XTX Topco Ltd Buys New Position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 5,194 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $737,000.

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

Choice Hotels International Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:CHH opened at $123.96 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $135.70 and a two-hundred day moving average of $140.31. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $109.22 and a 12-month high of $157.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.08.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $374.24 million. Equities research analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 1st were issued a $0.2875 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.46%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on CHH. Bank of America boosted their target price 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. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Choice Hotels International from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $141.00 to $138.00 in a report on Monday. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Choice Hotels International from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $132.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Four research 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $139.15.

Insider Activity at Choice Hotels International

In other news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total transaction of $257,032.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 32,014 shares in the company, valued at $4,622,821.60. This represents a 5.27 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of Choice Hotels International stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 68,913 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,219,797.90. The trade was a 4.83 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 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.