EP Wealth Advisors LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 4.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 832 shares of the business services provider’s stock after buying an additional 39 shares during the quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in Booking were worth $3,295,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BKNG. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Booking during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust boosted its position in Booking by 133.3% in the second quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 7 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Booking in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Kings Path Partners LLC purchased a new position in Booking during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Booking in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Paulo Pisano sold 100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,887.61, for a total transaction of $388,761.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,787 shares in the company, valued at $14,722,379.07. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold 750 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $4,067.65, for a total value of $3,050,737.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 24,721 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $100,556,375.65. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, 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 transaction, the insider now owns 3,787 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,722,379.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

Booking Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of BKNG opened at $4,212.12 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $142.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.40. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $3,795.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $3,758.88. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 12-month low of $2,733.04 and a 12-month high of $4,272.88.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $41.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $39.22 by $2.68. Booking had a negative return on equity of 200.87% and a net margin of 22.46%. The company had revenue of $5.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.77 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $37.62 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 176.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th were given a dividend of $8.75 per share. This represents a $35.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 6th. Booking’s dividend payout ratio is presently 26.25%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Booking from $4,500.00 to $4,200.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Truist Financial initiated coverage on shares of Booking in a report on Friday, September 6th. They set a “hold” rating and a $4,100.00 target price for the company. B. Riley lowered their price target on shares of Booking from $4,900.00 to $4,650.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 2nd. DA Davidson dropped their price target on shares of Booking from $4,150.00 to $4,100.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Wedbush upped their price objective on shares of Booking from $3,850.00 to $4,200.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Booking presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $4,064.21.

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.