Czech National Bank Purchases 4,320 Shares of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL)

Czech National Bank raised its holdings in shares of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) by 6.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 71,307 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,320 shares during the quarter. Czech National Bank’s holdings in United Airlines were worth $6,924,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in United Airlines in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of United Airlines in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the third quarter valued at about $36,000. Quest Partners LLC raised its holdings in United Airlines by 3,504.8% during the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 757 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 736 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in United Airlines by 108.6% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 753 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Airlines Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ UAL opened at $107.67 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The firm has a market cap of $35.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.44. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $96.57 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.16. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $37.02 and a one year high of $110.92.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.10 by $0.23. United Airlines had a net margin of 4.94% and a return on equity of 30.72%. The business had revenue of $14.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.76 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.65 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that United Airlines Holdings, Inc. will post 10.27 EPS for the current year.

United Airlines declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, October 15th that allows the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the transportation company to reacquire up to 7.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on UAL shares. Melius Research raised United Airlines to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. Barclays upped their price target on shares of United Airlines from $75.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $119.00 price objective on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $90.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 30th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on United Airlines from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $106.45.

Insider Activity at United Airlines

In related news, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.44, for a total transaction of $1,407,700.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 40,012 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,218,565.28. This trade represents a 30.43 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Linda P. Jojo sold 60,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.12, for a total transaction of $5,707,200.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 63,599 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,049,536.88. This represents a 48.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 92,000 shares of company stock worth $8,158,900. Company insiders own 0.63% of the company’s stock.

About United Airlines

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.