UBS Group Reiterates Buy Rating for United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL)

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL)‘s stock had its “buy” rating reiterated by stock analysts at UBS Group in a research report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $139.00 target price on the transportation company’s stock. UBS Group’s price target points to a potential upside of 43.55% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on UAL. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on United Airlines from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of United Airlines from $70.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of United Airlines from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $68.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, United Airlines currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $94.41.

United Airlines Trading Up 1.7 %

NASDAQ UAL opened at $96.83 on Tuesday. United Airlines has a 52 week low of $37.02 and a 52 week high of $98.00. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $72.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $56.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.85 billion, a PE ratio of 11.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.39.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.76 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.65 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that United Airlines will post 10.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In other news, 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 completion of the sale, 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.44, for a total transaction of $1,407,700.00. Following the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.63% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UAL. Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in United Airlines in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in United Airlines in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in United Airlines by 59.7% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 682 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the last quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in United Airlines during the third quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Quest Partners LLC grew its holdings in United Airlines by 3,504.8% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 757 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 736 shares during the last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.