Rathbones Group PLC Has $312.53 Million Stake in Booking Holdings Inc. $BKNG

Rathbones Group PLC increased its position in shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 8.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 53,985 shares of the business services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,246 shares during the period. Booking comprises about 1.3% of Rathbones Group PLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Rathbones Group PLC’s holdings in Booking were worth $312,532,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BKNG. Atwood & Palmer Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Booking during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Booking by 400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 5 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Booking during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. O Brien Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Booking during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, First PREMIER Bank increased its position in Booking by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. First PREMIER Bank now owns 6 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 3 shares during the period. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Booking Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:BKNG opened at $4,940.00 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $159.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.34. The business’s 50-day moving average is $5,311.14 and its 200-day moving average is $5,407.51. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 1 year low of $4,096.23 and a 1 year high of $5,839.41.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The business services provider reported $99.50 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $95.56 by $3.94. The business had revenue of $9.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.71 billion. Booking had a negative return on equity of 134.86% and a net margin of 19.37%.The firm’s revenue was up 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $83.39 earnings per share. Booking has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. Analysts anticipate that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 209.92 EPS for the current year.

Booking Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a $9.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $38.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Booking’s payout ratio is currently 24.96%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Booking from $5,640.00 to $6,050.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $5,433.00 target price on shares of Booking in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Erste Group Bank raised Booking from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, Seaport Global Securities lifted their price objective on Booking from $6,030.00 to $6,260.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $6,121.23.

Insider Activity at Booking

In related news, Director Larry Quinlan sold 64 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5,511.80, for a total transaction of $352,755.20. Following the transaction, the director owned 131 shares in the company, valued at $722,045.80. The trade was a 32.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Glenn D. Fogel sold 1,013 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5,516.92, for a total transaction of $5,588,639.96. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 23,607 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $130,237,930.44. The trade was a 4.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 3,197 shares of company stock worth $17,260,963 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

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.