AGF Management Ltd. Has $2.46 Million Stock Holdings in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

AGF Management Ltd. reduced its position in shares of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) by 29.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,330 shares of the company’s stock after selling 7,180 shares during the period. AGF Management Ltd.’s holdings in Choice Hotels International were worth $2,461,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International during the 4th quarter worth about $48,201,000. Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International in the third quarter valued at approximately $19,545,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 38.5% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 402,293 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,419,000 after acquiring an additional 111,903 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp increased its position in Choice Hotels International by 31.4% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 143,783 shares of the company’s stock worth $18,735,000 after acquiring an additional 34,396 shares during the period. Finally, Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas acquired a new position in Choice Hotels International during the 3rd quarter valued at $2,691,000. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Choice Hotels International

In related news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total value of $519,050.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 68,913 shares in the company, valued at $10,219,797.90. This trade represents a 4.83 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total value of $257,032.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 32,014 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,622,821.60. This 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 company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Barclays boosted their price target on Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $131.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Five equities 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. According to MarketBeat.com, Choice Hotels International currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $140.67.

Choice Hotels International Stock Down 1.6 %

Shares of CHH stock opened at $128.02 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.25. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $109.22 and a 12-month high of $157.86. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $145.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $140.31.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 472.31% and a net margin of 18.91%. The firm had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $374.24 million. As a group, research analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.46%.

Choice Hotels International Profile

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.