Country Trust Bank Sells 1,982 Shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Country Trust Bank lowered its holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 19.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,382 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 1,982 shares during the period. Booking comprises about 1.0% of Country Trust Bank’s portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest holding. Country Trust Bank’s holdings in Booking were worth $41,645,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BKNG. Narus Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Booking in the 4th quarter valued at about $248,000. Quantum Financial Planning Services Inc. bought a new position in Booking in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd increased its position in shares of Booking by 58.1% during the 4th quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 4,244 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $21,129,000 after purchasing an additional 1,559 shares during the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN increased its position in shares of Booking by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN now owns 160 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $795,000 after purchasing an additional 9 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Abel Hall LLC bought a new stake in shares of Booking during the 4th quarter worth approximately $215,000. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Booking Stock Up 1.1 %

NASDAQ:BKNG opened at $4,774.33 on Friday. Booking Holdings Inc. has a twelve month low of $3,180.00 and a twelve month high of $5,337.24. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $5,000.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4,426.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $158.03 billion, a PE ratio of 32.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.41.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on BKNG. Wedbush boosted their target price on shares of Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,500.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. B. Riley lifted their price target on Booking from $4,650.00 to $5,100.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Mizuho upped their price objective on Booking from $5,400.00 to $6,000.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. DA Davidson raised their price objective on Booking from $4,100.00 to $5,005.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on Booking from $4,850.00 to $5,522.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 18th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $5,044.43.

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.