United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) Hits New 1-Year High – What’s Next?

United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) shares hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $76.61 and last traded at $76.61, with a volume of 179839 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $74.64.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on United Airlines from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of United Airlines from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on shares of United Airlines from $68.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of United Airlines from $66.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on United Airlines from $70.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $78.94.

United Airlines Trading Up 2.5 %

The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $54.68 and a 200-day moving average price of $50.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.17 billion, a PE ratio of 9.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.44.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.10 by $0.23. United Airlines had a net margin of 4.94% and a return on equity of 30.72%. The company had revenue of $14.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.76 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.65 EPS. Analysts expect that United Airlines Holdings, Inc. will post 10.18 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Torbjorn J. Enqvist sold 14,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 30,427 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,190,744. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.63% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of United Airlines

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in UAL. BNP Paribas purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of United Airlines during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United Airlines in the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in United Airlines in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in United Airlines during the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. 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.