Martin Investment Management LLC Boosts Holdings in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Martin Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 1.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,857 shares of the business services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Booking comprises 2.9% of Martin Investment Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Martin Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Booking were worth $12,034,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Booking in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust grew its position in shares of Booking by 133.3% in the second quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 7 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Booking in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Kings Path Partners LLC purchased a new position in Booking during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, West Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Booking during the third quarter worth $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Booking from $4,200.00 to $4,600.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Booking from $3,940.00 to $4,510.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday. Tigress Financial increased their price objective on Booking from $4,285.00 to $4,580.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Bank of America lifted their target price on Booking from $4,448.00 to $4,850.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, B. Riley increased 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. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $4,708.45.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Paulo Pisano sold 100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,887.61, for a total value of $388,761.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,787 shares in the company, valued at $14,722,379.07. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

Booking Trading Up 0.6 %

NASDAQ BKNG opened at $4,776.46 on Tuesday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $4,156.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3,896.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $158.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.41, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.38. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 12-month low of $2,888.45 and a 12-month high of $4,856.60.

Booking Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 6th will be issued a $8.75 dividend. This represents a $35.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.73%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 6th. Booking’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.75%.

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.