Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) Shares Sold 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 decreased its position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) by 47.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 532,864 shares of the company's stock after selling 490,215 shares during the period. Choice Hotels International comprises approximately 8.2% of Rock Creek Group LP's portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Rock Creek Group LP owned 1.14% of Choice Hotels International worth $70,754,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 66.2% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 256 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. HM Payson & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International in the first quarter worth $35,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 64.7% in the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 275 shares of the company's stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 25.6% in the fourth quarter. Quarry LP now owns 604 shares of the company's stock worth $86,000 after buying an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ increased its stake in Choice Hotels International by 133.2% in the first quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 1,026 shares of the company's stock valued at $136,000 after acquiring an additional 586 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.57% of the company's stock.

Choice Hotels International Stock Down 1.1%

NYSE:CHH traded down $1.34 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $122.80. 28,507 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 422,807. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.91, a PEG ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.96. The firm's 50 day moving average is $128.32 and its two-hundred day moving average is $132.15. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $116.20 and a 52 week high of $157.86.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $430.13 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.84 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Choice Hotels International

In other news, Director Ervin R. Shames sold 2,000 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.56, for a total value of $259,120.00. Following the sale, the director owned 52,212 shares in the company, valued at $6,764,586.72. This trade represents a 3.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 2,500 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.45, for a total transaction of $341,125.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 68,381 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,330,587.45. This trade represents a 3.53% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In 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.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently commented on CHH. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Choice Hotels International from $144.00 to $128.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Morgan Stanley restated an "underweight" rating and issued a $121.00 price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $121.00 to $117.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 7th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $149.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $134.08.

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.