Edgestream Partners L.P. Cuts Stake in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Edgestream Partners L.P. reduced its position in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) by 41.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,502 shares of the company’s stock after selling 11,614 shares during the quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P.’s holdings in Choice Hotels International were worth $2,191,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth $48,201,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 69.8% during the fourth quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 292,836 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,577,000 after buying an additional 120,376 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth $15,354,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new stake in shares of Choice Hotels International during the fourth quarter worth $10,779,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 85.5% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 134,188 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,052,000 after buying an additional 61,849 shares during the period. 65.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Choice Hotels International Stock Down 0.7%

CHH stock opened at $131.19 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.03, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $128.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $134.03. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $116.20 and a 52 week high of $157.86.

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The company reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.38 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $332.86 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $348.52 million. Choice Hotels International had a negative return on equity of 377.51% and a net margin of 19.75%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.28 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Choice Hotels International, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 1st were paid a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 1st. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.88%. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 17.56%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on CHH shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Choice Hotels International from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating and decreased their target price for the company from $141.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $111.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Choice Hotels International from $160.00 to $149.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Choice Hotels International in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. They set an “underweight” rating and a $124.00 target price for the company. Finally, Susquehanna set a $140.00 target price on shares of Choice Hotels International and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $134.38.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Dominic Dragisich sold 4,900 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.72, for a total transaction of $650,328.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 70,881 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,407,326.32. This represents a 6.47% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Ervin R. Shames sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.56, for a total transaction of $259,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 52,212 shares in the company, valued at $6,764,586.72. The trade was a 3.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 12,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,565,395. 23.78% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.