United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Receives Buy Rating from UBS Group

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL)‘s stock had its “buy” rating reaffirmed by stock analysts at UBS Group in a report released on Tuesday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a $139.00 target price on the transportation company’s stock. UBS Group’s price target suggests a potential upside of 44.27% from the company’s previous close.

Several other analysts have also recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on United Airlines from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report 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 report on Monday, October 21st. Bank of America lifted their price objective on United Airlines from $70.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $119.00 price target on shares of United Airlines in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $100.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $96.15.

United Airlines Stock Performance

United Airlines stock opened at $96.35 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $74.07 and a 200-day moving average of $56.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.72. United Airlines has a 1 year low of $37.02 and a 1 year high of $101.60. The company has a market capitalization of $31.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.39.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.10 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $14.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.76 billion. United Airlines had a net margin of 4.94% and a return on equity of 30.72%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.65 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that United Airlines will post 10.23 earnings per share for the current year.

United Airlines declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase 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 repurchase up to 7.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.44, for a total value of $1,407,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 40,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,218,565.28. This represents a 30.43 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Torbjorn J. Enqvist sold 14,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.00, for a total value of $1,044,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 30,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,190,744. This trade represents a 32.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 92,000 shares of company stock worth $8,158,900 over the last three months. 0.63% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Airlines

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of United Airlines in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in United Airlines during the second quarter worth $30,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in United Airlines in the third quarter worth $36,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in United Airlines by 59.7% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 682 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of United Airlines by 108.6% during the 3rd 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. Institutional investors own 69.69% 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.