Booking Holdings Earnings On Deck – Analysts Raise Stock (BKNG) Leading In

When the closing bell rings today, all eyes will turn to Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), the behemoth behind Booking.com and other leading travel platforms, as earnings loom large.

The company is poised to release its second-quarter earnings report, and the stakes are high, with Booking's stock (BKNG) trading at the upper end of a bullish range, up 15% since the start of the year.

Analysts are looking for solid increases from BKNG, with the average EPS estimate looking for $50.32, representing a jump of ~20% from the same quarter last year ($41.90). Revenue expectations are equally bullish, with forecasts pointing to $6.55 billion, an 11.73% year-over-year increase.

These figures reflect confidence in Booking Holdings' ability to capitalize on the continued resurgence of travel demand worldwide. Expectations have been on the rise leading into the print, with 5 analysts revising EPS estimates upwards in the month prior, and only one revising down.

However, it's important to remember that forecasts are just that, forecasts.

Beyond the headline numbers, investors will be closely scrutinizing the firms' progress in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations. The company has made significant strides in this area, notably with the launch of KAYAK.ai, designed to offer personalized travel planning experiences.

The success of these AI-driven initiatives is crucial to the company's long-term strategy, particularly its “Connected Trip” vision, which aims to provide a seamless and integrated travel experience for customers.

The company also set a high bar in the first quarter of 2025, reporting an EPS of $24.81, a 43.11% beat, and revenue of $4.76 billion, also exceeding forecasts. Supported by a record 319 million room nights booked during the quarter, maintaining this level of performance in Q2 will be a key challenge.

With Booking's stock trading near ATHs, some resistance can be expected if execution, or outlook disappoints, yet analysts don't seem to be overly concerned.

UBS raised their price target to $6,300 leading in, expecting to see currency tailwinds on the quarter, alongside strong consumer appetite for travel. Morgan Stanley ($5.800 from $4,900), BofA ($5,850 from $5,820), and Barclays ($5,700 from $5,600) have also raised in the past weeks as the street backs the name.