
Choice International secures public sector projects worth Rs 63.47 crore in Maharashtra and Odisha
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on June 5, 2025, 10:02 IST
Choice International Limited's subsidiary, Choice Consultancy Services, has secured two major public sector mandates with a combined estimated value of ₹63.47 crore (inclusive of GST). These wins mark a significant step in the company's public sector engagement strategy.
The first project, valued at ₹52.80 crore, has been awarded by the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) under the World Bank-supported MahaSTRIDE program. It involves setting up District Strategic Units in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division to support data-driven decision-making and institutional growth over a five-year period.
The second project win is in Odisha, where Choice emerged as the top-ranked bidder for engineering consultancy services across 58 urban local bodies. The ₹10.67 crore engagement, initiated by SUDA under the Housing and Urban Development Department, focuses on improving urban infrastructure planning over two years.
CEO Arun Poddar emphasized the strategic importance of these contracts, aligning with India's digital and institutional modernization goals. Choice's involvement in these initiatives underlines its role in high-value public development execution.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Stock market investments are subject to market risks. Always conduct your own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. Author or Business Upturn is not liable for any losses arising from the use of this information.
Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
CHH Q1 Earnings Call: Flat Sales, Guidance Trimmed Amid Macro Uncertainty
Hotel franchisor Choice Hotels (NYSE:CHH) fell short of the market's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales flat year on year at $332.9 million. Its non-GAAP EPS of $1.34 per share was 2% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy CHH? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $332.9 million (flat year on year) Adjusted EPS: $1.34 vs analyst expectations of $1.37 (2% miss) Management lowered its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $7.06 at the midpoint, a 0.7% decrease EBITDA guidance for the full year is $625 million at the midpoint, in line with analyst expectations Operating Margin: 24%, up from 18.1% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $5.82 billion Choice Hotels' first quarter results were shaped by expanded business travel demand and ongoing growth in its extended stay and midscale hotel segments. CEO Pat Pacious emphasized that business travelers made up 40% of the guest mix, up from previous periods, with sectors like construction and medical staffing driving longer-term bookings. The company's rewards program also saw an 8% increase in membership, now topping 70 million, contributing to higher direct bookings and guest engagement. Management noted that, despite increased macroeconomic uncertainty late in the quarter, Choice outperformed its peer chain scales in RevPAR and continued to gain market share in the economy and extended stay categories. CFO Scott Oaksmith pointed to a more affluent customer base and operational improvements such as new technology platforms and targeted profitability tools as key contributors to recent performance. Looking forward, Choice Hotels' updated guidance reflects a more cautious outlook, with management citing late-quarter softness and a challenging macroeconomic backdrop as reasons for trimming full-year adjusted EPS expectations. CEO Pat Pacious stated, 'Recent trends are informing our more conservative RevPAR assumptions, but our diversified portfolio and strategic investments position us to remain resilient.' The company expects future growth to be driven by increases in effective royalty rates, expansion in higher-yielding brands, and the growing contribution from ancillary revenue streams like partnership services and co-branded credit card fees. Management also highlighted international expansion and conversion of independent hotels to Choice brands as ongoing priorities. CFO Scott Oaksmith warned that continued macro uncertainty and shorter booking windows could weigh on near-term performance, but expressed confidence that strong pipeline execution and cost control measures will help mitigate these risks. Management attributed the quarter's performance to growth in business and group travel, loyalty program expansion, and targeted brand investments, while noting ongoing macroeconomic headwinds impacting late-quarter trends. Business travel growth: Choice reported a 10% year-over-year increase in business travel revenue, driven by sectors such as construction, utilities, and regional sales, which management believes are less sensitive to economic cycles. This mix shift to higher-income, business-focused guests is seen as supporting resilience across the portfolio. Extended stay and midscale momentum: The company's extended stay hotel system grew by 11% domestically, with strong demand for brands like Everhome Suites. Management cited extended stay and midscale as the most attractive segments for developers and owners, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty. Loyalty program engagement: The Choice Privileges rewards program surpassed 70 million members, up 8% year over year. These guests accounted for a higher share of direct bookings and exhibited greater retention, with reward night redemptions up 28% versus the prior year. Technology and franchisee tools: Recent investments in new web and mobile platforms, as well as cost-saving tools for franchisees, were credited with improving booking conversion rates, especially for upscale properties, and reducing owner operating costs by up to 20%. Conversion and international expansion: Choice accelerated the conversion of independent hotels to its brands, with 73% of Q1 openings coming from conversions. The company also grew its international room portfolio by 4%, with a 13% increase in its pipeline outside the United States, highlighting growth opportunities in regions like Latin America and Canada. Management expects flat to modestly positive revenue growth, with future results hinging on brand mix, ancillary revenue streams, and disciplined cost management. Pipeline and conversion focus: The company is prioritizing the rapid movement of hotels from its pipeline into its system, particularly through conversions. Management highlighted that conversion hotels are typically brought online within three to six months, accelerating revenue capture and franchisee adoption. Ancillary revenue and partnership growth: Choice aims to grow its partnership services and fees, including co-branded credit card income and vendor partnerships. Management expects these streams to contribute incremental EBITDA growth, independent of RevPAR trends, as more franchisees and guests engage with these offerings. Macro and booking risks: Management flagged ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, shorter booking windows, and shifting consumer travel patterns as key risks. The company's guidance assumes continued softness in RevPAR, offset by cost controls and a focus on higher-yield brands and services. In the months ahead, the StockStory team will monitor (1) the pace at which Choice converts pipeline hotels into operating properties, (2) growth in ancillary revenues from partnerships and loyalty programs, and (3) management's ability to sustain market share gains in midscale and extended stay segments despite macroeconomic headwinds. Progress in international expansion and effectiveness of new technology platforms will also be key indicators of execution. Choice Hotels currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 18×. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it's free). The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Miami Herald
World Map Shows Countries That Owe China Money
Once the world's largest financier, China has in recent years become its top debt collector as grace periods expire on billions of dollars in loans issued to the global south. This year, a record $22 billion in debt to China is due from 75 of the world's poorest countries, according to a recent report from the Australian think tank the Lowy Institute. A Newsweek map based on World Bank data charts the external debts owed to China by more than 100 countries. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment by email. China's lending spree peaked in the 2010s, generating more than $1 trillion in obligations tied to infrastructure projects under President Xi Jinping's flagship Belt and Road Initiative. U.S. officials have blasted the initiative as "debt trap diplomacy"—leveraging loans to gain control of critical infrastructure. China rejects this, saying its overseas lending operates on mutually beneficial terms. But as repayments mount, the burden will strain developing economies and divert resources from priorities such as health care, education and poverty reduction, the Lowy Institute wrote. China accounted for about 5 percent, or $441.8 billion, of the $8.8 trillion in public external debt owed by all low- and middle-income countries, according to data from the World Bank's 2024 report on International Debt Statistics. The figures cover the external debt stocks of public and publicly guaranteed debt to China, alongside countries' total external debt stocks as of the end of 2023. In absolute terms, Pakistan tops the list of Chinese debtors, owing $22.6 billion—almost a sixth of its $130.8 billion external debt. Argentina follows with $21.2 billion of its $266.2 billion external debt, and Angola owes Beijing $17.9 billion of its $57 billion external debt. When measured by the share of total debt owed to China, Djibouti is the most exposed, with more than 40 percent of its $3.4 billion external debt tied to Chinese lenders. In Laos, Chinese loans make up 30 percent of its $20.3 billion debt burden. Zambia follows with about 27 percent of its $29 billion debt owed to China. Riley Duke, a research fellow for the Lowy Institute, wrote in his May report: "China is grappling with a dilemma of its own making: it faces growing diplomatic pressure to restructure unsustainable debt, and mounting domestic pressure to recover outstanding debts, particularly from its quasi-commercial institutions." Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told reporters on May 27: "I can tell you that China's cooperation on investment and financing with developing countries follows international practice, market principles, and the principle of debt sustainability." China is under growing international pressure to work with debt-strapped nations on restructuring their obligations. This could give the West a chance to regain some influence lost to China in the developing world, Duke wrote. Yet Washington may struggle to seize the moment, as the Trump administration scales back international engagement and U.S. soft power—pulling out of the World Health Organization, slashing the United States Agency for International Development's budget and planning deep cuts to the State Department. Related Articles US Ally Intercepts Chinese Naval Fleet Crossing Near TerritoryChina Breaks Silence on Minerals Chokehold Threatening Trump and US AlliesTrump, Xi Break Trade Deadlock, Invite Each Other for Visits'Game-Changing' Anti-Ship Weapon Tested by US Stealth Bomber 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.


Business Upturn
3 hours ago
- Business Upturn
GHV Infra Projects receives Rs 546 crore road project in Mumbai from related group company
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on June 6, 2025, 17:17 IST GHV Infra Projects Limited has announced the receipt of a significant work order valued at approximately Rs 546 crore (excluding GST) for strengthening and improving various roads in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The order was awarded by M/s. GHV (India) Private Limited, a related group company. The road construction project, which falls under domestic contracts, is expected to be completed within 24 months. The nature of the relationship between the two entities is noteworthy—Mr. Jahidmohmed H. Vijapura, deemed promoter of GHV Infra Projects, is also a Director and shareholder in GHV (India) Private Limited, the awarding company. Despite this association, the company confirmed that the order has been awarded on an arm's length basis. This work order is expected to enhance GHV Infra's execution pipeline and reinforce its position in the urban infrastructure segment, particularly in Maharashtra's capital. Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Stock market investments are subject to market risks. Always conduct your own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions. Author or Business Upturn is not liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.