United Airlines’ (UAL) “Buy” Rating Reiterated at The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group restated their buy rating on shares of United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) in a research report released on Friday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a $119.00 price target on the transportation company’s stock.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on United Airlines from $68.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on United Airlines from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 21st. Bank of America upped their price objective on United Airlines from $70.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Susquehanna boosted their target price on United Airlines from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their price target on United Airlines from $80.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $86.61.

United Airlines Stock Performance

UAL opened at $91.17 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average is $66.95 and its 200-day moving average is $54.50. The firm has a market cap of $29.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.79. United Airlines has a 52-week low of $37.02 and a 52-week high of $93.33.

United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 15th. The transportation company reported $3.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.10 by $0.23. United Airlines had a return on equity of 30.72% and a net margin of 4.94%. The company had revenue of $14.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.76 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.65 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that United Airlines will post 10.23 EPS for the current fiscal year.

United Airlines announced that its board has approved a stock 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 usually an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Airlines

In related news, EVP Kate Gebo sold 17,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.44, for a total value of $1,407,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 40,012 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,218,565.28. This trade represents a 30.43 % decrease in their position. The sale 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 dated 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 30,427 shares in the company, valued at $2,190,744. This represents a 32.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.63% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Global Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in United Airlines in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Airlines during the first quarter worth about $32,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position 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 buying an additional 255 shares during the period. Finally, Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in United Airlines during the third quarter worth about $36,000. 69.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.