EULAV Asset Management Lowers Holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

EULAV Asset Management decreased its stake in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 24.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,752 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 900 shares during the quarter. EULAV Asset Management’s holdings in Booking were worth $11,592,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BKNG. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Booking in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust boosted its position in Booking by 133.3% during the second quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 7 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Booking during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Kings Path Partners LLC purchased a new position in Booking during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, West Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Booking during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Booking Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ BKNG opened at $4,976.99 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $164.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.38. The business has a 50-day moving average of $4,407.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4,012.03. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 1 year low of $3,079.50 and a 1 year high of $5,069.44.

Booking Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. This represents a $35.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 6th. Booking’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.75%.

Insider Transactions at Booking

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on BKNG shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Booking from $4,200.00 to $4,300.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Booking from $3,900.00 to $5,250.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Booking from $4,205.00 to $5,155.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Wedbush raised their target price on Booking from $3,900.00 to $4,750.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, JMP Securities raised their target price on Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,400.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $4,785.00.

Booking 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.