UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its position in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) by 10.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 99,625 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 9,474 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.21% of Choice Hotels International worth $14,145,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of CHH. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. bought a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter valued at about $216,000. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $125,000. KBC Group NV increased its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 3,087.2% during the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 21,195 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,009,000 after buying an additional 20,530 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its position in Choice Hotels International by 23.6% in the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 5,340 shares of the company's stock worth $758,000 after acquiring an additional 1,021 shares during the period. Finally, Caprock Group LLC raised its position in Choice Hotels International by 35.2% in the fourth quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 4,395 shares of the company's stock worth $624,000 after acquiring an additional 1,144 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.57% of the company's stock.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

Choice Hotels International stock traded up $3.41 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $127.70. The company's stock had a trading volume of 409,375 shares, compared to its average volume of 391,805. The company has a 50 day moving average of $126.49 and a 200-day moving average of $137.85. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a one year low of $111.62 and a one year high of $157.86. The stock has a market cap of $5.93 billion, a PE ratio of 20.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.97.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $1.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.38 by ($0.04). Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 18.91% and a negative return on equity of 472.31%. The firm had revenue of $332.86 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $348.52 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.28 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 1st will be given a dividend of $0.2875 per share. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 1st. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio is currently 17.56%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Choice Hotels International

In other Choice Hotels International news, Director Ervin R. Shames sold 2,000 shares of Choice Hotels International 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 transaction, the director now owns 52,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,764,586.72. This trade represents a 3.69% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 23.78% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CHH has been the subject of several analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Susquehanna set a $140.00 price target on Choice Hotels International and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Choice Hotels International from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $141.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Choice Hotels International from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 15th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $132.15.

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.