Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) Downgraded to "Hold" Rating by Erste Group Bank

Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Booking from $5,155.00 to $5,900.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Wedbush increased their price target on Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,500.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Booking from $4,470.00 to $5,248.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. UBS Group increased their price target on Booking from $5,560.00 to $5,960.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Booking from $5,500.00 to $5,800.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $5,370.43.

Booking Stock Up 0.6 %

NASDAQ BKNG traded up $28.23 on Monday, reaching $4,617.26. The company had a trading volume of 574,374 shares, compared to its average volume of 232,613. The stock's 50 day moving average is $4,789.60 and its 200-day moving average is $4,700.90. The stock has a market cap of $151.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.68, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.40. Booking has a 52 week low of $3,180.00 and a 52 week high of $5,337.24.

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Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 20th. The business services provider reported $41.55 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $35.82 by $5.73. The business had revenue of $5.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.18 billion. Booking had a negative return on equity of 159.34% and a net margin of 24.78%. As a group, analysts forecast that Booking will post 209.92 EPS for the current year.

Booking Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be given a $9.60 dividend. This represents a $38.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.83%. This is a boost from Booking's previous quarterly dividend of $8.75. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 7th. Booking's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.19%.

Institutional Trading of Booking

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc acquired a new stake in Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Promus Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 92.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.