Abacus FCF Advisors LLC Boosts Stock Holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Abacus FCF Advisors LLC raised its position in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG - Free Report) by 53.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,974 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 1,387 shares during the quarter. Booking makes up about 2.9% of Abacus FCF Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Abacus FCF Advisors LLC's holdings in Booking were worth $18,308,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Point72 Europe London LLP acquired a new position in Booking in the 4th quarter valued at $15,054,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Booking by 20.3% during the fourth quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 905 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $4,495,000 after buying an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp increased its holdings in Booking by 160.0% in the 4th quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 1,300 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $6,459,000 after buying an additional 800 shares during the period. Hickory Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,624,000. Finally, Asset Management One Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Booking by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 17,177 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $86,527,000 after acquiring an additional 438 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.42% of the company's stock.

Booking Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NASDAQ BKNG traded down $21.70 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $5,466.28. 262,776 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 247,116. The stock has a market capitalization of $177.87 billion, a PE ratio of 31.59, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.41. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 52 week low of $3,180.00 and a 52 week high of $5,639.70. The company's 50 day moving average price is $5,028.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $4,937.42.

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

Booking Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 6th will be paid a dividend of $9.60 per share. This represents a $38.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 6th. Booking's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,700.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $5,900.00 target price on shares of Booking in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Booking from $5,120.00 to $5,077.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 28th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of Booking from $5,005.00 to $5,800.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Finally, B. Riley boosted their target price on shares of Booking from $6,000.00 to $6,100.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $5,388.37.

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.