362 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the 4th quarter valued at $48,201,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 69.8% in the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 292,836 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,577,000 after purchasing an additional 120,376 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 10.3% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 267,256 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,945,000 after acquiring an additional 24,957 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 234,047 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,077,000 after acquiring an additional 7,159 shares in the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

NYSE CHH traded up $0.15 on Friday, hitting $131.28. 301,106 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 383,295. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.04, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.96. The business's fifty day moving average is $128.51 and its two-hundred day moving average is $133.90. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 12 month low of $116.20 and a 12 month high of $157.86.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $1.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.38 by ($0.04). Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 377.51% and a net margin of 19.75%. The company had revenue of $332.86 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $348.52 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.28 EPS. The company's revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 1st were paid a $0.2875 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 1st. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.88%. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio is presently 17.56%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.54, for a total value of $642,700.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 70,881 shares of the company's stock, valued at $9,111,043.74. This trade represents a 6.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Ervin R. Shames sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.56, for a total transaction of $259,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 52,212 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,764,586.72. This trade represents a 3.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 12,000 shares of company stock worth $1,565,395. 23.78% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 19th. Barclays lifted their target price on Choice Hotels International from $111.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Tuesday. Redburn Atlantic raised Choice Hotels International from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $132.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, March 24th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Choice Hotels International from $154.00 to $133.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Choice Hotels International from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating and cut their target price for the stock from $141.00 to $138.00 in a report on Monday, April 14th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $134.38.

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.