Stifel Financial Corp Cuts Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Stifel Financial Corp lowered its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH - Free Report) by 9.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 129,755 shares of the company's stock after selling 14,028 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp owned about 0.28% of Choice Hotels International worth $18,423,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $48,201,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in Choice Hotels International by 38.5% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 402,293 shares of the company's stock valued at $52,419,000 after acquiring an additional 111,903 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the 4th quarter worth about $15,354,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $10,779,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Choice Hotels International by 85.5% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 134,188 shares of the company's stock worth $19,052,000 after buying an additional 61,849 shares in the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on CHH shares. Barclays reduced their target price on Choice Hotels International from $132.00 to $111.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Bank of America lifted their price target on Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 27th. Susquehanna upped their price target on Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Redburn Atlantic upgraded Choice Hotels International from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $132.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Choice Hotels International from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating and reduced their price target for the company from $141.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Choice Hotels International presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $135.69.

Choice Hotels International Trading Down 0.4 %

Choice Hotels International stock traded down $0.49 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $125.63. The stock had a trading volume of 160,712 shares, compared to its average volume of 399,120. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.20, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.08. The firm's 50 day moving average is $131.29 and its 200 day moving average is $139.90. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a one year low of $109.22 and a one year high of $157.86.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $389.77 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $374.24 million. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 18.91% and a negative return on equity of 472.31%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st were given a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.46%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total transaction of $519,050.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 68,913 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,219,797.90. This trade represents a 4.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total value of $257,032.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 32,014 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,622,821.60. This trade represents a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 24.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.