Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) Stock Price Target Lowered at Citigroup

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) had its price objective dropped by stock analysts at Citigroup from $236.00 to $220.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the business services provider’s stock. Citigroup‘s price objective suggests a potential upside of 28.65% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on Booking from $220.00 to $205.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Booking from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Mizuho set a $205.00 price objective on Booking in a report on Wednesday. Wedbush cut their price objective on Booking from $247.00 to $210.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $175.00 target price on shares of Booking in a research note on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $222.35.

Booking Stock Up 9.8%

Booking stock traded up $15.33 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $171.00. 10,236,192 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,152,824. The firm has a market cap of $128.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.93, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.17. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $168.99 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $176.70. Booking has a 1-year low of $146.28 and a 1-year high of $220.81.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 3rd. The business services provider reported $4.66 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.49 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $9.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.55 billion. Booking had a net margin of 25.53% and a negative return on equity of 102.96%. Booking’s revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $99.50 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Booking will post 10.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Peter Millones, Jr. sold 50,050 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.59, for a total transaction of $10,389,879.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 375,025 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,851,439.75. This represents a 11.77% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Paulo Pisano sold 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $203.48, for a total value of $610,440.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 73,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,935,432. This represents a 3.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 77,425 shares of company stock valued at $16,004,164 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Booking

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new position in Booking during the 1st quarter worth approximately $345,000. Alesco Advisors LLC An ESL Co acquired a new stake in shares of Booking in the first quarter worth $400,000. Ascentis Independent Advisors boosted its position in shares of Booking by 163.6% in the first quarter. Ascentis Independent Advisors now owns 116 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $488,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the period. Inceptionr LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Booking in the first quarter worth $505,000. Finally, Oslo Pensjonsforsikring AS acquired a new position in Booking during the first quarter valued at $509,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Booking

Here are the key news stories impacting Booking this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Booking beat Q3 adjusted EPS expectations, while room nights rose 7% and adjusted EBITDA increased 9%. Growth in room nights and gross bookings points to continued travel demand. Booking Holdings Q3 Earnings Beat on Travel Growth, Revenues Miss
• Positive Sentiment: Management highlighted AI-powered booking tools, loyalty programs and cost controls as opportunities to support future growth and efficiency. BKNG Q3 Earnings Call Highlights Travel Slowdown and AI Push
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts lowered several price targets after results, including JPMorgan’s reduction to $205 and Barclays’ to $170, but retained positive ratings. Other firms also cut targets while maintaining Buy or Outperform ratings, leaving views mixed. These Analysts Slash Their Forecasts On Booking Holdings Following Q3 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed expectations, in part due to an approximately $900 million FTC-related impact. Booking also cautioned that Q4 travel growth will slow amid softer international demand, geopolitical turmoil and higher airfares—risks that could weigh on near-term results. Booking Holdings takes $900 million hit to quarterly revenue linked to FTC action

About Booking

Booking Holdings Inc is a global online travel and restaurant-reservation company that connects consumers with travel providers through digital platforms and mobile applications. Its services include accommodations, flights, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages, restaurant reservations and other travel-related offerings.

The company operates a portfolio of well-known brands, including Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK, OpenTable, Rentalcars.com and Kayak-associated travel services.