New York, February 3, 2026, 19:39 EST — After-hours action
- BKNG fell 9.3% at the close, then inched up slightly after hours.
- Booking announced that Steve Hafner, co-founder of Kayak, is stepping down as CEO. Peer Bueller will succeed him in the role.
- Ahead of Booking’s upcoming earnings report, UBS cut its price target on the stock.
Booking Holdings’ common stock (BKNG) dropped 9.32% to $4,644.64 during Tuesday’s regular session, before inching up 0.57% to $4,671.02 in after-hours trading. (Investing)
The decline is significant as it precedes the company’s Q4 and full-year results due Feb. 18. Investors will focus on any changes in demand and the expenses tied to attracting online traffic. Booking plans to release its earnings around 4 p.m. ET, followed by a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET. (Nasdaq)
Booking is shaking up leadership at its metasearch division, while Wall Street makes subtle yet notable shifts in its outlook for the stock — not a total overhaul, but enough to catch traders’ eyes today.
Booking announced Tuesday that KAYAK has named Peer Bueller as its new CEO. Co-founder Steve Hafner will step into the role of executive chair and take on a fresh position at the parent company, focusing on pushing AI innovation forward. “Steve pioneered the metasearch category with the launch of KAYAK,” said Booking CEO Glenn Fogel. Hafner described the timing as “perfect to hand the reins to Peer.” (PR Newswire)
UBS analyst Stephen Ju cut his price target to $6,608 from $6,806 but maintained a Buy rating on the stock. (TipRanks)
Tuesday’s session was rough for stocks overall, but Booking’s plunge caught the eye within the travel sector. The S&P 500 dropped 0.84%, while the Dow was down 0.34%. Expedia Group tumbled 15.26%, with Trip.com Group and Tripadvisor also closing in the red. Booking shares ended about 20% below their 52-week peak, and trading volume surged past the 50-day average, according to MarketWatch data. (MarketWatch)
A recent filing revealed modest insider selling. Director Robert J. Mylod Jr sold 40 shares on Feb. 2 via Annox Capital, LLC, following a Rule 10b5-1 plan — a pre-set schedule permitting executives and directors to offload shares. (SEC)
On Wednesday, traders will be looking to see if the stock holds firm after its sharp move or if selling pressure spreads to other travel stocks. The Kayak shift is partly corporate housekeeping, but it also refocuses attention on product investment and traffic strategy as the company approaches its next earnings report.
There’s a downside risk as well. If demand weakens in crucial markets or marketing expenses climb faster than bookings, Booking might see margin pressure despite steady travel volumes. Fluctuating currencies and stiffening competition for online travel customers could make things more challenging, and fast.
Feb. 18 looms as the next major catalyst. Investors will zero in on Booking’s guidance, watch closely for remarks about the Kayak transition, and try to read between the lines on management’s vision for the coming year.
