Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) Shares Sold by University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co.

University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. lowered its holdings in shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG - Free Report) by 15.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 850 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 152 shares during the period. Booking comprises 0.5% of University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co.'s portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co.'s holdings in Booking were worth $4,223,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc acquired a new position in Booking during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Booking in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Booking during the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. acquired a new stake in Booking in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Promus Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Booking in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.42% of the company's stock.

Booking Price Performance

Shares of Booking stock traded down $9.11 during trading on Monday, hitting $5,332.80. The company's stock had a trading volume of 152,419 shares, compared to its average volume of 247,463. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $4,824.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $4,897.17. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 52 week low of $3,180.00 and a 52 week high of $5,379.98. The stock has a market cap of $173.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.42.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The business services provider reported $24.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $20.39 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 209.92 EPS for the current fiscal 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 issued a dividend of $9.60 per share. This represents a $38.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 6th. Booking's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Booking from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Booking from $5,500.00 to $5,800.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Barclays increased their price objective on Booking from $5,100.00 to $5,600.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Erste Group Bank downgraded shares of Booking from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,700.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $5,299.29.

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.