Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is included among the 13 Most Promising Long-Term Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. Booking’s (BKNG) Long-Term Growth Outlook Drives Upgrade from Morgan Stanley Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock.com On February 24, Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak upgraded Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) to Overweight from Equal Weight. He set a price target of $5,500, down from $6,150. In his research note, Nowak said that even as agentic tools evolve, Booking is likely to remain ...

Market Overview - The current market environment is characterized by significant dispersion, with both 52-week highs and lows across various sectors, particularly impacted by AI disruption in Information Technology and Financials [1][10] - U.S. mid- and small-cap stocks have outperformed the S&P 500 Index, rising 7-8% year-to-date, while the S&P 500 has remained relatively stagnant, fluctuating within a 2-3% range [3][4] Stock Splits - There is a notable trend of both traditional and reverse stock splits occurring in the market, with traditional splits typically signaling confidence from companies, while reverse splits often indicate distress [5][11] - Booking Holdings announced a 25-for-1 traditional stock split despite being at a 52-week low, reflecting mixed market sentiment following its Q4 results [15][16] - Noodles & Company executed a 1-for-8 reverse stock split as its market cap plummeted from $600 million to $30 million, highlighting the struggles within the consumer sector [18] Sector Performance - The bifurcation in market performance is evident, with sectors like Energy, Materials, and Consumer Staples showing resilience, while others, particularly in technology, face significant drawdowns [2][10] - The S&P 500 has experienced its worst start to a year compared to international indices, with many country ETFs performing well year-to-date [4][10] Corporate Signals - Traditional stock splits are believed to enhance share accessibility and liquidity, while reverse splits are often a response to meet exchange listing requirements or to avoid negative market perceptions [11][12] - The slowdown in traditional split announcements is unusual given the high stock prices, suggesting potential underlying concerns among corporate leaders [13][14]

The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.Top 5 Upgrades: Raymond James double upgraded Genuine Parts (GPC) to Strong Buy from Market Perform with a $145 price target. The firm now sees a "constructively asymmetric" setup for the shares based on "conservative sum-of-the-parts math."Seaport Research upgraded Fox Corp. (FOXA) to Buy from Neutral with a $64 price target. Th ...

Gold: Like Treasury bonds, gold saw solid buying on Monday as investors continued to add to safe-haven positions. The bullion finished Monday's trading at $5,227, up 2.38%. Worries over the Middle East, plus UBS raising its target price for Gold to $6,200 by the middle of 2026, added to the tailwind that was already pushing the commodity higher. Silver was the big winner Monday, closing up 4.23% at $88.10. Crypto: Cryptocurrency prices fell sharply early on Monday, with Bitcoin dropping 3% to 5% over the co ...

OpenTable Launches New Media Network, Connecting Brands with Millions of Global Diners [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationOpenTable Media provides custom advertising and brand partnership solutions on the platform for the first timeSAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- [OpenTable], a global leader in restaurant tech, today announced the launch of its new media solution, [OpenTable Media], unlocking paid partnerships and advertising on the platform. The new offering positions OpenTable as a valu ...

A one-of-a-kind member of Wall Street's "Magnificent Seven" is ideally positioned to become the next stock-split stock.Although artificial intelligence (AI) has been Wall Street's most impactful catalyst over the last three years, it's not the only trend responsible for lifting the broader market to new heights. In addition to AI stocks, investors can't seem to get enough of companies enacting stock splits.A stock split allows a publicly traded company to cosmetically adjust its share price and outstanding ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the preference for Booking (BKNG) over Expedia (EXPE) due to Booking's greater international selection and overall user experience in travel planning [1]. Group 1: Company Analysis - Booking (BKNG) is favored for its extensive international offerings, which enhances the travel experience for users [1]. - Expedia (EXPE) is mentioned as a competitor but does not match the selection provided by Booking [1]. Group 2: Analyst Background - The author has over 35 years of experience in the investment field, including roles as a sell-side and buy-side analyst, as well as a portfolio manager for debt and equity funds [1]. - The focus is on providing fundamental analysis of companies and funds, with an emphasis on financial statements and their implications [1].

Core Insights - Booking Holdings Inc. is recognized as one of the best consumer discretionary stocks to buy currently, despite a recent target price reduction by JPMorgan from $6,250 to $5,600, which represents a 10.4% decrease while maintaining an Overweight rating [1] Financial Performance - Booking Holdings reported strong Q4 earnings with GAAP net income increasing by 34% year-over-year to $1.4 billion and GAAP earnings per share rising by 38% year-over-year to $44.22 [2] - Non-GAAP metrics also showed significant growth, with adjusted EBITDA up 19% year-over-year to $2.2 billion and adjusted earnings per share increasing by 17% year-over-year to $48.80 [2] Revenue and Profitability - The company's revenue grew by 16% year-over-year to $6.3 billion, driven by a 9% increase in room nights booked to 285 million and a 6% rise in average daily rates to $151 per night [3] - Net income margins improved by 300 basis points year-over-year to 22.5%, aided by approximately $550 million in annualized run-rate savings from the company's "Transformation Program" [3]

Core Insights - Stock splits are seen as a positive indicator of a company's performance, often following strong financial results and leading to increased stock prices [1][2] - Companies that initiate stock splits tend to outperform the market, generating average returns of 25% in the year following the announcement, compared to 12% for the S&P 500 [2] Company Summaries Netflix - Netflix has seen a stock price increase of 782% over the past decade, leading to a 10-for-1 stock split [5] - The stock is currently 41% below its peak, with concerns about asset acquisitions, but management is trusted to avoid costly deals [6] - In Q4, Netflix reported record revenue of $12 billion, a 17% increase year-over-year, and EPS rose 30% to $0.56 [7] - 70% of analysts rate Netflix as a buy or strong buy, with an average price target of $111, indicating a potential upside of 43% [7][9] - The stock trades at 31 times earnings, its lowest valuation in three years, making it an attractive buy [10] Booking Holdings - Booking Holdings has delivered over 31,000% returns over the past 25 years and recently announced a 25-for-1 stock split [11] - Despite a recent stock decline due to travel slowdown fears, Q4 revenue grew 16% to $6.3 billion, with EPS up 38% to $44.22 [12] - 77% of analysts rate the stock a buy or strong buy, with an average price target of $5,915, suggesting a potential upside of 45% [13][15] - The stock is currently 30% off its peak and trades at 24 times earnings, below its three-year average of 29, presenting a buying opportunity [15] ServiceNow - ServiceNow's stock has increased 852% over the past decade, despite a 55% drop from its peak, leading to a 5-for-1 stock split [16] - In Q4, ServiceNow reported revenue growth of 21% to $3.53 billion, with adjusted EPS up 24% to $0.92 [18] - 91% of analysts rate the stock a buy or strong buy, with an average price target of $189, indicating a potential upside of 81% [20] - The stock trades at 30 times earnings, reflecting a more reasonable valuation and strong growth prospects [21]

Core Insights - Booking Holdings (BKNG) presented its annual results for the year 2026, achieving a double beat, indicating strong performance in both revenue and earnings [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - The company has been recognized as a Quality Growth Investor, reflecting its focus on high-quality business practices and long-term growth potential [1]. - The analysis emphasizes the search for the best businesses globally to create a long-term portfolio that aims to outperform the market [1].