JMP Securities Issues Positive Forecast for Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) Stock Price

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Free Report) had its price objective boosted by JMP Securities from $5,600.00 to $5,700.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a market outperform rating on the business services provider's stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Citigroup boosted their price target on Booking from $5,500.00 to $5,800.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Booking from $5,100.00 to $5,600.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Booking from $5,250.00 to $5,900.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Booking from $5,550.00 to $5,700.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,700.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $5,262.41.

Booking Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:BKNG traded up $101.37 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $5,202.80. The stock had a trading volume of 270,934 shares, compared to its average volume of 250,822. Booking has a 52 week low of $3,180.00 and a 52 week high of $5,337.24. The firm's fifty day moving average is $4,652.67 and its 200 day moving average is $4,821.83. The stock has a market cap of $169.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.37.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The business services provider reported $24.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $17.57 by $7.24. Booking had a negative return on equity of 159.34% and a net margin of 24.78%. The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $20.39 EPS. The business's revenue was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Booking will post 209.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Booking Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th were issued a $9.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 7th. This is a positive change from Booking's previous quarterly dividend of $8.75. This represents a $38.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.74%. Booking's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.89%.

Institutional Trading of Booking

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc bought a new stake in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Booking during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new stake in Booking in the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new position in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Promus Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Booking in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by 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.