Townsend & Associates Inc Boosts Stock Position in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Townsend & Associates Inc grew its stake in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 1.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,903 shares of the business services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Booking makes up approximately 1.7% of Townsend & Associates Inc’s portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Townsend & Associates Inc’s holdings in Booking were worth $16,833,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Booking in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $5,322,600,000. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Booking by 4,565.4% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 62,610 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $227,143,000 after purchasing an additional 61,268 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Booking by 106.0% in the 2nd quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 71,334 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $282,590,000 after purchasing an additional 36,710 shares in the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Booking by 2,315.8% in the second quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 36,793 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $145,755,000 after purchasing an additional 35,270 shares during the period. Finally, Magnolia Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Booking during the second quarter worth about $125,615,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.42% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,787 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,722,379.07. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BKNG has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Booking from $4,900.00 to $5,200.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Wedbush lifted their price target on Booking from $3,900.00 to $4,750.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. DA Davidson increased their price objective on shares of Booking from $4,100.00 to $5,005.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of Booking from $4,100.00 to $5,500.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Booking from $3,940.00 to $4,510.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Booking has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $4,749.83.

Booking Stock Performance

NASDAQ:BKNG opened at $4,943.27 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $4,240.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $3,931.94. Booking Holdings Inc. has a one year low of $2,998.52 and a one year high of $5,060.50. The company has a market capitalization of $163.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.38.

Booking Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 6th will be given a dividend of $8.75 per share. This represents a $35.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 6th. Booking’s dividend payout ratio is currently 23.75%.

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.