Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) Receives $5,370.43 Average Target Price from Brokerages

On March 21, 2025, it was reported that Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG – Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from thirty-one analysts monitoring the company. Among these analysts, ten have rated the stock as a hold, nineteen have recommended buy, and two analysts have issued a strong buy recommendation. The average target price for the stock over the next year, based on the analysts' reports, is $5,370.43.

Several equity analysts have recently published reports regarding shares of Booking. Notably, Robert W. Baird began coverage of Booking, assigning an "outperform" rating and setting a target price of $5,850.00 for the stock on November 27. Furthermore, on the same day, they upgraded Booking to a "strong-buy" rating. Citigroup adjusted its price target for Booking from $5,500.00 to $5,800.00 and maintained a "buy" rating in a report on February 21. Similarly, Royal Bank of Canada increased its price target from $5,250.00 to $5,900.00 while giving an "outperform" rating on the same date. Wells Fargo & Company also raised its target from $4,470.00 to $5,248.00, maintaining an "equal weight" rating.

Institutional Trading of Booking

Large institutional investors have been active in buying and selling shares of Booking Holdings. During the fourth quarter, AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc established a new stake in the company, valued at $25,000, while New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC made a similar investment of $25,000. Summit Securities Group LLC and Bernard Wealth Management Corp. both acquired new stakes worth $30,000. Additionally, Valley National Advisers Inc. significantly increased its shareholding by 600%, now owning 7 shares valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares during the quarter. Currently, institutional investors and hedge funds hold 92.42% of Booking Holdings' stock.

Recent Stock Performance

As of Tuesday, BKNG shares opened at $4,589.03. The company boasts a market cap of approximately $150.59 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.52, a PEG ratio of 1.71, and a beta of 1.40. The stock has experienced a 52-week low of $3,180.00 and a high of $5,337.24. Its fifty-day simple moving average stands at $4,792.05, and the two-hundred-day simple moving average is at $4,689.82.

In its latest earnings report released on February 20, Booking reported earnings per share (EPS) of $41.55, exceeding analytical expectations of $35.82 by $5.73. The company’s revenue for the quarter was $5.47 billion, surpassing the forecast of $5.18 billion. Booking displayed a net margin of 24.78%, although it recorded a negative return on equity of 159.34%. Analysts predict that Booking will provide an EPS of 209.92 for the ongoing year.

Dividend Announcement

Additionally, Booking announced an increase in its quarterly dividend, scheduled to be paid on March 31. Investors on record as of March 7 will receive a dividend of $9.60 per share, which marks a rise from the previous dividend of $8.75. This translates to an annual dividend of $38.40, yielding 0.84%. The company’s dividend payout ratio currently stands at 22.19%.

Company Overview

Booking Holdings Inc., previously known as The Priceline Group Inc., is a leading provider of online reservation services for travel and dining. Through its various online travel companies (OTCs), it connects consumers with diverse accommodation options, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, and vacation rentals. The company's well-known brands include Booking.com, priceline.com, and agoda.com.

Booking, Investment, Analysis