Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) Hits New 52-Week High – Still a Buy?

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $153.95 and last traded at $152.89, with a volume of 18306 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $151.15.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on CHH. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on shares of Choice Hotels International from $113.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Choice Hotels International from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $138.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Choice Hotels International from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating and set a $129.00 price target (down previously from $145.00) on shares of Choice Hotels International in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $136.33.

Choice Hotels International Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $7.24 billion, a PE ratio of 29.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.23. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $144.72 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $136.83.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd were given a dividend of $0.2875 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $1.15 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.75%. Choice Hotels International’s payout ratio is currently 22.03%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of Choice Hotels International by 81.4% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 399 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Choice Hotels International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $55,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC grew its position in Choice Hotels International by 55.8% in the 4th quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the company’s stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Choice Hotels International during the third quarter worth about $63,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in shares of Choice Hotels International by 165.5% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 600 shares of the company’s stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 374 shares in the last quarter. 65.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.