Nicolet Advisory Services LLC Sells 5 Shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Nicolet Advisory Services LLC lowered its position in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 2.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 236 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 5 shares during the period. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Booking were worth $1,119,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BKNG. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc purchased a new position in Booking during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Booking during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new position in Booking during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. grew its position in Booking by 600.0% in the 4th quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 7 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Promus Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Booking during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Booking Trading Up 0.1 %

Booking stock opened at $4,689.30 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $153.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.40. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 1-year low of $3,180.00 and a 1-year high of $5,337.24. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $4,774.08 and a 200-day moving average of $4,750.13.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The business services provider reported $41.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $35.82 by $5.73. The firm had revenue of $5.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.18 billion. Booking had a net margin of 24.78% and a negative return on equity of 159.34%. Research analysts forecast that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 209.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Booking Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th were issued a dividend of $9.60 per share. This represents a $38.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.82%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 7th. This is a boost from Booking’s previous quarterly dividend of $8.75. Booking’s payout ratio is 22.19%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $5,120.00 price objective (up from $4,900.00) on shares of Booking in a report on Friday, February 21st. Wedbush upped 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. Benchmark raised their price target on shares of Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,900.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Booking from $4,600.00 to $5,000.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, Cfra upgraded Booking from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $5,370.43.

Booking 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.