North Dakota State Investment Board raised its holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG – Free Report) by 21.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,724 shares of the business services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,459 shares during the period. North Dakota State Investment Board’s holdings in Booking were worth $5,005,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Great Lakes Retirement Inc. grew its position in shares of Booking by 68.2% in the 3rd quarter. Great Lakes Retirement Inc. now owns 18,218 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $2,968,000 after purchasing an additional 7,387 shares during the period. Busey Bank bought a new stake in Booking during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $5,383,000. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR increased its stake in Booking by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 73,650 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $11,998,000 after purchasing an additional 1,548 shares in the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in Booking by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 355,596 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $57,930,000 after buying an additional 2,318 shares during the period. Finally, Balance Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Booking during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $47,000. 92.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Booking Stock Performance
NASDAQ BKNG opened at $147.94 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $111.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.37, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.13. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $173.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $177.93. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 52 week low of $146.28 and a 52 week high of $220.81.
Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 3rd. The business services provider reported $2.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.43 by $0.11. Booking had a negative return on equity of 102.96% and a net margin of 25.53%. The firm had revenue of $7.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $55.40 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 10.48 EPS for the current year.
Booking Announces Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 11th were issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 11th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Booking’s dividend payout ratio is presently 18.58%.
Key Booking News
Here are the key news stories impacting Booking this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Unusually high call-option activity indicates that some traders are positioning for a rebound. Nearly 48,851 call options changed hands, roughly 225% above typical daily volume, while another report described the activity as potentially signaling that the stock is undervalued. Booking Holdings unusual call options activity
- Positive Sentiment: Booking’s revenue trajectory has shown stronger upward momentum than Advance Auto Parts’ over the past eight comparable quarters. However, the pattern is seasonal, with notable late-summer peaks, so comparisons should be interpreted cautiously. Advance Auto Parts vs. Booking Holdings revenue comparison
- Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views on Booking are mixed, suggesting limited consensus on the stock’s near-term outlook and potentially contributing to continued volatility. Mixed analyst opinions on Booking Holdings
- Negative Sentiment: BKNG fell even as the wider market advanced, highlighting company-specific selling pressure. The decline followed several weak sessions and reinforced concerns about investor confidence. Booking Holdings stock drops despite market gains
- Negative Sentiment: The stock recently reached a fresh 52-week low, a technical warning that sellers remain in control and that investors may be demanding stronger earnings evidence before buying. Booking Holdings reaches a fresh 52-week low
- Negative Sentiment: Although analysts expect earnings to grow in the upcoming report, Zacks says Booking lacks the combination of factors that typically supports a likely earnings beat. That raises the risk of disappointment if results or guidance fail to exceed expectations. Booking Holdings earnings expectations
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $215.00 price target on shares of Booking and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, July 20th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Booking from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. DA Davidson set a $240.00 price objective on shares of Booking in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating and set a $250.00 price objective (up from $240.00) on shares of Booking in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Benchmark raised their price objective on shares of Booking from $220.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-six have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $233.71.
View Our Latest Stock Report on Booking
Insiders Place Their Bets
In other Booking news, VP Peter J. Millones sold 50,050 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.59, for a total transaction of $10,389,879.50. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 375,025 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $77,851,439.75. The trade was a 11.77% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Vanessa Wittman sold 375 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $211.00, for a total transaction of $79,125.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 16,133 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,404,063. This represents a 2.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 78,425 shares of company stock valued at $16,210,864 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.
Booking Profile
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.
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