Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) Shares Sold by Schroder Investment Management Group

Schroder Investment Management Group reduced its holdings in shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 3.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 412,822 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 15,629 shares during the period. Booking accounts for approximately 1.9% of Schroder Investment Management Group’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Schroder Investment Management Group owned approximately 1.18% of Booking worth $1,464,370,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Activest Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Naples Money Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Bourgeon Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Booking Price Performance

Booking stock traded up $11.75 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $3,813.09. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 161,377 shares, compared to its average volume of 200,532. The stock has a market cap of $129.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.40. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $3,641.60 and a 200-day moving average price of $3,543.90. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 12 month low of $2,579.36 and a 12 month high of $3,918.00.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The business services provider reported $20.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.03 by $6.36. The business had revenue of $4.42 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.25 billion. Booking had a net margin of 21.81% and a negative return on equity of 288.35%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $11.60 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 178.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Booking Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 7th will be paid a dividend of $8.75 per share. This represents a $35.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 7th. Booking’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating and issued a $3,950.00 price target on shares of Booking in a report on Monday, May 6th. Wedbush reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $3,850.00 price target on shares of Booking in a report on Tuesday, April 30th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Booking from $3,800.00 to $4,500.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, May 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Booking from $3,950.00 to $4,025.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 3rd. Finally, Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Booking in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $3,902.54.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold 4,302 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,422.75, for a total transaction of $14,724,670.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 33,548 shares in the company, valued at $114,826,417. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold 4,302 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,422.75, for a total transaction of $14,724,670.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 33,548 shares in the company, valued at $114,826,417. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Radakovich Lynn Vojvodich sold 28 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,498.29, for a total transaction of $97,952.12. Following the transaction, the director now owns 233 shares in the company, valued at approximately $815,101.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 5,351 shares of company stock valued at $18,440,475. Insiders own 0.12% 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.