On Monday, Citi maintained its Buy rating on Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG) shares while increasing the stock's price target to $5,500 from the previous $4,100. The adjustment follows a period of reaccelerating growth in room nights and Gross Bookings, as well as a continuation of positive travel trends into October.
According to the firm, Booking Holdings exhibited an 8% year-over-year rise in room nights, with particularly strong performance in the European Union and the Asia-Pacific region. The company's alternative accommodations strategy has been gaining momentum, as evidenced by a 14% year-over-year increase in room nights for this segment, which now represents 35% of total room nights.
Citi highlighted that Booking Holdings has achieved top-line results stabilization and improved marketing efficiency, with new formats like social media generating a return on investment. This trend is expected to persist, contributing to the company's positive outlook.
The firm is closely monitoring the potential for U.S. room night growth to reaccelerate in 2025. Nonetheless, Citi anticipates that Booking Holdings will continue to gain market share and see margin expansion, bolstered by improved operating efficiencies and the benefits of GenAI technology. Booking Holdings is identified as Citi's top pick within the online travel agency (OTA) sector.
In other recent news, Booking Holdings showcased strong financial performance in the third quarter, with a 9% increase in gross bookings and revenue, surpassing estimates from both RBC Capital and Susquehanna.
The company's EBITDA reached $3.7 billion, exceeding projections, and the non-GAAP earnings per share of $83.89 was higher than anticipated. This robust performance led both RBC Capital and Susquehanna to significantly raise their price targets for the company, reflecting confidence in the company's continued performance.
Booking Holdings also reported nearly 300 million room nights booked, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. The company's full-year projections have improved, with gross bookings expected to increase by around 8%, and revenue growth anticipated to be just below 10%. The company also aims for adjusted EBITDA growth of 13-14% and adjusted EPS growth in the high teens.
These recent developments indicate strategic growth in the travel industry. RBC Capital highlighted the company's successful capitalization on the rebounding demand, particularly in the European alternative accommodations sector.
Meanwhile, Susquehanna commended the company's impressive execution amidst the industry's recovery. Both firms suggest that Booking Holdings is a top investment choice within the travel industry.
InvestingPro Insights
Booking Holdings' strong performance, as highlighted by Citi's upgraded price target, is further supported by recent InvestingPro data. The company's market capitalization stands at an impressive $157.18 billion, reflecting its dominant position in the online travel industry.
InvestingPro Tips indicate that Booking Holdings has been aggressively buying back shares, which aligns with the company's strategy to return value to shareholders. This move could potentially contribute to the stock's recent strong performance, with a notable 67.32% price total return over the past year.
The company's financial health is robust, with a revenue of $23.05 billion in the last twelve months as of Q3 2023, showing a growth of 11.74%. This growth trajectory supports Citi's positive outlook on the company's top-line stabilization. Moreover, Booking Holdings boasts an impressive gross profit margin of 84.67%, underscoring its operational efficiency and strong market position.
These insights complement Citi's analysis, providing additional context to Booking Holdings' financial strength and market performance. For investors seeking a deeper understanding, InvestingPro offers 21 additional tips for Booking Holdings, providing a comprehensive view of the company's prospects.
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