Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) Short Interest Update

Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 624,100 shares, a decrease of 21.7% from the October 31st total of 796,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 222,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.8 days. Approximately 1.9% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Booking Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ BKNG traded up $12.42 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $5,214.40. The company had a trading volume of 92,415 shares, compared to its average volume of 246,481. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $4,599.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4,093.76. The company has a market capitalization of $172.60 billion, a PE ratio of 35.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.38. Booking has a one year low of $3,104.48 and a one year high of $5,237.00.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 6th will be given 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%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Booking from $3,900.00 to $5,250.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. B. Riley upped their price target on Booking from $4,650.00 to $5,100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Citigroup lifted their target price on Booking from $4,100.00 to $5,500.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. DA Davidson increased their price target on shares of Booking from $4,100.00 to $5,005.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and set a $4,600.00 price target on shares of Booking in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $4,820.50.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Booking

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BKNG. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of Booking by 707.2% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 7,241 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $26,270,000 after purchasing an additional 6,344 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC increased its stake in Booking by 45.9% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 986 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $3,577,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares in the last quarter. Mosaic Family Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Booking during the first quarter worth $308,000. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Booking by 24.6% in the second quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 86 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $340,000 after buying an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp grew its holdings in shares of Booking by 77.6% during the second quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 103 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $408,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.