Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the thirty-five research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $6,121.2333.

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $6,000.00 price objective (up previously from $5,700.00) on shares of Booking in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Robert W. Baird set a $6,325.00 price target on Booking in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Truist Financial set a $5,810.00 price target on Booking in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Booking from $5,500.00 to $6,250.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Booking from $5,900.00 to $6,100.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th.

Booking Stock Down 0.8%

Shares of Booking stock opened at $4,991.76 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $160.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.44, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.35. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $5,353.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $5,405.35. Booking has a 52-week low of $4,096.23 and a 52-week high of $5,839.41.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The business services provider reported $99.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $95.56 by $3.94. Booking had a net margin of 19.37% and a negative return on equity of 134.86%. The company had revenue of $9.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.71 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $83.39 earnings per share. Booking’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Booking has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Booking will post 209.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a dividend of $9.60 per share. This represents a $38.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Booking’s payout ratio is presently 24.96%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold 625 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5,141.53, for a total value of $3,213,456.25. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 22,982 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $118,162,642.46. This represents a 2.65% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Vanessa Ames Wittman sold 15 shares of Booking stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5,291.98, for a total value of $79,379.70. Following the sale, the director directly owned 732 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,873,729.36. This represents a 2.01% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 3,197 shares of company stock valued at $17,260,963 over the last ninety days. 0.16% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Booking

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Booking by 150.0% during the 3rd quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 5 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares during the period. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new position in shares of Booking during the third quarter worth $27,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Booking during the first quarter worth $28,000. Atwood & Palmer Inc. acquired a new position in Booking during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Booking by 400.0% in the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 5 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

About Booking

Booking Holdings Inc, formerly The Priceline Group Inc, is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company, through its online travel companies (OTCs), connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services across the world. It offers consumers an array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands.