United Asset Strategies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG – Free Report) by 105.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,304 shares of the business services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,280 shares during the period. United Asset Strategies Inc.’s holdings in Booking were worth $1,679,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BKNG. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new stake in Booking in the first quarter valued at about $345,000. Alesco Advisors LLC An ESL Co acquired a new position in Booking during the first quarter worth about $400,000. Ascentis Independent Advisors lifted its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Inceptionr LLC bought a new position in shares of Booking in the first quarter worth about $505,000. Finally, Oslo Pensjonsforsikring AS bought a new position in shares of Booking in the first quarter worth about $509,000. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Insider Activity
In other news, Director Vanessa Wittman sold 375 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.00, for a total value of $79,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 16,133 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,404,063. This trade represents a 2.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Paulo Pisano sold 1,500 shares of Booking stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $163.06, for a total value of $244,590.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 70,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,479,424. This trade represents a 2.09% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 78,425 shares of company stock valued at $16,210,864. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Booking Stock Performance
Shares of BKNG opened at $150.43 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $113.03 billion, a PE ratio of 16.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.13. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 52-week low of $146.28 and a 52-week high of $220.81. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $172.49 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $177.59.
Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 3rd. The business services provider reported $2.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.43 by $0.11. Booking had a net margin of 25.53% and a negative return on equity of 102.96%. The business had revenue of $7.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $55.40 EPS. Booking’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 10.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Booking Dividend Announcement
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 11th were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 11th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Booking’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.58%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several research analysts have recently issued reports on BKNG shares. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Booking from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Truist Financial set a $216.00 price objective on Booking and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 30th. Argus boosted their price objective on Booking from $210.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, August 10th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $250.00 target price (up from $240.00) on shares of Booking in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of Booking in a report on Thursday, September 24th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $233.07.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Booking
Booking News Roundup
Here are the key news stories impacting Booking this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Booking’s prior-quarter results exceeded analyst expectations for both earnings and revenue, providing a favorable backdrop ahead of the November 3 report. Investors will be watching whether third-quarter travel demand and operating performance can sustain that momentum. Can This Number Push Booking Holdings Stock Higher?
- Neutral Sentiment: The earnings preview centers on Booking’s “Connected Trip” strategy, which aims to link lodging, flights, rental cars and other travel services. Investors are likely to seek evidence that the strategy is increasing customer engagement, bookings and long-term growth. The Connected Trip Gamble
- Neutral Sentiment: Analysts are looking beyond revenue and earnings per share to operating metrics for the quarter ended September 2026. These figures could determine whether the results are viewed as a beat, in line or disappointment. Exploring Analyst Estimates for Booking Holdings
- Neutral Sentiment: Heavy investor searches and unusually large options activity indicate heightened interest and potentially increased volatility around the earnings announcement, but neither necessarily signals a fundamental change in the business. Investors Heavily Search Booking Holdings Booking Sees Unusually Large Options Volume
- Negative Sentiment: Analyst views on Booking and other consumer-cyclical travel stocks remain mixed. The company’s shares have also been under pressure and are near their yearly low, increasing the risk of a sharp reaction if guidance or key operating metrics fall short. Analysts’ Opinions Are Mixed
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.
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