Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. Purchases New Stake in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH)

Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm purchased 1,004 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $143,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CHH. Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new stake in Choice Hotels International in the 3rd quarter valued at $19,545,000. Raymond James & Associates raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 45.4% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 364,983 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,557,000 after acquiring an additional 113,951 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 38.5% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 402,293 shares of the company’s stock valued at $52,419,000 after acquiring an additional 111,903 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp raised its stake in Choice Hotels International by 31.4% in the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 143,783 shares of the company’s stock valued at $18,735,000 after acquiring an additional 34,396 shares during the period. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Choice Hotels International in the 3rd quarter valued at $42,280,000. Institutional investors own 65.57% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on CHH. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “underweight” rating and set a $129.00 price objective (down previously from $145.00) on shares of Choice Hotels International in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $150.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $113.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Bank of America increased their price objective 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Choice Hotels International from $133.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Five research 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. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $136.33.

Choice Hotels International Stock Performance

CHH opened at $146.06 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $6.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.23. Choice Hotels International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $108.91 and a 52-week high of $156.25. The business’s fifty day moving average is $144.72 and its 200-day moving average is $137.63.

Choice Hotels International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd were paid a $0.2875 dividend. This represents a $1.15 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 2nd. Choice Hotels International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.03%.

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.