Can BKNG sustain its earnings momentum into 2025?

**Booking Holdings (BKNG) is poised to sustain its earnings momentum into 2025**, based on several key factors:

1. **Strong Financial Performance**: BKNG's recent financial results have been robust, with a net income of $1.07 billion and total revenue of $5.47 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024. The company's diluted EPS grew by 381.08% year-over-year, indicating a strong earnings trajectory.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Net Income YoY|Total Revenue YoY|Diluted EPS YoY|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q1|191.7293233082707|16.860772895712017|219.57142857142858|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q2|17.906976744186046|7.268399853533504|27.19977070793924|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q3|0.23894862604540024|8.895245879307996|6.504297994269351|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q4|381.0810810810811|14.360367892976589||185|

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Net Income YoY|Net Income|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q1|191.7293233082707|7.76E8|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q2|17.906976744186046|1.521E9|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q3|0.23894862604540024|2.517E9|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q4|381.0810810810811|1.068E9|185|

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Total Revenue YoY|Total Revenue|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q1|16.860772895712017|4.415E9|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q2|7.268399853533504|5.859E9|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q3|8.895245879307996|7.994E9|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q4|14.360367892976589|5.471E9|185|

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Diluted EPS YoY|Diluted EPS|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q1|219.57142857142858|22.37|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q2|27.19977070793924|44.38|185|
|BKNG|BKNG.O|Booking Holdings|2024 Q3|6.504297994269351|74.34|185|

2. **Strategic Initiatives**: BKNG is focused on leveraging AI and its connected trip vision to enhance traveler experiences and drive operational efficiencies. The company's strategic investments in AI and operational efficiencies are expected to contribute to its sustained growth in 2025.
3. **Positive Market Outlook**: Analysts have a neutral consensus rating on BKNG, with an average current price target of $5558.12, indicating potential upside from the current price. The company's targets for at least 8% growth in gross bookings and revenue and a 15% increase in adjusted EPS in 2025 suggest confidence in its future earnings potential.

4. **Dividend Increase**: BKNG increased its dividend by 10% following its impressive Q4 performance, which can attract income-focused investors and contribute to the stock's stability and growth.
5. **Technological Advancements**: BKNG's focus on AI and connected trip initiatives is expected to further enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies, providing a competitive edge in the travel industry.
6. **Cost Savings Initiatives**: The company announced a transformation program targeting $400M-$450M in annual cost savings, which could positively impact its margins and earnings in 2025.
7. **Historical Performance**: BKNG has consistently exceeded earnings expectations, with earnings beat estimates in all the trailing four quarters. This track record suggests that the company has the ability to sustain its earnings momentum.

In conclusion, BKNG's strong financial performance, strategic initiatives, positive market outlook, dividend increase, technological advancements, cost savings initiatives, and historical performance all point to a strong likelihood of sustaining its earnings momentum into 2025.