Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) Stock Price Target Cut by Citigroup

Key Points

• Citigroup cut Booking’s price target to $220 from $236 but maintained its Buy rating, implying 28.65% upside from the share price cited in the report.
• Analyst views remain broadly positive despite target reductions: MarketBeat’s consensus is “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target of $222.35.
• Booking beat Q3 earnings-per-share expectations, but an FTC-related impact and cautions about slower Q4 travel growth and softer international demand pose near-term risks.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by research analysts at Citigroup from $236.00 to $220.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a "buy" rating on the business services provider's stock. Citigroup's price target indicates a potential upside of 28.65% from the stock's current price.

Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Barclays lowered their price target on Booking from $210.00 to $170.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $200.00 price target (down from $230.00) on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday. Argus upped their price target on Booking from $210.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued a "positive" rating and issued a $179.00 price objective (down from $190.00) on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, BTIG Research restated a "buy" rating and issued a $250.00 price objective on shares of Booking in a research note on Wednesday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Booking currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $222.35.

Booking Price Performance

Shares of BKNG stock traded up $15.33 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $171.00. The company had a trading volume of 10,236,192 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,152,824. Booking has a one year low of $146.28 and a one year high of $220.81. The company has a market capitalization of $128.49 billion, a PE ratio of 18.93, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.17. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $168.99 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $176.70.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 3rd. The business services provider reported $4.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.49 by $0.17. Booking had a net margin of 25.53% and a negative return on equity of 102.96%. The business had revenue of $9.79 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $9.55 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $99.50 earnings per share. Booking's revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Booking will post 10.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Booking

In other news, Director Robert J. Mylod, Jr. sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total transaction of $200,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 14,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,800,000. This trade represents a 6.67% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CFO Ewout L. Steenbergen sold 20,000 shares of Booking stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.03, for a total transaction of $4,220,600.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 59,794 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,618,327.82. This trade represents a 25.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 77,425 shares of company stock valued at $16,004,164 in the last quarter. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Booking

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Booking by 2.6% during the third quarter. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC now owns 3,576 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $583,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management grew its holdings in Booking by 34.6% in the 3rd quarter. Joseph Group Capital Management now owns 315 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP bought a new position in Booking in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $342,000. Accuvest Global Advisors acquired a new stake in Booking in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $499,000. Finally, StoneRidge PMG Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Booking in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $577,000. 92.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Booking

Here are the key news stories impacting Booking this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Booking beat Q3 adjusted EPS expectations, while room nights rose 7% and adjusted EBITDA increased 9%. Growth in room nights and gross bookings points to continued travel demand. Booking Holdings Q3 Earnings Beat on Travel Growth, Revenues Miss
• Positive Sentiment: Management highlighted AI-powered booking tools, loyalty programs and cost controls as opportunities to support future growth and efficiency. BKNG Q3 Earnings Call Highlights Travel Slowdown and AI Push
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts lowered several price targets after results, including JPMorgan’s reduction to $205 and Barclays’ to $170, but retained positive ratings. Other firms also cut targets while maintaining Buy or Outperform ratings, leaving views mixed. These Analysts Slash Their Forecasts On Booking Holdings Following Q3 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed expectations, in part due to an approximately $900 million FTC-related impact. Booking also cautioned that Q4 travel growth will slow amid softer international demand, geopolitical turmoil and higher airfares—risks that could weigh on near-term results. Booking Holdings takes $900 million hit to quarterly revenue linked to FTC action

Booking Company Profile

Booking Holdings Inc is a global online travel and restaurant-reservation company that connects consumers with travel providers through digital platforms and mobile applications. Its services include accommodations, flights, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages, restaurant reservations and other travel-related offerings.

The company operates a portfolio of well-known brands, including Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK, OpenTable, Rentalcars.com and Kayak-associated travel services.

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