Metis Global Partners LLC Decreases Position in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)

Metis Global Partners LLC lowered its stake in Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) by 1.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,316 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 18 shares during the quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC’s holdings in Booking were worth $5,543,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Jamison Private Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Booking during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Grove Bank & Trust grew its position in shares of Booking by 133.3% during the second quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 7 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 4 shares during the last quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Booking in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Kings Path Partners LLC acquired a new position in Booking during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, West Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Booking during the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. 92.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Booking from $4,205.00 to $5,155.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Booking from $4,025.00 to $3,860.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Argus lowered shares of Booking from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report 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 research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Booking from $4,448.00 to $4,850.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Booking presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $4,749.83.

Insider Transactions at Booking

In other news, insider Paulo Pisano sold 100 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3,887.61, for a total transaction of $388,761.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,787 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,722,379.07. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

Booking Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of Booking stock opened at $4,987.44 on Thursday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $4,311.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $3,966.44. The company has a market capitalization of $165.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.84, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.38. Booking Holdings Inc. has a 12-month low of $3,079.50 and a 12-month high of $5,069.44.

Booking Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 6th will be paid a $8.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 6th. This represents a $35.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.70%. Booking’s payout ratio is 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.