United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Reaches New 52-Week High – Should You Buy?

United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $127.32 and last traded at $126.5150, with a volume of 768831 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $121.55.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UAL has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of United Airlines from $148.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Zacks Research upgraded United Airlines from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of United Airlines in a report on Monday, April 20th. Wall Street Zen raised United Airlines from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, April 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on United Airlines from $118.00 to $112.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $135.76.

United Airlines Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $41.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.52, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. The company has a 50 day moving average of $102.55 and a 200 day moving average of $104.31.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The transportation company reported $1.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.11. United Airlines had a return on equity of 24.33% and a net margin of 6.06%.The firm had revenue of $14.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.91 EPS. United Airlines’s quarterly revenue was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. United Airlines has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.000-11.000 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.000-2.000 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that United Airlines Holdings Inc will post 10.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In other United Airlines news, CEO J Scott Kirby sold 48,303 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.30, for a total transaction of $5,859,153.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 798,929 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $96,910,087.70. This trade represents a 5.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 34,669 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.41, for a total transaction of $3,654,459.29. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 67,707 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,136,994.87. The trade was a 33.86% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 96,381 shares of company stock worth $10,837,575 in the last ninety days. 0.86% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID bought a new position in United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Western Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Cache Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, BOCHK Asset Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 69.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About United Airlines

United Airlines Holdings, Inc operates United Airlines, a major U.S. full-service passenger carrier providing scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo. The company offers a comprehensive route network that covers domestic markets across the United States as well as extensive international service to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. United operates a mixed fleet of narrow- and wide-body aircraft on point-to-point and hub-and-spoke routes, and supports corporate and leisure travel through offerings such as premium cabins, basic economy, and ancillary services including baggage, seat selection and in-flight amenities.

In addition to passenger operations, United provides cargo services through United Cargo, handling freight, mail and specialized shipments.