Brokerages Set Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) Price Target at $5,299.29

Shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the thirty-one ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $5,299.29.

Several research analysts have recently commented on BKNG shares. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Booking from $5,500.00 to $5,800.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Booking from $4,567.00 to $4,692.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of Booking from $5,120.00 to $5,077.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 28th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Booking from $5,960.00 to $5,557.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Booking from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th.

Booking Price Performance

Shares of BKNG stock opened at $5,262.42 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $171.24 billion, a PE ratio of 30.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a 50-day moving average of $4,689.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4,862.12. Booking has a 1-year low of $3,180.00 and a 1-year high of $5,337.24.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The business services provider reported $24.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $17.57 by $7.24. Booking had a net margin of 24.78% and a negative return on equity of 159.34%. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $20.39 earnings per share. Booking’s revenue was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Booking will post 209.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 6th will be given a $9.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 6th. This represents a $38.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.73%. Booking’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.89%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Booking

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc purchased a new position in Booking in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Booking in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new position in Booking in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new position in Booking in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Valley National Advisers Inc. grew its position in Booking by 600.0% in the 4th quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 7 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 6 shares during the last quarter. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Booking Company Profile

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.