BKNG Surges 2.48% Amid Sector Rally and Bullish Technicals – What’s Fueling the Momentum?

Summary
• Booking Holdings (BKNG) trades at $5,433.00, up 2.48% intraday, hitting a high of $5,444.56.
• The 2X leveraged ETF BKNU rallies 3.12%, outpacing the stock’s move.
• Sector leader Expedia (EXPE) surges 2.98%, amplifying sector-wide optimism.
• Technicals show RSI at 81.98 (overbought) and MACD at 63.48 (bullish divergence).
Booking Holdings’ sharp intraday rally aligns with a broader sector upswing and robust technical indicators. With the stock nearing its 52-week high of $5,839.41, traders are scrutinizing whether this momentum will persist or face near-term resistance.

Bullish Technicals and Sector Synergy Drive BKNG Higher
The 2.48% intraday surge in BKNG is primarily driven by a confluence of overbought technical indicators and sector-wide optimism. The RSI at 81.98 signals extreme overbought conditions, while the MACD histogram of 51.56 confirms bullish momentum. Additionally, the stock’s price action remains above its 200-day moving average of $5,205.64, reinforcing a long-term bullish bias. The absence of company-specific news suggests this move is algorithmic and sentiment-driven, with traders capitalizing on the stock’s proximity to its 52-week high.

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Sector Gains Momentum as EXPE Outpaces BKNG
The Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure sector is experiencing broad-based strength, with sector leader Expedia (EXPE) surging 2.98% compared to BKNG’s 2.48% gain. This divergence highlights EXPE’s stronger market positioning amid travel recovery narratives. While BKNG remains a sector bellwether, EXPE’s outperformance underscores competitive dynamics and investor preference for its business model. The sector’s rally is underpinned by improving consumer confidence and pent-up demand for travel services.

Aggressive Longs Target 5440 Call Amid Overbought Conditions
• T-REX 2X Long BKNG Daily Target ETF (BKNU): 3.12% gain, ideal for leveraged exposure.
• 200-day MA: $5,205.64 (below current price); RSI: 81.98 (overbought); MACD: 63.48 (bullish).
• Key levels to watch: 5452.53 (200D resistance) and 4899.26 (30D support).
• Short-term bulls should target the BKNG20251226C5440 call option (strike $5,440, expiring 12/26) with a 3.50% implied volatility and 367.53% leverage ratio. A 5% upside from $5,433.00 (to $5,704.65) would yield a $264.65 payoff per contract. The high delta (0.5246) and gamma (0.0115) suggest strong sensitivity to price moves.
• The BKNG20260109C5450 call (strike $5,450, expiring 1/9) offers a 108,716.80% leverage ratio but negligible delta (0.0322) and theta (-0.2334), making it unsuitable for near-term plays.
Aggressive bulls may consider BKNG20251226C5440 into a breakout above $5,452.53 (200D resistance).

Backtest Booking Holdings Stock Performance
The backtest of Booking Holdings (BKNG) following a 2% intraday surge from 2022 to the present indicates positive short-to-medium-term gains. The 3-Day win rate is 59.20%, the 10-Day win rate is 57.50%, and the 30-Day win rate is 62.43%, suggesting that BKNG tends to perform well in the immediate aftermath of such events. The maximum return observed was 5.72% over 30 days, indicating that there is potential for significant gains if the momentum continues.

BKNG’s Bullish Momentum Suggests Aggressive Longs – Watch for 5452.53 Resistance
BKNG’s 2.48% intraday surge is underpinned by overbought technicals and sector-wide optimism, but caution is warranted as the RSI nears 82. The 200-day resistance at $5,452.53 will be a critical test for sustainability. Investors should monitor the leveraged ETF BKNU and sector leader EXPE (up 2.98%) for confirmation of broader momentum. A breakout above $5,452.53 could extend the rally toward the 52-week high of $5,839.41, but a close below $5,346.48 (intraday low) would signal a reversal. Watch for $5,452.53 breakdown or regulatory reaction.