Mediolanum International Funds Ltd has decreased its stake in Expedia Group, Inc. by 16.3% during the second quarter of 2024. The firm reported holding 38,973 shares of the online travel company, valued at approximately $6,655,000, after selling 7,581 shares in the period. This adjustment is part of broader shifts observed among institutional investors in Expedia Group, which trades under the NASDAQ ticker EXPE.
Several other large investment firms have also recently altered their positions in Expedia Group. Spire Wealth Management has notably increased its holdings by 114.3%, now owning 150 shares valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares. Meanwhile, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. and Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. each established new positions in the first quarter, both valued at around $28,000. GFG Capital LLC and Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH have also made new investments, with stakes worth approximately $29,000 and $31,000, respectively. Together, institutional investors and hedge funds control 90.76% of Expedia Group’s stock.
Stock Performance and Analyst Insights
As of the latest trading session, shares of Expedia Group opened at $247.49, reflecting a 5.4% increase. The company boasts a market capitalization of $30.33 billion, with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 30.33 and a P/E/G ratio of 1.15. The stock has experienced significant price fluctuations over the past year, with a 52-week low of $130.01 and a high of $279.61.
Expedia Group’s financial ratios indicate a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 0.75, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.14.
In related news, the firm announced a quarterly dividend of $0.40, set to be paid on December 11, 2024. Shareholders of record by November 19, 2024 will receive this payment, translating to an annualized dividend of $1.60 and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The company’s current dividend payout ratio stands at 15.31%.
Insider Trading and Analyst Ratings
Recent insider activity shows Director Craig A. Jacobson sold 3,000 shares on November 13, 2024, at an average price of $271.55, totaling $814,650. Following this sale, Jacobson retains 30,858 shares, valued at approximately $8,379,489.90. This transaction constitutes an 8.86% reduction in his position. Insiders own approximately 9.13% of the company’s stock.
Equity analysts have provided optimistic projections for Expedia Group. Bank of America has raised its price target from $211.00 to $240.00, rating the stock as a “buy.” Similarly, JPMorgan Chase & Co. has increased its target from $225.00 to $260.00 while maintaining a “neutral” rating. Other analysts, such as those from Benchmark, have set a more aggressive target of $310.00, reflecting a strong buy sentiment.
Overall, the stock has received three “Strong Buy” ratings, fourteen “Buy” ratings, and twenty-two “Hold” ratings. MarketBeat data indicates an average rating of “Moderate Buy” with an average target price of $265.31.
Expedia Group, Inc. operates as a prominent online travel company, providing services through various segments, including B2C and B2B operations. Its B2C segment encompasses brands such as Brand Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, among others. As the travel industry continues to rebound, attention on Expedia Group’s performance remains keenly focused by both investors and analysts alike.
