Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky Has $1.33 Million Stock Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lessened its holdings in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) by 1.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,337 shares of the company’s stock after selling 160 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky’s holdings in Choice Hotels International were worth $1,326,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 30.3% in the fourth quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 370 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Choice Hotels International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 55.8% in the 4th quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the company’s stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $62,000. Finally, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ grew its holdings in Choice Hotels International by 836.2% during the fourth quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 440 shares of the company’s stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 393 shares during the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Choice Hotels International Trading Down 0.7 %

CHH opened at $125.36 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $5.86 billion, a PE ratio of 20.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.08. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 1 year low of $109.22 and a 1 year high of $157.86. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $132.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $140.10.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last announced its quarterly 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 analyst estimates of $374.24 million. Choice Hotels International had a net margin of 18.91% and a negative return on equity of 472.31%. Equities analysts forecast that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st were issued a dividend of $0.2875 per share. 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 payout ratio is 18.46%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of 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. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $137.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $154.00 to $133.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Choice Hotels International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price target on Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 27th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Choice Hotels International presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $135.69.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.30, for a total value of $519,050.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 68,913 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,219,797.90. The trade was a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the 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 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. Corporate insiders own 24.02% of the company’s stock.

Choice Hotels International Company 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.