Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Holdings Lowered by Rock Creek Group LP

Key Points

• Rock Creek Group LP reduced its stake in Choice Hotels International by 47.9% in the first quarter, now holding 532,864 shares worth approximately $70.75 million.
• Several hedge funds have also increased their holdings in Choice Hotels, with UMB Bank n.a. growing its stake by 66.2% during the same period.
• Wall Street analysts have mixed ratings on Choice Hotels, with a consensus rating of "Hold" and a price target average of $134.08, reflecting uncertainty in the company's future performance.

Rock Creek Group LP reduced its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) by 47.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 532,864 shares of the company's stock after selling 490,215 shares during the period. Choice Hotels International comprises 8.2% of Rock Creek Group LP's portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Rock Creek Group LP owned about 1.14% of Choice Hotels International worth $70,754,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 66.2% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 256 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. HM Payson & Co. bought a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 64.7% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 275 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 604 shares of the company's stock worth $86,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 133.2% during the 1st quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 1,026 shares of the company's stock worth $136,000 after acquiring an additional 586 shares during the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Choice Hotels International Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:CHH traded down $0.54 on Friday, reaching $122.17. The company had a trading volume of 601,408 shares, compared to its average volume of 401,091. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $116.20 and a 52-week high of $157.86. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $128.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.65 billion, a PE ratio of 18.80, a PEG ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.96.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.02. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 575.73% and a net margin of 19.52%. 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 business posted $1.84 EPS. The business's revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Susquehanna set a $140.00 price target on Choice Hotels International and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective 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 reduced their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $121.00 to $117.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 7th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on 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, Morgan Stanley restated an "underweight" rating and set a $121.00 price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $134.08.

Insider Buying and Selling at Choice Hotels International

In related news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.54, for a total transaction of $642,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 70,881 shares in the company, valued at $9,111,043.74. The trade was a 6.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Ervin R. Shames sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.56, for a total value of $259,120.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 52,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $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. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 14,500 shares of company stock worth $1,906,520. 23.78% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Choice Hotels International 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.