We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Momentum Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) stands against the other momentum stocks.
In the fast-paced world of investing, momentum is a force that can propel portfolios to new heights—or leave them vulnerable to abrupt reversals. Momentum investing, a strategy centered on capitalizing on upward-trending stocks, has gained renewed attention as markets navigate economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and shifting consumer behaviors. For investors seeking to harness this strategy, the choices of hedge funds—often regarded as the “smart money” on Wall Street—offer a compelling roadmap. These institutions deploy vast resources, cutting-edge analytics, and seasoned expertise to identify stocks with the potential to sustain momentum.
The Allure of Momentum Investing:
Momentum investing is based on the idea that stocks with strong recent performance are likely to keep rising. This momentum is driven by factors such as positive earnings surprises, favorable sector trends, or shifts in the economy. Unlike value investing, which focuses on undervalued stocks, momentum investing capitalizes on market psychology, riding waves of optimism and institutional buying.
Why Hedge Funds Matter:
Hedge funds manage billions in assets and employ teams of analysts, quantitative models, and proprietary data to stay ahead of trends. Their stock picks often reflect deep conviction in a company’s fundamentals, competitive edge, or alignment with transformative themes like artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, or healthcare innovation. When multiple hedge funds converge on a stock, it signals collective confidence in its momentum potential. Moreover, their filings—such as quarterly 13F disclosures—provide a window into their strategies, offering retail investors actionable insights. While past performance is no guarantee, tracking these moves may help identify high-conviction opportunities poised for sustained growth.
Growth of Momentum Stocks:
Momentum stocks have experienced significant growth recently, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, healthcare, and digital transformation. In 2024, momentum investing emerged as one of the top-performing strategies, with high-momentum stocks outperforming low-momentum ones by 28% year-over-year as of December 11, 2024, as reported by Morgan Stanley.
Hedge funds have been instrumental in this trend, significantly increasing their investments in momentum-driven sectors. For instance, hedge funds boosted their exposure to financial firms by 50%, totaling $340 billion, contributing to a 33% surge in the NASDAQ Bank Index, which outpaced both the broader market and the tech-heavy Nasdaq.
The power of momentum investing is particularly evident in sectors like technology, with companies leading the charge in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. For instance, during the first three quarters of 2024, AI-related startups raised $6 billion, accounting for 14.6% of total climate tech investment, according to a report by PwC. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best momentum stocks.
Our Methodology
For this list, we analyzed the holdings of the iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM), which targets U.S. stocks exhibiting strong momentum based on factors like price and earnings growth. We then cross-referenced these holdings with Insider Monkey’s Q3 2024 hedge fund database to identify which companies in the ETF had the highest number of hedge fund investors. By ranking these companies based on the number of hedge funds holding positions, we compiled a list of momentum stocks that show strong performance trends and are favored by most hedge funds.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).
A fast-paced travel agent making a bookings for a family vacation package.
Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 93
Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is a leading global online travel agency that offers a wide range of services, including hotel reservations, flight bookings, and car rentals. With a portfolio of well-known brands such as Booking.com, Priceline, and Kayak, the company serves millions of travelers worldwide.
In the third-quarter 2024 results, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) saw a 9% year-over-year increase in gross travel bookings, reaching $43.4 billion, while total revenues also rose by 9% to $8.0 billion. Net income remained steady at $2.5 billion, with EPS growing 7% to $74.34, reflecting the company’s ability to maintain profitability while expanding. Adjusted net income surged 9% to $2.8 billion, with adjusted EPS climbing 16% to $83.89, driven by operational efficiencies. BKNG is one of the best momentum stocks on our list.
Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) continues to evolve its business operations through strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency and capitalize on emerging trends. The company recently unveiled plans to reduce costs by approximately $400-$450 million over the next few years, focusing on process optimization and real estate footprint reduction. In parallel, the company is aggressively integrating artificial intelligence across its brands—Booking.com, Priceline, Kayak, Agoda, and OpenTable—to improve customer service and streamline operations.
Scott Devitt of Wedbush maintained a “Buy” rating on Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), raising the price target from $5,000 to $5,500, a 9.81% increase.
Overall BKNG ranks 7th on our list of the best momentum stocks to buy according to hedge funds. While we acknowledge the potential for BKNG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BKNG but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
