Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) Given “Outperform” Rating at BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed their outperform rating on shares of Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) in a research report report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. BMO Capital Markets currently has a $4,205.00 target price on the business services provider’s stock, up from their previous target price of $4,150.00.

A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Booking from $3,080.00 to $3,610.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. Edward Jones reiterated a hold rating on shares of Booking in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Benchmark restated a hold rating on shares of Booking in a research report on Friday. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Finally, DA Davidson raised their price target on Booking from $4,100.00 to $4,150.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Booking presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $3,823.00.

Booking Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of Booking stock opened at $3,598.41 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.99, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.40. Booking has a twelve month low of $2,456.93 and a twelve month high of $3,918.00. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $3,526.40 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3,412.40.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The business services provider reported $20.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.03 by $6.36. Booking had a negative return on equity of 288.35% and a net margin of 21.81%. The firm had revenue of $4.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.25 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $11.60 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.9% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Booking will post 176.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th were paid a dividend of $8.75 per share. This represents a $35.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 7th. Booking’s dividend payout ratio is presently 26.25%.

Insider Transactions at Booking

In related news, Director Radakovich Lynn Vojvodich sold 59 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,700.00, for a total value of $218,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 289 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,069,300. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Paulo Pisano sold 300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,485.00, for a total value of $1,045,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,233 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,752,005. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Radakovich Lynn Vojvodich sold 59 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,700.00, for a total transaction of $218,300.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 289 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,069,300. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 5,483 shares of company stock valued at $18,891,445 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Booking

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Activest Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Booking in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Naples Money Management LLC purchased a new position in Booking in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Booking in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

About Booking

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.