Aureus Asset Management LLC Trims Holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Aureus Asset Management LLC decreased its stake in shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 16.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,952 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 1,523 shares during the quarter. Booking comprises 2.2% of Aureus Asset Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 21st largest position. Aureus Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Booking were worth $33,493,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BKNG. Cetera Advisors LLC raised its position in Booking by 45.9% in the first 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 during the period. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in 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 purchasing an additional 17 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new stake in Booking in the second quarter valued at $32,000. Bank & Trust Co purchased a new stake in Booking in the second quarter valued at $59,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Booking by 14.6% in the second quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 110 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $436,000 after buying an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Booking Stock Performance

Booking stock opened at $5,201.98 on Monday. Booking Holdings Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $3,079.50 and a fifty-two week high of $5,237.00. The company has a market capitalization of $172.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.30, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.38. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $4,599.47 and a 200-day simple moving average of $4,093.76.

Booking Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BKNG shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Booking from $4,200.00 to $4,300.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Robert W. Baird started coverage on Booking in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $5,850.00 price objective for the company. Tigress Financial lifted their price objective on Booking from $4,580.00 to $5,600.00 and gave the company a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 18th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Booking from $3,560.00 to $4,900.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price objective on Booking from $4,100.00 to $5,500.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Booking currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $4,820.50.

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.