Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) Sets New 1-Year High After Earnings Beat

Shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $157.86 and last traded at $155.45, with a volume of 42025 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $147.69.

The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.10. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 16.27% and a negative return on equity of 659.01%.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.74%. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.03%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on CHH shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $113.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and set a $129.00 price target (down previously from $145.00) on shares of Choice Hotels International in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Choice Hotels International from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Choice Hotels International has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $136.33.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CHH. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,423,373 shares of the company’s stock valued at $344,070,000 after acquiring an additional 8,362 shares in the last quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp lifted its position in Choice Hotels International by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 949,586 shares of the company’s stock valued at $134,822,000 after purchasing an additional 9,490 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Choice Hotels International by 38.5% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 402,293 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,419,000 after purchasing an additional 111,903 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 45.4% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 364,983 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,557,000 after acquiring an additional 113,951 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $48,201,000. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Choice Hotels International Trading Up 5.4 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $7.30 billion, a PE ratio of 29.77, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.23. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $144.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $138.11.

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.