Axxcess Wealth Management LLC Cuts Stake in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Axxcess Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) by 10.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,932 shares of the company’s stock after selling 225 shares during the quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Choice Hotels International were worth $274,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CHH. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the third quarter valued at approximately $358,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 14.5% during the third quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 2,937 shares of the company’s stock valued at $383,000 after purchasing an additional 371 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 256.3% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 27,719 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,612,000 after purchasing an additional 19,939 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 9.1% during the third quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 17,388 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,266,000 after purchasing an additional 1,457 shares during the period. Finally, Capstone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the third quarter valued at approximately $237,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.57% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Scott E. Oaksmith sold 1,780 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.40, for a total transaction of $257,032.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 32,014 shares in the company, valued at $4,622,821.60. This trade represents a 5.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $10,219,797.90. The trade was a 4.83 % 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 Trading Down 0.3 %

CHH opened at $129.65 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $143.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $140.48. The company has a market cap of $6.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.81, a price-to-earnings-growth 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.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $389.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $374.24 million. On average, analysts predict that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS 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. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.89%. Choice Hotels International’s payout ratio is presently 18.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Choice Hotels International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 15th. Barclays raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $129.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Susquehanna raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $130.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 2nd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Choice Hotels International has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $141.33.

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.