Broadleaf Partners LLC Acquires Shares of 651 Booking Holdings Inc. $BKNG

Key Points

• Broadleaf Partners LLC has acquired a new stake in Booking Holdings Inc., purchasing 651 shares valued at approximately $2.999 million during the first quarter.
• Wall Street analysts are bullish on Booking's future, with several firms raising their target prices, including Susquehanna's increase to $6,500 and DA Davidson's to $6,500, highlighting a "strong buy" sentiment.
• In related news, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold over 1,000 shares for approximately $5.5 million, reducing his position by nearly 4% while insiders have sold a total of $22.5 million in stock in recent months.

Broadleaf Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 651 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,999,000.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Booking by 27.3% in the 1st quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 182 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $844,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Europe London LLP acquired a new position in Booking during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $15,054,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Booking during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Perigon Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Booking by 9.4% during the 1st quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 278 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,281,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Booking by 13.2% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 513 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $2,363,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the period. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Booking Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:BKNG traded down $90.00 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $5,615.68. 151,213 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 197,023. The company has a market capitalization of $182.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.41. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 1-year low of $3,700.97 and a 1-year high of $5,839.41. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $5,592.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5,167.73.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The business services provider reported $55.40 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $50.32 by $5.08. The business had revenue of $6.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.54 billion. Booking had a negative return on equity of 134.19% and a net margin of 19.23%.Booking's revenue was up 16.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $41.90 EPS. Booking has set its Q3 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 209.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Booking Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 5th will be given a $9.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 5th. This represents a $38.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. Booking's payout ratio is presently 26.71%.

Insider Transactions at Booking

In other Booking news, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold 1,013 shares of Booking stock in a transaction on Friday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5,476.89, for a total value of $5,548,089.57. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 24,620 shares in the company, valued at approximately $134,841,031.80. The trade was a 3.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,052 shares of company stock valued at $22,511,858. Insiders own 0.16% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $5,750.00 price target (up previously from $5,077.00) on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Booking in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Bank of America upped their price target on Booking from $5,820.00 to $5,850.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on Booking from $5,900.00 to $6,100.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised Booking to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $5,781.04.

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.