Choice Hotels Downgraded To Underperform At BofA, Shares Fall 2%

Core Viewpoint - Choice Hotels International's stock was downgraded by BofA Securities due to prolonged weakness in the lower-end lodging segment, raising concerns about the company's fundamentals [1][2] Summary by Relevant Categories Stock Performance - Choice Hotels' shares fell nearly 2% intra-day following the downgrade from BofA Securities [1] Analyst Insights - BofA Securities downgraded the stock from Neutral to Underperform and reduced the price target from $160 to $110 [1] - Analysts highlighted the company's weakest net unit growth compared to peers, indicating a concerning trend [1] Market Conditions - There has been a prolonged weakness in the lower-end lodging segment over the past two to three years, contributing to the downgrade [1] - The slowing tailwinds from mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and ancillary revenue were also noted as factors affecting the company's performance [1] Financial Flexibility - The downgrade reflects diminished balance sheet flexibility for Choice Hotels, further impacting its risk-reward profile [1][2]