Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) Shares Sold by Whittier Trust Co.

Whittier Trust Co. reduced its position in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 589 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 24 shares during the quarter. Whittier Trust Co.’s holdings in Booking were worth $2,481,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BKNG. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Booking during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust increased its holdings in shares of Booking by 133.3% during the second quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 7 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Booking during the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Kings Path Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Booking in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, West Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Booking in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Paulo Pisano sold 100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,887.61, for a total transaction of $388,761.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,787 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,722,379.07. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

Booking Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ BKNG opened at $4,377.78 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $146.74 billion, a PE ratio of 30.65, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.40. Booking Holdings Inc. has a one year low of $2,733.04 and a one year high of $4,395.00. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $4,015.02 and a 200 day moving average of $3,835.37.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $41.90 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $39.22 by $2.68. The business had revenue of $5.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.77 billion. Booking had a net margin of 22.46% and a negative return on equity of 200.87%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $37.62 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 177.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 6th were issued a dividend of $8.75 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 6th. This represents a $35.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. Booking’s payout ratio is currently 24.50%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $3,900.00 price target on shares of Booking in a report on Monday, August 5th. Wedbush raised their target price on Booking from $3,850.00 to $4,200.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Booking from $4,500.00 to $4,200.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Benchmark cut their price objective on Booking from $4,700.00 to $4,600.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com raised Booking from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $4,133.75.

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.