Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) Reaches New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $5,258.20 and last traded at $5,238.73, with a volume of 44684 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5,224.28.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on shares of Booking from $4,900.00 to $5,200.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Booking from $3,940.00 to $4,510.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of Booking from $4,100.00 to $5,500.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Booking from $4,100.00 to $5,500.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Booking from $4,200.00 to $4,300.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $4,820.50.

Booking Stock Up 0.6 %

The business’s 50-day moving average price is $4,664.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $4,122.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $173.55 billion, a PE ratio of 35.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.41.

Booking Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 6th will be issued a $8.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 6th. This represents a $35.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.67%. Booking’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.75%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Booking

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas acquired a new position in Booking in the third quarter worth approximately $18,508,000. Inspire Trust Co. N.A. increased its holdings in Booking by 404.4% in the third quarter. Inspire Trust Co. N.A. now owns 459 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,933,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Optimist Retirement Group LLC increased its holdings in Booking by 2.2% in the third quarter. Optimist Retirement Group LLC now owns 91 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $383,000 after buying an additional 2 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB grew its holdings in Booking by 27.6% during the third quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 1,550 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $6,529,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Booking by 3,561.9% during the third quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,076 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $12,955,000 after purchasing an additional 2,992 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

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.