PGGM Investments Cuts Holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

PGGM Investments decreased its stake in shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 6.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,371 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 748 shares during the quarter. PGGM Investments’ holdings in Booking were worth $40,335,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in shares of Booking by 16.5% during the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 127 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $392,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Booking by 27.5% during the 3rd quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 102 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $315,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Booking during the 3rd quarter worth about $204,000. Solidarity Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of Booking by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Solidarity Wealth LLC now owns 2,507 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $7,730,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new stake in shares of Booking in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,755,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Booking Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of BKNG stock traded up $18.60 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $3,521.08. 146,026 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 193,606. Booking Holdings Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $2,456.93 and a fifty-two week high of $3,918.00. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $3,547.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $3,383.62. The stock has a market cap of $119.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.85, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.40.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The business services provider reported $32.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $29.72 by $2.28. Booking had a negative return on equity of 751.49% and a net margin of 20.08%. The business had revenue of $4.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.71 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $24.74 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 176.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th were issued a $8.75 dividend. This represents a $35.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 7th. Booking’s payout ratio is currently 29.67%.

Insider Activity at Booking

In related news, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold 4,302 shares of Booking stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,422.75, for a total value 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Paulo Pisano sold 300 shares of Booking stock in a transaction on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $3,485.00, for a total value of $1,045,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,233 shares in the company, valued at $14,752,005. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold 4,302 shares of Booking stock in a transaction on Friday, March 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,422.75, for a total value of $14,724,670.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 33,548 shares in the company, valued at approximately $114,826,417. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 5,461 shares of company stock worth $18,815,825. 0.15% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently issued reports on BKNG shares. StockNews.com raised Booking from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Booking from $3,548.00 to $3,435.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Edward Jones reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Booking in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Seaport Res Ptn reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Booking in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price objective on Booking from $3,580.00 to $4,250.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $3,723.41.

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.