Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 796,800 shares, an increase of 12.1% from the October 15th total of 710,500 shares. Approximately 2.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 216,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.7 days.

Booking Stock Up 0.1 %

BKNG stock traded up $4.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $4,975.19. 235,745 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 248,170. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $4,360.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3,983.56. Booking has a 12-month low of $3,079.50 and a 12-month high of $5,069.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $164.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.76, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.38.

Booking Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 6th will be given a dividend of $8.75 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 6th. This represents a $35.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.70%. Booking's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Booking from $4,900.00 to $5,200.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Booking from $3,976.00 to $4,173.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Booking from $4,200.00 to $4,600.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Booking from $5,050.00 to $5,550.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Booking from $4,025.00 to $3,860.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Booking has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $4,749.83.

Insider Activity

In other Booking news, insider Paulo Pisano sold 100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,887.61, for a total value of $388,761.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,787 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $14,722,379.07. This trade represents a 2.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.12% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Booking

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Booking in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust grew its stake in shares of Booking by 133.3% in the second quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 7 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Booking in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Kings Path Partners LLC purchased a new position in Booking in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, West Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Booking during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Booking Company Profile

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.