Russell Investments Group Ltd. Sells 1,347 Shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lessened its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) by 31.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,962 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,347 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Choice Hotels International were worth $336,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Choice Hotels International in the 3rd quarter valued at about $200,000. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its position in Choice Hotels International by 42.2% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 566 shares of the company’s stock valued at $69,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp lifted its position in Choice Hotels International by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 5,348 shares of the company’s stock valued at $655,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in Choice Hotels International by 143.5% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 577 shares of the company’s stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capula Management Ltd bought a new position in Choice Hotels International in the 3rd quarter valued at about $483,000. Institutional investors own 65.57% of the company’s stock.

Choice Hotels International Stock Up 0.1 %

Choice Hotels International stock opened at $117.88 on Thursday. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $108.91 and a 1-year high of $136.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 177.75. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $121.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $117.62.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.13. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 15.34% and a return on equity of 748.46%. The firm had revenue of $331.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $343.04 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.12 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 1st will be issued a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 1st. Choice Hotels International’s payout ratio is 24.68%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Choice Hotels International from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 14th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $140.00 to $137.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Choice Hotels International from an “underperform” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $96.00 to $156.00 in a research note on Monday, March 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $128.00 to $112.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $129.70.

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.