Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) Upgraded by Rosenblatt Securities to Strong-Buy Rating

Rosenblatt Securities upgraded shares of Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Monday,Zacks reports.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. DA Davidson set a $240.00 price target on shares of Booking in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and issued a $236.00 price target (up from $225.00) on shares of Booking in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Bank of America reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $234.00 price target on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating and set a $250.00 target price (up from $240.00) on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Oppenheimer reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $240.00 price target (up from $215.00) on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $236.70.

Booking Trading Down 1.7%

BKNG opened at $195.69 on Monday. Booking has a 12 month low of $150.14 and a 12 month high of $226.10. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $193.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $177.91. The company has a market cap of $147.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 1.07.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 3rd. The business services provider reported $2.54 earnings per share (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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.19 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $55.40 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Booking will post 10.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Booking Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 11th will be paid a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 11th. Booking’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.58%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Paulo Pisano sold 3,000 shares of Booking stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.48, for a total transaction of $610,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 73,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,935,432. The trade was a 3.93% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, VP Peter J. Millones sold 50,050 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.59, for a total value of $10,389,879.50. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 375,025 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,851,439.75. This represents a 11.77% 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. Insiders have sold a total of 80,550 shares of company stock valued at $16,722,744 in the last quarter. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BKNG. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its stake in Booking by 1.7% in the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 121 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $700,000 after buying an additional 2 shares in the last quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC increased its holdings in shares of Booking by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC now owns 97 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $518,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares during the period. Diversify Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Booking by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 45 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $239,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares in the last quarter. Radnor Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Booking by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Radnor Capital Management LLC now owns 534 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $2,860,000 after purchasing an additional 3 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MJP Associates Inc. ADV boosted its position in Booking by 6.1% during the fourth quarter. MJP Associates Inc. ADV now owns 52 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $278,000 after purchasing an additional 3 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Booking

Here are the key news stories impacting Booking this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Rosenblatt Securities initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $245 price target, implying roughly 25% upside from the referenced price. The firm views Booking as the best-positioned online travel agency despite industry challenges, offering a potential catalyst for the shares. Rosenblatt sees Booking as the best-positioned online travel agency
• Positive Sentiment: Booking’s quarterly results exceeded expectations, with earnings of $2.54 per share versus a $2.43 consensus estimate and revenue of $7.35 billion versus expectations of $7.19 billion. Revenue increased 8.1% year over year, supporting the view that the company continues to benefit from travel demand.
• Positive Sentiment: Booking declared a quarterly dividend of $0.42 per share, or $1.68 annualized, representing a yield of approximately 0.9%. While modest, the payout may appeal to income-oriented investors and reflects continued shareholder returns.
• Neutral Sentiment: Priceline CEO Brigit Zimmerman discussed travel trends ahead of the Labor Day weekend. The comments could provide insight into demand and booking patterns, but the available report does not indicate whether the trends were favorable or unfavorable for Booking. Priceline CEO discusses travel trends
• Negative Sentiment: Booking has underperformed the broader market this year, potentially reflecting investor concerns about online travel growth or valuation. The company’s stock was reported down 6.66% year to date as of September 1, compared with an 11.65% gain for the S&P 500. Booking underperformance and Rosenblatt coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Insider Paulo Pisano sold 3,000 shares for approximately $610,440, reducing his position by 3.93%. Because the transaction occurred under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, it is a relatively weak signal of bearish conviction, but it may still create modest selling-pressure concerns. Booking insider stock sale

About Booking

Booking Holdings Inc is a global online travel company that operates a portfolio of consumer brands and technology platforms that facilitate the search for and booking of travel services. The company’s businesses focus on accommodations, transportation and related travel services through consumer-facing websites and apps as well as partner distribution channels. Booking Holdings was originally founded as Priceline in the late 1990s and adopted the Booking Holdings name in 2018; it is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Its core offerings include online reservations for hotels, vacation rentals and other lodging; flight and car rental search and booking; and ancillary services that support travel planning and on-property experiences.