Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Increases Holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 17.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 451 shares of the business services provider’s stock after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Booking were worth $2,252,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc purchased a new stake in shares of Booking in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Booking in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Booking by 600.0% in the 4th quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 7 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Booking by 80.0% in the 3rd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 9 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Booking by 66.7% in the 3rd quarter. Carmichael Hill & Associates Inc. now owns 10 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. 92.42% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Booking Stock Up 2.0 %

Booking stock opened at $5,016.01 on Friday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $4,898.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4,615.15. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 52 week low of $3,180.00 and a 52 week high of $5,337.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $164.60 billion, a PE ratio of 28.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.39.

Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The business services provider reported $41.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $35.82 by $5.73. The company 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%. On average, research analysts expect that Booking Holdings Inc. will post 209.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Booking Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be given a dividend of $9.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 7th. This represents a $38.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.77%. This is a boost from Booking’s previous quarterly dividend of $8.75. Booking’s payout ratio is presently 22.19%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Cfra raised Booking from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. JMP Securities restated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $5,400.00 price target on shares of Booking in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. DA Davidson boosted their price target on Booking from $5,005.00 to $5,800.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Benchmark boosted their price target on Booking from $5,000.00 to $5,900.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on 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. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Booking has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $5,370.43.

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.