Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) Earns Buy Rating from Analysts at Rosenblatt Securities

Rosenblatt Securities initiated coverage on shares of Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) in a report released on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $245.00 price objective on the business services provider’s stock.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $270.00 price objective on shares of Booking in a research note on Monday, August 24th. Benchmark increased their price target on Booking from $220.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. DA Davidson set a $240.00 price target on Booking in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price objective on Booking from $175.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Booking from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Booking presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $236.70.

Booking Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of BKNG opened at $195.13 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $194.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $178.29. The company has a market cap of $146.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.07. Booking has a twelve month low of $150.14 and a twelve month high of $226.10.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 3rd. The business services provider reported $2.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.43 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $7.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.19 billion. Booking had a net margin of 25.53% and a negative return on equity of 102.96%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $55.40 EPS. Analysts predict that Booking will post 10.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced 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 yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 11th. Booking’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.58%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Booking

In other news, Director Vanessa Wittman sold 1,125 shares of Booking stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.00, for a total transaction of $216,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 16,508 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,169,536. The trade was a 6.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Paulo Pisano sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $203.48, for a total value of $610,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 73,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,935,432. The trade was a 3.93% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last quarter, insiders sold 81,550 shares of company stock valued at $16,922,744. 0.17% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Booking

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG acquired a new stake in shares of Booking during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $11,687,000. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC lifted its stake in shares of Booking by 2,860.8% in the 2nd quarter. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC now owns 12,554 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $2,238,000 after purchasing an additional 12,130 shares during the period. Life Cycle Investment Partners Ltd purchased a new stake in Booking during the fourth quarter worth $361,463,000. Merit Financial Group LLC grew its position in Booking by 1,663.9% during the second quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 28,698 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $5,115,000 after buying an additional 27,071 shares during the period. Finally, Rit Capital Partners PLC acquired a new stake in Booking during the fourth quarter valued at $51,396,000. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Booking News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Booking this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Rosenblatt initiated coverage with a Strong Buy recommendation and reportedly set a $245 price target, indicating substantial potential upside from recent trading levels. The bullish view may support BKNG by highlighting its positioning among online travel companies. Rosenblatt initiates coverage of Booking Holdings
• Positive Sentiment: Booking’s capital-return profile remains attractive. A recent analysis noted that the company’s dividend and share repurchases together produce a total shareholder yield above 7%, which could appeal to value and income-oriented investors. Booking Holdings dividend and buyback analysis
• Positive Sentiment: Fundamentally, the latest quarter included 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 grew 8.1% year over year, while Booking declared a quarterly dividend of $0.42 per share.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary is generally favorable, but the stock’s post-earnings performance indicates that strong results have not yet translated into sustained upward momentum. Investors are likely focused on updated forecasts and the outlook for travel demand.
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider selling adds a modest negative headline. Director Robert Mylod Jr. sold 1,000 shares for $200,000, following insider Paulo Pisano’s sale of 3,000 shares for approximately $610,440. Both transactions were made under pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans, limiting their value as signals of deteriorating business prospects. Booking Holdings director 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.