United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) Given Average Recommendation of “Buy” by Brokerages

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) has received an average rating of “Buy” from the eighteen research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Sixteen research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $110.20.

Several research firms have weighed in on UAL. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of United Airlines from $68.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $139.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Raymond James restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $130.00 price objective (up from $120.00) on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Thursday. 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on United Airlines from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In related news, EVP Linda P. Jojo sold 60,000 shares of the company’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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 63,599 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,049,536.88. This represents a 48.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of the firm’s 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 40,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,218,565.28. This represents a 30.43 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.63% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UAL. Winch Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in United Airlines during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of United Airlines during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in United Airlines in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new position in United Airlines in the third quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its holdings in United Airlines by 25.0% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 710 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. 69.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

United Airlines Trading Up 1.9 %

UAL stock opened at $105.00 on Friday. United Airlines has a twelve month low of $37.02 and a twelve month high of $116.00. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $99.39 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $71.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 21st. The transportation company reported $3.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.30. The business had revenue of $14.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.40 billion. United Airlines had a return on equity of 32.26% and a net margin of 5.52%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.00 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that United Airlines will post 12.7 earnings per share for the current year.

United Airlines declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Tuesday, October 15th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the transportation company to reacquire up to 7.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is 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.