Abacus FCF Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG - Free Report) by 76.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,587 shares of the business services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,123 shares during the quarter. Booking accounts for 1.7% of Abacus FCF Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Abacus FCF Advisors LLC's holdings in Booking were worth $12,853,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in BKNG. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its stake in Booking by 125.8% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 35,467 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $176,217,000 after buying an additional 19,763 shares in the last quarter. Elgethun Capital Management lifted its position in shares of Booking by 7.4% in the fourth quarter. Elgethun Capital Management now owns 102 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $507,000 after acquiring an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Rathbones Group PLC boosted its stake in shares of Booking by 2.9% in the fourth quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 47,300 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $235,006,000 after acquiring an additional 1,321 shares during the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new stake in shares of Booking in the fourth quarter worth approximately $67,571,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Booking by 2.7% during the fourth quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 11,366 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $55,398,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. 92.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Booking Stock Performance
Shares of BKNG traded up $91.89 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $4,586.53. 304,917 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 248,388. The company has a market cap of $150.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.37. The stock's 50-day moving average is $4,715.54 and its 200-day moving average is $4,769.51. Booking Holdings Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $3,180.00 and a fifty-two week high of $5,337.24.
Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The business services provider reported $41.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $35.82 by $5.73. Booking had a net margin of 24.78% and a negative return on equity of 159.34%. The company had revenue of $5.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.18 billion. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 209.92 EPS for the current year.
Booking Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 7th were issued a dividend of $9.60 per share. This is an increase from Booking's previous quarterly dividend of $8.75. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 7th. This represents a $38.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. Booking's dividend payout ratio is 22.19%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Several brokerages have issued reports on BKNG. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Booking from $5,250.00 to $5,900.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Benchmark boosted their price target on shares of Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,900.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Piper Sandler reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $5,120.00 price objective (up previously from $4,900.00) on shares of Booking in a report on Friday, February 21st. BTIG Research upgraded Booking from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $5,500.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday, April 4th. Finally, DA Davidson increased their price target on Booking from $5,005.00 to $5,800.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Booking presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $5,327.28.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BKNG
Booking Company Profile
(
Free Report)
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.
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