JT Stratford LLC Makes New Investment in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

JT Stratford LLC bought a new stake in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 48 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $238,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BKNG. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc bought a new stake in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. bought a new stake 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 during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 92.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Booking Price Performance

Shares of Booking stock traded up $118.94 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $5,451.74. 257,461 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 247,504. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 1-year low of $3,180.00 and a 1-year high of $5,471.79. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $4,839.33 and a 200-day moving average price of $4,899.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $177.40 billion, a PE ratio of 31.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.42.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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. Booking had a net margin of 24.78% and a negative return on equity of 159.34%. The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $20.39 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 209.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Booking Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on BKNG. Cantor Fitzgerald cut their target price on shares of Booking from $5,540.00 to $4,330.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Booking from $5,000.00 to $4,800.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. B. Riley lifted 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 report on Wednesday, April 30th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Booking from $5,100.00 to $5,600.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Booking from $5,550.00 to $5,700.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report 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 given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $5,299.29.

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.