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

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

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on UAL. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $119.00 target price on shares of United Airlines in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Barclays raised their price objective on United Airlines from $75.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on United Airlines from $68.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Bank of America lifted their price target on United Airlines from $70.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $94.41.

United Airlines Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:UAL opened at $96.83 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.79. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $72.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $56.26. The stock has a market cap 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 has a one year low of $37.02 and a one year high of $98.00.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.10 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $14.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.76 billion. United Airlines had a return on equity of 30.72% and a net margin of 4.94%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.65 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that United Airlines will post 10.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Insider Activity at United Airlines

In related 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 transaction of $1,044,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 30,427 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,190,744. This trade represents a 32.27 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 40,012 shares in the company, valued at $3,218,565.28. This represents a 30.43 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.63% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UAL. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its position in shares of United Airlines by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,161,931 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $55,634,000 after acquiring an additional 64,542 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in United Airlines by 41.2% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,112,583 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $177,604,000 after acquiring an additional 908,558 shares during the last quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP boosted its stake in United Airlines by 87.2% in the third quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP now owns 18,912 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,079,000 after acquiring an additional 8,808 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of United Airlines by 16.4% during the first quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 17,429 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $835,000 after purchasing an additional 2,456 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Senator Investment Group LP raised its position in shares of United Airlines by 39.5% during the 2nd quarter. Senator Investment Group LP now owns 1,046,051 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $50,901,000 after purchasing an additional 296,051 shares during the period. 69.69% of the stock is 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.