United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the fourteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and thirteen have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $78.94.

A number of research firms recently commented on UAL. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on United Airlines from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $66.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $70.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Susquehanna increased their price target on United Airlines from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Torbjorn J. Enqvist sold 14,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.00, for a total transaction of $1,044,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 30,427 shares in the company, valued at $2,190,744. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.63% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UAL. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in United Airlines by 43.5% in the 3rd quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,230 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 373 shares in the last quarter. Round Rock Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines in the third quarter worth about $228,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in United Airlines during the third quarter worth about $78,000. Hara Capital LLC grew its stake in United Airlines by 56.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hara Capital LLC now owns 31,508 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,798,000 after acquiring an additional 11,343 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in United Airlines by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 378,214 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $21,581,000 after acquiring an additional 11,601 shares during the last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Airlines Stock Down 4.0 %

NASDAQ:UAL opened at $77.25 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95. United Airlines has a twelve month low of $36.23 and a twelve month high of $81.35. The company has a market cap of $25.41 billion, a PE ratio of 9.32, a P/E/G ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.39. The company’s 50 day moving average is $58.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $52.26.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.10 by $0.23. United Airlines had a net margin of 4.94% and a return on equity of 30.72%. The firm had revenue of $14.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.76 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.65 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that United Airlines will post 10.18 EPS for the current year.

United Airlines announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, October 15th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the transportation company to buy up to 7.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

United Airlines Company Profile

United Airlines Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional fleets. It also offers catering, ground handling, flight academy, and maintenance services for third parties.