Here's Why Booking Holdings (BKNG) is a Strong Growth Stock

According to Zacks, Booking Holdings (BKNG), currently a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, exhibits strong growth potential with a Growth Style Score of A and a VGM Score of B. The company's fiscal year earnings are projected to grow 14.4%, and the consensus estimate for fiscal 2025 has increased by $4.43 to $214.06 per share, driven by upward revisions from 11 analysts over the past 60 days; BKNG also has an average earnings surprise of 18.6%.

Analysis

Booking Holdings (BKNG), a major online travel company, currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) but exhibits strong growth attributes, evidenced by a Growth Style Score of A and a VGM Score of B. According to Zacks' methodology, these high style scores suggest potential upside even with a 'Hold' rank. This positive outlook is supported by a projected 14.4% year-over-year earnings growth for the current fiscal year and a significant average earnings surprise of 18.6%. Reflecting growing analyst confidence, 11 analysts have revised their fiscal 2025 earnings estimates for BKNG upward in the past 60 days, causing the Zacks Consensus Estimate to increase by $4.43 to $214.06 per share. The article concludes that these factors—a solid, albeit neutral, Zacks Rank combined with top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores—merit placing BKNG on investors' short lists.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Despite Booking Holdings' (BKNG) Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), its 'A' Growth Style Score, projected 14.4% current-year earnings growth, and 18.6% average earnings surprise signal strong underlying fundamentals that may appeal to growth-oriented investors.
• Investors should closely monitor for any future changes in BKNG's Zacks Rank, as the positive momentum from 11 upward earnings estimate revisions for fiscal 2025, which raised the consensus to $214.06, could lead to a rank upgrade and indicate further potential.
• Considering the article's suggestion to place BKNG on a 'short list', investors might treat it as a candidate for further due diligence, particularly assessing if its growth profile aligns with their strategy for 'Hold'-rated stocks that possess strong style-based indicators.